When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a big decision for anyone to determine whether to buy used or new. In terms of buying a forklift and trying to decide between the two options, the best thing to do is know the application needs for the lift truck. For example, know the kind of machinery which is needed, how many hours per week or per year you will use it and how long you plan to keep it.
Higher priced forklifts would typically hold its value over time. It is good to remember that a lower priced new lift truck might not have the overall capability, value or dependability of a second-hand unit of a higher priced model.
When considering whether or not to buy a brand new or second-hand lift truck, there are 3 aspects of usage that you might wish to take note of: utilization, duty cycle and seasonality. If you are thinking of using your lift truck for at least 4 hours per day, it is recommended that you buy a brand new model, specially if you would have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving many loads per hour which are at or near the capacity truck.
If you just need your lift truck for approximately 4 hours per day or on an intermittent basis, an inexpensive new unit or used lift truck might be optimal. Some of the newer units are available at lower costs which are manufactured for lower-duty cycles. What's more, if you think that you will expect to utilize the forklift only during specific times of year on a seasonal basis, then a rental program or a used lift truck may best available alternative and could potentially save you a lot of money.
It is essential to know whether the equipment would be always used. This will mean determining the amount of uptime and dependability required for your particular application.