Discussion:
advise for finding the right forklift

hello, i am from eastern Europe, i need to buy 5 used forklift with lpg, with lifting capacity from 2500 kg to 3500 kg, my budget is 6000 to 7000 euros for each one, they will work 200-300 hours every month.
i need advise which brand is most reliable and which is cheaper maintenance, i understand the linde is very good but to complicated to repair and the part are expensive and caterpillar is more easy to fix, what do you think.
  • Posted 18 Jan 2014 00:48
  • By daniel_a
  • joined 14 Mar'13 - 121 messages
  • ARGES, Romania
Showing items 1 - 7 of 7 results.
Finaly i bought 5 Linde h25 and h35 from 2007-2008, with around 10000 hours and 2 Linde h80 with 22000 hours wich will work only 50 hours/mounth, all the are on lpg.
  • Posted 3 Feb 2014 02:13
  • By daniel_a
  • joined 14 Mar'13 - 121 messages
  • ARGES, Romania
In my experience,Linde LPG after 10000 hours are problematic.After all,every LPG is problematic...
In my opinion,Toyota diesel 7th series are best choice,very durable engines and fuel expences are much lower and price is about 5000+ euros...
BUT,every forklift after 10000 hours have mast,hydraulics and rear axle problems,thats for sure,whatever brand you buy...
  • Posted 2 Feb 2014 22:25
  • By DukeLander
  • joined 16 Jan'14 - 34 messages
  • Vojvodina, Serbia
As others have said, at 200-300 hrs a month I think you seriously need to increase your budget, preferably buy new.

2nd hand trucks in this price band I simply not going to stand up to this sort of work load as being already substantially through there working life. You may be lucky, with careful purchasing and rigorous maintenance but odds are against it.

Stick to premium brands, don't be tempted by cheap Chinese, maybe look for some ex-demonstrator or low hours ex rental units
  • Posted 23 Jan 2014 06:20
  • By wiggy
  • joined 23 Jan'14 - 66 messages
  • kent, United Kingdom
I am afraid that planning the 25000 hours lifetime for such truck is a bit too risky.
With the second hand trucks you never know what was their past. What is the condition of the engine, the transmission etc.
Linde is truly very robust truck, but rather don't go too far.

For your application (~ 3000 hours a year) and a second hand truck which already has 9000 working hours you can presume about 3 years of reasonably safe work but I wouldn't plan any longer.

15000 to 20000 hours is a really big lifetime anyway.
  • Posted 21 Jan 2014 19:39
  • Modified 21 Jan 2014 19:40 by poster
  • By Karait
  • joined 21 Jun'09 - 355 messages
  • Poland
i am planing to buy linde h25 392 and linde h35 393 from 2006 to 2008 , and they have 10000 to 13000 hours, what do you think they will get to 25000 hours with out major problems? how much will last this linde with proper maintinence?
  • Posted 20 Jan 2014 01:24
  • By daniel_a
  • joined 14 Mar'13 - 121 messages
  • ARGES, Romania
With expected operating hours of 200-300 per month you are well advised to buy NEW. Any used piece of equipment available is at least 1/2 wore out and will require frequent repairs and down time.
  • Posted 18 Jan 2014 20:58
  • By johnr_j
  • joined 3 Jun'06 - 1,452 messages
  • Georgia, United States
The newer Linde trucks are pretty much bulletproof, there is times you do need Pathfinder diagnostics for setting throttle pots & yes they do need the correct spec engine oil to get the extended service intervals.

It's very rare for me to see a broken down Linde in my workshop, servicing, bulbs & when they smack it in to something is all I mainly see them for.

I'd rate Linde as the top IC counterbalance at the moment.
  • Posted 18 Jan 2014 05:20
  • By Forkingabout
  • joined 31 Mar'11 - 862 messages
  • england, United Kingdom

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