13 Nov 2025
WHAT ARE FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Forklifts are an essential piece of equipment in the logistics industry and any industry where heavy or large consignments of materials or products need to be moved. Either via an electrical or a combustion engine, a hydraulic system is powered and fills the piping with pressurised fluid, pushing pistons to lift and tilt the forks. Standard forklifts, depending on specifications, can lift anywhere between one and 16 tonnes, while some of the larger rough terrain forklifts can lift up to 35 tonnes.
Forklifts are incredibly useful and efficient pieces of machinery to use, but they are only really useful for lifting items on pallets or with spaces for the forks to pass through. This is where a forklift attachment comes in. Different forklift attachment types can be used to handle varied and specific tasks, modifying the machine's initial capabilities.
WHAT ARE FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS?
Forklift attachments are devices that can be added to a forklift to modify its capabilities in order to perform more specific material-handling tasks beyond standard lifting. They will enable forklifts to adapt to various operations, such as clamping, rotating, hoisting, extending reach or even carrying two pallets at once. Regardless of their function, different forklift attachment types can be hydraulic, mechanical or manual in nature, enhancing efficiency and versatility depending on the required uses.
COMMON TYPES OF FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
Different forklift attachment types greatly enhance a forklift’s versatility, allowing it to perform a wide range of tasks beyond standard lifting. Each attachment type is designed to increase efficiency, safety and flexibility in various industries, from warehousing and logistics to construction and manufacturing.
Common types include side shifters, which let operators move loads sideways without repositioning the forklift, and fork positioners, which adjust the spacing between forks for different pallet sizes. Rotators allow loads to be tilted or dumped, ideal for waste handling or manufacturing. Clamps, such as paper roll, carton or drum clamps, can be great to secure and move items without pallets. Jibs and booms extend a forklift’s reach for lifting awkward or suspended loads. Push-pull attachments handle slip sheets instead of pallets.
Keep reading for more benefits of each of these forklift attachment types, examples of them and where they can be used.
DRUM HANDLING ATTACHMENTS
Drum handling attachments are vital tools for industries that use chemicals and oils or in food production, where the safe and efficient handling of drums is essential. These attachments transform the standard forks into specialised drum-handling equipment, allowing operators to lift, transport, tilt and rotate drums with precision and control. By reducing manual handling, they minimise the risk of spills, product contamination, injuries and equipment damage, improving overall safety and productivity in the workplace. There are several types of drum handling attachments, including:
· Drum clamps, which securely grip the drum for lifting and moving.
· Drum lifters, designed for vertical handling.
· Drum positioners, which enable accurate placement.
· Drum grabs, ideal for single or multiple drum lifting and drum rotators, which allow controlled tilting and emptying of contents.
Constructed from durable materials and equipped with secure gripping mechanisms, these attachments ensure stability even when dealing with heavy or hazardous loads. Whether used in warehouses, production lines or storage facilities, drum handling attachments provide a safer, faster and more reliable way to manage drum-based logistics.
FORKLIFT SKIP ATTACHMENTS
One of the more interesting answers to the question, ‘What is a forklift attachment?’, is being able to essentially convert your forklift truck into a mobile skip. It’s an efficient and helpful way of handling bulk amounts of materials or large amounts of waste product created on construction sites or in industrial and manufacturing settings. Depending on the type of skip attachment you choose, it will either make use of the tilting functions of a forklift or the sheer lifting power to increase the ease of waste management, removal and transportation.
You can either opt for a tipping skip, a bottom-emptying skip, a cage skip or a compactor. A tipping skip attachment is exactly what it sounds like: where the forks go in can be tilted to such a degree that, much like a digger, whatever detritus is inside will tip out into the correct area. Bottom-emptying units have a hatch that can be opened when the skip is directly above where the contents need to go. A cage skip works in a similar way to a stillage, acting as a metal cage that can be filled and used for the transport of various items. A compactor attachment is incredibly efficient, turning a normal forklift skip attachment into a mini compactor that can reduce the volume of waste up to 40%.
FORKLIFT JIBS AND HOOKS
Forklift jibs and hooks are a versatile range of different forklift attachment types that are designed to extend a forklift’s reach, enabling it to lift and handle heavy, awkward or suspended loads with ease.
These attachments transform a standard forklift into a flexible lifting device, ideal for applications where cranes are unavailable or impractical. Forklift jibs provide extended reach for positioning loads at height or distance, while forklift hooks offer a secure point for attaching chains, slings or lifting straps.
Both are essential in industries such as construction, automotive, manufacturing and heavy equipment handling, where precision and stability are crucial. Built from high-strength steel and engineered with safety as a priority, these attachments help operators handle challenging loads efficiently while improving workplace safety.
SPECIALIST FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
Specialist forklift attachments are purpose-built tools designed for niche tasks and specific industries, helping operators handle unique materials safely and efficiently. These attachments expand a forklift’s capabilities beyond standard lifting, making them invaluable across sectors like textiles, gas and logistics.
Different forklift attachment types, like bale clamps, securely handle compressed materials such as cotton, waste paper or textiles without the need for pallets, while carpet booms are ideal for lifting and transporting long rolls of carpet or fabric. Cylinder caddies enable the safe movement of gas cylinders, reducing the serious risks of damage or leaks. Fork extensions increase fork length to support larger or longer loads. There are even options for magnets, towable gritters, snow ploughs, boot washing stations and brushes, making a forklift the Swiss-Army Knife of machinery.
HOW DO FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS WORK?
Now that you have the answer to the question, ‘What is a forklift attachment?’, you can now look into how they work. Many of the forklift attachment types mentioned in this blog post work by simply making use of the standard abilities of a forklift. This could be lifting or tilting. Depending on the design, attachments can operate through hydraulic, mechanical or manual systems.
Hydraulic attachments, such as clamps or rotators, use the forklift’s hydraulic circuits to power movements like gripping, rotating or tilting. Mechanical attachments, including jibs or extensions, rely on the forklift’s lifting motion and physical leverage, while manual options require direct input from the user for adjustment.
Compatibility between the forklift and the attachment is crucial for safe and efficient operation. The forklift’s capacity, carriage size and hydraulic configuration must match the attachment’s specifications to maintain stability and performance.
BENEFITS OF USING FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
Finding out the details around what a forklift attachment is will highlight its benefits so much that you will wonder how anything ever got done before. The increased versatility and adaptability that is offered by the various forklift attachment types will transform tasks into far easier, more efficient and safer processes.
Attachments like side shifters or multiple pallet handlers can significantly speed up movement around a worksite, which will go a long way to streamlining operations. Having a specialised attachment for the job at hand will also lead to huge increases in workplace safety. A barrel, for instance, can be tied down and secured to normal forks but is always at risk of rolling, toppling or coming undone. Using the correct barrel attachments will eliminate this risk.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Safety is paramount during any form of material handling; this is even more important when using forklifts and their different attachment types. Improper use or poor maintenance of this heavy-duty equipment can lead to accidents, damage or injury. Always ensure the attachment is fully compatible with the forklift’s capacity, carriage type and hydraulic system to prevent instability or overloading.
Daily inspections should be carried out to check for wear, cracks or any other damage that could compromise performance. All licensed operators must strictly follow manufacturer guidelines for installation, operation and maintenance to ensure safe handling of loads. Adhering to these safety measures helps maintain efficient operation, reduces downtime and equipment/stock damage while ensuring legal compliance with workplace safety standards.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FORKLIFT ATTACHMENT
Now that you have the answers to the question, ‘What is a forklift attachment?’, and how they are beneficial, you need to know how to choose them. Selecting the right forklift attachment starts with assessing the types of loads handled on a regular basis, such as pallets, drums, rolls or irregular materials.
It’s also important to consider the operating environment; for example, indoor warehouses, construction sites or outdoor yards may each demand different attachment materials and designs. Always evaluate the capacity and specifications of both the forklift and the attachment to ensure full compatibility and maintain stability during operation.
Choosing correctly from the different attachment types prevents strain on equipment and enhances productivity. For personalised recommendations and expert guidance on selecting the best attachment for your needs, contact the team at Lifting Equipment Store for professional advice and support.
