A container forklift is specially designed to load and unload huge, heavy freight containers. They are used to transport freight on and off truck beds, trains and ships. Container forklifts are the biggest and most durable types of forklifts manufactured. They need to be very maneuverable on terrain that is uneven and have enough power and torque to safely raise bulky containers. They normally have heavy-duty diesel engines and large pneumatic tires.
A container forklift, like all kinds of forklift, utilizes forks to raise the containers. Forks have to be positioned to make sure the load is secure during transport. Some container forklift models are only designed to raise the containers several meters off the ground. Other container handlers use a different technique for carrying containers to greater heights. A container handler utilizes 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.
Carrying and transferring containers is the main purpose of a container forklift. Regular 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 be posted prominently in the cockpit and should never be exceeded.