The right equipment makes challenging jobs easier and more efficient and reduces strain on workers—and forklifts are no exception. These machines are mobile and rely on an operator who uses the mounted fork to pick up and transport heavy loads safely and quickly. Forklifts are found in a variety of industries known for using large, bulky materials, including warehouses, construction, and agriculture.
Buying a forklift is an investment, but purchasing a used model can help reduce the initial cost. Before buying a preowned forklift, it’s important to understand personal requirements and the unit’s condition to be sure it’s a good value. The following guide breaks down these two categories.
A piece of equipment is only worth buying if it meets your needs. You probably already have a general sense of your requirements, so split that list into must-haves—features that are necessary for the machinery to fulfill the job as intended—and nice-to-haves, such as comfort options.
Your must-haves should focus on what the forklift needs to be capable of doing. This might include the lift capacity, reach, and size based on where it will be used. Depending on your work environment, you might also need to consider enclosure requirements for worker safety and terrain to ensure you choose the right tires. Knowing how much you plan to use the equipment will also help determine what level of wear and tear is acceptable on a used forklift.
Since forklifts are powered by different types of fuel, such as gas or electricity, it’s important to consider your current infrastructure and energy costs to help determine which type of engine is right for your new equipment.
Your priorities and nice-to-haves might change as you start researching, but establishing some baseline requirements ensures your equipment purchase will meet your needs.
Once you have a few used forklifts in mind, it’s time to evaluate the options to make sure they’re up to the task. Below are a few variables worth inspecting.
First, look at the quality of the fork itself. There shouldn’t be any significant physical damage, such as cracks or warping. The lift blades should also have a consistent thickness1. If it seems to vary, then the equipment might be too worn down to be steady. These types of major issues can lead to a forklift needing to be replaced sooner than you planned.
Next, make sure the fork mechanism lifts and lowers smoothly all the way. Jagged movements may indicate poor maintenance or issues with the chain and rollers on the mast, which you should also inspect for signs of damage or rusting.
Checking a used forklift’s tires is similar to checking the tires on a car. The tread wear should be even across the surface and still have enough traction for safe, reliable operation. An overly worn tread means you’ll need new tires sooner rather than later; this might not be a dealbreaker, but it should be factored into the cost.
You’ll also want to look for signs of a leak. This might show up in the form of pooling fluids underneath the forklift or fluid in the transmission, radiator, and mast.
When you’re sure the used forklift is in good physical condition, it’s time to check the power features. Manufacturers typically provide life expectancies for the batteries in their machinery, so you’ll get a sense of how much longer it should last. Batteries should also be free of cracks, leaks, or corrosion. Test the brakes, lights, and steering to be sure they work properly. Additionally, check the horn, guards, and seat restraints are in working order. These are all crucial components that help keep your workplace safe.
Sourcing your equipment from a reliable provider ensures you’ll have the information you need to feel confident in your purchase. Our forklift inventory features clear specifications and expert assessments to make your search easier. Check out our current selection and contact our sales office for more information.
Inspecting the lift chains and mast on a forklift can help expose underlying issues. The pins on the forklift chain bear weight, so inspectors should verify that no pins are protruding or misaligned and that they are properly lubricated. Cracks on the chain or mast can form due to wear and tear or misuse. The damage weakens the forklift, making it unsafe to operate.
By performing an inspection, you can also determine if a chain is misaligned. Misaligned chains can have worn pin heads and look asymmetrical. Continued use of an improperly aligned chain will cause it to fail eventually.
Other signs of damage you may spot during an inspection include broken links, which render the chain unsafe to use. The damage is a result of dropping loads on uneven surfaces. Inspections can also reveal areas that have rusted or corroded from the environment or incorrect maintenance2.
If the lift mechanism sticks while moving, rust or physical damage could be to blame. Replace rusty chains as soon as possible.
Tire wear and tear can cause safety hazards while operating the lift. When the tread is low, the tires won’t have enough traction to grip surfaces. To avoid this concern, check the tread on each tire — ensuring the tread is even across the tire and matches the other tires’ tread.
While you check the tread, also look for cuts, holes, cracks, and any foreign objects puncturing the tires. Address these issues immediately. Otherwise, the damage will get worse, and the tires will eventually become flat.
Inflate tires, making sure the pressure aligns with manufacturer specifications. Otherwise, adding too much air can damage the tires, cutting short their life expectancy3.
Forklift usage is tracked via its operating hours. By knowing the forklift’s operating hours, you will gain insight into the equipment’s condition. Most forklifts work well for 10,000 to 20,000 hours (when properly maintained). This equates to an average of five to 10 years of service, assuming about 2,000 hours of operation per year4. Of course, the frequency of use each year also contributes to the forklift’s level of wear and tear.
An onboard meter measures the forklift hours. The instrument is like an odometer built into a car. If there is a discrepancy between the onboard meter measurement and reported hour usage, you should proceed with caution. It’s possible that the actual usage time is not accurately represented, and the odds of getting a forklift that fails sooner than expected go up5.
Because forklifts don’t have odometers, you can’t track forklift mileage. Instead, a forklift’s onboard meter tracks the number of hours it’s used.
Knowing how the current owner stored the forklift, whether they used it in harsh environments, and whether they maneuvered it on uneven ground provides context for the forklift’s operating hours. The forklift’s maintenance history can also shed light on potential problems.
Find out whether the current owner performs daily inspections and invests in necessary repairs. If the answer is “yes,” the forklift is likely to last many more hours than if regular upkeep fell by the wayside5.
Older batteries decrease the value of an electric forklift because they are more likely to need replacement. Likewise, you should replace batteries with cracks and other damage. Make sure to factor battery replacement into the overall cost of purchasing the forklift.
Battery age matters, too, because different batteries last for specific numbers of charge and discharge cycles. Lead acid batteries, for example, typically last somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 cycles, equating to roughly five years when well maintained. Li-ion batteries can last twice as long, ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 charge cycles6. While Li-ion batteries last longer, this also affects the cost. Due to their efficiency, Li-ion batteries are typically more costly, raising the overall price of the forklift.
Test driving a forklift can give a sense of whether it is right for a particular project or business needs. Test drives can also unearth issues that may not be obvious from a description. Perhaps the lift moves less smoothly, or there is rust in hard-to-see areas. These concerns are easier to identify when you take the forklift for a test drive.
Demonstrations can give a real-world perspective on how high the lift can reach, its maneuverability, the storage requirements, and the safety features like warning lights and horns.
Forklifts vary based on fuel type as well. Electric vs. gasoline-powered forklifts can have a different feel, generate different noise levels, and, of course, emissions.
Purchasing used equipment from a reputable dealer is preferable because they’ve earned trust within the industry. They also have the expertise to answer questions and find exactly what a customer needs for their particular use case. Dealers also make sure to keep accurate records of a forklift’s past usage. Dealers also value preventative maintenance.
Although purchasing a used forklift from a private seller is an option, the seller may not have the same level of standards as a dealership. The same can go for an auction. At auctions, there are possibilities of getting a reduced price. However, it comes with not knowing as much about the quality of the forklift and its source. When in doubt, working with a dealer is the right move.
