Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - lift gates

I am trying to find info on used lift gates. I would like to buy one, but the new ones are real expensive. I've been serching the web and can't find any listings for used ones anywhere. I like to get a tommy, but at this point anything will do. Does anyone know where on the net I can find some info about this? Thank you.

Look at new lifts that you are interested in. When you figure out what you want or will settle for the best place to find used ones are auctions and fleet sales.

Rancor:

In my area soft drink companies use these quite extensively for one person deliveries of drink machines and coolers.
Perhaps a phone session to this type of company or maybe even a dealer, may locate a used one or even a fixer.

I think Welgod's suggestion - auctions - is your best bet.

One of my businesses has me frequenting salvage yards, auctions, liquidation sales, bank closure sales, government surplus sales and etc etc. Any used lift gates I've come across have always had a truck attached to it .... but the trucks were cheap enough to warrant the purchase just for obtaining the gate.

For example; I attended a municipal auction this past Saturday where everything from bicycles to used fire hose to file cabinets to police cars to trucks were sold. Two very used and abused old 1985ish Dodge pick-ups were sold for way less than $500 each - but both had lift gates!

I locate local municipal, county, and state government auctions and sales through the newspapers. I get and read all the newspapers for my city and surrounding area and I check the classifieds in their websites. Obscure state statutes usually require public notice, so all sale dates and locations are published in the newspapers. Individual items are often also listed. They are given an identification number and a minimum bid is assigned.

Besides newspapers; municipal, county, and state government auction and sales are also posted in libraries, courthouses, and other government buildings.

Banks close on businesses and need to liquidate everything to recoup the loans. There are some nice small fleet trucks available with gates, booms, generators, compressors, welders, you name it. Banks usually place auction and sale notices in all their branches and advertise in the newspapers. Banks tend to have much higher minimum bids than everyone else.

The post office has regional truck sales. They post notices as to where and when in each branch. I have Chevy 30 rack truck with a Waltco lift gate that I got at a post office auction about 10 years ago. It was around $750 and came with a complete maintenance history. One drawback to postal auctions is that the vehicle title can take a couple of weeks to get.

Fleet sales are very common. Ryder, Avis, Budget and U-Haul have them often. Their commercial equipment is usually in good shape, and while they can be bargains they're usually not cheap enough to buy if all you want is the lift gate.

From my experience I think that you need to keep a close watch on the newpapers for public sales and auctions. It may not happen on your first weekend out looking, but I think you'll find what you want, and for what you want to spend, sooner than you think.

If you do go to an auction bring cash. Fix a maximum bid in your mind and do not go over it. Bring a flashlight and some rags to look things over and arrive early. I'd suggest that if you find a lift gate on a cheap truck and if you buy it that you get it towed home. Some of these things have been sitting a long time and have seen a lot of abuse and aren't road worthy.

Keep your eye in those newspapers.

Thanks for all your replies. I will try the auctions. There are a few other things I need, and it sounds as if I might also find them there. I didn't know that they were publicized like that. Thank you all again.