Exciting Used Forklift Bargains: What Shell Is Your Pea Under?

Buying a used forklift can be a challenge, but it can also be a smart choice if you know what to avoid. Let's focus on the important things to consider when buying a used forklift.

Safety is crucial: Older forklifts might have safety issues due to outdated designs or worn-out parts. Before buying, do a thorough safety check. Make sure all safety features work properly, including seat belts, headlights, horn, and overhead guard which should not have any welds or drilled holes. Also the brakes, tires, and hydraulic systems, look for filters, some date them when installed. Remember, your Mom probably told you cutting corners in any effort is never a good practice.

Be careful with hour meters: The hour meter shows how long a forklift has been used. Sometimes, these can be changed or replaced to make the forklift seem less used than it really is. This can hide the true condition of the machine.

To protect yourself:

1. Compare the hour meter reading with maintenance and service records
2. Look at the overall wear and tear, especially on parts that get used a lot like tires, forks, and controls
3. Check the service history for hour meter readings at each repair. If they're missing, ask why

Always ask for and review the full service history of the forklift. If records are missing, it could mean the forklift wasn't well-maintained or had recurring problems. While hour meters are designed to be hard to change, it's possible to adjust them with special tools. If you think the reading might be wrong, consider walking away. It's a used lift, there is too much riding on your buy to allow anything that adds to your worry.

Other important things to consider:

• Make sure the forklift meets current safety rules, if it has alarms, lights, they have to work.
• And I know this should go without saying, but a used forklift often has a limited warranty, or none at all. Once the purchase is made this will be on you.
• Ask to demo the unit, and during that have your own people or service provider go through the truck, you owe that to your wallet and your staff.
• Older forklifts might not meet current environmental standards, which could mean higher fuel use and more pollution.

We would enjoy hearing from you; let’s start a dialog!

For more information, insights, or conversations regarding your forklift or material handling needs. You can visit our online contact form, call us at 763-425-9066, or email [email protected]. We are also on Twitter, @ToyotaEquipment or @KyleThill on X or Twitter.

We would welcome the opportunity to address your material handling questions or concerns. Toyota Lift of Minnesota works extremely hard to be your partner and material handling consultant. Remember this: "you have a guy" in the forklift and material handling businesses.

Are you located outside of Minnesota or Wisconsin? Find your local authorized Toyota Forklift Dealer through their dealer locator.

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Kyle Thill - Exciting Used Forklift Bargains: What Shell Is Your Pea Under?