Used forklifts are sold and bought so frequently that there is an entire market for them. In fact, a huge number of small and medium material handling businesses rely on used forklifts to sustain their operations. This is because used forklifts allow businesses to cut costs. Since forklifts are the most commonly used piece of equipment in the material handling industry, therefore it comes in handy if you can save some costs on them.
However, buying and selling used forklifts is not as easy as you may think. There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration by both the seller and the buyer before the sale. For a lot of new businesses, selling or purchasing a used forklift is a daunting prospect. After all, these machines form the backbone of the material handling industry in not just the United States but all over the world. So you want to have the best forklift possible in use, however there are always financial constraints that compel you to purchase pre-owned forklifts.
Fleet managers often look for used forklift trucks for sale since that is how they get the best price for them. Of course, the price may vary with the specifications of the forklift and the time it has spent in service. However, it is often times cheaper to buy used forklifts on sale than as a one-off sale.
With so many forklifts being bought and sold all the time, there are quite a few questions playing on the mind of newly appointed fleet managers. Let us take a look at some of the commonly asked questions regarding used forklifts that help you in making the right purchase.
How much does a Used Forklift Cost?
The price of a used forklift varies with its features, specifications, engine type and condition. You have to have a certain type of forklift in mind before asking this question. Otherwise a price quoted without context is meaningless. If you take the example of a used truck mounted forklift, it could cost you from $10,000 to $12,000 depending on the factors mentioned above.
However, certain classes of forklifts are more expensive than others even if they are pre-owned. Given that they are reasonably well maintained, electric forklifts cost more; north of $15,000.Yet even these prices are quite reasonable when you take into a account a brand new four wheel, combustion engine forklift with truck mounting capabilities can cost you around $26,000 to $28,000.
Is Using a Retailer Useful?
The opinion is split on this matter but largely comes down to experience. Retailers who are specialized in the sale and purchase of used forklifts have more experience than others. This makes them well-suited to make suggestions and recommendations during the buying process. Expert retailers such as Truck Forklifts can help you identify several key factors that you could have missed on your own. This allows you to capture a more complete picture of the used forklift you are purchasing.
Of course, there are some that argue that using a retailer costs more money. And since the whole point of purchasing used forklift trucks is to save money so the whole exercise becomes redundant. However, that logic is flawed since the opportunity cost of not using a retailer is too high. Imagine saving cost on a retailer and purchasing a used forklift off your own experience. Now if the forklift breaks down a week later, you will incur more cost in fixing it than you would have in hiring a retailer in the first place.
How long does a Used Forklift Work?
That really depends on how well the forklift is maintained and what sort of work needs to be done by it. If the forklift has been in use for quite some time and you want to put heavy work load on it, then chances are it might not last that long. After all, every forklift has a limited functional life. For most forklifts, that functional life is around 10,000 to 12,000 hours.
The more a forklift is used, the closer it gets to the end of its functional life. A pre-owned forklift, if used properly and maintained regularly can last for up to 16 to 18 months. However, this is only possible if the work load on it is not heavy. Moreover, using forklifts out of their comfort zone can drastically reduce their lifespan as well. For example, using a warehouse loader on rough terrain can be detrimental to its functional life.
These were just some of the commonly asked questions regarding used forklifts. Be sure to consult your forklift operators before you finalize the purchase. It is important for them to have a say in the buying process since they are the ones that will be eventually using them.