Adding a forklift to your machinery inventory can help you move more materials and increase business capabilities. However, with a new forklift, you also need a certified driver and the right equipment to load and unload materials from tractor-trailers.
A Moffett forklift could be the ideal solution for the convenience you need to handle various loading and unloading tasks. A used Moffett lift means you get a 2-way or 4-way workhorse without the costs of a new machine.
What should you look for in used forklifts for sale? Follow this guide to select the best pre-owned Moffett for your needs!
Make Sure It Fits Your Needs
Not every forklift works well for every use. Saving money on a used forklift that isn’t what you need can be a waste of your budget dollars. Depending on the products or materials you haul for your business, choose a lift made to handle the work you need it to do.
Before buying a lift, ask yourself a few questions, including:
- How often do you need to use it?
- What will it unload, move, and load?
- Will you use it indoors or outside?
- How much load weight will it carry?
- Do you have the space to store and maneuver the machine?
- Can it pass through doorways and fit a building’s ceiling height?
- Are their local ordinances for fumes or noise?
The answers to these types of questions can help you find the best used Moffett forklift for your needs!
Check for Damage
Expect a used machine to come with at least some damage. Small scrapes and minor dents shouldn’t affect the performance of a reconditioned machine added to your business inventory.
However, significant damage can be a warning of operational defects. Problems like bent parts, cracks, large dents, worn forks, and rust can require additional repairs or part replacements—before a forklift is safe to operate. Look for leaks and gaps between links on the lift chain.
Saving money on a machine shouldn’t require sacrificing quality or safety. If you find too much damage on a used forklift, keep looking for a lift in better condition.
Inspect the Tires
Worn tires on a used forklift can indicate that the resellers neglected critical issues before selling the lift. While used tired will show some signs of wear, look for more significant problems like low tread or chunking.
Tires with too much wear make a forklift unsafe without replacing them. Missing chunks of the tire can lead to a blowout. Unless your budget allows for a new set of tires on a used forklift, don’t get stuck with a machine that has significant tire issues.
Review the Safety Features
A quality used forklift should be in excellent condition, including all safety features. Before operating these machines, owners must ensure the lifts pass safety inspections and function appropriately if something goes wrong.
The safety of your forklift operators is paramount! When considering a used forklift, check the proper functionality of the:
- Horn
- Seatbelt
- Lights
- Seat adjustments
- Levers
- Brakes
Be sure to inspect the overhead guards, too. OSHA won’t allow damage on these guards of more than 3/4″ deflection.
If you find safety problems that violate OSHA regulations, you risk purchasing a forklift that isn’t safe to operate without repairs.
Confirm the Age
How old is the forklift? Does it have plenty of use left before it’s too old to operate safely? Is it too new to deliver enough savings through the used forklift price?
When choosing a pre-owned forklift, avoid anything too old or too new. An aging lift won’t be useful for very long without significant used forklift maintenance to keep it running. A lift less than five years old won’t have a price much lower than a new machine.
Settle for an age that’s “just right!” Balance the savings you need by choosing a used lift with many years of good service left before it shows significant age.
Ask About Usage Hours
In addition to the machine’s age, ask a used forklift company about the usage hours for a forklift. A five-year-old machine with high usage hours might not be a better purchase than an older machine with less usage.
A forklift tracks operating hours every time an operator turns the machine on with the key. However, checking usage logs can be a more accurate measure of a forklift’s time in operation.
Usage puts wear and tear on the parts of a forklift. A machine with excessive usage hours can lead to significant repairs after purchasing the lift.
Look at Battery Life
You don’t want to replace the battery as soon as you buy a new-to-you forklift. With standard operations, a forklift battery can last about five years. When evaluating usage hours and the age of a lift, talk with the seller about the battery’s age, too.
Inspect the battery for acid corrosion or other signs that it’s almost time for a replacement. Needing a new battery might not a make-or-break issue to walk away from a used forklift in excellent condition. However, a quality used forklift company won’t try to sell a machine with a battery near the end of its life.
Check the Engine
Conduct a visual inspection of the engine. Look for hose cracks, loose belts, and check the oil and transmission fluid.
Start the forklift and take it for a test drive. The engine should start right away, and the machine’s operation should present no issues during a test run.
Choose the Best Used Moffett Forklift!
Don’t settle for savings without choosing the best used Moffett forklift! Pre-owned machines are only worth the savings if they operate well and don’t require expensive maintenance immediately after purchase.
When shopping for your next used forklift, let Equipment Remarketing help you find the best machine for your needs! We’re a nationwide leader in reselling used Moffet forklifts, with shipping available to anywhere in the country. Contact us to learn more about our pre-owned inventory!