A type of machine which is particularly utilized to load and unload heavy, huge freight containers is called a container forklift. They are used to shuttle freight off and on trains, ships and truck beds. Container forklifts are the largest and most durable kinds of forklifts manufactured. They need to be very maneuverable on uneven terrain and have sufficient power and torque to safely lift bulky containers. Typically, they have large pneumatic tires and heavy-duty diesel engines.
A container forklift, like all types of forklift, utilizes forks to raise the containers. Forks need to be positioned to make certain the load is secure during transport. Various types of container forklifts are just meant to lift the containers several meters off the ground. Other container handlers use another technique for carrying containers to greater heights. A container handler uses a device 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.
Lifting and transferring containers is the main purpose of a container forklift. Standard forklifts do not have sufficient reach for working in ports. The forks are rated according to the most weight they could handle. The forklift's capabilities must never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.