When it comes to running a material handling business, purchasing a pre-owned forklift makes a lot of business sense. Not only does it save you a ton of money that can be put to use elsewhere within the company but you can also ensure ease of use due to a familiar design and functionality. However, purchasing a pre-owned forklift is easier said than done. After all, it takes a lot of experience, skill and knowledge to know how, when and where to buy a reliable used forklift.
Fortunately, even if you lack the experience to purchase a pre-owned forklift, you can always learn to make the right buy through enough research and information gathering. At the end of the day, it comes down to knowing what your fleet requires and what features you need from your forklift to achieve operational excellence. Usually, used forklift trucks for sale can provide just that if you know where to look and how.
In this article, we shall provide you the basic information you need to go about purchasing a pre-owned forklift and what factors to consider before making the final purchase. As a fleet manager or an owner, it is important to be able to find higher value at a cheaper cost and there is no better way to achieve that than through a cost effective piece of machinery that can optimize your operations. So let us take a look at what you need to know before purchasing a pre-owned forklift for use.
Know Why You Need It
This is the first step in the research phase and answers perhaps the most important question. Of course, every forklift is used in a different area and therefore requires fulfilling a different set of needs. As such, you need to identify why you need to purchase this new (used) piece of equipment so that you may hunt for it accordingly.
This involves knowing the type and intensity of work that will be performed by the forklift. Look to answer questions like:
• Is the forklift going to be used indoors or outdoors?
• What rate of usage will it have i.e. Low, medium or high?
• What sort of weights will it be carrying and for what distances?
• Does it need to have a higher lifting capacity or load height limit?
Once you have identified exactly what the forklift will be used for and why you will need it, you can move on to the next part of the process.
Know Where to Look
You could of course, go about looking for a used forklift yourself that perfectly fits the criteria, but why expend so much time and effort when you can hire experts to do it for you? This is where having a trusty and reliable retailer on your side really comes in handy. These seasoned forklift retailers can find you opportunities to purchase used forklifts for sale at a discounted price that fit your requirements exactly.
After all, it is their business to match buyers of second hand equipment with what they are looking for and retailers such as Truck forklifts can save you plenty of time and money you would otherwise spend looking for the perfect used forklift yourself. So it is advisable to have a good long term relationship with your retailer to cash it in, in times like these.
Even if you opt to look for used forklifts yourself, some places provide more reliable machinery than others. You might want to ensure the credibility of the seller you approach. Usually going to a recommended source can be much more satisfying and comfortable.
Know What to Ask
Once you do find the forklift you are looking for, be sure to ask plenty of questions that will help you in putting your mind at ease. Even if the seller is vetted by your retailer, it wouldn’t hurt to get some direct information straight from them. Here is a list of questions that could provide you better insight into the condition of the forklift:
• What year was the forklift manufactured in?
• What sector(s) has it been used in most frequently?
• Was this forklift involved in any accident during its life?
• What environment (warehouse, rough terrain, industrial) was it used in previously?
• How many hours has the forklift been in use?
There may be many other questions that may arise from these or that you may think of beforehand. Remember, if the seller is sincere and honest, they will openly answer all questions since they will have nothing to hide.
These were the basics steps that you need to know before going to purchase a pre-owned forklift. They will help you in making the right decision and picking out the right forklift for your business.
Fortunately, even if you lack the experience to purchase a pre-owned forklift, you can always learn to make the right buy through enough research and information gathering. At the end of the day, it comes down to knowing what your fleet requires and what features you need from your forklift to achieve operational excellence. Usually, used forklift trucks for sale can provide just that if you know where to look and how.
In this article, we shall provide you the basic information you need to go about purchasing a pre-owned forklift and what factors to consider before making the final purchase. As a fleet manager or an owner, it is important to be able to find higher value at a cheaper cost and there is no better way to achieve that than through a cost effective piece of machinery that can optimize your operations. So let us take a look at what you need to know before purchasing a pre-owned forklift for use.
Know Why You Need It
This is the first step in the research phase and answers perhaps the most important question. Of course, every forklift is used in a different area and therefore requires fulfilling a different set of needs. As such, you need to identify why you need to purchase this new (used) piece of equipment so that you may hunt for it accordingly.
This involves knowing the type and intensity of work that will be performed by the forklift. Look to answer questions like:
• Is the forklift going to be used indoors or outdoors?
• What rate of usage will it have i.e. Low, medium or high?
• What sort of weights will it be carrying and for what distances?
• Does it need to have a higher lifting capacity or load height limit?
Once you have identified exactly what the forklift will be used for and why you will need it, you can move on to the next part of the process.
Know Where to Look
You could of course, go about looking for a used forklift yourself that perfectly fits the criteria, but why expend so much time and effort when you can hire experts to do it for you? This is where having a trusty and reliable retailer on your side really comes in handy. These seasoned forklift retailers can find you opportunities to purchase used forklifts for sale at a discounted price that fit your requirements exactly.
After all, it is their business to match buyers of second hand equipment with what they are looking for and retailers such as Truck forklifts can save you plenty of time and money you would otherwise spend looking for the perfect used forklift yourself. So it is advisable to have a good long term relationship with your retailer to cash it in, in times like these.
Even if you opt to look for used forklifts yourself, some places provide more reliable machinery than others. You might want to ensure the credibility of the seller you approach. Usually going to a recommended source can be much more satisfying and comfortable.
Know What to Ask
Once you do find the forklift you are looking for, be sure to ask plenty of questions that will help you in putting your mind at ease. Even if the seller is vetted by your retailer, it wouldn’t hurt to get some direct information straight from them. Here is a list of questions that could provide you better insight into the condition of the forklift:
• What year was the forklift manufactured in?
• What sector(s) has it been used in most frequently?
• Was this forklift involved in any accident during its life?
• What environment (warehouse, rough terrain, industrial) was it used in previously?
• How many hours has the forklift been in use?
There may be many other questions that may arise from these or that you may think of beforehand. Remember, if the seller is sincere and honest, they will openly answer all questions since they will have nothing to hide.
These were the basics steps that you need to know before going to purchase a pre-owned forklift. They will help you in making the right decision and picking out the right forklift for your business.
