When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a big decision for anyone to choose whether to buy used or new. In terms of purchasing a forklift and trying to decide between the two options, the best thing to do is figure out the application needs for the lift truck. For example, know the kind of equipment which is needed, the number of hours per week or per year you would use it and how long you plan to keep it.
Usually, an expensive forklift will hold its value longer over time. It is good to remember that an inexpensive brand new forklift may not have the overall dependability, capability or value of a used unit of an expensive type.
When considering a purchase of a brand new or second-hand lift truck, there are 3 aspects which you must take heed of: seasonality, utilization and duty cycle. If you are thinking of using your lift truck for at least 4 hours a day, it is recommended that you buy a new unit, particularly if you will have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving many loads per hour that are near or at the capacity truck.
If you just need your lift truck for roughly 4 hours per day or on an intermittent basis, an inexpensive brand new model or used forklift might be optimal. Several of the newer units are available at lower costs that are manufactured for lower-duty cycles. Furthermore, if you think that you would expect to utilize the forklift only during particular times of year on a seasonal basis, then a rental program or a second-hand lift truck may best alternative available and could possibly save you lots of money.
It is essential to anticipate if the lift truck is going to be always used or not. This will mean determining the amount of uptime and dependability required for your particular application.