What are the considerations when buying a used forklift?
2 Answers
Considerations when buying a used forklift include: the previous usage scenarios of the forklift; the brand of the forklift; the condition of the forklift itself; maintenance costs, etc. Below is relevant information about forklifts: Overview: A forklift is an industrial handling vehicle, referring to various wheeled handling vehicles used for loading, unloading, stacking, and short-distance transportation of palletized goods. The International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC110 refers to them as industrial vehicles. They are commonly used for transporting large items in warehouses and are typically powered by fuel engines or batteries. Technical parameters: The main technical parameters include: rated load capacity, load center distance, maximum lifting height, mast tilt angle, maximum travel speed, minimum turning radius, minimum ground clearance, as well as wheelbase and track width.
As a veteran mechanic with 20 years of experience repairing forklifts, buying used vehicles requires speaking the language of screwdrivers. First, pop the hood and inspect the engine—listen for any metal grinding noises and feel the carbon buildup in the exhaust pipe. Crouch down to check the hydraulic lines on the chassis; any bulging or leaking ones are ticking time bombs. Give the forks a shake—if the gap exceeds 3mm, steer clear. Pay special attention to testing the hydraulic system: lift it empty to the top and let it sit for ten minutes—if it drops more than a centimeter, there’s definitely internal leakage. Last time I helped Old Li inspect a forklift, we found abnormal noise in the steering pump, and when we opened it up, the bearings were completely shattered. The engine number must match the vehicle’s registration documents, and if the environmental rating sticker shows anything below China III, avoid it—emissions checks are strict these days. Best to bring a pressure gauge to test the hydraulics—if a new machine runs at 23 MPa and the used one drops to 18 MPa, it’s due for a major overhaul.
