No matter what it is, purchasing any kind of secondhand product can be a daunting experience, especially when you don’t know what to look for. From knowing what specifications to keep an eye on, through to understanding the limitations of your budget, there are a lot of variables. When it comes to buying a used forklift in Melbourne, there can be a lot to consider, especially if you haven’t done it before. Whether this is your first piece of secondhand machinery or you consider yourself an expert – here’s a few tips to make your experience that little bit easier.
Learn the basics
Before you even start your search, you need to get the low-down on the fundamentals. Take the time to learn as much as you can about forklifts in general and what the current used market looks like. By gaining a better understanding of these vehicles and how they work, you can refine your expectations before you hit the web to begin your hunt. Start reading articles and even consider taking a look at some manuals to gain extra knowledge – every bit of research goes a long way.
Know what you’re looking for
Before you start your search, it’s important to work out exactly what you’re looking for. Take the time to pinpoint if there’s a specific model or brand that perfectly suits your needs, or perhaps just general requirements that are essential to your worksite.
Allocate a budget and make sure it’s realistic, otherwise, your secondhand steal may turn out to be better suited to the wreckers. It’s also important to think about what size forklift you need, so ask yourself around whether it will be used indoors or outdoors, or what kind of space you’ll be restricted to. Beyond this, consider the amount of weight of the loads you’ll be frequenting.
Once you start to ask yourself these questions, you can gain a refined idea of what you’ll need to keep an eye out for. Make sure you also consider how often your forklift will be used and for what duration, as this can impact your final decision. For example, if you intend on only using the forklift for a few hours a week, you can probably get away with a machine that’s a bit older.
Be prepared
Once you’ve found some potential options during your search, it’s important to be prepared when it comes to seeing the forklift in person. Make sure you show up with any questions you might have, including things you’d like to know about the machine you might purchase.
For example, you might want to know more about the service history or how many owners it has had. It can also pay off to look at online reviews for the dealer, if there are any, or asking around to see if anyone has any experiences with the company – all of which we can provide to you at Damoli.
By taking all of these things into account, you can be sure that you have a solid understanding of the used forklift you’re after, and ensure you’re with your investment as an end-result.
Damoli Forklift Services offer one-stop shop for forklift hire, sales and servicing. We have a wide range of gas, diesel and electric forklifts ranging from 1 tonne right through to 45 tonne container handlers. We also have high reach forklifts and specialised scissor lifts available.