Forklift Truck: Buying New or Used?

Written by: Eisla Sebastian

A forklift truck is essential for businesses that work with heavy loads, ship materials, or that receive heavy pallets of materials. The design of a forklift truck allows a single worker to move pallets weighing well over 5,000 pounds without injury risks or wasting time. If your company is in the market for a forklift truck, one of your key decisions will be whether to buy a used forklift truck or a brand new model.

New vs. used forklift trucks

The main advantage to buying a new forklift truck is that you're the first person to use it. This means the truck is likely in prime condition and has valid warranties on its construction and mechanics. These advantages ensure that your equipment will work properly and that you can easily fix or replace it if it doesn't. The drawback of buying new is typically the cost – new trucks will be a lot more expensive than used ones.

Used equipment is a lot less expensive than new. However, this is not the only reason you would want to buy used. Another advantage is that you often can get the used forklift truck delivered to your company quicker than if you order a new one. This is because used models are in stock and new models usually have to be ordered from the manufacturer, shipped to the store, and then transported to your company.

While a valid option, used forklift trucks do have several drawbacks:

• They may not have all the features and extras that you want
• They require extra maintenance
• The warranty (if any) may be limited providing no protection for their longevity or quality

Buying used forklift trucks

If you decide to buy a used forklift truck, then there are several steps you can take to ensure you buy a good one that will last.

To start, you'll want a qualified mechanic to examine the one you want to buy. Next, you'll want to ask about warranties. A quality used-equipment store will offer you at least a 30-day warranty on the item. When you get your used forklift truck to your company site, you will want to make sure that it is properly maintained to ensure that it will provide you with years of service. Regular maintenance such as frequent lubrication and oil changes is a must to extend the life of your equipment.

Whether you're looking for a used or new forklift, BuyerZone can help. Submit a free request for forklift quotes today to get matched to qualified dealers in your area.