Forklift Attachments: Types and Applications Explained

Table of contents

1. TL;DR
2. Transporting Heavy Loads? Only with a Forklift!
3. The Best Forklift Attachments
4. Frequently Asked Questions

TL;DR

• Forklifts are highly versatile machines designed for moving and lifting heavy loads in warehouse, construction, and industrial environments.
• Common forklift configurations include warehouse models, side loaders, reach forklifts, rough terrain models, counterbalance forklifts, telehandlers, and pedestrian pallet trucks.
• Telescopic handler forklifts offer extended arms capable of lifting pallets up to 19 feet, making them highly compatible with advanced attachments like buckets, work platforms, and bale spears.
• Popular heavy-duty forklift attachments from Haugen include fork slot carpet poles, high-back bale spears, and engineered certified industrial work platforms.

No matter if you work in the warehouse or on construction sites, a forklift is your best friend when it comes to all work involving transporting loads. These machines are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment on the market that help not only with moving heavy loads but also with lifting objects. Consequently, there are many models, styles and forklift attachments available on the market. How to choose the best one? The key is in the type of work you need to perform. Let's see what the forklift market has in stock for you.

Transporting Heavy Loads? Only with a Forklift!

To start with, there are many forklift types on the market for which you can choose the attachment you need. It is important to know what type of forklift you have (or plan to purchase) to choose the compatible forklift attachment. The most common types of forklifts include:

Warehouse Forklifts

These are the most popular forklifts on the market. They have two forks at the front and look similar to... golf carts! Warehouse forklifts are mainly used for loading and unloading pallets, as well as moving goods from the warehouse to delivery trucks.

Side Loader Forklifts

A side loader can be called a warehouse forklift's brother. It works best where the transported items are heavy and bulky. Side loaders, as the name suggests, operate sideways. The forklift operator stands on the side while the items are being unloaded. Such operations make side loader forklifts a perfect choice for narrow aisles and work with heavy and long loads (pipes, timber, etc.).

Reach Forklifts

Reach forklifts are designed to lift loads higher than regular forklift trucks, thanks to their extended height. Their exceptional manoeuvrability allows them to work in many environments, even in confined spaces. Reach forklifts have stabilising legs and an open compartment that increases the operator's visibility. Reach trucks are mainly made for indoor warehouses because of their low undercarriage clearance which makes it almost impossible to work on uneven ground without causing damage to the electrical system.

Rough Terrain Forklifts

A forklift type designed for the outdoors is a rough terrain forklift. It is equipped with large, pneumatic tires that are perfect for uneven and rough terrain. Rough terrain forklift engines are also accustomed to working in more challenging conditions as they are a lot more powerful than those indoor forklifts. Heavy loads can easily be transported over mud, snow and ice at higher speed, thanks to the improved traction.

Counterbalance Forklifts

A counterbalance forklift is a type of warehouse forklift that lifts loads in front of it while carrying the load at the back. That is why it is called 'counterbalance'. There are a few types within this category. A 3-wheel counterbalance forklift is perfect for forklift operators who need to turn in circles, whereas stand-up counterbalance forklifts allow for leaving the machine in between the loads.

Telescopic Handler Forklifts

A telescopic handler forklift is a unique type of machine among all forklift trucks. Its distinctive feature is a long extendable arm with forks attached to it. A telescopic forklift can lift pallets as high as 19 feet up and easily access tight spaces.

Pedestrian Operated Pallet Trucks

Lift trucks and pallet trucks are the types of forklifts mostly used in warehouses for pallet transportation. Because of their manual and simple build, they have limited capabilities. They do not require any attachments and are a perfect choice for anyone who needs a cheap tool for moving small loads.

The Best Forklift Attachments

Most forklift attachments on the market are made for telescopic handlers. They include a lift table, bucket, pallet fork and muck grabber.

These attachments, help in completing many jobs that otherwise would be impossible to finish as the regular forklifts cannot reach such heights. To help you choose your perfect forklift attachment, we prepared our top three picks below:

FORK SLOT CARPET POLE LOW RIDER ATTACHMENT from HAUGEN for moving around roles of carpet and other material

Features:

- Heavy-duty mount plate
- Rounded pole tip
- Pole is carried 18” below the fork pockets
- Pole diameters available in 2.5”, 2.75”, and 3”
- The fork pockets are 18” deep and will fit tines up to 2.25” thick x 6.25” wide
- Stress Relieved poles
- Available in 6’, 9’, 10’ 6”, and 12-foot lengths
- Warranty: 1 year

TELEHANDLER SQUARE HIGH BACK BALE SPEARS from HAUGEN with four replaceable 39" Conus 2 Tines

Features:

- Frame Width = 66 inches
- Frame Height = 60 inches
- Four 39” Conus 2 Tines
- Replaceable Tines
- Warranty: 1 year

INDUSTRIAL WORK PLATFORM from HAUGEN, lightweight but able to carry 1,000 lbs

Features:

- Engineered Certifed (Paperwork available upon request)
- Fork pockets: 2 3/4" x 7 3/4" inside (can be ordered with optional 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" fork pockets - see options in pricing above)
- Fork pockets spaced 30" apart
- Anchors behind the fork heel
- Safety harness tie downs - 5,000 lb rated each (5 times the capacity of the work platform capacity - OSHA)
- Inward swinging doors
- Collapsible sides for easy transportation
- Non-skid expanded metal floor
- 6" toe kick on all sides
- Safety pins on the doors
- Warranty: 1 year

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes rough terrain forklifts suitable for outdoor use?

Rough terrain forklifts are designed for the outdoors and are equipped with large, pneumatic tires that handle rough, uneven surfaces. They feature powerful engines to provide traction and speed over mud, snow, and ice.

Why are reach forklifts primarily restricted to indoor warehouses?

Reach forklifts have a very low undercarriage clearance. Operating them on uneven outdoor ground is highly restricted to avoid causing immediate damage to their sensitive electrical systems.

What are the common attachments used on telescopic handler forklifts?

Telescopic handler forklifts are commonly paired with attachments such as lift tables, buckets, pallet forks, muck grabbers, high-back bale spears, carpet poles, and industrial work platforms.