5 Tips for Buying Second Hand Forklift Trucks

Buying a second hand forklift truck, you will want to make sure that the machine is reliable and maintained well. Do your research and follow these tips:

1. Always ensure the machine is delivered with a "TE"  (Thorough Examination) certificate.
2. Make sure the certificate has a hologram on the front, this confirms to the buyer the machine has been inspected to guidelines drawn up by the HSE, and should give peace of mind to the buyer.
3. Ask for at least three references
4. Ask to see records of the trucks history
5. View several forklift trucks if possible, to get a good idea of what a good example is and what one that has had a hard life looks like.

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A Summary of the Main Types of Forklift Truck

There are two main types of forklift trucks, Industrial and Warehouse:

Industrial Forklifts

These are generally counterbalance types and are available in gas, diesel or electric. Electric capacities are typically available from 1000kg up to 15,000kg. Gas in 1500kg up to 8000kg, and Diesel from 1500kg up to 30,000kg.

Warehouse Forklifts

Warehouse forklift trucks comprise walk behind and ride on powered pallet type trucks, along with stand-in and sit-on versions. Typically 1000kg – 2000kg, ranging in 24 volt to 48 volt (48v being used in heavy applications like big distribution warehouses for Tesco.)

Pedestrian stackers are used mainly with euro pallets, straddle walk behind stackers are used for mainly gkn pallets, where the legs straddle around the outside of the pallet.

Reach trucks range from 1000kg up to 2500kg, with lift heights from 5000mm up to 10,000mm. Then there are order pickers.