There are so many pieces of heavy construction equipment for sale these days that have been refurbished. This includes many refurbished forklifts for sale. If your construction company or shipping company could really use another forklift, but you have some concerns about buying refurbished, here is how to inspect a refurbished forklift prior to purchase. 

Check the Prongs and the Hydraulics

Some of the most common refurbishments to these machines are with the prongs of the forklift and the hydraulic system that lifts the fork up and down. Look at how the prongs are attached, and stand or wobble lightly on the prongs when they are slightly above the ground. They should be firmly attached with minimal wobble and there should be nearly zero difference between the level of one to the other (i.e., they should meet at a uniform level). The hydraulic system that raises and lowers the fork should not be excessively jerky, and there should be no visible leaks of hydraulic lubricants or audible hisses or squeaks of compressed air from the hydraulic cylinders. 

Check the Cage

A driver in the cage of the forklift should feel relatively safe. If the forklift were to somehow roll onto its side, the driver should feel as though he/she can get out safely and that he/she will not be cut or squished. The cages on these things sometimes need to be re-welded to make them sound again. You should be looking for signs of a good and sturdy weld. 

Check the Tires

A forklift is only as good as its...tires? Yes, because a forklift needs tires to move. Each tire should be firmly attached and well-inflated. You are allowed to check for tire pressure on these vehicles since any seller of mobile vehicles of any kind would encourage it. 

Check the Controls

The wheel should conform to movement three-hundred sixty degrees both directions (left and right). It should not stick or refuse to turn past the expected number of degrees unless there is a special feature on the forklift that disallows that range of movement with the steering column and wheel. The start button and keyed ignition (if applicable) should be easy to use, and the key should slide easily in and out of the ignition without getting stuck or jamming. Sometimes the ignition or start button on a forklift is replaced because the prior one was worn out and not working, or because the key was lost.