Omega Material Handling: Be Sure Before You Buy

Thinking about purchasing another forklift? If you answered "yes" to this question the next thing you may want to consider is whether or not you are going to be purchasing something new or used. Purchasing a new forklift definitely has its perks, but not everyone needs something brand new. So if you're going to be buying used what are some of

the things you should look out for?

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What To Look For First

There are several things that you should look out for when purchasing a used forklift, here are a few that we found to be most important.

First and foremost make sure that the truck you are looking at is in fact the truck that you've been expecting to see and that you want to purchase. Make sure that the forklift's make, model, and serial number match what has been previously presented to you.
Doing a physical inspection of the forklift you are looking to purchase is very important, this goes for new and used equipment! Make sure that the outward appearance of the forklift is up to your standards and there is nothing in particular that stands out, like worn tires, busted hoses, or broken chains.
Next you will want to ensure that the forklift turns on, runs, and that the mast is in working order. You will also want to make sure that the vehicle's brakes are up to par and that there are no apparent leaks coming from the truck.

Hour Meter Reading

Instead of tracking forklift usage by mileage, their usage is tracked by hours. All forklifts have an "Hour Meter Reader." This allows you to have an understanding of how long the truck has been in operation and how often it is used. When purchasing a used truck having the hour meter reading can help you make an informed purchasing decision. It's important to note that not all hour meter readers have an accurate depiction of the hours the forklift has been running. Sometimes the meters quit working and other times trucks have been run for so many hours that the meter readings reset. So it is safe to assume that if you are looking at an older forklift and the meter reading is incredibly low that it has at some point been reset.

Data Plate

All forklifts should have a name or data plate. It's important when purchasing any forklift that you make sure it has the correct lift height, capacity, and fuel type. All of this and much more can be found on the data plate of a forklift. The data plate will also tell you whether or not the forklift has side shift or any attachments and how those attachments effect the capacity of the truck.

Wrap Up

Now you've got an idea of what to look for when purchasing a used forklift. If you need any additional information feel free to reach out to us! If you are looking to purchase a used forklift, but aren't sure where to find one, we can help you with that too! You can reach us at (513) 842-2012, or omega.rockett@yahoo.com.