A kind of equipment which is particularly utilized to load and unload heavy, large freight containers is called a container forklift. They are utilized to shuttle freight off and on trains, ships and truck beds. Container forklifts are the biggest and most sturdy types of forklifts made. They need to be very maneuverable on terrain which is uneven and have enough torque and power to safely lift bulky containers. They normally have heavy-duty diesel engines and big pneumatic tires.
A container forklift, like all kinds of forklift, utilizes forks in order to lift the containers. Forks should be positioned to make certain the load is secure during transport. Several container forklift models are only meant to lift the containers several meters off the ground. Other container handlers use another method for lifting containers to greater heights. A container handler utilizes a device attached to the front of the vehicle to clamp down on either end of the container like jaws. The machine is counterbalanced with weights to be able to maintain stability.
The main purpose of a container forklift is to raise and transport containers. Regular forklifts do not have enough reach for working in ports. The forks are rated based on the most weight they could handle. The forklift's capabilities must never be exceeded and should be posted prominently in the cockpit.