Buying a forklift for your business or company is not as straightforward as you may think. You need to seriously consider significant issues before you make any decisions. The most important decision that you need to make is if you are going to buy a new or a used forklift. The decision will depend on what your business requirements are. Some considerations are how much the forklift will be used each week, what type of work it will be used for, whether it will be used indoors or outdoors, and what type of lifting capacity your company needs.

Buy a New Forklift

A business will usually buy new forklift units if they use their forklift daily. If you are going to use a forklift for more than 40 hours a week, then you, too, might consider buying a new unit. Such companies prefer to invest money in new machines because they are more reliable.

A new forklift is expected to perform perfectly and generally comes with a long-term warranty, which is attractive to many businesses. Furthermore, new machines are designed with the latest technology and often offer advanced functionality. The disadvantage of a new forklift is the higher price tag. A new machine costs much more than any used machine does. The new forklift’s value depreciates quicker as well, which means that you will be losing money faster.

Buying a Used Forklift

A used forklift is usually less expensive to purchase, which is an enormous benefit to most companies, but you need to be cautious with the purchase of a used machine. Look for a unit that has been cared for properly. If a unit has not been maintained properly, its purchase will cost you more money in repairs than anticipated. Make sure to research the logged working hours of the forklift, as well as its maintenance history. If this information is available, it could tell you most of what you need to know about the condition of the machine.

The value of a used lift truck does not depreciate as quickly, which is another advantage when opting to buy a used machine.

One way to start your search for a used or new forklift is by visiting a forklift dealer that is established in your community and ask for their inventory of machines for sale to see what is available. Another great option if you’re looking to buy a used forklift is to explore the expansive inventory at National Forklift Exchange. We offer a great collection of top manufacturers at competitive prices. Don’t see the exact machine you’re looking for? No problem! Reach out to our team today and we’ll work with you to find the perfect forklift.