5 Tips for Buying a Used Forklift

Buying second-hand forklifts or as they are commonly referred to, used forklifts.  Is just like any piece of plant and machinery and is a great way to save business capital and extended the effective life of the forklift

5 Tips for Buying a used forklift

However, if you are buying a used forklift for your business, there are some simple tips to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Lifting capacities

If you have 10 different brand 2500 kgs capacity forklifts lined up in a row.  They will all lift the same weight to the same height of 3000 mm.

When you want to lift over a standard height, capacities can vary greatly.

So you need to know the weight and dimensions of the load you are wanting to lift. Remembering that a standard Chep pallet is rated at 2000 kgs WWL in Australia.

TIP

If you are wanting to lift odd loads to different heights, make sure the Used forklift you buy is rated to lift what you want.

How many Hours

The hours shown on the hour meter are very important.  The more hours you have on any piece of machinery will generally mean the more maintenance you will need to do.

Forklift hour meters can be changed, and quite often are by dealers, for various reasons.  Remembering that, unlike cars, forklifts are not governed by a Dealer Act.

Tip

Ask for the service history and any used forklift you are buying, reputable dealers will give you a copy of the most recent service history.

Set you budget

Just like second-hand cars, used forklifts can vary greatly in the price you can buy a second-hand 2500 kgs forklift for anywhere from $2000 AUD to $25000 AUD.

There has never been a truer saying than: “You get what you pay for” when it comes to second-hand equipment.

But never the less, spend your money wisely, by setting a budget and sticking to it.

Tip

Set your budget for what you want to spend, and stick to it. There are plenty of opportunities in the used forklift market.

Brands

Buying a certain brand of forklift can be advantageous as well.  A lot of people know and trust certain brands over others.

With forklift brands, there are a lot of them in the market, from premium brands like Toyota, Linde, and Unicarriers. and second-tier brands like Enforcers, EP, and Baoli.

Whilst the specifications of the forklift might be identical.  You need to consider things like after-market backup and support.  Ask yourself these questions if I get a no-name brand can I get parts if they break down,

Tip

Know the brand you are buying do some research to make sure you are buying a used Forklift that you can maintain after you buy it.

Know your specification requirements

In simple terms, there is no such thing as a standard forklift specification. A 2500 kgs forklift can have different mast heights from 3000 to 7000mm.

Different fuels, different tires, different tyne lengths e.t.c

So make sure you know what you need to do with your forklift.  If you have racking in your warehouse that is 5000mm high you don’t want to buy a used forklift that only has a 3000 mm 2-stage mast on it.

Remember that, it can be a very expensive exercise trying to fix something like a wrong mast height.

Tip

Know the specification that you need when you start to look for a used forklift.   Getting it right when you buy upfront, can save you money.

So there you go 5 of the best tips for buying a used forklift.  Taking your time, and making sure you get something that is both affordable and right for your operation is crucial to both saving you money and being productive in your business.