Sometimes, people just cannot convince themselves to spend more money on new forklifts – even if it’s a lease. Or they have low operating hours per week and can’t justify spending more funds on something that they are only going to be using twenty hours per week. In cases like these, people need to shift their sights over to used-forklift markets to save some money. Or maybe – after reading this article, a lot more.
Where to shop for used forklifts?
Before they do anything, buyers should look for forklifts in shops near them. Most material handling firms will charge freight for delivering the equipment to the buyer. Like big purchases – besides popular companies like Amazon – buyers will be charged for the time and gas it uses to deliver the order to the buyer. So to save money on costs, buyers need to check their area first. It can be as simple as typing some related keywords like “Forklift dealers near me” on Google.
To find out more about how these things work, click here for more info.
Check out dealer sites or some auction boards or platforms. Always keep in mind that auctions are a lot higher when it comes to risk since there’s less info on the item’s background, and people will not know how well it was taken care of or the application the item was used in. A reputable seller will have safety regulations passed and certifications and will offer a thirty-day warranty with options including parts and labor, as well as a powertrain.
What do people need to look for when purchasing a used forklift?
Knowing when to purchase used forklifts is pretty easy, but figuring out how to check it can be challenging, especially if buyers have little to no knowledge of the parts that drive most of the maintenance and ownership costs. Listed below are some tips that can provide individuals some guidance to make an informed decision in picking the best device possible.
Check forks for any damage
When checking these things, people will most likely start from front to back. They need to look for bends, cracks, and signs of wear and tear. Cracks will be the most problematic since they are signs that the device will need to retire soon.
Spots that are sometimes forgotten about are the heels of the fork blades. Buyers need to look closely at the thickness of these blades. If the back does not match the thickness of the upright shank (the part of the fork that is connected to the carriage), there is a good chance that the forks are pretty worn.
Look for any gaps in lift chains
While checking every nook and cranny of the unit, make sure to check the mast for cracks and welding marks where cracks were fixed. Poor welds will affect the structural integrity and strength of the mast. When checking the middle of the mast, individuals need to view lift chains for corroded and missing pins or links.
Watch how steadily or smoothly the mast works
Have sellers or dealers raised forks high enough to extend at least a second mast. Any signs of lag or interruption in the process mean that the link chains need fixing, the mast rollers are pretty worn, or the rollers have not been well-maintained or lubricated. If rollers are worn, they will be oval or lopsided shaped and not perfectly round.
Check out https://www.encyclopedia.com/manufacturing/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/rough-terrain-forklift for more details about the history of this equipment.
Look at the unit’s tires
Buyers should get down and look or feel for signs of chunking. These things look like bites were taken out of the unit’s tires. Another telltale sign that the unit’s tires are in bad shape is when the treads are non-existent or very low. The first place to look at is the safety line or wear line. If tires are worn past these lines or are close to them, there is a good chance that the tires need replacement.
If there are no wear lines, look at the sidewall letterings of the tire. If the top of the lettering has reached the tire, it should be replaced immediately. Another test people can do that is very useful is penny tests. All they need to do is to place Abraham Lincoln in tire grooves, and if the top of Abe’s head is still visible, the tire tread is still low.
Determine how much life is left in the battery
The bad news is the number of hours on the unit’s battery can’t be tracked. But one quick check people can do is to ask dealers how many shifts it was used, as well as for how many years. Standard batteries will last around five years in single-shift operations. That is why, if the battery was used in double shift and is already one year old, then it’s got about two to three years left in its life. Another thing people need to check is the exterior acid corrosion for lead-acid batteries.
See what shape the unit’s engine is in
After individuals run the device for a couple of minutes, they should open the engine compartment and check for cracks and leaks on the hoses. They can pull out the dipstick to examine the engine oil. Low oil in the engine might suggest that there are leaks. Also, make sure that belts are well-lubricated and tight. Also, check the transmission fluid and brakes.
Check for leaks
People need to check the transmission, mast cylinders, along the mast, and around the radiator for leaks. Check the emission by smelling the air when the unit is running. If the individual can smell high levels of carbon dioxide (if the forklift runs on diesel), then there’s a good chance that the unit has problems with the regulator or the catalytic converter.
Make sure safety features work well
The common areas people want to test all points towards keeping the forklift operator, as well as the people around him, safe. Buyers should make sure the seatbelt, horn, light, seat adjustments, levers, and brakes all functions properly without fail.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OHSA requires overhead guards should have damage less than three-fourth inches deflection. Check out guard frames; if there is damage to it, then the operator’s safety will be in serious jeopardy.
Verify the unit’s odometer reading
Before buyers do anything, they should make sure the odometer of the unit has not been tampered with or reset. The best and easiest way to do this is to look at the forklift’s body, as well as the wear and tear on major parts – if they do not align with hour readings, there is a good chance that it was tampered with or reset. When looking for secondhand equipment, part-time use is still the best option.
How do people figure this out?
While everything has been aimed at checking parts and major cost-centered areas of the forklift at this point, the hours the Used Forklifts For Sale will give them the most insight into how long they can expect a secondhand unit to hold up.
For instance, if the individual is looking at a seven-year-old reach truck that has at least five thousand hours under its belt, then they should expect the unit to last for a while. Now – they can’t base everything solely on the forklift’s hours; they still need to look at other areas listed above.
Maybe the previous owner didn’t replace the tires, or there are some leaks. But if the forklift averages more than two thousand hours per year, there is a good chance that it will have more than wear and tear under its belt, and should be a sign that they should walk away unless major repairs, as well as aftermarket parts, were used to repair it.
In conclusion
There are a lot of things to look for when it comes to purchasing a secondhand forklift. However, the most important thing that will save people a lot of money in repairs, as well as the cost of ownership in the long run, include:
- Buy the equipment from a legitimate secondhand dealer (not on eBay, Craigslist, or online auction)
- Buy locally to avoid very expensive freight costs
- Check the age of the unit’s battery. Replacement batteries cost around one to five thousand dollars
- Bring a reputable technician to ensure the forklift was used part-time
How many hours should these things last?
Forklifts will last about ten to twelve thousand hours. If the equipment is well maintained, as well as serviced on time, then reliable brands like Hyster and Crown or Yale will last at least twenty thousand hours.
How often should people change the oil?
Users should change the oil of the equipment every two hundred hours. They should also change the air filter, fuel filter, and oil filter. After five hundred hours, they need to change their hydraulic oil.
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