Lift Truck Fork Attachments Give New Meaning to the Forklift

Because they are such an important component of the vehicle, the most common name for a lift truck is a "forklift." Simply with its standard forks attached, it is an incredibly useful machine. When you add lift truck fork attachments, it becomes more useful still.

Forklift is actually not a very descriptive word to use, especially when you add attachments. The forks become mere holding devices for a range of devices. That is why many people in the industry prefer to call forklifts by the more descriptive name of "lift truck," putting the emphasis on the truck's ability to lift, move and dispose of materials, rather than on the forks themselves.

Here is an example: one very useful lift truck fork attachment is the boom attachment. When the forks are inserted into this, their only purpose is to hold the boom. The boom extends far beyond the reach of the forks and whatever is being lifted is being lifted by the hook or hooks on the boom.

There are a couple of styles of boom attachments. The standard model generally has two moveable hooks that can carry up to 4000 pounds with its optional sling package. The telescoping, pivoting boom attachment adds versatility to this lift truck fork attachment. It can be extended and pivoted, transforming a "forklift" into a very economical and efficient mobile boom lift in less than a minute.

What do you call a "forklift" that is able to wrap its "forks" around a steel drum, lift it, rotate it and empty its contents? That's exactly what it can do if it has a drum handler attached to its forks. Once again, the forks are a minor part of the equation. The real pieces of equipment being used are the lift truck and the lift truck fork attachment - the drum handler.

Determining which lift truck fork attachment is right for you is simply a matter of choosing your application and determining whether or not purchasing the attachment will be cost effective. In most cases, it is cost effective, because the alternative, a special purpose machine, would be very expensive.

If you need an attachment for bulky items, then the boom lift might be what you need. If you are going to be lifting loose materials, then a self dumping hopper might be the appropriate attachment. Some of these hoppers also have casters attached, so when they are not needed on the lift, they can easily be manually used.

Think of your "fork lift" as a "lift truck" and you will automatically realize that its potential goes far beyond carrying goods on forks. Then look into the available forklift attachments and you will realize just what a valuable piece of equipment you have at your disposal.



Forklift Accessories, a division of Bahrns Equipment, sells a full range of lift truck fork attachments. View them all in their extensive online catalog. This company knows its business: with 40 years of experience behind it, it should. If there is anything you need for materials handling, look to Bahrns.