How Do I Find Forklifts for Sale Near Me?

November 22, 2022 - Last modified: November 14, 2022 @ 5:36 pm

There are a lot of options when it comes to buying a forklift. Lift trucks are important tools for industries like construction, distribution, manufacturing, and more, and there are many sizes and models that could fit your job. To get the most out of your money, it’s important to choose not only the right forklift but also the right forklift dealer. If you ask where to find a lift truck sale or where there are forklifts for sale near me, you will probably get a few different recommendations. Although you could make some calls or schedule showings, you can save a lot of time by reading this guide to buying a forklift for your business.

Shopping for Forklifts for Sale Near Me

It’s never a good idea to make a random decision when making a major business purchase. Even with a recommendation, you need to know that your forklift dealer is reliable and trustworthy. You also need to know that the machine in question has been taken care of and is in good working order. Doing your homework on both the dealer and the forklift is important when looking at forklifts for sale, and you can narrow down the information to the most vital by starting with the basics of forklifts.

Types of Forklifts

Before choosing a particular machine, you need to consider how you will be using the forklift and the available space you have for both storage and operation. There are different capabilities across the forklift options, and you don't want to end up purchasing something that doesn’t really fit your needs.

Generally speaking, there are two leading options with a forklift for indoor operations:  a sit-down model and a stand-up option. Sit-down forklifts have large cushion tires and are often used for indoor jobs where there is a lot of repetitive moving of objects from docks or trucks to storage racks. A stand-up forklift, such as an order picker or reach truck, is easy to move in small, narrow spaces and is useful if the driver needs to be in reverse at least 25% of the time.

If you will be relying on your forklift for outdoor use, you want to invest in a machine that has pneumatic tires. The size and construction of these tires give you more traction and control on a range of surfaces and increases safety and performance on uneven ground. Models appropriate for this use include a rough terrain forklift or a telehandler. Here are a few of the more common forklift types and their uses.

Counterbalance Forklifts

These are the more common lift trucks in material handling operations. They have dual forks to move heavy loads across areas. While perfect for indoor use in stores or warehouses, they also can be helpful outdoors if there is a stable, even surface to travel across.

3-Wheel Counterbalance Forklift

If your warehouse or operating space is tighter, this option features three wheels instead of four for counterbalancing. This makes it easier to move around narrow aisles or tight spaces.

Reach Truck

These forklifts are known for the impressive extended lift height offered, working well with high pallet racking. The stand-up truck is an option when you only have one load per bay, while a double deep reach truck has longer forks and is capable of reaching to the back of a bay to access multiple pallet loads.

Telehandlers

In industries where high lifting is required, these forklifts act like cranes, given the angles and heights they can achieve. They have a single telescopic boom that can be effective and powerful in a range of situations.

Rough Terrain Forklifts

These forklifts rely on inflatable tires with thick treads to provide greater stability on uneven terrains. They also come with a more powerful engine to achieve better maneuverability and higher speeds. Some models can handle up to three tons per load.

Sizes of Forklifts

As you search for forklifts for sale near me, you need to take into account the weight limits of the machines. Among the categories of forklifts, there are different weight capacities. This is the limit on how much the forklift can lift. You must calculate the average weight of the loads you will be transporting before choosing a forklift.

The capacities can range from 3,000 pounds to over 70,000 pounds, but don’t invest in an oversized unit if you don’t need it. You will probably have a problem maneuvering an oversized machine in your small warehouse or store. You can check the data plate on the forklift to find out its load capacity.

Availability of Forklifts for Sale Near Me

Buying a lift truck from a dealer close to the workplace is usually easiest. You can save a lot of money on shipping and other fees by making a local purchase, but you also limit your selection and option for getting a great price. If you’ve determined what kind of forklift you need, the problem you may run into is a lack of availability in your local area. This can especially be an issue if you are looking for used forklifts for sale.

Prices that are incredibly low should send a red flag, even if the dealer is right down the road. You also don’t want to get talked into buying the model the dealer has in stock instead of purchasing what you actually need. There is a significant price difference between new and used forklifts for sale, and you don’t want to blow your budget for the sake of convenience.

Online Options for Forklifts for Sale Near Me

If you do an online search of forklift dealers, you will have a lot more options. A quick glance at the photos might get you excited about the options, but if you aren’t given an honest breakdown of the quality of the equipment, the price, and the availability, you may not have found a good site. It’s also inconvenient and frustrating to have to call in for a quote. If you are wanting to compare different forklift options, it’s a hassle to get dozens of quotes from different dealers for different models to start a comparison.

It may be tempting to go to online sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to find a good price on used forklifts for sale, but there is a lot to worry about when buying from an individual. You definitely don’t want to exchange money before seeing the machine and getting to evaluate its condition, but you shouldn’t be sending anyone money to hold onto the equipment for you. You run a greater risk of getting caught in a scam if you are searching for a local lift truck sale on a random website of individual sellers.

Comparing Dealers

Price is an important factor in which forklift you choose, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider when looking into forklift dealers. Here are a few questions to ask to narrow down the selection between dealers.

Are Rentals an Option With the Dealer?

Though purchasing your own forklift is the most ideal situation, finding a forklift dealer that offers rentals tells you a lot about the knowledge and attention the dealer has regarding forklifts. If rentals are an option, it typically means that the dealer does routine maintenance and repairs on the forklifts that are offered for rent, which would generally also be the case for a used forklift offered for sale. Some dealers will have special pricing on rentals that are then purchased, but you may be able to find a better machine with fewer usage hours for a price that fits your budget.

Are the Prices of the Forklifts Competitive?

If you want to check on the price of a forklift, you should understand the average prices of forklifts for sale near me. If you are looking at an electric forklift that is brand-new and has a standard capacity of around 5,000 pounds, you may have to spend between $20,000 and $45,000, depending on the specifics of the machine. You also have to figure out the cost of a battery, which could be several thousand dollars extra. For a standard capacity, internal combustion forklift bought new, you could be investing between $20,000 to $50,000.

By shopping for a used forklift, you can significantly lower the price. Don’t forget that many dealers won’t give you the full details about the price of the machine you are interested in. They may give you a base price for the unit itself, but you could find the cost going higher as they add a warranty package, shipping fees, extra parts, or other things. Shopping with a dealer that offers an online price comparison tool simplifies the entire process.

Are There Options To Buy Used Equipment?

You can usually find great deals on used forklifts for sale, but you don’t want to purchase unreliable equipment. Dealers will often sell both new and used machines, but you need to check on the condition of any pre-owned equipment you are interested in. There are several leading names in the industry that are known for high-quality, durable products, so selecting from one of these manufacturers will also help you decide if you are getting a good name at a good price:

• Case Construction
• Clark
• Doosan
• JCB
• Hyundai Heavy Industries Group
• Hyster

What Attachments Are Available for Purchase?

Depending on what you want your forklift to do, you could purchase clamps, fork positioners, rotators, sideshifters, or fork extensions. You may find a larger selection of attachments to purchase if you are working with a dealer that has both new and used forklifts for sale near me.

Are There Financing Options Available?

Not every company will have the cash needed to purchase a forklift in one go. Shopping for a used machine will help save you money, but the cost could still be well beyond the cash you have on hand. Buying within your budget is an important part of the process, even though you may need to finance the purchase. Some dealers will offer an in-house financing plan on both new or used machines but compare the fees, interest rates, and contract terms to determine the most cost-effective way to purchase a forklift.

Are There Warranty Options With a Forklift?

When buying a new machine, most manufacturers offer a standard warranty covering specific parts. On new units, purchasing from Komatsu offers one of the best warranties in the industry. With a used unit, you may find a dealer willing to offer an extended or limited warranty for parts or labor. This may be included with the cost of the purchase, or you may need to ask about adding a warranty package for this added protection.

Buying Forklifts for Sale Near Me

You can reduce the hassle of purchasing a new or used forklift when you compare prices with Forklift Inventory. We take the guesswork and time out of finding forklifts for sale near me. Request a quote and start comparing your options for lift trucks your business needs.

Find Forklifts for Sale Near Me

Sources:

• https://acelifting.com/archives/493#:~:text=The%20manufacturing%20industry%20is%20full,variety%20of%20material%20handling%20needs.
• https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/forklift-types#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20most%20popular,elevating%20up%20to%2025%2C000%20pounds.
• https://www.toyotaforklift.com/resource-library/material-handling-solutions/products/forklift-decisions-what-capacity-do-i-need#:~:text=Forklift%20capacity%20is%20the%20measurement,up%20to%20over%2050%2C000%20lbs.
• https://www.forkliftinventory.com/blog/how-to-find-a-forklift-dealer-you-can-trust/
• https://www.forkliftselect.com/the-most-common-types-of-forklifts-and-what-they-are-used-for/
• https://www.osha.gov/etools/powered-industrial-trucks/load-handling/load-composition
• https://www.wayco.ca/blog/forklift-warranty-comparison-by-brands-komatsu-starke-clarke
• https://www.forkliftinventory.com/blog/how-to-buy-a-forklift-without-leaving-your-house