Buy Used Forklift: What You Need to Know
Buy Used Forklift: Are you looking to buy a used forklift? Today we are going to give you some great tips that will help you make the right choice.
We have over 40 years in the material handling industry and we would love to share our expertise and experience with you.
We'll give you some helpful tips for buying a used forklift and point out some questions you should ask before you make your purchase. So, let's get going.
Buy used forklift: Read on for some helpful tips
Buy Used Forklift: What You Should Be Looking for
Check for Warranties
You might be thinking that a used forklift does not come with a warranty like a new one does, however, that's not always the case. Reputable forklift dealers will also offer you a warranty on the pre-owned vehicles that they sell.
A warranty gives you some peace of mind when you are purchasing something that is used. A dealer who has put a warranty on their used vehicle must feel quite confident that it is in good shape.
An example of a great used vehicle warranty is a 30-day full warranty that covers your forklift, front to back, for a full 30 days after your purchase. If anything goes wrong with it, the dealer will fix it for you, free of charge.
Ask if they will also do repairs onsite, so you won't have the inconvenience of having to bring the forklift back to them.
Reputable dealers will offer warranties when you buy used forklift
Find Out if They Offer Financing
A forklift is a large purchase, even if you are buying a used one. Some dealers will offer financing not only for their new models, but also on their pre-owned ones. This is a great option if you don't have enough capital to buy it outright, so you can spread out your payments over a longer period of time.
Buy a Used Forklift that's Been Certified
Another great way to ensure that you are getting a quality used forklift is to purchase from a dealer that certifies their equipment. Certifying means that they have thoroughly checked over the forklift to make sure that it is in great condition before they sell it to you. Certification helps you know that you are getting the best quality equipment possible.
Check Out the Reputation of the Seller
The internet opens up a wide range of places where you can purchase your used forklift. But buying online also opens up the possibility of getting equipment from an unreliable source that might not stand by their products.
Before purchasing a used forklift, it's a good idea to check out the reputation of the dealer/seller. Find out things like:
How long have they been in business?
Will they still be in business if you have a problem?
Do they have a physical location?
Can you test out the equipment before you purchase it?
What kinds of reviews do they have?
Doing some research on the seller before you make your purchase could save you some disappointment and money down the road.
Buy used forklift: Do research about the seller
Buy a Used Forklift from a Dealer that Has a Service Department
If you buy a used forklift from an actual dealer who has a service department, then if you have a problem, you can have them fix it there. A dealer that has a service department is usually an established business and is more likely to stand behind their equipment.
If you purchase a forklift privately, you don't have the same assurances. For example, if you have a problem, you'll have to find a service department yourself. Plus, you will be stuck with the repair bill even if it was an existing problem that you weren't told about prior to your purchase.
Buy used forklift from a dealer that has a service department
Check Out the Reviews of the Brand You Are Buying
There are many different forklift brands available, but they are not all made to the same quality. If you aren't familiar with the brand that you are considering, it's a good idea to check out the reviews of that brand. Look for things like reliability, durability, and ease of use.
Find Out if They Offer Delivery
It's very helpful to buy a used forklift from a company that will deliver it to your location. Forklifts are heavy equipment and you can't simply drive them down the highway like you can a car. If you have to arrange for delivery yourself, then you need to consider the cost of delivery and add it to the final price of your equipment.
Buy used forklift: Find out if they offer delivery
Ask How Many Hours the Forklift Has Been Used
When you buy a used forklift, it's important to find out how many hours it has on it. It's similar to finding out the mileage on a used vehicle. A well-maintained forklift can last anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 hours depending on the make and how it was used.
A newer model that has a high number of hours clocked will not be as good of a purchase as one of the same age with fewer hours. Sometimes you can get a great deal on a demo model that has an incredibly small number of hours.
Get the Right Load Capacity
The load capacity is the recommended maximum weight that your forklift is designed to carry. Lifting above the recommended capacity of your forklift is dangerous and will damage your machine.
You should figure out ahead of time the weight of the loads that you want your forklift to be moving and lifting prior to purchasing one.
Make sure your used forklift can carry the loads that you need it to
Choose the Right Type of Forklift
All forklifts are not the same and not every forklift will work for every application. When buying a used forklift you need to take these things into consideration in order to get the right type:
Where Your Forklift Will Be Used: Where you plan to use your forklift (indoors, outdoors, or both) will affect the type that you choose.
The Dimensions of Your Facility: The dimensions of your facility including the height, width, and turning radius of your aisles will play a large role in your selection of the best forklift for your needs.
The Type of Power You Want: You can choose from electric, electric with lithium-ion batteries, propane-powered, or diesel depending on your situation.
Make sure you buy the right used forklift for your situation
Compare the Price on New Models
You may think that if you buy a used forklift, it will be cheaper than buying a new one and generally that is the case.
However, some new forklifts, such as those manufactured by Hangcha. are priced significantly lower than other new forklifts. Hangcha forklifts match or even exceed the quality of other top brands and their low price make them a great alternative to buying used.
Hangcha’s low prices make it a great alternative to buying used forklifts
Why Purchase a Used Forklift from Wayco
If you are looking for top quality used forklifts, contact Wayco. We sell the best forklifts you can buy and our knowledgeable staff will be able to help you choose the perfect model that will best suit your particular applications.
At Wayco, we purchase surplus equipment and we will accept your old forklift as a trade in. We also offer financing for both new and used forklift purchases. All of our pre-owned equipment is carefully inspected and certified with incredible warranties that will definitely ease your mind when you buy. Contact Wayco today for all of your forklift needs.
““I have used Wayco twice, and both times I experienced excellent customer service . They had the right forklift for my needs at a reasonable price. I will be using their services in the future and recommend you do as well.””
