When purchasing construction and stocking equipment for their business, many considerations need to be made; one of which being whether to opt for new or pre-owned.
Used forklifts offer businesses looking for material handling equipment but cannot afford a new model an economical and sensible solution. When considering purchasing used or models that are on sale, however, it’s smart that buyers understand what features to look for when evaluating listings and evaluate them properly.
Buying a Used Forklift
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Purchase of used forklifts can be an economical and efficient solution to meet equipment needs, but it’s crucial that you do your research and take all of the steps needed to secure yourself the best deal possible.
There are multiple factors to take into consideration when purchasing used forklifts including safety considerations, warranty conditions and maintenance concerns; take your time doing your homework so you’re getting exactly the vehicle your business requires.
First and foremost, it’s important that you know how old and many hours have been logged on the forklift in question. This will give an indication of its lifespan and maintenance/repair costs in the future.
An additional piece of information you should keep an eye out for is the odometer reading, as this can tell you how long a forklift has been used and charged up.
Contacting the previous owner’s service records will give your insight into whether they were diligent with maintenance and repairs of their forklift, providing valuable insight into its maintenance history and any recurring problems that may have existed.
Repair bills can communicate a lot. When purchasing Used Forklifts For Sale, they should provide you with a list of past maintenance and repair bills to better understand its current state. This will enable you to better estimate how much it costs to maintain and whether investing in additional parts and maintenance makes financial sense.
At this point, it is necessary to conduct a test drive of the forklift in order to make sure it’s safe and unproblematic for use. You should drive it around a tight figure-eight pattern in both forward and reverse gears to test for quick response times, accurate tracking capabilities and proper steering capabilities.
Consider purchasing used forklifts as an investment that will save both money and provide your team with the tools they need for productive success. However, be careful that the forklift you buy meets high-quality standards so as to maintain productivity and ensure team satisfaction.
Safety Concerns
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Utilizing a used forklift is a fantastic way to save money on your lift costs, but it is equally essential to ensure it remains in excellent working condition. Accidents often result from poor safety measures being implemented; thus it is crucial that any used forklift you purchase meet all OSHA regulations for optimal comfort and meet their safety standards.
Acquiring a forklift that is in poor condition is risky business, potentially posing injury and even fatality to workers. A vehicle without its load backrest or holes in its overhead guards should be immediately considered unsafe and should be disposed of immediately to ensure worker safety.
Forklifts feature a low center of gravity and should be handled carefully when operating them. Loads must be secured against falling, and overloaded loads should never exceed capacity to prevent a tip-over that may damage both the forklift and its load.
Operators should also take great care not to speed or swerve while operating their forklift, as this makes it harder for them to brake quickly in time to avoid colliding with other drivers and vehicles, potentially leading to collisions or tip-overs.
Operators should also be familiar with their forklift’s load capacity and how to safely use any attachments it may include, including those which shift its center of gravity or lower overall carrying capacity. Prior to using any attachment, familiarize yourself with its safety protocols and capacity limits so as to minimize risks and improve performance.
Other potential hazards can include debris, puddles and unstable ground; each of these conditions must be addressed prior to using a forklift. Mezzanine levels and low hanging doorways pose a considerable hazard for forklift operators, as these obstructions could potentially cause the forklift to tip over or fall down, endangering nearby pedestrians as well.
Before using a forklift, always inspect its seatbelt, horn, leavers, lights and brakes – especially if purchasing newer models intended to be used in harsh environments or by multiple individuals. In addition, check that its steering wheel and controls operate smoothly.
Maintenance Issues
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A forklift is an invaluable asset to many businesses, and proper care must be taken in its maintenance to keep it operating at peak efficiency – so an evaluation of any pre-owned equipment is necessary.
Start with inspecting the vehicle itself; look for signs of wear such as cracks and rusting; assess whether any parts have gone missing or been compromised. However, before purchasing a used forklift, it’s a good idea to conduct an intensive mechanical evaluation.
Request the previous owner’s maintenance records (www.upkeep.com/equipment-maintenance) if available and take it out for a test drive to make sure it can handle quick turns efficiently. Any time a forklift cannot perform basic functions it indicates serious issues that could impact safety, performance and lifespan of the machine.
Forks should be strong enough to lift or transport loads, otherwise replacement will likely be necessary. An uneven fork may compromise stability and cause accidents; thus it’s vital that these parts are in proper working condition and adjusted correctly.
Other mechanical issues with forklifts include broken wires, malfunctioning switches and malfunctioning contractors – particularly prevalent among electric forklifts but can also occur on internal combustion models.
These issues can have serious ramifications on safety and performance, so it is crucial that you ascertain why they occur in the first place and take measures to prevent repeat performances in future.
Battery issues were the second-most-common cause of movement problems and can be avoided with proper care and maintenance. Make sure the battery is watered and charged prior to using it.
Error codes can be an annoying but harmless issue for fork drivers, often resolved simply by adding additional oil or adjusting fuel pressure settings. If persistent error codes persist however, professional assistance should likely be sought to address them.
