Buying a forklift is an investment for your business, but choosing the incorrect forklift could be a financial burden instead of an asset.
The right forklift will help you save money, decrease overall downtime,  increase productivity, and maintain a stable operation.
So, here are some forklift purchasing factors to check out as you go to buy a forklift, especially buying a forklift for the first time:

1. Research, Forklift Type Selection
When you purchase a forklift, you must know what you want and your operation’s requirements.
Like a car, you’ll want to select the best brand, model, and type for your operations.
Because of the wide range of products in the material handling market, you must first know what you’re trying to accomplish in your operations.
That means you’ll first audit your operation and answer questions such as:
What environment are you operating in — cold room, warehouse, construction, etc.?
How high do you need your machine to lift?
Where will the forklift primarily be used – indoors or outdoors?
How wide are the operating area’s aisles and doors?
How many hours will the forklift machine be in use per day?
What types of forklift tires will your machine need?
Are there any specific accessories you will need?
Do you have properly trained operators as per OSHA requirements?
What forklift machine/motor type will you need?
And more
Answering these questions will help you understand the forklift model and type you need before you settle on the brand.

2.Technical Specifications

Buying a forklift is like buying an ordinary car, apart from the technical specs you must check out for such as:
·Weight capacity
·Mast size and function
·Tire type or composition
·Lifting height
·Motor type
·Operator ergonomics
·Manufacturer’s reachability.
·Safety features
And more!

3.Forklift Model/Brand Selection

Once you understand the forklift type you want and its technical specifications, your next step is to settle on the brand and model.
Since different forklift manufacturers and brands have different models, settling on one can be challenging.
You need to research and review each forklift manufacturer and their brands using some of the following questions:
Brands: What are the best forklift brands? Refer to this list of forklift manufacturers for different forklift brands.
Type: What are the different types of forklifts in the model category among brands?
Dimensions: What is the most popular forklift size in that model category among brands? Can it fit your operations?
Price: How much does the forklift brand and model cost? How much is the cost of a new vs used forklift in the model and brand?
Ownership: How does the ownership model of the truck look? For instance, who will carry out the forklift repair/maintenance/care? Can you access dealership-provided maintenance?
After addressing these questions, you can confidently select the forklift brand and model that best meets your operational needs. This choice should be the right fit for you unless you discover the need for alternative forklift options.

4.Research Brands and their Dealerships

Additionally, research the brands and dealers of the forklift(s) you want to settle on.
Since buying a forklift is a capital investment, you need a dedicated partner for better ROI. A partner can be a forklift dealership or a  manufacturer like SDJK Forklifts.
The partner you get will help you with all your material handling needs throughout your ownership rather than someone who will sell you a forklift.
You may find a lesser-known forklift brand and a cheaper up-front price, but how easy will it be to get forklift replacement parts? And why are they lesser known and cheaper?
That is why we recommended dealing with dealerships.
You can visit the dealership and ask about the parts, operators’ and technicians’ required skill level, and any references.
Choosing a dealership means you get a partner for your material handling machine for many years.

5.New or Used Forklift

Next, you’ll decide if you want a new vs. used forklift.
When deciding between a new or used forklift, several factors come into play:
Price and cost consideration (what your budget allows, negotiation).
·Forklift operation hours
·Availability
·Service and dealership access
·Maintenance costs
·Warranty coverage
As a general rule of thumb, consider a new forklift if you’ll run the forklift more than four hours a day. Why?
When factoring in the operation hours and maintenance costs, a new forklift may serve you better in the long run.
But you will also consider its availability, service, dealership access, and cots. If a new one costs beyond your budget, a used forklift can still help you achieve your operation needs.

6.Sign the Paperwork and Forklift Delivery

Once you have tested the forklift and feel it passes your demo requirements, your next stop is signing the paperwork. Just like you’d buy a car.
Make sure you check everything and tick the right things before you buy the forklift.
After that, you can choose the appropriate shipping method to receive your forklift.Please contact your sales manager for detailed delivery plan.

CONCLUSION
Before buying a forklift, compare as many as possible to find the best one for your business.
If you’re buying a used forklift, the comparison will also help you get the most stable one at a competitive used forklift price.
Remember, buying a SDJK forklift can be a great option when you do everything right.