A container forklift is particularly used to load and unload huge, heavy freight containers. They are utilized to shuttle freight on and off ships, truck beds and trains. Container forklifts are the biggest and most durable kinds of forklifts made. They have to be extremely maneuverable on terrain which is uneven and have enough power and torque to safely raise bulky containers. They usually have big pneumatic tires and heavy-duty diesel engines.
Like all types of forklifts, a container forklift uses forks to be able to raise the containers. Forks must be positioned to make certain the load is secure during transport. Various kinds of container forklifts are just meant to lift the containers several meters off the ground. Other container handlers utilize a different technique for carrying containers to greater heights. A container handler uses a device affixed to the front of the vehicle to clamp down on either end of the container like jaws. The machinery is counterbalanced with weights to maintain stability.
The main purpose of a container forklift is to raise and transport containers. Regular forklifts do not have sufficient reach for working in ports. The forks are rated based on the maximum weight they can handle. The forklift's capabilities should never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.