Buy Used Forklift
Knowing when to buy a used forklift is easy, but figuring out how to inspect a forklift can be tough, especially if you have little knowledge of the components that drive most of your ownership costs and maintenance.
buy used forklift
While everything up to this point has been aimed at inspecting the parts and major cost-centered pieces of a forklift, the hours will give you the most insight into how long you can expect a used forklift to hold up.
Forklifts come in many sizes, shapes, colors and functions. Choosing the right forklift for your business can be challenging and time consuming. It is imperative that you make a good sound and informed decision to ensure that you purchase the right forklift for the job within your desired budget.
Sun Equipment has access to all the top trusted brands: Hyster, Clark, Yale, Komatsu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Cat, Toyota, Taylor, Hoist, TCM, Unicarriers, Linde, Crown, Raymond, Daewoo, Kalmar and Sellick to just mention a few. If Sun Equipment does not have the used forklift in stock that you are looking for they will find it for you.
Once you determine where you are going to use the used forklift and the type of lift truck you need, the next consideration is the capacity required. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WEIGHT THAT YOU WILL BE MOVING? Knowing an accurate weight of the material being handled is crucial to the safe operation of your lift truck. Overloading causes premature wear and fatigue to the lift truck. The correct capacity will narrow your used forklift for sale search down to a couple of models.
Now that you know the lift truck type and model that will best suit your application, the Sun Equipment professionals will figure out all the details for you. Such as, fork length and maximum lift height, to ensure the proper fit for your operation. Other items to consider are hours of usage. This may determine whether you want a new or used lift truck. There are so many things to consider when adding or replacing your used forklift equipment. We hope this helps as a starting point.
Cushion Forklifts: Use: Most commonly used forklift in the U.S. Primarily used indoors in warehouse type operations, good for use on smooth surfaces only. Not well suited for outdoor use. Smaller in size when compared to pneumatic tire forklift of equal capacity. These trucks are typically used indoors in applications such as manufacturing, warehousing, bottling and trucking. They ride on solid rubber tires called cushion tires. They can be powered by either Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), gasoline, Diesel, or be dual fuel. Dual fuel means that the forklift is equipped with both LPG and Gas fuel systems and can be run on either one but not at the same time. The engine powers all the functions of the truck, drive and hydraulics. This is a Class 4 forklift.
Reach Trucks: Use: Used indoors on smooth surfaces. Primarily operates in very narrow aisles storing & retrieving pallets. Used for picking from racks. Reach mechanism extends to reach into rack. Can extend 1 or 2 deep into rack. (single or double reach) Outriggers are required to counter load weight. Good in areas where fumes may be harmful such as food operations and areas with little or no ventilation. Electric forklifts for sale are primarily used indoors on flat, even surfaces. Electric forklift batteries last 6 consecutive hours or throughout an 8-hour shift with 2-3 breaks. Batteries prevent the emission of harmful fumes and are recommended for facilities in which employees are in close proximity to forklifts in operation, food-processing and healthcare sectors. Charger required as with all electric powered units. Charger required as with all electric powered units.
Electric Forklifts: Use: Primarily used indoors on smooth surfaces. Ground clearance same as cushion tire forklift. Less horsepower than gas powered units. Not well suited for outdoor use. Good in areas where fumes may be harmful such as food operations and areas with little or no ventilation. It is powered by a large industrial battery. All the functions (drive and hydraulics) are controlled electrically. It looks much like its IC powered counterpart. The drive system and hydraulic systems are driven by electric motors. They can come in 3 or 4 wheel configurations. While most electric sit down riders use cushion type tires, some are ordered with a solid pneumatic tire and wheel combination. The four-wheel versions are Class 4 forklifts. Electric forklifts for sale are primarily used indoors on flat, even surfaces. Electric forklift batteries last 6 consecutive hours or throughout an 8-hour shift with 2-3 breaks. Batteries prevent the emission of harmful fumes and are recommended for facilities in which employees are in close proximity to forklifts in operation, food-processing and healthcare sectors. Charger required as with all electric powered units.
Narrow Aisle Forklifts: Use: Primarily used indoors on smooth surfaces where space is a premium. Ultra-compact design. Ground clearance same as cushion tire forklift or Electric 4 wheel units. Less horsepower than gas powered units. Not well suited for outdoor use. Good in areas where fumes may be harmful such as food operations and areas with little or no ventilation. Electric used forklifts for sale are primarily used indoors on flat, even surfaces. Electric forklift batteries last 6 consecutive hours or throughout an 8-hour shift with 2-3 breaks. Batteries prevent the emission of harmful fumes and are recommended for facilities in which employees are in close proximity to forklifts in operation, food-processing and healthcare sectors. Charger required as with all electric powered units. Charger required as with all electric powered units.
Rough Terrain Forklifts: Use: Primarily used outdoors where terrain may be rough. Better ground clearance than Pneumatic Tire forklift. Can be used in mud, gravel or areas with severe ruts. A rough terrain used forklift is designed for carrying material over terrain that a normal pneumatic tired forklift will not. The most notable feature of the rough terrain forklift is the oversized, aggressive treaded tires. This enables the machine to traverse bumpy, soft or muddy terrain without getting stuck. Many models of rough terrain forklifts are also 4-wheel drive. A rough terrain forklift is a Class 7 forklift. Units available in 2wd & 4wd.
Order Pickers: Use: Order picker trucks place the operator on an elevating platform along with the forks. The operator hand picks items or cases from racks onto a pallet or shelf-type structure. This is an efficient way of picking less than pallet load shipments, and is popular for use in large distribution centers. Units with larger platforms are used to pick furniture from high racks. Indoor use only. Electric forklifts are primarily used indoors on flat, even surfaces. Electric used forklift batteries last 6 consecutive hours or throughout an 8-hour shift with 2-3 breaks. Batteries prevent the emission of harmful fumes and are recommended for facilities in which employees are in close proximity to forklifts in operation, food-processing and healthcare sectors. Charger required as with all electric powered units. Charger required as with all electric powered units.
Scissor Lifts: Use: A scissor lift, also known as an aerial device or elevating work platform (EWP), is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height. A scissor lift used forklift for sale is generally used for temporary, flexible access purposes such as maintenance and construction work or by firefighters for emergency access, which distinguishes them from permanent access equipment such as elevators. They are designed to lift limited weights usually less than a ton, although some have a higher safe working load distinguishing them from most types of cranes. They are usually capable of being set up and operated by a single person. Regardless of the task they are used for, aerial work platforms may provide additional features beyond transport and access, including being equipped with electrical outlets or compressed air connectors for power tools. They may also be equipped with special equipment, such as carrying frames for window glass.
Mike cannot stress how important it is to do your research before buying a used forklift. Purchasing the right used lift for your business, instead of the cheapest, can save your company money in the long run. You should also consider maintenance needs while making your decision. The initial price of a used forklift for sale pales when you consider the cost of the operator, fuel, and maintenance to keep your lift truck moving. Sun Equipment encourages all of our customers to examine more than the sale price. A comfortable operator will increase productivity. A more fuel efficient lift truck may save more than the monthly payment of the used forklift for sale. All of these items need to be examined before the purchase or lease of new equipment.
Sun Equipment can help you with financing your new piece of equipment. We work with only the finest leasing and financing companies in the industry which specialize in the purchasing of used forklifts for sale.
Myths and misconceptions about used forklifts prevent many buyers from getting a great deal. A used forklift, when purchased from a reputable seller, costs about half as much as a new one and offers excellent long-term value. Used forklifts are ideal if you:
Experience a sudden increase in business - Don't wait for equipment to arrive from the factory; get the equipment you need fast. Whether you're looking for a used propane forklift, electric, diesel or gas, we have dozens to choose from.
Want to expand your fleet without reducing productivity - If your operators are already familiar with a particular forklift, a new model can reduce productivity while your team adjusts to the new equipment. 041b061a72