Used Forklift Resource

Choosing The Perfect Used Forklift

Deciding what forklift to purchase for the budget conscious owner can be difficult but very valuable. You can save money with a used lift truck to be sure, but unless you go with a certified pre-owned machine and learn about it first, you are more likely to simply add to your headaches. Our dealers ensure used forklifts come with unsurpassed reliability with the strictest certification process in the industry and a limited full year warranty with every piece of used material handling equipment sold. Find your city to call now, or quickly request a free quote.

Used Forklift Knowledge- The Game Changer

Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask when buying a used forklift can mean the difference between a sound investment and a poor one. Trusting your forklift dealer and obtaining key information from them- such as number of hours the equipment has been used and the operating costs of running it- is of paramount importance. The price you pay will directly relate to the overall efficiency and dependability of the forklift and the company selling it. Ask yourself the following questions when deciding whether to purchase a used forklift in your area:

• How critical is material handling to your operation?
• Do you have fast and reliable maintenance professionals or on site expertise to fix your lift truck?
• Do you have a backup forklift in case it breaks down?
• Where will you be using the forklift?
• How rough is the terrain?

Used Forklift Pricing

At first a used forklifts seems like a viable and relatively inexpensive solution. Remember though that even a used forklift is still a significant expense. For example, a 3,000 pound capacity reconditioned electric forklift will range from about $5,500 to $11,000. This is roughly half the cost of buying the same forklift brand new. Similarly, a 5,000 pound capacity forklift truck that has been reconditioned would sell for roughly $11,000 to $25,000 new.

As mentioned earlier, you should always consider the operating costs of a pre owned forklift before making your purchase. A forklift that has significant up-time (hours of continuous operation) may have significantly more maintenance problems and this could be compounded with refurbished forklifts. You may quickly find that the opportunity cost of the time it takes to repair the forklift as well as the cost of the repairs themselves may nullify the original savings of buying used material handling equipment.
Key Points of Concern for Used Forklifts

1. Number of hours a lift truck has been operated
2. Type of hours operated (continuous uptime or brief usage periods)
3. Condition of key components o Brakes
   • Transmission
   • Tires
   • Cab
   • Mast
   • Exhaust System
   • Steering
4. Previous work conditions (indoor/outdoor, excessive heavy loads, etc.
5. Brand of used fork lift. Certain brands have a good reputation for durability. See our forklift brands page for more details.