
HOME		Forklifts		Profile & Services		Mission Statement		Contact Us

Buying Used Forklifts: A Guide

Forklifts have made operations in many companies much easier. In the past, businesses incurred significant labor costs when receiving deliveries into a warehouse or when issuing out products to customers. Enterprises now consider forklifts to be an indispensable part of their operation. The scale of your operation will determine if you need to buy a new forklift or a used one. If the reason you require a forklift is for limited use during specific times of the day, then you may want to consider a used forklift. This article will focus on the things you need to look out for as you purchase a used forklift.

The first thing you ought to consider is your production requirements. The machine you choose should have the capacity to handle your requirements. Consider the size of the load that you require the forklift to carry. Also, determine where the forklift will be operating. Some people use their forklifts for operations inside the warehouse while others use them outside. If you intend to use it within a building, ensure that it can maneuver easily along the aisles of your warehouse. If the forklift shall operate outside then you have more space to work with.

You should also consider how much weight you wish the forklift to carry. Select a forklift that is appropriate for your load. Also, consider the height of your shelves. The forklift should have sufficient capacity to reach the height of your choice.

Before you purchase a forklift, look at its maintenance records. The maintenance records are a clear pointer of how the machine has been operating. Where the owners do not have the appropriate records, then it would be prudent to have a qualified mechanic inspect it thoroughly. Check to see if there are leaks from any part of the machine. The best time to check for this is after the engine has been warmed up. Watch out for leaks from the radiator or the transmission. If there are any defects, find out how much it will cost to effect repairs.

Inspect the exterior to see if you can identify any major dents on the bodywork of the machine. Lack of any such marks is a sign that the owners take good care of it. The next step you need to undertake is the test drive. You want to check that it has a good braking system. You can determine this best by loading the machine and driving it around. Then apply the brakes to see how fast it can stop. Also, try to drive the forklift around tight corners to see if it has a quick response time.

If you are looking for a used forklift, consider the few points elaborated above and you will be sure to find a forklift that will serve you for quite some time.

New & Used Forklifts >>

Forkwest Profile & Services >>

Forklift Videos >>