When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a big decision for anyone to choose whether to buy second-hand or brand new. In terms of buying a forklift and trying to choose between the two options, the best thing to do is figure out the application requirements for the lift truck. For example, know the kind of machine which is needed, how long you plan to keep it and the number of hours per year or per week you will utilize it.
Expensive forklifts will usually hold its value over time. It is good to remember that a lower priced new lift truck may not have the overall ability, value or dependability of a second-hand unit of a higher priced kind.
When considering whether or not to purchase a new or used lift truck, there are 3 aspects of usage which you might want to take note of: utilization, duty cycle and seasonality. If you are thinking of using your lift truck for at least 4 hours a day, it is better that you buy a brand new model, especially if you would have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving lots of loads per hour which are at or near the capacity truck.
If you just need your lift truck for roughly 4 hours a day or on an irregular basis, a lower cost brand new unit or second-hand lift truck might be optimal. Some 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 specific times of year on a seasonal basis, then a used lift truck or a rental program may best choice available and could potentially save you lots of money.
It is essential to know whether the machinery will be always used. This will mean determining the amount of uptime and dependability required for your particular application.