A kind of equipment which is specifically designed to load and unload heavy, huge freight containers is called a container forklift. They are utilized to transport freight off and on ships, truck beds and trains. Container forklifts are the largest and most durable types of forklifts manufactured. They have to be very maneuverable on uneven terrain and have sufficient torque and power to safely raise bulky containers. They normally have big pneumatic tires and heavy-duty diesel engines.
A container forklift, like all kinds of forklift, utilizes forks to be able to raise the containers. Forks have to be positioned to ensure the load is secure during transport. Various kinds of container forklifts are only meant to lift the containers a few meters off the ground. Other container handlers use another method for lifting 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 maintain stability.
Lifting and transporting containers is the main purpose of a container forklift. Standard forklifts do not have enough reach for working in ports. The forks are rated according to the maximum weight they could handle. The forklift's capabilities should never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.