Forklifts are indispensable for helping businesses to receive and ship products. Unfortunately, new forklifts can be cost-prohibitive for some companies, which is why many professionals comb the market for used forklifts. Here are three tips for finding a reliable one. 

What to do Before Buying a Used Forklift

1. Inspect the Physical Condition

When browsing used forklifts, start by checking the physical condition of the machinery. Look for scrapes, bent metal, missing paint, or torn labels that could indicate prior accidents. Search for one with a lack of visible damage, since that indicates proper maintenance by previous owners. 

2. Take It for a Test Drive

If you have the appropriate permits, see if you can take the device for a spin. Try to use the forklift as you would at your place of business to check that it’s functioning properly. For instance, if you typically use forklifts to raise pallets of products onto an overhead, try this during the test drive if possible to see how the system responds.

3. Check the Service History 

Ask the forklift dealer to see the service history of the device. Look for a system that has had regular inspections and professional repairs. Additionally, check the number of hours on the operating clock. An hour of truck use is the equivalent of driving a car 30 miles. A forklift that has 4,000 operating hours has been driven around 120,000 miles. 

When you’re ready to invest in a new or used forklift, check out AJ Jersey in South Plainfield, NJ. Since 1970, this business has been entrusted by companies nationwide to provide the best forklifts and pallet trucks. In addition to offering new products, they also provide leasing options to make your business operations more affordable. To learn more about how they can help, visit their website or call their team at (908) 754-7333.