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Buying products online is more popular now than it ever has been for. From laptops and coffee machines to chopping boards and sofas, there isn’t much on the market today that you can’t purchase online and that also includes forklifts.
Although buying used forklifts over the internet isn’t common practice among the material handling industry, many warehouse owners won’t have much of a choice, for many different reasons. If you have no choice but to buy your second-hand forklift online, then here are a few questions you should ask yourself before making that all-important purchase.
Not all forklifts offer the same capabilities and functionalities and so it’s important that you research which forklift you’ll need for the operations and applications at hand. There are many different forklift trucks available that’ll effortlessly suit your warehouse and your operators, and part of that is knowing the different fuel types and which of those are most appropriate for your premises.
Depending on your individual warehouse operations, you’ll need a specific forklift that’ll effortlessly meet your needs and expectations. Once you know which fuel type you require, or which one you would like, then the next thing to establish is the capabilities and functionalities that each forklift model has to offer.
If you have to deal with lifting and transporting exceptionally heavy loads on a daily basis, then you’ll need a forklift that has a great lifting and loading capacity. It’s also important that you consider the safety of your operators, ensuring the forklift doesn’t tip over, for example.
Part of that is checking the load the forklift can lift and carry before making a commitment to purchase a used forklift online. If that information isn’t displayed, get in touch with the forklift dealer and ask those questions for your own peace of mind.
Also, if your warehouse has limited space available, or if your aisles are particularly narrow, then you should consider buying a second-hand VNA forklift or a reconditioned multi-directional forklift in order to maximise the space you have as much as possible. A three-wheeled electric forklift would also be ideal, allowing maximum maneuverability when you need it most, regardless of the industry you’re in.
A refurbished or reconditioned forklift, as you might also see them being referred to as, is a used forklift that has had worn down or broken parts removed and replaced and the chassis painted and restored back to its original condition. The tyres might have also been replaced and thorough, rigorous safety tests and checks would have been carried out on the vehicle to ensure its subsequent safety.
You should be provided with certificates and the relevant paperwork to support those safety checks upon your purchase. It would be worth contacting the forklift dealer to ask whether they’ll be supplying you with those certificates if you go through with the purchase.
Also, ask to see those certificates before committing, the dealer should be able to scan them into the computer and send you them via email. If they aren’t willing to do this for you, then look elsewhere when it comes to buying a second-hand forklift over the internet.
Much like if you’re buying a second-hand car, if your prospective used forklift comes with a full service history, then you can be relatively sure that it’ll provide you with many more hours of reliable service. Although a service history won’t confirm the age of the forklift truck, it’ll supply you with the details you need to make an informed decision about whether or not to make that purchase, including how many hours the truck has remained operational for.
The number of hours a forklift has worked is a telltale sign of wear and tear on the parts and components. However, much like with car mileage, these numbers can be tampered with to make you think that the forklift has fewer hours on the clock. Although, this is often the best indicator to determine the age of a forklift. You shouldn’t buy a used forklift if it’s recorded over 7,000 hours, especially if you want to get at least three or four years of operation out of it.
Every forklift truck will have a serial number associated with it. You can ask the forklift dealer to give you that number which can then be checked directly with the forklift manufacturer themselves, whether it’s second-hand or not. As such, you’ll be able to find out whether the truck is currently in the hands of its rightful owner.
Something else you should bear in mind is that you can ask the manufacturer of the forklift to inspect the truck at any time, giving you peace of mind that all parts and components are correct and in good condition before agreeing to make the purchase.
Charnwood Lift Trucks are proud to be able to supply our customers with high-quality used forklifts that have been reconditioned to an exceptional standard. With safety and productivity in mind, you’ll always be able to count on us here at Charnwood Lift Trucks to provide you with the equipment you need, even if you’re on a budget. For more information about our second-hand forklifts or if you wish to find out more about the refurbished warehouse equipment we have available, get in touch with a member of our expert team today – we’re also able to supply you with brand new forklifts, depending on your budget.
Charnwood Lift Truck Services are one of the leading Mitsubishi Forklift dealers operating in the Midlands.
If you have any questions about our products and services please contact us.
