A container forklift is specially used to unload and load big, heavy freight containers. They are utilized to shuttle freight on and off trains, ships and truck beds. Container forklifts are the largest and most durable kinds of forklifts made. They have to be extremely maneuverable on terrain which is uneven and have sufficient torque and power to safely lift large containers. They usually have heavy-duty diesel engines and big pneumatic tires.
Like all types of forklifts, a container forklift uses forks to be able to raise the containers. Forks must be positioned to ensure the load is secure during transport. Several kinds of container forklifts are only designed to lift the containers a few meters off the ground. Other container handlers use a different method for lifting containers to greater heights. A container handler utilizes 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.
Carrying 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 maximum weight they could handle. The forklift's capabilities must never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.