Most Common Forklift Attachments

One of the best things about forklifts is that they’re versatile. They can be used for almost any application — just add the required attachment. There’s various attachments to choose from, each with their own benefits. In this article, we’ll explain the five most common types of forklift attachments and their advantages.

Sideshifter

Sideshifters are one of the most common forklift attachments and are regularly used in multiple industries, including agriculture, construction and paper handling. They enable the forks to move side to side so that the operators can make small adjustments in racking without having to manoeuvre the entire truck.

Benefits:

• Improved precision
• Reduced fuel consumption
• Improved pallet-loading speed
• Reduced damage caused to pallets

Positioner

Positioners work similarly to sideshifters, but instead of moving the tines side by side, positioners enable you to move the tines closer together or further apart. This makes them ideal for use with different types and sizes of pallets.

Benefits:

• Increased productivity
• Reduced damage caused to pallets
• Improved load handling times
• No manual adjustment of forks

Clamp

There are several different types of clamps but they all have the same basic function: gripping and handling large non-standard-sized loads.

Common types of clamp attachment include:

• Paper roll clamps
• Carton clamps
• Drum clamps
• Pipe clamps
• Harbor clamps
• Bale clamps

Paper clamps are one of the most common types of clamp attachment. Used almost exclusively in the paper and printing handling industry, paper clamps have a pressure control that automatically calculates the pressure required for the goods that are transported.

The benefits of clamps include:

• Reduced damage to goods
• Increased handling times
• Improved grip when handling

Rotator

As the name suggests, the rotator attachment allows the fork tines to rotate up to 360° in either direction. This allows the operator to reposition lopsided pallets without having to rely on manual maneuvering. 

Benefits:

• Allows for dumping or repositioning of pallets
• Returns forks to upright position in one smooth motion

Multiple Pallet Handler

Multi-pallet handlers allow a forklift to lift two pallets side by side simultaneously. This is great for efficiency and navigating through narrow aisles, but operators must be aware that this attachment does not increase the forklift’s load capacity.

Benefits:

• Increases pallet handling capacity
• Reduces loading and unloading times
• Reduces the amount of required truck maneuvers

At East Midlands Forklifts, we offer a range of forklifts and forklift attachments to commercial customers across the East Midlands. Our goal is to ensure every business has access to the forklifts and attachments they need for their daily operations. We offer flexible hire contracts, quick turnaround times and we’ll even maintain and repair your forklifts on-site to ensure that downtime is kept to a minimum

Contact our team today to find out more.