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Buying new forklifts is simple, but used ones can be a bit of a mystery. Thatās why we created a clear, no-nonsense guide to show exactly how we rate the condition of our used forklifts, so you know what to expect before you buy.
Let me know if you want it shorter, more technical, or more casual!
Think about your team, how many employees does it take to move products in an hour? How much can they move, and what risks do they face in the process?
Forklifts were built to solve these challenges. They move and lift heavy loads quickly, safely, and with far less strain on your employees.
Now imagine investing in a solution that not only reduces workplace risk but also frees up your team to focus on other important tasksāwhile boosting productivity across your operations. Wouldnāt that be worth it?
Thatās a great question, and itās exactly why we ask about the materials youāll be lifting, the type of surface the forklift will operate on, and how much space it has to maneuver.
With more than 1,000 lifts in stock and a dedicated team, our job is to make sure you get the exact forklift that fits your needs.
Forklifts are held to strict maintenance schedules to meet industry standards and customer expectations, ensuring theyāre well cared for throughout their service life.
Leasing companiesĀ follow similar practices, requiring their machines to be inspected and serviced every 100 hours of run time. Once their lease terms are up, these forklifts become excellent, well-maintained additions to our inventory.
Finally, we also acquire forklifts throughĀ trade-ins.Ā Companies that trade in their lifts usually have owned them for most of their working life and can provide detailed repair histories, making these forklifts another dependable source for our customers.
The simple answer: we do whatever it takes to keep the forklift running at its best.
In most cases, this involves ordering new parts, performing necessary mechanical repairs, repainting, test driving, and running multiple inspections to ensure the lift meets our standards before it reaches you.
We offer forklifts inĀ different condition levelsāranging from brand new to units that just need a little extra care to operate. Each level reflects a different amount of work performed, giving you the flexibility to choose what matters most for your business. This way, you save money on things you may not prioritizeālike a fresh coat of paintāwhile still getting a reliable machine that fits your needs.
If you need a quick explanation however, Local Forklifts cuts out the middleman and gives you prices strictly based on the value of the lift and the work weāve put into getting it ready for your business.
Perhaps youāve heard the phraseĀ āThere is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this manās lawful prey.ā
This quote comes from author J.A. Richards who wrote that in his book Profitable Advertising: The Advertiserās Trade Journal in 1901 ā written over 120 years ago and is still applicable today.
If you consider the weight of what youāre about to buy financially vs what it would mean for your business, youāll understand how we offer a good deal. We want to make sure your business stays running, and weāre confident we can give you the best bang for your buck.
The further a load is positioned from the mast of a forklift, the less weight the machine can safely lift. This reduction in capacity is known asĀ de-rateāa term that describes how lifting ability decreases as the load moves outward.
You can estimate de-rate using OSHAāsĀ Field Calculation of Safe Load Capacity:
(24 in Ć· ___ in) Ć __000 lb = _____ lb
Hereās how it works:
24 inĀ represents the ideal rated load center for nearly all forklifts. The weight of your load should be centered on the forks and within 24 inches of the carriage.
Divide that 24 in ideal load center by yourĀ actualĀ load center. To find this, measure from the loadās center of gravity to the point where it meets the forkliftās carriage.
Multiply the result by your forkliftās rated load capacity. The outcome shows the maximum safe lifting capacity for that specific load based on weight distribution.
Think of it like woodworkingāmeasure twice, lift once.Ā Overestimating capacity risks tipping the forklift, damaging products, or injuring workers.
Safe lifting protects your team, your equipment, and your bottom line.
It depends on whether you are purchasing a new, reconditioned, or a used/pre-owned forklift battery.
In todayās market, new forklift batteries can cost anywhere between $5,000-$12,000. Good pre-owned, used, and reconditioned batteries typically go for $4,000-$7,000.
For reference ā ānewā forklift batteries are batteries that have never been put to regular use in a forklift before. āUsedā and āPre-ownedā forklift batteries have been utilized in a forklift for regular operation in any length of capacity. āReconditionedā forklift batteries have been selectively repaired and tested, restoring a healthy battery life.
As of 2016, Local Forklift is the only forklift company to own the technology to recondition batteries inTexas. We employ Flight Systemās Battery X-Tender, utilizing its computer-controlled desulfation process to return years of life to a forklift battery.
Combine this technology with specific gravity testing to ensure proper electrolyte balances, load testing, and selective cell replacement and you get a fully functional reconditioned and āRentalā forklift battery for nearly half the cost of a new one, passing savings on to you.
Not at all ā in fact, there are a lot of benefits to purchasing an electric forklift.
For starters, electric forklifts only have hydraulic fluid to worry about, unlike other internal combustion forklifts which have four: engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator coolant, and hydraulic oil.
Electric forklifts also have zero emissions, require less maintenance, and on average, cost 50% less to operate than other major fuel types.
Typically industry common, used forklifts DO NOT come with warranties. However, here at LOCAL FORKLIFTS , we set ourselves apart,Ā not only we offer a 30 day exchange option , NO ONE in the industry does. We work with a company called Specialty Equipment Insurance Services (AmTrust) who provide an affordable range of Extended Warranty/Protection Plans of different lengths with a qualifying forklift.
Speak to one of our Forklift Pros to see if your purchase qualifies!
Forklifts do not have titles because they were not meant to be licensed. Forklifts are considered property and are legally transferred with a bill of sale (invoice) that includes the serial number and the date.
If the forklift has no warranty attached, it will be legally transferred āAs-Isā meaning there is no guarantee as to the liftās functionality. If there is a warranty however, the terms of the warranty should be printed on the invoice.
Digital hour meters on new forklifts tend to be the most accurate when compared to traditional analog hour meters. Digital meters have the capability of recording 5-digit numbers which means you donāt run into the roll over issue you do with analog meters.
Often when purchasing a forklift with an analog hour meter it can be hard to tell what shape the lift is actually in, which is why if you purchase aĀ used forkliftĀ from us with an analog meter, we will report to you on exactly what the meter reads and if we believe that number to be rolled over or not.
As a rule of thumb though, if you are ever unsure if an analog hour meter is accurate, check the pedal pads, hydraulics levers and any wear on the mast ā usually those can be good secondary indicators of wear and tear.
There has been a significant shift in the perception of a forkliftās lifespan. In the past, a common misconception was that a forkliftās lifespan was about 10,000 hours. This belief was rooted in the fact that approximately 70 years ago, forklifts did not have a 5th digit in the hour meter. As a result, every time the meter hit 9,999 hours, it would start back over at 0000 hours. This misconception led people to falsely assume that, at 10,000 hours, the forklift had reached the end of its life. However, in the late 1990s, most forklift manufacturers added the 5th digit, and now we see forklifts daily with 30,000-60,000+ hours. We have even seen 88,000 hours, operating a triple shift 24 hours a day, and still running strong!
So, beware of the old forklifts and the seller who claims ā1970s Creampuff with only 3,000 hours!ā Chances are that the meter has rolled over many times or even been replaced!
Itās often good to see higher hours on a forklift. These hours are a testament to the operators who drive these forklifts. They pick their favorite lift to load and unload trucks, and the best-running forklifts get used the most, for good reason. When we receive batches of sister trucks, we usually find that higher-hour units run like a top!
Maintenance is the cornerstone of a forkliftās longevity, so we source our used forklifts from reputable companies like Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot, FedEx, Samās Club, etc. These Fortune 500 companies understand the importance of regular maintenance, ensuring that the forklifts we acquire are in top condition and ready to serve your needs.
No, most forklifts do not have odometers ā forklifts travel very short distances inside warehouses or yards, which makes keeping track of mileage generally unneeded.
The wear and tear of a forklift is more accurately measured by how many hours of run-time the machine has. This includes time spent idling in the operator seat, which is why enclosed cab forklift with heating or air conditioning typically have twice as many hours.
