When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a huge decision for anybody to choose whether to purchase second-hand or brand new. In terms of purchasing a lift truck 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 equipment which is required, how long you intend to keep it and the number of hours per year or per week you would use it.
Higher priced forklifts will normally hold its value over time. It is good to remember that a lower priced new lift truck may not have the overall dependability, capability or value of a used unit of an expensive model.
When considering a purchase of a new or second-hand lift truck, there are 3 aspects which you must take heed of: utilization, duty cycle and seasonality. If you are thinking of utilizing your lift truck for at least 4 hours a day, it is recommended that you purchase a brand new unit, 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 only need your lift truck for approximately 4 hours a day or on an intermittent basis, an inexpensive new unit or second-hand forklift may be optimal. Several of the newer models are available at lower costs which are made for lower-duty cycles. Moreover, if you think that you would expect to utilize the forklift only during specific times of year on a seasonal basis, then a second-hand lift truck or a rental program might best available alternative and can possibly save you a lot of money.
It is vital to anticipate if the lift truck is going to be in nearly constant use or not. This would mean knowing the amount of uptime and dependability needed for your particular application.