Why Consider a Pre-Owned Forklift?

When your operation demands material handling — lifting pallets, trailers, stacking goods in a warehouse — investing in a forklift is often inevitable. While new units bring the advantages of latest technologies and full warranty coverage, pre-owned forklifts present compelling benefits:

• Cost savings – Pre-owned units typically offer a lower upfront investment than brand-new machines.
• Faster availability – Depending on your region, used units may be available sooner than new models, which might require lead time.
• Flexibility – Many used-equipment inventories (including trade-ins and off-lease machines) offer a variety of makes, capacities, fuel types and sizes, enabling you to match a machine to your specific application. For example, Darr says they carry trade-ins, off-lease machines, and reconditioned forklifts across a variety of brands and fuel types.
• Reduced depreciation risk – With many of the initial depreciation cycles already behind them, used machines may retain value more steadily depending on condition and maintenance.

That said: choosing a used forklift isn't just a plug-and-play decision. It requires diligence, inspection, and aligning the machine to your operational needs.

1. Application Match

What you'll use the forklift for matters a lot. Ask:

• What capacity (in lbs or tons) do you need?
• What tire type (cushion vs pneumatic) is appropriate for your working surface (indoor, outdoor, rough terrain)?
• What fuel or power type (electric, LPG, diesel) fits your environment (e.g., indoor warehouses may favour electric).
• What lifting height and mast configuration is required (standard lift, high-reach, narrow aisle)?

Pre-owned inventories often include a wide variety: as Darr mentions, their offerings include internal-combustion forklifts, electric narrow-aisle units, etc.

2. Condition and Reconditioning

The provenance of a used forklift matters. Was it well-maintained? Was it used in a heavy, dirty environment? Did it undergo a reconditioning process?

For instance, each pre-owned machine is "tested by factory-trained technicians" to help assure reliability.

Important inspection points include:

• Hours of use and maintenance records
• Wear on mast, forks, carriage, tilt cylinders
• Condition of tires and brakes
• Engine (or electric motor), transmissions, hydraulics
• Whether any structural stress or damage exists (e.g., from collisions)
• Availability of parts and service history

3. Warranty and Support

Even used equipment should ideally come with warranty or support provisions. According to Darr, their "Gold Medal Warranty" offers:

• 30 days carriage to counterweight
• 90 days all major components
• 1 year/1,000 hours powertrain coverage (with conditions)
  Even a more modest "standard warranty" (30 days full coverage, 60 days major components) is better than none.

Also consider the availability of dealer support, parts and maintenance for the brand and model you're selecting.

4. Warranty Conditions & Usage Fit

Often warranties have conditions (e.g., "must be normal, clean applications"; "planned maintenance must be completed every 90 days or 250 hours"; OEM fluids/filters required") — as in Darr's example.
If your usage is heavy, dirty, outdoors, or in rough conditions, ensure the machine's history, current condition and warranty align with that environment.

5. Dealer Geography, Delivery & Logistics

If you're buying in a specific region (e.g., Texas or Oklahoma), logistics matter—delivery, service, local parts availability. Darr states that they operate across Texas and Oklahoma ("serving businesses across Texas and Oklahoma … including Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City") which can enhance support.

6. Total Cost of Ownership

Beyond purchase price, consider:

• Maintenance & repair costs (especially if the unit has high hours)
• Operating costs (fuel/power type, tires, etc)
• Downtime risk (older machine + heavier use may mean more risk)
• Resale value / remaining life

• Audit your requirements: Document your material handling tasks — weight, height, aisle width, indoor vs outdoor, floor surface, shift durations.
• Request inspection reports / history: Ask for hours, maintenance logs, past repair history, and pictures of key areas (mast, carriage, engine compartment).
• Test-drive the machine: If possible inspect it in person — check how it handles, any odd noises, smoothness of controls, tyre wear, hydraulics function.
• Check manufacturer/brand support: Ensure parts are still available, that the make/model is supported by local service.
• Clarify warranty terms: Understand exactly what is covered, what is excluded, what maintenance you must perform to keep the warranty valid.
• Negotiate delivery and set-up costs: For a used unit, figure in transport, set-up, and any refurbishment (tires, battery replacement, etc).
• Plan for maintenance from day one: Whether you buy new or used, a preventative maintenance schedule will extend life and protect your investment.

Consider future growth: If your operation may scale (heavier loads, higher racks), think whether the used machine will meet future needs or if a slightly higher spec might make sense.

The used forklift market benefits from several dynamics:

• Lease returns and trade-ins provide a steady supply of well-maintained machines from credible sources (as cited by Darr: "trade-ins, off-lease machines, and completely reconditioned forklifts" are in their stock).
• Many buyers are cost-sensitive (especially smaller operations or those expanding quickly) and find value in used equipment.
• Advances in refurbishment, inspection and support means i t's easier than ever to buy with confidence — provided the seller/ dealer has rigorous process and transparency.
• With forklift uptime and fleet management becoming more critical, many dealers support used-machine buyers with service contracts, parts, training — making used a viable option for serious operations.

For a buyer, this means you may get access to a machine that would have cost considerably more new, with support that makes it nearly as safe an investment — if the due-diligence steps are followed.

If you're considering purchasing a pre-owned forklift, here are your next action items:

• Document your current and upcoming material-handling requirements (capacity, heights, environment).
• Survey used-equipment suppliers (preferably ones with good local support, reconditioning standards and warranty options).
• Request detailed inspection and servicing history of candidate machines.
• Visit (or ask for a remote video walk-through) and test the machine where possible.
• Negotiate total cost of delivery, set-up, required refurbishment and service contract.
• Establish a maintenance plan from day one to protect uptime and value.

Used forklifts can offer excellent value and be a strategic choice — provided you follow rigorous selection and support processes. With the right machine tailored to your needs, and backed by sound inspection, warranty and service, you're well placed to benefit from the used equipment market.