5 Mistakes Experienced Buyers of Used Forklifts Avoid (And So Should You)
When can you tell that you got a good deal when you purchased a used forklift for sale for your facility? The care that you invest in avoiding some of the mistakes that inexperienced people make when purchasing used lift vehicles can make the difference between a good deal and a bad one. This article discusses some of the mistakes that savvy used equipment shoppers avoid.
Mistake 1: Not Checking the Warranty
It isn't a foregone conclusion that used forklifts will always be out of warranty. Some used forklifts can still be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Such a warranty can save you from spending a lot of money on costly repairs soon after making the purchase. Consider extending the warranty in case it is about to expire. That added cost will be worth it in case unforeseen costly repairs are needed just after you buy the forklift.
Mistake 2: Overlooking Clocked Hours
Some novices pay more attention to the exterior condition of used forklifts when they are selecting the one to buy. Experienced buyers pay more attention to how many hours the forklift has clocked. The hours clocked reflect how heavily the machine has been used in the past. Heavy use (indicated by a high number of hours clocked) indicates that many components may soon wear out. Fewer hours clocked may signify that most components are still sound.
Mistake 3: Not Researching the Forklift's Used Status
Have you noticed that some used forklifts are classified as "certified used forklifts" while others are sold "as is"? Not knowing the difference between those two classifications can turn an apparently good deal into a bad one. Certified forklifts have been inspected and confirmed to be in a good condition. "As is" forklifts don't come with any assurance about their soundness. In short, you can't hold the seller accountable when you learn about a major defect after buying a forklift that was sold "as is".
Mistake 4: Not Adding Repair Costs to the Cost Price
It may be hard to find a used forklift that may not require some repairs to be done once purchased. Experienced buyers therefore ask an independent professional to inspect and estimate how much it would cost to fix any used forklift before putting it to work. Only consider a purchase a good deal in case the total cost (purchase price and the cost of repairs) of the forklift compares favourably to the cost of another forklift that didn't require those repairs.
Mistake 5: Not Studying the Lifting Capacity Closely
Forklifts usually have a rating for loads that can be carried when the forks are close to the ground as well as a maximum load rating when the forks are high off the ground. Examine those two ratings so that you won't be disappointed when the machine is unable to lift your heavy items to the desired height.
Learn from the pros. Avoid the mistakes above and the used forklift that you buy will address your needs for a long time.