Quick answer: Both are pre-owned. A used attachment is usually sold as-is, in whatever condition it came off the last forklift. A reconditioned attachment has been evaluated, serviced, repaired and tested, and usually comes with a warranty. Reconditioned costs a little more up front and usually costs far less to own.
What "used" usually means
When a forklift attachment is listed as used, you are typically buying it as-is. It may work fine, or it may be close to needing seals, hoses, pads or a rebuild. Many sellers cannot tell you how many hours it has run or how it was maintained.
- Sold as-is. You inherit whatever wear the last owner left.
- Unknown history. Hours, applications and maintenance are often a mystery.
- Hidden wear. Leaking seals, cracked hoses and worn pads or bearings may not show in photos.
- Little or no warranty. If it fails after delivery, the repair is on you.
What "reconditioned" means at AttachCo
Every pre-owned attachment AttachCo sells is reconditioned first. Each unit gets:
- A complete evaluation of the frame, hydraulics and wear parts.
- A pressure wash and hydraulic flush.
- OEM-specified service and repair.
- Frame repair. Worn frame parts, wear tabs, stop tabs and stabilizers are welded, rebuilt, reshaped or replaced.
- New hoses, fasteners, decals and data plate as needed, or every time on Retail Ready units.
- A warranty: 90 days for Rental Ready, 120 days for Retail Ready.
Used vs. reconditioned at a glance
| Factor | Typical used | AttachCo reconditioned |
|---|---|---|
| Condition | As-is | Evaluated, repaired and tested |
| Hydraulics | Unknown | Flushed and serviced to OEM specs |
| Wear parts | Whatever is left | Repaired or replaced as needed |
| Appearance | As found | Touch-up or full paint, new decals |
| Warranty | Usually none | 90 or 120 days |
| Upfront price | Lowest | Somewhat higher |
| Risk of surprise repairs | High | Low |
The real cost of an as-is used attachment
A cheap used attachment can get expensive fast. Before you compare prices, add up what you may need to spend after it arrives:
- Seal kits and cylinder repacks when cylinders start leaking.
- Hoses and fittings that are cracked, chafed or leaking.
- Contact pads, slide bearings and check valves that are worn out.
- Labor and shop time to diagnose and fix it.
- Downtime while your forklift or attachment is out of service.
Questions to ask any seller
- Has it been reconditioned, and what exactly was done?
- Were the hydraulics flushed and the cylinders checked or repacked?
- Which wear parts were replaced?
- Is there a warranty, and how long?
- Is freight included?
- Will it fit my forklift's carriage class, capacity and hydraulics?
Two levels: Rental Ready and Retail Ready
AttachCo offers two levels of reconditioning. Rental Ready covers everything needed for reliable work, with touch-up paint and a 90-day warranty. Retail Ready adds full paint, new fasteners, hoses, data plate and decals, and a 120-day warranty. See the full comparison on our reconditioned attachments for sale page.
Only need it for a season or a project? Compare options in our rent vs. buy guide or browse attachments for rent.
Frequently asked questions
Is a reconditioned forklift attachment the same as a used one?
No. Both are pre-owned, but a used attachment is usually sold as-is. A reconditioned attachment has been evaluated, serviced, repaired and tested before sale, and usually carries a warranty.
Is reconditioned worth the extra cost over used?
In most cases, yes. The price difference is often smaller than the cost of seal kits, hoses, pads, labor and downtime you may face with an as-is used unit.
What warranty comes with an AttachCo reconditioned attachment?
Rental Ready units carry a 90-day warranty and Retail Ready units carry a 120-day warranty.
Do you sell as-is used attachments?
No. Every pre-owned attachment AttachCo sells is reconditioned first.
Skip the guesswork of used
Every AttachCo attachment is reconditioned, warrantied, and ships nationwide with freight included, through your forklift dealer.