Saturday, December 20, 2008

 

Forklifts - How To Make The Right Choice For Your Company

Purchasing a lift truck can be a major expense for your company.It's often difficult to decide whether you should rent or buy one.Then you have to decide if you should buy new or used.The choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs.They each have their advantages and disadvantages as discussed below.

Renting A Lift Truck


If your company requires a lift truck only on an occasional basis, then renting may be the most cost efficient solution.

Although the hourly rate may at first seem high, you must take into consideration the fact that as a non-owner you will not be responsible for the repairs, maintenance, and storage that comes with ownership.A forklift is a large machine and takes a lot of storage space that might be put to better use.If you are not going to require the use of one on a regular basis, having a unit sitting unused can become costly and the unit will depreciate in value as it ages.

If you do decide to rent a forklift, the key is to select a reliable and trusted provider.Otherwise, you might end up with a dangerous piece of equipment that is difficult to use.

New May Be The Way To Go


The best choice for a company that requires a lift truck on a daily basis and one that can withstand rigorous treatment during lots of hours of use is a new forklift.

You will be able to rely on a new unit and it will have a longer lifespan than a used model.In addition, a new machine will come with a warranty, so in the event there is a needed repair or breakdown within the warranty period, you'll be covered.Finding replacement parts will also be easier with a newer unit knowing that the manufacturer will support the model you've selected.

On the downside however, sometimes-innovative features on new equipment may not have been tested in real life circumstances and may not be able to live up to their claims.They simply may not have been around long enough to discover any potential flaws.Obtaining a qualified repairperson may prove to be difficult if he has not been trained to handle the features that may be newly added to your particular model.Lastly, the cost of a new machine is going to be higher than that of a used one and will depreciate much faster.

Used Forklifts


The most obvious and greatest advantage of buying a used forklift is the lower price over the cost of a new one.

If a repair is required, it should be easier to find experienced repairmen since your model has been around for a longer time period.You may even be able to purchase quality used parts for an additional savings.While looking around, you may be able to find one that is in good shape and has additional spare parts as part of the deal.

Of course, the useable lifespan will be shorter on this type as opposed to a new one and required repairs will happen on a more frequent basis.Ultimately, a second hand one is good for a company that will use the unit frequently but not enough to pay for the additional cost of a new one.

No book has been written about selecting a rental lift truck or opting for one of the new or used forklifts.Chicago, like many major cities have quality firms that can help you make the right selection and decision for your company.


About the Author

Christine O'Kelly writes for the leading Chicago lift truck providers, RHI Lifts.

In addition to forklifts, Chicago RHI Lifts offers a full range of lifting and storage equipment.

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