Unfortunately, natural disasters can often have an impact on equipment investments for businesses. Due to recent flooding, many scammers and shady sellers have been putting flooded forklifts on the market in an effort to get rid of them and make a profit. This suspicious behavior has been happening for awhile now, with thousands of compromised forklifts and material handling equipment out in businesses.
While The Forklift Pro cannot stop these people from selling flooded forklifts, we can warn purchasing managers and business owners what to look out for when shopping for material handling equipment.
Finding the right forklift wholesaler
Not only should you be careful about the equipment you’re buying, but you should also take time to decide who you’re buying from. At the beginning of your forklift purchasing journey, select a wholesaler that will be honest and transparent with you throughout the entire buying process.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
The dealers that are selling these flooded forklifts are labeling them as “used” in an effort to sell for an extremely low price. If you find yourself interested in purchasing a used forklift at a low price, you should first ask the seller these two questions: where did the forklift come from and what is the known history of it. These questions will help you determine whether or not the forklift came from an area that was flooded and if it was there during the time of flooding.
The next question you should ask is, when was it added to their inventory? Knowing the date can narrow down any time of natural disasters in the area. If the dealer suddenly has an influx of inventory on a specific date preceding a flood, this is an indicator that the material handling equipment you’re interested in may be compromised.
When to walk away
If your questions have been answered – it’s time to take a test drive. You should always test drive used material handling equipment before you purchase, as well as inspect as closely as possible. During your test drive and inspection, keep an eye out for these red flags that could indicate flooding and a compromised machine:
- Codes, wrenches, or dashboard lights
- Milky-looking fluids in engine, drive axles, or hydraulic system
- Rust or pitting on hydraulic ram cylinder shafts
- Unfitting noises coming from the drive motor
- Seizing brakes
- Seized up carriage and attachments (side shifter or fork positioner)
- Hard-to-move parts that should easy to manipulate (seat slides, cowl hydraulic control levers, side seat hydraulic control levers, hood latch/ hinges, LP tank bracket mount)
The Forklift Pro’s transparent process
The sales representatives at The Forklift Pro take the process and your business seriously. Before used material handling equipment is listed for sale, each unit is put through an extensive inspection by our technicians and specialists. We ensure that all units are in tip-top shape and in condition to sell.
If you have questions about how to avoid buying flooded forklifts or are in the market for a used forklift, contact us at The Forklift Pro today!