It’s an unfortunate reality of business. You can source the cheapest forklift for sale, shine them up with some quality polishing compounds, put it into production, and it breaks down after six months. The only way to cut through the noise is to know what to look for in a reconditioned forklift dealer (or even how to hire an agency for it), that way, you know you’re getting the most value for your money.
Just because a forklift’s still for sale doesn’t mean it belongs in the scrapyard. Extend the life of your forklift with a reconditioned machine. It won’t have many — if any — miles on it, and it can save you thousands of dollars per year. But if you are up for buying the new ones, consider Triwest Forklifts – New Forklifts for Sale.
Read our guide to learn more about reconditioned forklifts so you can make an informed decision on your fleet.
Manufacturer Fallacy
It takes a special type of forklift mechanic to be able to get the most out of a new fleet of trucks. This is especially true for operations that have recently switched manufacturers. Like any other vehicle or machine, forklifts require proper periodic maintenance, and this requires the knowledge and experience of specialized experts.
You may prefer to deal with only one company when arranging purchase or lease agreements for your new forklift. And that is a consideration. But if you are looking to save money by opting for a single source for maintenance and repair work involving that forklift, only dealing with a single supplier is more important than convenience. There are bound to be instances where a part must be replaced, or an entire system must be repaired and maintained separately from the forklift itself.
Most companies are still under the assumption that full-service leases cover maintenance costs. In reality, you are responsible for maintenance, and your forklift manufacturer should have no problem informing you of this. They will be happy to sell you maintenance packages, too.
But the reality is that full-service leases can be riddled with hidden costs. When your forklift manufacturer fails to provide a list of service providers under the terms of the lease, you’re left vulnerable.
Refurbished ones
The biggest single misconception about refurbished forklifts is that they are less reliable and have a shorter life expectancy than new forklifts. A lot of people take that as an accepted truth because it’s what they have heard over and over again.
But are these refurbished forklift trucks really less reliable than new ones? It seems like a pretty obvious assumption. After all, they’ve been used for a while by someone else. That seems to make them worse, right? Not necessarily.
If you repair a forklift truck and put it back into use, is it really as reliable as a new one? That’s a question you may want transportation professionals to consider when they are buying used forklifts.