A container forklift is specially utilized to unload and load huge, heavy freight containers. They are used to shuttle freight on and off ships, truck beds and trains. Container forklifts are the largest and most durable kinds of forklifts made. They have to be very maneuverable on uneven terrain and have enough torque and power to lift bulky containers safely. They usually have large pneumatic tires and heavy-duty diesel engines.
Like all kinds of forklifts, a container forklift utilizes forks to be able to lift the containers. Forks must be positioned to make certain the load is secure during transport. Some container forklift models are only meant to lift the containers a few meters off the ground. Other container handlers use another method for carrying containers to greater heights. A container handler makes use of an apparatus attached to the front of the vehicle to clamp down on either end of the container like jaws. The machinery is counterbalanced with weights to be able to maintain stability.
The main purpose of a container forklift is to lift and transfer containers. Standard forklifts do not have sufficient reach for working in ports. The forks are rated based on the most weight they could handle. The capabilities of the forklift should never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.