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Archive for September, 2020

What You Need to Know About Used Forklifts

September 30th, 2020  | 
Resource Center/BLOGUsed Forklifts

Are you in the market for used forklifts? Before you begin your search, ask yourself these questions first:

  • How many hours do you currently use a forklift every day?
  • Will the number increase in the next 12 months or during seasonal times throughout the year? If so, by how much?

Why are these questions important?

Used forklifts are great if you use them for less than four hours daily in a single-shift operation. However, if you need a forklift for more than a few hours a day, you may want to consider a new forklift purchase 

Okay, if you’ve done the math and determined a used forklift is the right material-handling equipment for you, here are the essential questions to ask before buying.   

How has the forklift been used?    

The answer is more important than you might think. Try to find out every possible application. For example, suppose you find out it was in a cold storage facility. In that case, you want to ensure it has an anti-corrosion protection system, which provides maximum resistance to harsh environmental factors. If not, you could have problems with rust in the future.

Has the forklift ever been a rental? 

This is an important question to ask if you’re buying a used forklift from a dealership. Find out if it was a short-term or long-term rental and ask about its history. Try to find out if it was in any extreme environments or applications.   

What’s the forklift’s service history? 

Find out the service intervals and what repairs were needed each time. Check if it was maintained by experienced technicians and repaired using certified parts.

Carefully review the maintenance log, as it often reveals weaknesses. Look closely and ask questions if something doesn’t seem right. Has the mast or engine been serviced more than usual, or does something else look unusual?

Finding out a forklift’s history before buying a used forklift is a critical step to avoid costly downtime and expensive repairs. If you can’t get the information you need to make an informed decision, walk away.

Do you need help finding a suitable used forklift? We carry an extensive inventory of used, reconditioned forklifts for various applications. Contact us and let our experts find the perfect used forklift for you.