Are you wondering if you should trade in your forklift? The day may come when your forklift either needs to be retired or traded in so you can get an upgraded model. Of course, every individual case will be different, so it's wise to speak with dealers about your specific situation. With that said, let's cover some of the most important concepts that should be at the top of your mind when considering a trade-in.

Your Forklift No Longer Suits Your Objectives

The forklift you purchased years ago may have been great for the projects you were working on at the time but may no longer be suitable for what you're doing now. It may not have enough lifting power, for example, or it may not be able to rise high enough. Over time, your needs can change; you may need to trade in your current unit so that you can get a model that's a better fit for your workflow and operating environment.

Your Current Unit Is Reaching the End of Its Life

Pretty much every vehicle will reach the end of its life at some point. You might continue to repair parts as they break down, but you'll eventually have a money pit on your hands as the repair costs will simply be too much to justify. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when this point is reached, but keep an eye out for slipping transmissions, smoking forklift engines, bent axles, and other serious issues.

Your Forklift Could Breakdown and Disrupt Your Workflow

If you own several forklifts and one of them seems to be approaching the end of its life, you might not be in a rush to replace it. Should it break down, you might be able to make up the extra work with your other forklifts. However, if you own only a few, you may want to jump the gun and trade in your unit before it breaks down. This way, you can avoid costly disruptions to your business.

Your Unit's Replacement Could Increase Safety

According to Euro 1 Training, forklifts are responsible for just 1% of accidents in factories and warehouses. This is partly due to regulating speeds, which traditionally top out around 8 mph but are limited to 3 mph in areas containing pedestrians. When you get a new forklift, you may enjoy better braking and safety features, like pedestrian warning sensors. These can reduce accidents further.

Not sure if you should trade in your forklift? Want to see what the latest models have to offer? Feel free to contact our professional team at Material Handling Products Corp for assistance today.