A Forklift Hopper Attachment Simplifies Cleaning

Construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and even busy warehouses and docks create a lot of trash. And at the end of a long day, the last thing most workers want to do is spend an extra hour or two cleaning up.

A forklift hopper attachment is a simple yet effective tool that can minimize cleanup time and leave your work area cleaner, safer, and more productive. It’s simple to use and can sit out of the way until you need it.

Different Types of Forklift Hopper Attachments

Forklift hopper attachments come in a variety of sizes and styles. There are spring-loaded versions that feature a sort of trap door on the bottom that can be triggered when the vehicle is parked next to a dumpster.

Pull chain release models require operators to exit the vehicle’s cab in order to empty the contents from the hopper. In some cases, longer chains can be fitted so that they reach the driver, eliminating the need to jump in and out of the vehicle during operations.

There are tippable hopper attachments whose contents can be inverted into a dumpster by the forklift operator without ever getting out of the vehicle’s cab.

There also are more advanced hydraulic versions that can be tied into the forklift’s existing onboard hydraulics system.

But the simplest type of forklift hopper attachment is basically just a big box.

Using a Forklift Hopper Attachment

Many forklift hopper attachments have sleeves on the bottom that can be fit onto the forklift’s forks. The operator can then move through the work site collected trash and other debris in the hopper.

When the forklift hopper attachment is mostly full, the driver can take his vehicle to the dumpster or trash area, dump the hopper’s load, and go back to cleaning up the work site. In some cases, using a forklift hopper attachment can reduce the cleanup time from several hours to just a few minutes.

Other Uses for Hopper Attachments

While forklift hopper attachments are convenient for cleaning up work yards, construction sites, and other areas, that’s not their only use.

Hoppers are widely used in industry for the transport of many types of bulk materials, including parts, recyclables, and products.

These useful forklift attachments come in a variety of styles depending on their intended use. There are low-profile hoppers for catching metal shavings or overflow materials in manufacturing settings as well as stainless steel hoppers for clean rooms and food production.