Tips for buying used forklift trucks online
“Buying a forklift truck online isn’t this same as ordering a book from Amazon! Choosing the wrong machine could not only be a costly mistake and potentially leave you a truck that cannot fulfill the duties you require it to, but even worse, it could leave you exposed to even more serious consequences.”
Are you thinking of buying a used forklift truck?
Used equipment can be a great way for you to get a quality machine at a lower price. But when choosing a used forklift, too many buyers tend to look straight away at online auction sites and choose the cheapest truck available. But choosing the wrong machine could not only be a costly mistake and potentially leave you a truck that cannot fulfill the duties you require it to, but even worse, it could leave you exposed to even more serious consequences. If you choose the right machine for the job from the start, you can look forward to many years’ service from it. Let Forkway take away the stress of this process and provide you with a quality used, fit for purpose forklift truck!
What make of truck should I be looking for?
Not all forklift trucks are equal and some will naturally age better than others. So start by choosing a well-known brand that has a good reputation for reliability, this will not only increase the residual value and longevity of the truck, it will also enable you to maintain, service the truck and source parts much easier. A forklift that’s no longer in production may be less expensive upfront, but finding parts may be a challenge and can increase ownership costs. Before buying a discontinued forklift, find out how easy (or difficult) it might be to source replacement parts. Forkway are an approved Yale Dealership and the vast majority of our trucks are manufactured in Britain with parts readily available, often with a 24-hour turnaround.
What type of truck do I need for my application?
For this most people will need some help, so we would recommend speaking to one of used truck specialists who can advise you what truck type, fuel source, mast and capacity would be most suitable for your application, this process can be done via an extended telephone conversation or by visiting your site and carrying out a full professional survey. This is generally a service not offered by companies or individuals who sell forklift trucks online and on auction sites.
How old is too old?
Just like buying a car, buying one with a full service history will ensure the forklift will be more reliable and prove that it has been maintained properly from new. All forklifts are required by law to possess a rating/certification plate that shows information such as the nominal capacity, residual capacity (if the truck has been de-rated), maximum lift height, as well as the truck’s year of manufacture. You will often find that used trucks bought online will have had a replacement rating plate fitted, this is usually to hide the truck’s age. A full service history will also confirm the age of the forklift and verify the number of hours it has worked. Buying online or through a third party as opposed to buying from an authorised dealership can mean you will have little or no knowledge of the truck’s history and also how many times it has changed hands. Someone selling a forklift on an auction site has no vested interest in you once the sale is done and they’re usually selling it cheap as it’s just simply too old, done too much work or it’s no longer economically viable to repair.
How many hours should it have on the clock?
When looking for a used forklift truck, opting for a truck with the least working hours would be the best option. Similar to a used car’s mileage, a used forklift’s hours can be a good indicator of wear and tear. The more hours on a machine, the more likely you are to find issues with the major components such as engines and hydraulic systems, all of which can be costly to repair. Here’s a good way of seeing just how hard a forklift has been worked;
Light Usage – 3 hours per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year = 780 hours per year
Medium Usage – 6 hours per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year = 1560 hours per year
Heavy Usage – 9 hours per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year = 2340 hours per year
So say for instance you find a used truck that is 6 years old and has done 4,000 hours from new, it would fall into the light usage category, the chances are this would offer you better reliability than a truck that was 12 years old with 19,000 hours on the clock.
Is the forklift truck legal?
A truck serial number can reveal a truck’s true identity. This can be checked directly with the manufacturer and will confirm whether the truck is with its rightful owner. When buying a used forklift always look for one that will be provided with a Thorough Examination Certificate (LOLER).
Our conclusion
If you’re wanting to buy a used forklift, don’t buy one online that you’ve not seen in person, tested or had inspected by a professional. Forklift trucks are usually essential pieces of industrial equipment and invariably a business will be heavily dependent on the trucks reliability and performance to ensure that their operation runs to the best it can.
For further information please call Forkway on 0844 854 8899 or email sales@forkway.co.uk