Procuring equipment for your bustling Dallas distribution center can feel like a lose-lose situation. Buying a used forklift is one of the greatest opportunities to expand your fleet without taking on the extreme depreciation of buying brand new, but making the wrong selection can create massive headaches.
We see managers who buy purely based on sticker price, only to have that sweet “deal” spend all of July in the shop right when you need it for peak shipping. Successful buyers dig deeper than a shiny new paint job and assess the machine’s mechanical history, useful lifespan, and ultimately how well it fits your environment. That last part is what we’ll cover today.
Hourly Capacity | Don’t Trust the Meter
Hour meter will always be the first thing you look at when browsing used forklifts, but an hour meter never lies… sort of. Forklift ABC spent 3,000 hours making Walmart pallets cross the country is going to look and operate differently than Forklift XYZ that spent 3,000 hours moving concrete blocks in a dusty masonry yard.
Each engine and chassis is built to withstand a certain amount of use. On average, you can expect a well-maintained IC forklift to last about 10k to 12k hours, where electric forklifts often reach 15-20k hours because they have fewer moving parts.
Ask to see maintenance logs that back up those hours. Electric with 1,000 hours on the meter but the pedals are falling off and there’s a gash in the floor mat where they’ve been rubbed off? Chances are that meter was swapped out or cooked.
Don’t search for the lowest hour count, search for “documented hours.” That 5k-hour machine with paint scuff marks might just be right up your alley if they have a paper trail of oil changes, hydraulic flush dates, and chain inspections.
Know Your Application | Does it Fit Your Dallas Setup?
Dallas warehouses face their own set of hurdles when it comes to heat build-up and airborne particulates. If your warehouse or distribution center is not climate-controlled, your IC forklift better have a strong cooling system. July and August in North Texas are no joke, and you don’t want your engine blowing a head gasket because you ran your IC forklift too hot. That being said, if you’re running a food-grade warehouse or higher density indoor facility you’re likely using electric forklifts because they have 0 emissions and are much quieter.
Take note of aisle width and shelf height before zeroing in on the exact unit you want. Counterbalance forklifts are THE workhorse of material handling but if your racks are set for reach trucks you’re going to end up with a powered jungle gym that cannot actually do your job.
Measure the height of your tallest rack and add an additional six inches. That’s how tall of a forklift you need to be able to fit your tallest load. Keep in mind that forklifts lose lifting capacity as the mast is raised. We like to call this “capacity derating.”
Double check your required max lift height against the data plate. Make sure that your forklift of choice can handle your highest lift, with your heaviest load.
The Five Minute Walkaround | Spot Checks
Inspect hydraulic cylinders for “pitting” or damage to the chrome plating.
Inspect the forks for cracks or wearing. If the heel of the fork is worn down by greater than 10%, it is illegal to operate.
Look for “chunking” or flat spots on the tires. Chunked tires will vibrate the machine which causes premature axle failure.
Open the hood and sniff for burnt oil or sulfuric acid.
Engine/Battery Inspection | Fuel vs. Volt
If you’re in the market for electric, the biggest expense part you will be inspecting is the battery. Batteries are expensive as-is, but on a used forklift they can range anywhere from $2,000- $5,000+. That is up to 30% or more of the total cost of the used forklift.
Search for white crusty powder on the battery terminals. This is called sulfation and it means the battery was not properly maintained by being watered and charged.
Ask your seller if they have had the battery load tested, or “discharge tested.” This test simply measures how long the battery will last under a normal working load.
If you prefer IC, there are also some tell-tale signs that can ease your mind or raise red flags.
When starting an IC forklift pay attention to the exhaust. Blue smoke is an indicator the engine is burning oil, white smoke can mean you’re leaking coolant from the radiator or have a cracked head gasket.
Listen for “knocking” in the engine block or a high pitched whine from your hydraulic pump. Both of these symptoms generally mean, failure is coming soon.
Grab the dipstick and inspect transmission fluid. It should be a translucent red color, not black or smelling of burnt toast.
Don’t Forget Ergonomics and Safety Features
Fatigued operators cause the majority of warehouse accidents. When you go to test drive that used forklift, hop in the driver’s seat. Is the seat structurally sound? Do the levers feel sluggish? A “mushy” feeling when you go to operate the lift probably means the control valve is going out.
Take a look at the overhead guard. Any signs of welds or bends? Safety standards are strict when it comes to overhead guards. One little dent or bend can cause you to replace an entire guard to keep it up to code.
Before you drive off ask to take the forklift out of neutral and test the brakes. Same thing for the parking brake while on an incline. A lot of used forklifts have stretched parking brake cables or the shoes are worn down completely.
Lastly, give the steering a quick tug. Any slop in the steering wheel before the tires move? That could indicate your rear steer axle bushings are going, or your steering cylinder is on its way out. Precise steering is crucial when you’re weaving through racks in a crowded Dallas warehouse. Don’t let poor steering be the cause of an accident or damage to your inventory.
Reading Between the Logs
Ideally, your seller will be able to provide you with a complete history of the forklift. If you see consistent “PM” or planned maintenance service intervals that’s a great sign.
Large gaps of time (1+ years) between maintenance visits means the forklift was only brought in when something was broke, not when preventative maintenance should have been done. Running to failure like this can cause underlying stresses to the engine and hydraulics that may not show up until you’re working the machine 8 hours a day.
Pro tip: Check the radiator
If your facility operates in North Texas, there is a good chance your radiator is full of shrunken plastic pieces and dust. Use a flashlight and shine it through the radiator fins. If you can’t see light on the other side of the radiator, your machine has been running hotter than it should which drastically reduces the lifespan of your engine oil and internal seals.
The Load Test | Final Impression
Trust us, never pay for a forklift just because it handled during a quick test drive around some empty parking lots. The only way to truly know how your used forklift runs is to watch it lift some weight around its rated capacity.
Lift a random pallet and watch the mast for “drift.” If you go to put the forks down with the controls in neutral and they slowly descend back toward the ground, your hydraulic seals are leaking. Tilt the mast forward then back again and make sure there’s no dragging or uneven movement in your tilt cylinders.
Look around for any new leaks. The heavy pressure from a substantial lift will push oil through seals you might have missed during your walk-around inspection. Check the floor your unit was sitting on as well as the bottom of the chassis. Micro leaks can turn into weeks-long hydraulic repairs when your operation can least afford it.
Let 4K Lifts Help You Out
At 4K Lifts we understand that our customers in Dallas need more than just another big yellow machine. They need long-term productivity. That’s why we take pride in offering quality, inspected used forklifts.
We treat the used market just as seriously as we would brand new equipment. Every forklift that comes through our shop gets a multi-point inspection. This means the used forklift you purchase from 4K Lifts will operate and feel like it came straight from the factory.
We pride ourselves on removing as much uncertainty as possible during your buying process. Let us supply you with all the proper documentation and answers to your technical questions so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Our experienced team will work with you to find a machine that truly fits the needs of your warehouse. Prioritizing longevity and operator safety. When you’re ready to take your equipment game to the next level without paying new prices, look no further than your friends at 4K Lifts.
Browse our inventory of Inspected Used Forklifts or give us a call today to discuss your facility’s specific needs.
FAQ
Q. What is the single most important thing to look over on a used electric forklift?
Condition of the battery. Batteries are costly enough as it is, but on a used forklift they can range from $2,000- $5,000+ installed. Always ask to see the battery fully charged and request a discharge test to ensure it will last your entire shift.
Q. How do I know if a used forklift was running in nasty conditions?
Suspicious rust patterns on the under carriage? Pitting on your hydraulic cylinders? While working in a cold storage warehouse or near chemicals will wear your forklift down faster, you should also see waterproofing spray painted on the machine or unusual amounts of corrosion that you wouldn’t see from a typical warehouse forklift.
Q. Is it worth purchasing a forklift that is over 10k hours?
Depends. If you’re getting it for a fraction of the cost of a rebuild and the hydraulic system has been recently replaced, it could give you years of service in a low use application.