When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a huge decision for anyone to choose whether to purchase 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 know the application needs for the lift truck. For instance, figure out the kind of machinery which is required, how long you intend to keep it and how many hours per week or per year you will use it.
Usually, a higher priced forklift will hold its value longer over time. It is good to know that a lower priced brand new lift truck might not have the overall value, dependability and capability of a used unit of an expensive type.
When deciding whether or not to buy a brand new or second-hand lift truck, there are 3 aspects of usage that you may want to take note of: duty cycle, seasonality and utilization. If you are thinking of using your lift truck for 4 or more hours a day, it is recommended that you purchase a new model, especially if you will have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving lots of loads per hour that are near or at the capacity truck.
Nonetheless, if you expect to use your forklift for less than 4 hours a day or on an irregular basis, than purchasing a lower cost new unit or a second-hand lift truck may be the best alternative. Some of the newer models are available at lower costs which are made for lower-duty cycles. In addition, if you think that you will expect to utilize the forklift only during particular times of year on a seasonal basis, then a second-hand lift truck or a rental program may best option available and can possibly save you lots of money.
It is essential to know whether the equipment would be always used. This will mean knowing the amount of uptime and dependability needed for your certain application.