A container forklift is particularly used to unload and load big, heavy freight containers. They are used to transport freight off and on ships, truck beds and trains. Container forklifts are the largest and most durable types of forklifts manufactured. They need to be very maneuverable on uneven terrain and have enough torque and power to raise bulky containers safely. They normally have heavy-duty diesel engines and large pneumatic tires.
A container forklift, like all types of forklift, utilizes forks in order to raise the containers. Forks should be positioned to make sure the load is secure during transport. Some types of container forklifts are just designed to raise the containers several meters off the ground. Other container handlers utilize a different technique for carrying containers to greater heights. A container handler utilizes an apparatus 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 be able to maintain stability.
Lifting and transferring containers is the main purpose of a container forklift. Regular forklifts do not have sufficient reach for working in ports. The forks are rated according to the most weight they can handle. The capabilities of the forklift should never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.