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Multy Lift were established in 1986 and we've been trading for 39 years.

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5 Tips for Buying Second-Hand Warehouse Equipment

5 Tips for Buying Second-Hand Warehouse Equipment

Much like buying a second-hand car, it’s important that you do your research when purchasing used material handling equipment. Not only does this ensure you aren’t paying over the odds, but it also gives peace of mind that you’re buying a robust machine that’s safe to operate and will improve efficiency and productivity throughout your warehouse. But there are certain “rules”, if you will, that you should follow to make sure you’re getting a good deal. With this in mind, here are five tips for buying used warehouse equipment:

1. Check the condition of the warehouse equipment

The warehouse equipment you’re looking to purchase needs to be in good condition before you commit to buying it. This is why it’s important for you to go and view the machinery rather than base your decision on a group of photos online. Check the equipment for several things. It would be worthwhile bringing a checklist with you that includes inspecting aspects such as:

  • Damages to the chassis, controls, backrest or overhead guard
  • Oil pressure
  • Worn rings or valves
  • Damage to the radiator
  • Rust in engine coolant
  • Transmission fluid that’s discoloured
  • Bowed or scored mast channels
  • Score marks on the mast or cylinder rods
  • Downward drift of elevated carriage
  • Leaking hydraulic control valves
  • Heavy rusting on chassis
  • Signs of rewelding on the chassis
  • Cracks, welds, bends or wear on the fork arms
  • A CE mark that’s suspicious-looking or completely absent
  • Loose tie-rod ends or steer axle knuckles
  • Safety equipment that’s missing
  • A considerable number of running hours
  • Uneven tyre wear
  • Fluid leaks
  • Ensuring the brakes stop smoothly and in a straight line
  • The operator manual is written in your own language

2. Choose the right material handling equipment for you

Think about the jobs and tasks you have at hand at your warehouse and whether or not a specific piece of equipment will suit the applications you need it for. For example, a pallet truck won’t do the job of a reach truck or a forklift. If you require loads to be lifted to a height, then a forklift or a reach truck would be better, whereas a pallet truck is best for transporting low or ground-level loads from one place to another. It’s imperative that you also check with your employees about which piece of equipment they would find most useful or beneficial as your operators are the ones who are required to fulfil their roles.

3. Judge the width & height of the warehouse machinery yourself

This is an important step when it comes to buying warehouse equipment, whether it be new or used. You need to make sure that the machine you’re buying can fit through the doorways and navigate the aisles in and around your premises.

If you have a smaller warehouse with narrow aisles, then a second-hand narrow aisle forklift would be the best option because you’ll be able to be certain that tight spaces can be navigated efficiently, safely and simply.

A used forklift will also save you money as, here at Multy Lift, we refurbish them to an immaculate standard, ensuring they are just as durable and powerful as a brand new alternative. Discuss the dimensions of your entrance ways and aisles with us and we’ll be pleased to talk you through your options. You should also request this from other forklift dealers.

4. Consider the overall cost of your warehouse equipment

Purchasing and owning your own material handling equipment can be quite costly, hence why many people will consider hiring the warehouse equipment they need instead. However, if you need to purchase a machine, you’ll need to think about the cost of ownership. This includes expenses that’ll cover:

  • General maintenance
  • Repairs
  • Tyre replacements
  • Fuel
  • Cost of electricity, if the machine is powered as such

If you’re looking to purchase a brand new machine and now find that you might not be able to afford a state-of-the-art piece of equipment as well as the running and maintenance costs, then you might have to compromise and find a robust, durable, used warehouse machine instead. Multy Lift have an impressive range of used warehouse equipment, including:

5. Never buy a piece of material handling equipment without seeing it first

This is something that you should absolutely not do. Whether you’ve done your research and have looked at a series of detailed photos on the internet or not, buying a piece of material handling equipment, either new or used, without actually seeing it for yourself is highly-advised against. This is because there could be several things wrong with the vehicle that cannot be seen in photos. Some of the things you need to check when visiting warehouse machinery you might be interested in purchasing includes:

  • Asking to test drive it (if you can’t do it then bring a trained operator with you)
  • Check the lights work
  • Ask to see a demonstration of the alarms working, such as when it’s in reverse
  • Checking to see that the mast is fully-functional and in good condition
  • Inspecting the chassis for damages, such as cracks and dents, even if they’re small
  • Taking a closer look at the tyres to see if they’re in a condition that’s safe and useable from the offset
  • Asking to see paperwork associated with that machine, especially if it’s second-hand

Multy Lift has over thirty years of experience in the material handling industry. We are proud to supply customers throughout the UK with quality, high-calibre, durable used warehouse equipment that’ll stand the test of time. If you have a slightly larger budget, then we also have a wealth of brand new material handling machinery available. No matter the industry you work in, you can rest assured that we’ll have something to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. For more information, get in touch with a member of our expert, professional team today – we’re always happy to hear from you.

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