Buying Second Hand Forklifts
Buying a used forklift can save you a lot of money, but there are some risks involved. If you buy the wrong machine or if it’s damaged in transport, you could end up losing a lot of money and time. However, there are ways to mitigate those risks and make sure that your new forklift is in good condition before committing to buying it. This guide will show you how:
Check the forklift’s engine and transmission.
Check the engine oil level. The operator’s manual will provide specific instructions, but in general, you should check your forks’ engine oil level every time before you start working. If it needs to be replaced, do so according to the manufacturer’s specifications and fill it back up with fresh fluid.
Check transmission fluid levels. If a forklift has an automatic transmission, it may or may not have a dipstick for checking fluid levels; ask your dealer if you’re unsure about how to check for this particular piece of equipment in question. If there is no dipstick visible on the side of the vehicle (or if it is missing altogether), then you’ll need to ask someone who works at your local dealership or retail store if they can help locate one nearby so that you can use their shop as a reference point when figuring out what type of fluid might work best within this particular model’s internal workings (many auto shops will have these tools available).
Here are some other tips:
Check belts for wear — if there is any sign whatsoever that they’ve been damaged during use (e., torn off), don’t consider buying until those parts have been replaced! This includes checking whether there are any cracks around pulleys where belt tension may have caused damage during normal operation — if so then don’t buy either because then chances are good there’ll be more problems down the road too…just sayin’.
Check the lift chains.
Check the lift chains. Lift chains are the wires that connect the forklift’s forks to its lift mechanism, and they can damage your ankles if they’re not in good condition. Make sure there is no wear or damage on them, as well as no rust or kinks, oil or grease leaking from them and no signs of damage to the chain itself.
Examine the forklift’s tires.
Check the forklift’s tires. Tires are one of the most important parts of a forklift and should be inspected closely before purchasing. Here’s what to look for:
Tire pressure. Make sure that all four tires are properly inflated and in good condition, as underinflated or worn-out tires can cause poor performance and even an accident if they pop while you’re working with them. An easy way to check this is by putting your thumb on top of the tire valve stem when you press down; it should feel firm but not hard enough that you would have trouble pressing it against your thumb.
Tire tread depth (or “wear”). A good rule of thumb is that if there is less than 1/32″ of tread left on a tire, then it needs to be replaced immediately because this means that there isn’t enough rubber present for proper grip and traction on wet surfaces like concrete or asphalt — which could lead potentially dangerous situations where vehicles slip out from underneath operators due to lackadaisical driving habits. This also applies in reverse if there is more than 5/32″ worth sewn into each side; these kinds may perform better on dry surfaces like asphalt but be too aggressive for wetter climates like rain forests where deep ruts may appear after heavy rains fall during monsoon season.
Inspect the hydraulic hoses.
Hydraulic hoses are an important part of your forklift’s hydraulic lift system. They allow the machine to operate smoothly and safely, and they should be in good condition if you want to avoid potential problems down the road.
For example, hydraulic hoses can wear out over time — and when this happens, it’s important that you replace them as soon as possible. If a hydraulic hose is leaking or cracked, for example, it could cause dangerous leaks that could harm workers or cause damage to other parts of your forklift.
You should also inspect all other components of your second hand forklift with care before buying it; this includes looking at things like:
Inspect the forklift mast.
Check for cracks, dents and corrosion. The mast should be free of all damage, including wear and tear. Check that it is secured to the forklift and not bent at an angle or leaning to one side or another.
Test drive the forklift.
Test drive the used forklift. Our second piece of advice is to test drive the forklift before committing to buy it. This will give you a good idea of how well it functions and can help you avoid any surprises later on in your ownership. If possible, try to find out how many hours are on the forklift before driving it — this will give you a better idea about how much life remains in its engine and transmission components.
Check for leaks. After driving the forklift around for a bit, check for any leaks in its hydraulic hoses and other fluids (like coolant) to make sure there aren’t any signs of past damage or neglect that may affect its function now or down the road as well as potentially voiding any warranty coverage from manufacturers since they may consider this kind of damage “wear.” Also, check tire pressure regularly because this can also cause problems over time due to sidewall wear caused by running low-pressure tires too long under normal load conditions with no inflation changes occurring during use periods between scheduled maintenance intervals which results in less tread depth being present than originally intended so more rubber material has been worn away per mile driven thus leading us back here again…
Conclusion
If you’re looking to buy a used forklift, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself. The best way is to get an inspection from a certified mechanic who knows what they’re doing. They should be able to tell you if anything on the machine needs fixing, and might even be able to give advice about how much it would cost. If possible, take them for a test drive! This will help ensure that everything works as advertised before committing any money or time to make this purchase happen. For more information about used forklifts for sale/ second hand forklifts for sale, please contact Delta Forklifts.