Truck Mounted Forklifts Get the Job Done

Truck-mounted forklifts are designed to be attached to a truck for easily transported to remote job sites. They are often lighter and less powerful than traditional forklifts, but some models can be used for specialized jobs and on rough terrain.

They are mounted on trucks using various attachments and often incorporate counterweights on the truck to maximize front axle stability.

If you are going to be using your forklift frequently for lighter-duty jobs outside your primary warehouse or manufacturing facility, then a truck-mounted forklift could be the right solution.

What Will It Be Lifting?

The primary consideration when choosing a truck-mounted forklift is what types of products you will be lifting with it. Certain products require different models of truck-mounted forklifts or specialized attachments for safe and efficient handling. Because truck-mounted forklifts tend to be smaller and less powerful, it’s important that you not try to exceed their lift and load limit specifications.

The size of the truck-mounted forklift you select depends on the maximum load weight you will be average weight per load and the average distance per delivery. For additional stability, you might consider a tandem truck chassis with a double frame for additional strength.

Yet the heaviest loads require heavier equipment. So if you are going to be consistently moving bigger loads on the job site — or the job is infrequent or one-time-only — you might consider transporting a traditional forklift on a piggyback truck rather than trying to do too much with a truck-mounted forklift.

Will You Need Special Attachments?

In some cases, however, selecting a truck-mounted forklift makes more sense. For example, some truck-mounted forklifts come with specialized attachments, such as lumber packages for handling long lengths of lumber. These include lumber-style forks and lumbar support to rest the product above the frame of the forklift while it is moving.

Another consideration when selecting a truck-mounted forklift is what type of deliveries you plan on making with it. Some jobs require the maneuverability of all-wheel drive. This can provide safer, more efficient control of deliveries, especially in paved yards or rough terrain. Tractor grip tires will provide additional handling capacity on rougher job sites.

The Right Vehicle for the Job

For less hazardous terrain, such as residential areas where the vehicle will be moving over grass or driveways, less aggressive grip turf tires would be a better choice so they don’t cause damage. In areas where there is less room to turn around, such as on a narrow city street or busy road, you might consider getting a truck-mounted forklift with a pantograph reach so you can reach across a deck and lift full capacity loads.

Because truck-mounted forklifts are frequently used outdoors, accounting for potential extreme weather should also be a consideration when making your selection. If the vehicle is going to be used in extreme cold, for example, you may want to consider one that has a block heater and uses cold temperature-rated fuels.