If you’re exploring purchasing a forklift, you have lots of decisions ahead of you — including which type, brand and model — but one of the first and most important is whether you want to buy used or new equipment. There are a number of benefits of used forklifts that you must carefully consider and balance with your particular needs.
Why a Used Forklift?
Similar to the factors that lead many to opt for used personal vehicles, cost is one of the biggest drivers for those leaning toward pre-owned forklifts. Buying a used forklift can cost up to 50% less than a new model. With business owners competing with rising costs and shrinking budgets, being able to shave off a decent amount of money on equipment purchases can make used forklifts especially attractive. However, a lower price tag is among several of the benefits of used forklifts.
New models, just like any other emerging product, can come with their own kinks or technical bugs that require some repairs to iron out, which can mean ongoing maintenance costs — as well as interruption to the workflow. Additionally, buying replacement parts for a new forklift can be somewhat of a challenge, as spare parts are often difficult to find, with fewer models in circulation, and can be costly. If you have to make a repair or replacement on your used forklift, however, you have many more options — making purchasing parts simple and more cost-effective, allowing you to get your equipment fixed and back to work quickly.
Do Your Research
While there are a number of advantages to buying a used forklift, it is a process that requires good research. Anyone considering this route should thoroughly look into the history of the product they’re interested in. It’s important to obtain a maintenance report to explore any issues the previous owner had with the equipment and ensure it was properly maintained. Apart from considering the equipment’s past, it’s a good idea to understand your own future needs: How many hours a day will you be using the forklift? What type of work will you need it for? What conditions will you be using it in? Experts suggest that, if the equipment will be in operation for four hours or less per day, it’s advisable to opt for a used forklift instead of new.
The cost and other benefits of used forklifts certainly may motivate many buyers to opt for pre-owned equipment, but regardless of the advantages, knowing your own needs and doing the leg work to find a product that matches them is the first step to success. Work with National Forklift Exchange, we’d be happy to help you find the right piece of equipment to serve your needs and at the best price point. What are you waiting for? Contact NFE today to get started!
