Forklifts are essential for your warehouse operations, but they are only as good as their batteries. If your forklift fleet’s batteries are sub par, your forklifts will be unable to operate to the best of their abilities and inhibit your warehouse to keep up with the satisfying the demands of your customers.
However, warehouses may own not one or two forklifts, but an entire fleet - which means an entire fleet's worth of batteries are required. Businesses may not have it in their budget to afford multiple brand new motive power batteries. If this is your case, the good news is that forklift batteries can be bought used or rented at significantly lower prices than brand new electric forklift batteries.
When considering used forklift batteries for your warehouse, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re finding the best forklift battery solutions for your budget.
Why Consider Used Forklift Batteries?
Choosing rented or used forklift batteries over brand new ones can result in multiple benefits for your company. Used forklift batteries are overall cheaper than new equipment and can be especially beneficial if rented for peak seasonal use.
Depending on your warehouse, used batteries can provide benefits ranging from helping to reduce operational costs to maintaining a tight budget to being rented as to reduce the amount of idle equipment taking up space in your warehouse. The decision to buy used equipment or join a rental forklift battery program rests on factors related to your specific needs.
Are Used Forklift Batteries Right for You?
There are various situations where rented or used forklift batteries would be beneficial for warehouses. If any of these scenarios sound familiar to your warehouse or company, then refurbished batteries may be the best option for you rather than investing in a fleet of brand new batteries.
Seasonal Demand
If your warehouse sees increases in demand seasonally, then renting used forklift batteries may be the most cost-effective option for your budget. For instance, if your warehouse sees an exponential increase in demand around the Christmas season, then there may be no benefit in buying new electric forklift batteries if that equipment will likely sit idle until the next busy seasonal shift. Renting used forklift batteries allows your business to use the extra equipment when it’s needed most so your warehouse operations can remain as efficient as possible during seasonal peaks, but also saves your business money and reduces the chance that the equipment will sit unused for months, taking up valuable space in your warehouse and budget.
By renting used forklift batteries in advance, you will be able to scale the number of batteries your warehouse needs for future seasonal demands. By the time the rush hits, your warehouse will be fully prepared for the increased demands.
Warehouse Expansion
If your company is growing or if you are budgeting for warehouse expansion, then renting or buying used forklift batteries will be a cost-efficient option. Whether or not more forklifts, and their accompanying batteries, will be needed for a growing warehouse, expansion is expensive already with remodeling expenses, more equipment, new staff hiring, and the necessary permits. Renting or purchasing used forklift batteries is less expensive than new purchases, and so will free up your warehouse’s budget to be able to afford the cost of expansion.
Renting forklift batteries can provide your growing warehouse with the necessary equipment to remain productive and prepared for future growth without straining your operations budget.
Tight Budget
If your warehouse is already operating on a tight budget, then used forklift batteries are an economical choice. Whether renting or purchasing refurbished batteries, used equipment is less expensive than a brand new forklift battery. If you decide on renting forklift batteries for exceptionally busier seasons, you can return them during the less-busy months and avoid having to pay for or manage extra unneeded equipment.
Though rental forklift battery prices depend on the type of battery you need, they are overall cheaper than brand new options. For instance, a brand new waterless or powerline battery would cost between $5,000 - $7,000 when forklift battery rental rates per month are typically between $200 - $600. The money saved from choosing to rent used equipment can be used for other necessary tasks in your warehouse, such as making equipment repairs, and help your warehouse operating costs stay within your budget.
3 Things to Consider When Shopping for Reconditioned Forklift Batteries
If renting or buying used forklift batteries sounds like the right choice for your warehouse, then it’s important to consider these three things before making a purchase.
Are Your Needs Seasonal or Long-term?
If deciding between buying or renting used forklift batteries, you must consider the length of time you’re expecting to need your batteries. If you’re satisfying a temporary need, such as a busy summer season, then renting used forklift batteries would be the most economical option. Otherwise, the extra equipment may not be needed during a less busy season and take up valuable warehouse space and labor to maintain despite not being in use.
However, if the used batteries will be put to use throughout the entire year, then purchasing the batteries may be the most efficient investment. It will be a cheaper option than buying brand new batteries and allow your forklifts to perform optimally.
What’s the Equipment’s Lifespan?
If you’re looking at renting used forklift batteries, it’s essential that you don’t sacrifice quality for price. Electric forklift batteries have an average lifespan between 4 to 5 years before a replacement is necessary. Older batteries do not hold a charge as long as they used to, which affects the performance of your forklifts. Quality is key when looking for a rental battery program. You want to make sure you’re receiving efficient and reliable rental equipment.
Does the Equipment Have a Warranty?
If you do plan on joining a used forklift battery rental program or buying used equipment, make sure there is a warranty attached that covers any defects. Even if the equipment is less expensive than a brand new purchase, defects can cause expensive repairs to accumulate. Warranties can guarantee that the used equipment is reliable as well as being affordable. At SSE, we also provide a guarantee that your used or rental battery will work properly for up to 3 years. This is due to the skilled technicians we have on staff that rigorously test and inspect each battery.
Where to Find Reliable Used Forklift Batteries
Are you ready to make the next step to find the best rental forklift battery program or used batteries to purchase? SSE can help your industrial warehouse meet its expectations and reduce warehouse costs. We use only the highest quality forklift batteries in our rental program and have an excellent, personalized customer service team.
To ensure you’re receiving reliable equipment, SSE offers a “Three Years and Out” lease. After three years of use, we replace our rental forklift batteries with new ones so you do not receive end-of-life forklift battery equipment. We also offer a warranty that covers any defects in the forklift batteries we refurbish. With SSE, you can guarantee that you’re receiving reliable equipment.
For more information, contact us or check out our catalog for more motive power equipment options!
