You should remember that in some situations, it is challenging to determine whether you should spend more money to get a brand-new forklift or choose a used one that will provide you peace of mind and additional affordability.
At the same time, if you have low weekly hours, meaning you do not need a forklift all the time, you can take advantage of the used option, which is both cheaper and effective in the long run. Whatever you decide, we recommend you learn everything about both used and new markets, which will help you decide.
You should click here to learn more about forklifts before making up your mind. In the further article, we wish to explain to you the guide that will help you determine the best course of action. Let us start from the beginning.
Where Can You Find a Used Forklift?
The first thing you should do when searching for a dealer is check out the local market. For instance, each material handling company will charge freight for delivery. It means making significant purchases require paying for time and gas to ensure the proper delivery since forklifts are cumbersome and significant.
Therefore, if you wish to prevent significant expenses, you should check out local dealers. You can do it by checking out the search engine and typing “used forklifts + area you reside or operate.” The closer it is to your business, the better.
You can also check out numerous auction sites, but they are riskier than visiting a dealer. Generally, auctions do not feature relevant information you can use to your advantage for comparing with other options available on the market. That is why you should stay away from them and choose reputable dealers.
A reputable dealer will offer you safety regulations and certifications, meaning you can also get a thirty-day guarantee, which will include parts and powertrain, including labor.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Used Forklift
Finding a forklift for your specific needs is a convenient and straightforward solution. Still, an inspection can be a challenging process, especially if you do not have enough knowledge to understand the maintenance and ownership expenses altogether.
1. Potential Damage
The inspection process starts with checking and understanding the transparent problems and issues most of us can notice. Therefore, you should start small by checking for bends, cracks, and wear and tear indications. Remember that cracks can be troublesome because they represent the early signs that you should either replace or completely maintain the forklift.
The heel of the fork blade should feature a proper spot, which is why you should consider the thickness throughout the process. In case the blade cannot match the thickness, then you have entered a point of worn-out forks, which is important to remember.
If you notice that the back of the blade is not as thick as the upright shank, it means it is worn out, meaning you should choose another option available on the market. Check out this guide: https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Certified-Forklift-Driver to learn how to become a certified forklift driver.
2. Gaps in Lift Chains
Apart from forks, it is important to check out the welding marks and whether the past owner fixed potential cracks. Remember that a lousy weld will directly affect the structural integrity of a model you wish to get.
You should check out the middle of the mast to determine whether chains are still in place, which will help you determine if it features corroded pins and links.
3. Mast Operation
The main goal is to find a seller or dealer who can raise the fork high enough to check out the third and second mast. It means you should check out for potential hiccups in the process, which is an indication that chain links require fixing. At the same time, mast rollers should be well-maintained and lubricated, while the hiccup is an indication you should check further.
One of the biggest signs of wearing mast rollers is when they are oval or lopsided shape, while they should be perfectly round in the best course of action.
4. Tires
The main goal is to check out the signs of chunking by getting down. We are talking about bites on tires to determine whether they are in rough shape or not. At the same time, check out the tread to determine its efficiency and existence in the first place.
The first thing you should check out is the safety line. Remember that if a tire has reached the line, it is a transparent indication that you must replace it. On the other hand, if you do not notice a wear line, you should check out the sidewall and lettering. In case it reaches the top, it means you should replace it altogether.
Another test that will help you determine the tire condition is the penny test. It means you should place a penny in the groove, and if the head is visible, it means the tire tread has reached a low length.
5. Battery Life
Compared with other options, you should know that the number of battery hours is impossible to track. Still, you should ask a dealer how much the past owner used it or how many shifts it underwent. A normal battery lasts approximately five years in case you use it in single-shift operations.
However, if it reaches the double shift and one year of age, it means you can use it for the next few years tops. Another indication is to check out the exterior acid corrosion in case it uses lead-acid batteries, of course.
6. Engine
When you test drive it or run it for a few minutes, you should open the engine compartment to check out the cracks or leaks on the hoses. At the same time, you should check out the engine oil by pulling out the dipstick. That way, you can determine whether engine features leak or not.
It is important to determine whether tight belts are lubricated. The next step is to check out for transmission and brake fluids, among other things. You should check out along the mast and cylinders, around the radiator, transmissions, and emissions. We are talking about smelling the air while the engine is running.
In case you can smell high levels of the diesel engine or carbon dioxide, it means you have issues with a regulator or catalytic converter.
7. Safety Features
The most common areas you should test to determine the safety features include:
- Seatbelt, horn, lights, adjustments, levers, and brakes should function
- OSHA requires that each model feature an overhead guard with lower damage than three-fourths of deflection. Check out the overhead guard frame to check out for damage, which will prevent potential safety problems from happening.
8. Odometer Reading
Before checking out the Sun Used Forklifts For Sale, we recommend you determine whether the odometer is in good shape or not. The simplest way to do it is by checking the amount of wear and tear of different parts of the body, similarly as mentioned above, and checking out the reading. If it doesn’t align, the chances are high that someone reset it.
Remember that the hours will provide you with insight into how long a specific model can operate before maintenance. That is why you should have a clear reading after inspecting the different parts and aspects.
It means when you check out the seven-year-old reach truck with five thousand working hours. Therefore, you can ensure that the forklift will operate in the next few years. However, you cannot determine the future by checking out the hours. Instead, you should consider the different factors mentioned above that will help you determine the best course of action.
For instance, the average equipment with two thousand hours should feature higher wear and tear than the ones with lower numbers. At the same time, you may notice the early signs that you should avoid a particular model unless you wish to handle significant repairs in the future.
Final Word
As you can see from everything mentioned above, you can consider numerous factors when deciding to get a used forklift. Still, when you check out the signs, you will determine the cost of ownership and prevent spending too much money on future maintenance and repairs.
For instance, you should avoid certain things, including buying from an auction such as eBay, Craigslist, or an uncertified dealer. At the same time, you should try to get the dealer who is closest to your business to prevent delivery expenses.
By knowing someone who is an expert, you can prevent making mistakes. That way, you can check out the age of the battery, mechanical functionality, and odometer, which will provide you peace of mind. It is as simple as that.
