Making the decision between a new and used car is one of the most important decisions an individual can make.
Choosing between a new and used forklift can be equally as important for a business, and equally challenging and important for a business- especially a small business.
The tricky part in selecting a used forklift is that you cannot really tell what condition it’s in just by looking at it. What’s important in the condition of a used lift is the maintenance it has undergone, and the hours it has been used.
Make sure you ask for the service history of the used forklift. Make sure it’s been lovingly and painstakingly cared for when it was supposed to be. If the seller is a dealer and will offer a warranty, that tells you they believe in the condition of the forklift.
Now, look at the hours of the forklift. Typically, a new forklift will last 10,000 – 12,000 hours. That’s about five years of use at eight hours a day/five days a week.
Older forklifts can be reconditioned and resold with another life of 6,000 – 8,000 hours.
You have to ask yourself what use your forklift is going to be subject to. If you have a smaller operation and don’t expect your lift to be in constant use eight hours a day/five days a week all year long, then maybe a used lift is the right decision.
However, if you are expecting your forklift to carry a heavy workload and it’s a critical part of your operation, you are going to want to seriously consider a new forklift- OR a lease option.
Ask one of our experts which truck is appropriate for your use. Our experts have decades of experience and there is literally nothing they haven’t seen. They’ll steer you in the right direction.