Between affordable prices, short lead times and wide product varieties, it’s no surprise that used industrial equipment has taken the market by storm. Used equipment is in high demand across many sectors, including warehousing, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and forestry.
While both new and used equipment have their perks, buying used equipment can be a more cost-effective route. Best of all, you don’t have to miss out on the units and features you desire. If you’re looking to purchase a forklift, an aerial lift or another material handling unit, buying a used machine can be an excellent opportunity to:
- Save money.
- Get the equipment you need quickly.
- Access a large inventory of machines.
- Ensure your operators are comfortable with the equipment.
Discover all the benefits of buying used machinery.
Why Buy Used Equipment?
Here are some advantages of purchasing used material handling equipment:
1. Cost Savings
Like a car or any other asset, new material handling equipment comes with a higher price tag than used forklifts and aerial lifts. Purchasing new equipment can be challenging if you’re on a restricted budget and don’t have a lot to spend upfront.
In many cases, you can snag used equipment at a fraction of the cost of new equipment or get more advanced machinery for the same price. For example, a used rough-terrain forklift can cost half as much as a new one.
Since used material handling equipment costs less than new models, opting for a used machine can increase your buying power. The cost of one new machine may cover the price of two used ones, providing more value for your investment. Or the capital you save can go toward other critical expenses, such as:
- Purchasing other equipment.
- Performing equipment repairs and maintenance.
- Covering other important company expenses like labor, insurance, tools, packaging materials and inventory.
2. A Broad Equipment Selection
Buying used doesn’t mean compromising on choices. You may be able to access a wider inventory of used equipment than new. While both new and used equipment provide well-rounded selections, used equipment often spans several manufacturing years. As such, you can access various models beyond those in the current year’s lineup.
You can find an extensive range of aerial lifts, forklifts and other material handling units from a reliable equipment dealer. Once you’ve determined the appropriate machine for your applications, you can start browsing used equipment to find what you need.
3. Operator Comfort and Familiarity
Many equipment operators grow accustomed to the controls and features of the units they regularly use. Material handling equipment manufacturers constantly upgrade their products’ designs, rolling out new features your operators may not be used to.
In that case, your team might benefit from purchasing used forklifts and aerial lifts with the features they know and love. The more familiar and comfortable your operators are with equipment, the more productivity and uptime increase.
However, there’s no need to fret if you choose to purchase used units your operators aren’t too familiar with. Many equipment companies also offer comprehensive training programs to ensure operators can safely and confidently use the machinery.
4. Shorter Lead Times
Typically, used equipment is already in stock and ready to ship. Conversely, new machines can have lead times spanning several weeks. New equipment lead times can vary depending on various supply chain factors, such as:
- Stockouts
- Order volume
- Processing times
- Inspection times
- Shipping delays
- Transportation
Shorter lead times allow you to get the equipment you need sooner, reducing downtime and helping you stay on track.
5. Quick Solutions for Abrupt Equipment Needs
Imagine your forklift or aerial lift suddenly breaks down on the job. After crunching the numbers, you realize that repairing the machine will be more expensive than replacing it.
By consulting a reputable used equipment dealer, you can get the replacement machines you require fast, minimizing costly downtime for your business. Purchasing used equipment can be especially useful when you’re tackling a busy season, and you need replacement units urgently to continue working and remain on schedule.
When a sudden need for equipment arises, you’ll want to address it as soon as possible to keep your material handling flow efficient. A knowledgeable dealer can point you to the solutions you need quickly.
6. Streamlined Maintenance
Finding parts for newer equipment can be more challenging than finding parts for used machines, as newer models haven’t been around as long. Replacement parts for used forklifts and aerial lifts may also cost less since they’ve been on the market longer.
Plus, mechanics tend to have more experience servicing older models since they’ve been around for a while. All things considered, used equipment often has lower maintenance costs than new units.
7. Depreciation Benefits
Like driving a new car out of the dealership parking lot, a new piece of equipment depreciates the moment you start using it. Purchasing used equipment means someone else has already seen the bulk of the machine’s depreciation. In other words, you get a better value for the equipment.
8. Quicker Return on Investment (ROI)
Because used equipment normally has lower costs and shorter lead times, you can purchase a used forklift or aerial lift and start using it in just a few days. New equipment often comes with higher prices and longer lead times. As a result, getting the unit into your operations can take weeks or even months. Lower costs and shorter lead times translate to a faster ROI.
Is Used Material Handling Equipment Right for You?
Many businesses can benefit from adding used material handling equipment to their warehousing, construction or manufacturing workflow. Overall, buying a used forklift or aerial lift can be a practical choice if you:
- Want to save money or have limited capital to spend upfront.
- Lack the time or desire to retrain operators on new controls and features.
- Need to find replacement forklifts or aerial lifts on short notice.
Find Used Material Handling Equipment for Sale at Fitzgerald Equipment Company
If you’re looking to purchase used machinery, visit us at Fitzgerald Equipment Company. Since 1962, we’ve proudly served clients throughout Wisconsin and Illinois with quality, reliable material handling equipment. Our full-service dealership caters to customers in various industries, from warehousing to manufacturing.
We have plenty of used aerial lifts and forklifts available, and we’ve carefully maintained these units to ensure they serve your operations well. Should your equipment experience any malfunctions, Fitzgerald Equipment Company is also your one-stop shop for superior service and parts. Whether routine preventive maintenance or emergency repairs, we handle it all.
We’re your source for expertly maintained equipment, top-notch replacement parts and timely services performed by seasoned technicians. Browse our selection of used equipment, then reach out to us about purchasing the units you need.
