Seasoned entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for money-saving opportunities, and what could be a smarter investment than purchasing a used forklift. These useful machines are an indelible part of business operations related to transportation, loading and stacking of goods. Therefore, when you are looking for forklifts for sale in Brisbane, opting for the pre-owned ones is a prudent decision. They are refurbished and optimised to be used again for a fresh start. However, you need to ensure that you are not being taken for a ride with a superficial makeover which can cost you dearly. Here is what needs to be taken into consideration when evaluating a used forklift for hire.
- Determine Your Requirements
When you are checking out different models and makes, you need to keep your business requirements in mind such as will it be used indoors or outdoors, will it be able to reach the top shelves in your premises, will it be able to handle the load of your heaviest stock, etc. Its mast must fit into the lowest ceiling of your operating area otherwise you will be wasting your money. Thus select the machine which ticks all the checkboxes in your list of requirements. Also, you need to determine the operating hours per day. If these exceed four hours per day, then it makes more sense to purchase a new forklift with higher resilience.
- Research Its History
To ensure that you buy a quality product, you must make the purchase from a reputable dealer who is known for his credibility. You must inquire about the history of the product, its usage over the years and any breakdowns which might have occurred during its first ownership. You must undertake a visual inspection, preferably done by a technician, to check for cracks, bends, wear and tear on the forks, etc. Also, you must evaluate if the machine adheres to the safety regulations and has all the safety gear in place. Ask for the safety check certificates as well as examination certificates from the dealer.
- Internal Inspection
A qualified engineer must be brought to the site to check the engine, counterweights and exhaust guard. You must make sure that there are no leaks or accumulation of dust or deep cracks that can affect the functioning of the forklift. Pay attention to the belts, tank brackets, bolts, and air filter. All the controls should be working smoothly and must be in tandem with each other. You must check for the remaining battery life if you are purchasing an electric forklift for sale in Queensland. A new battery will cost you almost 40% of the price of the machine so make sure there is enough battery life left for use. Ideally, a battery provides 1200 charges and each charge lasts close to five hours when it is in use.
- Checking The Rails And Lifts
Thoroughly evaluate the mast rails for welds to check their structural potency and the rollers for proper round shape. There should be no broken or missing links in the lift chains and check on the hoses for fluid leaks. You need to ensure equal tension distribution and take a look at the cylinders connected to the carriage for any kind of distortion or missing bolts. Additionally, you must assess the durability of the canopy as it acts as the protection screen of the operator in case of a rollover or loading mishap. Also, pay attention to the windows, cab space, chassis, frame and tyres for any signs of damage.
- Test Drive The Forklift
You must ask your operator to test drive the forklift to assess the comfort level and efficiency of every attachment. Move all the loader arms and make the mast run through several stages. Make sure that you start the machine from an ideal position rather than testing an already powered forklift to check the health of the engine. Also, test the machine on the kind of flooring that matches the environment of your business premises. While you are at it, you must check the clock readings to get an idea of the operating hours. However, the reading can be rigged by some dealers, so you must rely on service history.
- Get A Warranty
You should acquire a warranty for the used machine and read all the terms and conditions thoroughly before making the purchase. It must give details of the period of warranty, all the inclusions and exclusions clearly. If the forklift is still under manufacturer’s warranty, then you must contact the company to get it transferred to your name, if that is a possibility. It can save the additional cost of repair work required after the sale.
Endnote
Although used forklifts for sale in Brisbane are available at a bargain price, you must not blindly spend money on them. The best approach is to follow the steps mentioned above to ensure smooth operations and avoid getting deceived.