How to Select a Good Used Forklift

Are you looking to buy a used forklift but you're not sure how to make the right choice? Today we are going to give you some great tips that will help you with your selection.

We have over 40 years in the material handling industry and we would love to share our expertise and experience with you.

We'll show you how to inspect a used forklift and which parts to look at and we'll list the types of questions you should be asking before you purchase one. So, let's get going.

Get tips for selecting the best used forklift

What to Do When Buying a Used Forklift

Buying a used forklift is similar to buying a used car. There are many choices out there, and they all may look okay at a first glance, but how can you know that you aren't buying a lemon that's not going to last?

Here are some guidelines to follow.

Parts to Inspect When Purchasing a Used Forklift

When purchasing a used forklift, there are some key parts or signs that you should look for that will indicate the quality of the unit that you are looking at.

Check for signs of wear on the fork heels

Check the Forks

The forks are one of the most important parts of your forklift. You want to make sure that they are in good shape and are sturdy enough to handle the loads that you require. When you are inspecting a used forklift check for:

Cracks: Cracks in the forks could mean that the forklift was used to carry loads over its listed capacity. If the cracks are large and deep, then it could mean that it's unsafe for the forklift to carry loads at full capacity.

Wearing on the Fork Heels: Check that the fork heels are about the same thickness as the upright portion of the fork shank that is attached to the hanger. If they are thinner then that means that they are starting to wear and they won't be as strong as they should be.

Bends: A bend in the forks could be an indication that the forklift was overloaded. If there is a major bend then that Is a sign of concern, however, if it is a minor bend then you could get it straightened out.

Look over the various parts of the mast

Check the Mast

The mast, also known as the 'upright', does the actual lifting and tilting of your loads, so you want to make sure that it is in good shape. You should take a good look at the following during your inspection:

Lift Chains: Check to see that the lift chains are not missing any links or anchor pins and that there is no visible damage. You should also check that the tension on the chains is equally distributed.

Hoses: Look all over the hoses that run parallel to the lift chains for any signs of hydraulic fluid leaking out.

Mast Rails: Ensure that there are no cracks or welds in the mast rails.

Mast Rollers: Take a look at the shape of the mast rollers, they should be round. If they are more of a compressed oval shape, then that means they are worn out.

Check that the tires are in good shape

Check the Body and Frame

Next, you should take a good look at the overall body and frame of the used forklift. Take a walk around it and look for any visible signs of damage. Take note of the following:

Tires: Check the tires for any signs of wearing. For instance, make sure that there are no chunks of rubber missing from them and if they are pneumatic tires, that they still have a good amount of tread left on them. You should also make sure that they aren't missing any lug nuts.

Check the canopy for any signs of damage

Canopy: Make sure that the canopy (the framed structure that surrounds the operator) is free of damage.

You should look for any bends or damage to the supports of the canopy that might mean that it won't be as effective in protecting your operator if there is a rollover or if the load is dropped.

Cab: If the cab of the used forklift has windows, make sure that they are not broken or missing.

Chassis: Take a close look at the chassis to see if there are any cracks, welds, or other signs of modifications.

During your test drive, lift and lower the forks to different positions

Test Out the Used Forklift

Once you've done a visual inspection, it is a good idea to actually test out the various features of the used forklift.

Engine: Turn on the engine and listen to see if it makes any unusual noises.

Hydraulic Levers: Lift and lower the loading arms through all the possible positions to ensure that they are working properly and smoothly.

Seat and Seatbelt: Check that the seatbelt fastens properly and that it is in good condition. Move around in the seat to make sure that it is securely fastened to the floor.

Take a Test Drive: Take a test drive of the used forklift to see how well it steers and if the brakes are working well. Make sure you go backwards, forwards and in circular patterns to give yourself a thorough idea of how it handles.

Look under the hood and check the condition of the battery

Look Under the Hood

Once you have finished your test drive, turn off the forklift and take a look under the hood. You should look at the following:

Belts: Check to see that the belts are not cracked or worn out and that they fit tightly.

Hoses: Ensure that there are no cracks, leaks, or dirt buildup on the hoses in the engine.

Oil: Pull out the dipstick and check the colour and the level of the oil.

Filter: Check to make sure that the air filter is clean.

For Electric Forklifts: Inspect all of the battery connections to make sure that they are in good condition.

For Propane Forklifts: Take a look at the bolts and brackets that hold the propane tank to see that they are solid and in good condition.

Some dealers offer financing on a used forklift

Questions to Ask Before You Purchase

Here is a list of questions that you should also ask before you purchase a used forklift.

Do you offer financing? Some dealers will offer financing not only for their new models but also on their pre-owned ones. A forklift is a large purchase, even if you are buying a used one. 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.

How many hours has it been 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.

Do you offer a warranty? 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.

Do you offer delivery? Forklifts are heavy equipment and you can't simply drive them down the highway like you can a car. It's very helpful to buy a used forklift from a company that will deliver it to your location.

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.

Sometimes buying a new forklift is a better deal

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 makes them a great affordable alternative to buying used.

Why Purchase a Used Forklift from Wayco?

If you are looking for top-quality used forklifts, contact Wayco.

Best Used Forklifts: We sell the best-used 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.

Accept Your Trade-In: At Wayco, we purchase surplus equipment and we will accept your old forklift as a trade-in.

Financing Available: We also offer financing for both new and used forklift purchases.

Certified Vehicles: All of our pre-owned equipment is carefully inspected and certified.

Best Warranty: We offer an incredible 30-day front to back full warranty 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.” ”

— Gabe Gartner