For anybody determine whether to purchase second-hand or new forklift, it is a really big decision when confronted with the purchasing cycle. The best thing to do is to figure out the application needs for the forklift, when trying to decide between the two options. For instance, know the type of machine which is required, how long you plan to keep it and how many hours per year or per week you will use it.
Higher priced forklifts will usually hold its value over time. It is good to remember that an inexpensive new forklift may not have the overall capability, value or dependability of a second-hand unit of a higher priced type.
When considering a purchase of a brand new or used lift truck, there are 3 aspects which you should take heed of: seasonality, utilization and duty cycle. If you are thinking of utilizing your lift truck for 4 or more hours a day, it is better that you purchase a new model, specially if you will have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving many loads per hour which are near or at the capacity truck.
Nonetheless, if you expect to use your lift truck for less than 4 hours per day or on an irregular basis, than purchasing a lower cost new model or a second-hand forklift may be the right option. Several of the newer units are available at lower costs that are made for lower-duty cycles. Moreover, if you think that you would expect to use the forklift just during specific times of year on a seasonal basis, then a second-hand lift truck or a rental program might best available option and can possibly save you lots of money.
It is essential to anticipate if the forklift is going to be in nearly constant use or not. This will mean determining the amount of uptime and dependability required for your particular application.