Significant Factors to Consider When Buying a Used Forklift

Some people are not convinced to spend additional money on a brand-new forklift for several reasons. For instance, if your operational needs are a few hours per week, it may not justify spending additional money. Yet, if you want to use a forklift for 20 hours per week, you can consider second hand forklifts in Melbourne.

The decision to purchase a used forklift is likely chosen due to decreasing business margins, the need for limited capital investments, or the rotating nature of your material handling equipment. No matter what reason you make this choice, it is a major investment decision that you should be informed about. Buying a used forklift is a smart way to save money. Equipment that has already been funded has an already established value. Anything else bought new can experience sharp price fluctuations without notice. But this doesn’t mean that you should be careless when looking for a used forklift.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to buy a used forklift because you have to check many things. You should not worry because here are some important steps to follow. These points will help you to pick the right machine.

Carefully Evaluate Forks for Damages

It is one thing to inspect a forklift when it is right in front of you and quite another to step back and inspect the whole operation in its entirety. If your company has more than one used forklift or used forklifts of different makes and models, it helps to take a look at the big picture. To get started with the inspection of a used forklift, focus on the front. You have to check bends, cracks, and signs of wear and tear. Remember, gaps are troublesome because they indicate that you have to replace your forks as soon as possible.

Sometimes, people forget about the heel of the fork blade. You should look carefully at its thickness. If the back blade’s thickness is different from the upright fork shank (connection point of a fork to the carriage), your forks are not in good condition.

First things first. Before you can inspect a used forklift, you need to have one in front of you. It’s the same as when shopping for a used car; it’s much easier to examine what’s under the hood and inside the trunk if you can access both parts.

Evaluate Gaps in Lift Chains

While evaluating forks, you should look for possible welding marks and cracks. Remember, poor welding can impact the reliability of the mast structure. You have to check lift chains for corroded or missing pins/links in the middle of the mast.

Any lift chain is designed to transport pallets or other materials from one point to another. In many cases, it may be shipped in different sections and self-installed upon arrival. It will need to be correctly adjusted so that your forklift truck can get the best lift height possible. If the lift chain that you have been using has any quirks or an issue, you should replace it with a new one right away–it might cost you more later on if you put off replacing it now.

Mast Operations

Ask your seller to raise the fork high to extend a 2nd or 3rd mast. Any hiccup in this process means the chain should be fixed. The mast rollers may be worn or may not be well-maintained and lubricated. If you see a lopsided shape instead of a round wheel, the mast rollers may be worn.

You should look for signs of chunking in tires. It may look similar to a bite taken out of a tire. Another visible sign of non-existent or low tread is the rough shape of the tires. Certainly, you have to evaluate the safety line or wear line. If a tire is worn around this line, you have to replace this tire. Furthermore, check the letter on the tire’s sidewall. When the lettering top is reached, the tire must be replaced. Though you can try a penny test by putting an Abe Lincoln in the groove of a tire, and if its head top is visible, the tread of your tire is low.

Evaluate Life in the Battery

It can be difficult to track the number of hours on a battery. You can ask about the number of years it was in use and the number of shifts during operation. Normally, a battery may last almost five years during single-shift operations. If a one-year-old battery is in a double shift, you will count 2 to 3 years of remaining life. Moreover, you will check the corrosion and exterior of lead-acid batteries.

Finally, you have to check the condition of the engine by pulling out the dipstick. You should not ignore leaks in the mast cylinder, transmission, engine, and around the radiators. Carefully smell the air if a forklift is operating. If you smell carbon dioxide in a diesel engine, there is an issue with the regulator or catalytic converter.