When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a huge decision for anyone to choose whether to buy second-hand or brand new. In terms of buying a forklift and trying to decide between the two options, the best thing to do is know the application requirements for the lift truck. Like for instance, know the type of machinery that is needed, how long you plan to keep it and the number of hours per week or per year you will use it.
Expensive forklifts would usually hold its value over time. It is good to remember that a lower priced brand new lift truck may not have the overall value, reliability and capability of a used unit of a higher priced model.
When considering whether or not to purchase a new or second-hand lift truck, there are 3 aspects of usage which you might want to take note of: duty cycle, seasonality and utilization. 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, particularly if you would have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving a lot of loads per hour that are at or near the capacity truck.
Nonetheless, if you expect to utilize your forklift for less than 4 hours a day or on an intermittent basis, than purchasing an inexpensive new unit or a second-hand lift truck might be the right option. Some of the newer units are available at lower costs that are manufactured for lower-duty cycles. Additionally, if you think that you would expect to utilize the forklift just during specific times of year on a seasonal basis, then a second-hand lift truck or a rental program may best choice available and can possibly save you a lot of money.
It is essential to anticipate if the forklift is going to be always used or not. This will mean determining the amount of uptime and dependability needed for your particular application.