Sometimes you just find it hard to convince yourself to spend that money to buy or lease a forklift. Or you only have low hours of operation weekly that you can justify spending money on something that you only use 20 hours weekly, or you just don’t want to experience the stress of ordering and setting up new machinery. If any of this is your case, perhaps it’s time to shift your sights and consider buying a used forklift.
Even though a lot of people will go for a new product when it comes to machinery, this is not always the case for forklifts, in fact buying an old one might be the right option. But before making the purchase, here are tips that will help you make an informed decision and determine whether that particular one is worth the price.
Check the Forks For Damage
The first area you should start from when inspecting the forklift is the front. Check for cracks, bends, and any signs of wear. Once you find cracks, then it means you should change that particular one because they are early signs that you won’t enjoy your product for a long time, and you will need to replace it soon.
One spot that is often overlooked is the fork blade heel. Look at the thickness closely, if the part of the blade doesn’t match the thickness of the upright fork shank or the part of the fork connected to the carriage, It means the fork is worn out.
Click here to know when to replace a forklift.
Look for Gaps in the Lift Chains
Once you are done with the form, check the mast for cracks or marks of welding that show the cracks are fixed. A poor weld can affect the structural integrity of the mast.
Watch How Smoothly the Mast Operates
Ask the seller to lift the forks high enough to extend a second or third mass. If you discover any hiccup signs in the mass, it means either the link chain needs to be fixed, the mast rollers are worn out, or they were not well-maintained.
Look at the Tires
Don’t only look but feel the tires for any sign of chunking. This is when the tire has a look that resembles a bite taken out of it. Another sign that the tyres are not in good condition is when the tread is low or doesn’t even exist.
The area you should first check is the wear line or safety line. If the tire is worn past the line or close to it, it needs to be replaced. If you don’t find any wear line, check the lettering on the sidewall of the tyre.
Once its top is reached, it shows the tyres need to be replaced. Another useful test is the penny test. All you need to do here is place the Abe Lincoln in the tire groove. If the head top becomes visible, it means the tyre tread is low.
Determine the Remaining Battery Life
Unfortunately, you cannot track the number of hours left on the battery. But one way to check is to ask the dealer how many shifts the operation was used and for how many years.
A normal battery will last five years in one shift operation. This means if the battery was in a double shift and it was one year old, then it would have around two to three years left. Another aspect you should check is the exterior acid corrosion but this is only for lead acid batteries.
See What Shape the Engine is in
Run the forklift For a few minutes then open the engine compartment and check for leaks and cracks on the hoses. Remove the dipstick to check the engine oil, low oil might mean there is a leak. Ensure all the belts are tight and well-lubricated.
Make Sure the Safety Features are Working
All the common areas you are to test are focused on keeping the operator safe. Ensure the horn, seatbelt, seat adjustments, lights, brakes, and levers are working properly. One bonus tip here is that OSHA requires that overhead guards damage less than ¾ deflection. Check the overhead guard frame; if you see any sign of damage, the operator’s safety is also likely to be jeopardized.
Visit https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/your-industry/manufacturing/publications/forklift-safety-guide to learn more about other safety measures to take when handling a forklift.
Consider Your Usage
Another important factor to consider when buying a used forklift is to analyze how often you are going to use it. Is your application light, medium or heavy? Check whether your expected usage will meet the equipment’s useful life. You can’t buy something with over 10,000 hours and expect it to last many years in your hand.
Verify the Odometer Reading
Before you purchase or even do anything, check and make sure the odometer has never been reset. To do this, look at the body and the amount of wear on the major parts of the forklift. If they don’t align with the hour-hour reading, then it’s likely the odometer has been reset.
When buying used equipment, it’s best to get one that was used part-time, but how can you figure this out?
Forklift part-time vs. full-time hours per day, week, and year
Although all the things that have been explained are aimed at providing you with an insight into the major cost-centered parts of the forklift, learning about its operational hours will give you the knowledge of how long you can expect the forklift to last in your hands after purchase.
For instance, if you choose from 7-year-old forklifts that have 5,200 hours on it, then you should expect it to last long.
But you can base everything on hours only, you should also check the other areas listed above, because certain parts like tires might have been replaced, or there may be some leaks. However, if the used forklifts in Houston averages around 2,000 hours annually, you should expect more wear and tear, and this should be an early sign that you should look for another option unless the major repairs and aftermarket parts are added to the price negotiations.
Conclusion
Buying a used forklift has many advantages, including saving money, faster return on investment, and many more. But when you are ready to take this step, you have to be cautious and make sure you get value for your money.
Some of the things you should check out include leaks, wear and tear, gaps in the lift chains, odometer readings, your expected work, whether it’s light, moderate, or heavy, its remaining battery life, and the shape of the engine.