Buying a used forklift truck, as opposed to purchasing a brand new one, can be a more cost effective option for your business. This will allow your company to obtain the machinery it needs to develop and grow, without making too much of an impact on the old purse strings. As with all used goods though, it’s important for you to check the quality of what’s on offer and to assess its longevity value.

Before purchasing a second hand forklift you should look for any potential problems that may cause further issues later down the line. So carry on reading to find out what you should check when buying a used forklift truck.

How Old is it and How Used is it?

You should always take note of how many hours a used forklift truck has amassed over time. If you ask any forklift expert out there, they’ll tell you that using a forklift for an hour is the same as driving a car 50km. So before you buy a used forklift, make sure the ‘mileage’ is low and that the lifting mechanism works smoothly. Of course, the older and more used the truck is, the less life it has left in the old boy!

Is it Suitable for the Job at Hand?

It will be a complete waste of time, money and effort if you purchase the wrong truck for the job. So make sure the truck you are thinking of buying is suitable for the role you require it for. This may seem like basic advice but you would be surprised by the amount of people who mistakenly buy an unsuitable piece of machinery and then have to take it back. Make sure to find out the important details, like the required operational duration and the lift capacity.

Always choose the right piece of machinery for the job, even if it is a bit more expensive than an alternative yet less suitable model. You don’t want to sacrifice on functionality for the sake of a good deal, especially when it could end up costing you later down the line anyway.

What are the Long Term Running Costs?

Second hand forklift trucks may offer a cheap upfront cost, but that may not be the end of your expenditure. A used forklift can be costly to maintain and run, especially if frequent repairs are required. So it is important to not judge a deal on the price you are quoted then and there. Instead, get a good feel of the machinery and check all the vital elements such as the engine, wheels and controls etc. You should also make sure that spare parts for your chosen machine are cheap and readily available, just in case you should need to replace some parts in the future.

Has it Been Well Maintained?

Most forklift engineers will keep a record of any past maintenance tasks, much like a car’s logbook. As well as this, all used forklift trucks hold a certificate to prove that a Thorough Examination has taken place. Make sure you see this certificate before purchasing a used forklift and double check.

Here at H&F Lift Trucks we are proud to supply a range of fully serviced and reliable used forklift trucks at fantastic prices. For more information, contact our used forklift sales team on 0800 298 8790