Two steps to take before buying a used forklift
Forklifts are costly pieces of equipment. As such, many people prefer to buy them secondhand. However, if you choose to do this, it's important to make sure that the forklift you buy is in good condition. Here are two tips which should help you to buy a high-quality used forklift.
Inspect the equipment
The most important thing you will need to do before you buy a used forklift is inspect it. This inspection should be extremely thorough. If you are unfamiliar with this type of machinery, you should bring along someone (ideally, a mechanic who specialises in heavy construction equipment, or alternatively, an experienced forklift operator).
This inspection will allow you to not only examine the general condition of the forklift but also to check for faults. If you spot faults during this inspection process, you can then ask the seller to repair them before you purchase the vehicle.
The person carrying out the inspection of the forklift should check its hydraulic system for leaks. They should also check the tilt and lift cylinders, as well as the forks and their locking pins, for signs of corrosion. All of the electrical controls should also be switched on, to ensure that they are fully functional. The operator's seat and seatbelt should also be examined for signs of wear and tear.
Additionally, they should look closely at the backrest of the loading forks, to see if it is completely secured to the main body of the forklift. Last but not least, the person performing the inspection should look at the battery; its terminals should be free from corrosion and its water levels should be high.
Read the maintenance logbook
Most sellers of heavy construction equipment will have logbooks for each piece of machinery they have on sale. These logbooks will contain detailed information about all of the maintenance work that has been performed on the equipment.
Before buying a particular forklift, you should read through its logbook. This will provide you with insight into how carefully it was maintained.
A forklift that has been looked after very well (that is, one which has had its engine, brake, hydraulic and transmission fluids regularly topped up, its brake pads replaced and its tyre pressure levels adjusted on a regular basis) is likely to have a much longer lifespan than one which has been routinely neglected.
This is because regular maintenance helps to prevent forklifts from developing serious faults (for example, engine oil prevents the engine from overheating, whilst correctly-inflated tyres protect the forklift's suspension system from damage).
