A container forklift is specifically used to load and unload large, heavy freight containers. They are used to shuttle freight on and off truck beds, trains and ships. Container forklifts are the most durable and largest kinds of forklifts made. They have to be extremely maneuverable on terrain that is uneven and have sufficient power and torque to safely raise large containers. Normally, they have big pneumatic tires and heavy-duty diesel engines.
Like all kinds of forklifts, a container forklift uses forks to lift the containers. Forks must be positioned to ensure the load is secure during transport. Various kinds of container forklifts are only meant to lift the containers several meters off the ground. Other container handlers utilize another technique for carrying containers to greater heights. A container handler uses an apparatus 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.
Lifting 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 should never be exceeded and must be posted prominently in the cockpit.