Which Truck Mounted Forklift do I need?
 | What's the right truck mounted forklift for your business? Matching the forklift to the task will give long service life, speed of operation, happy drivers and safety, allowing your business to run smoothly. There are a huge variety of TMF models and specs, evolved and designed over many years as more and more applications and customer requirements need to be met. Here is a brief overview of the basic principles to get you started, but please get in contact, we have a passion for TMFs, would love to first discuss if a TMF is right for your business, if so, which exact model and specification would be a perfect match for your application. |
 | Lift Height required? The height goods need to be lifted when loading the vehicle. Standard masts (normally +/- 3m lift height) enable unloading of most typical (1.2m cube) double stacked loads from a standard truck / trailer. For unloading triple+ stacked loads, some double decks (e.g. on a swan neck), and lifting some loop bulk bags for example, a higher mast may be required. |
| Lift capacity required?
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 | Do you need to oneside unload? If deliveries need to be made in comfined areas or the roadside, it can be a huge advantage to reach the pallets on the far side from the near side. This saves the need to access both sides of the truck or having to manoeuvre the truck during unloading. When oneside unloading, keep in mind the extended load centre of the load, as the load centre increases lift capacity decreases. Oneside offload options |
 | Type of Reach System? The Palfinger TMF will need to utilise a reach system in most applicatons. This allows the load to be extended to at least the front of the front wheels. This is necessary if the load is wider than the cargo bay (area between the front wheels) or the front wheels of the forklift cannot driver underneath the truck / trailer. More Information on Reach Systems |
 | Delivering Long Loads? If handling loads 3m+ and need to maneuver these away from the truck, maybe along narrow roads, through gates or into buildings, then 4 way steering is required. Information on 4 way models |
 | Terrain Ability? Will the deliveries be on relatively smooth surfaces (e.g. concrete), rough surfaces (e.g. rough gravel yards) or off road (e.g. muddy building sites). Terrain ability tends to have the biggest influence on machine size and therefore the deadweight and the purchase price. |
Palfinger ModelsFLS - Side Seat FLC, F3 - Centre Seat BM - Box Mounted (Remote) | Centre Seat, Side Seat or Remote Control? Palfinger is the only truck mounted forklift manufacturer to offer all these options. Each concept has benefits, which one is best depends on the application and personal preference. |
 | Type of Mounting System If you already have trucks / trailers with existing mountings, then it can be an advanatage to have additional forklifts to use these mountings for fleet flexibility. Or maybe a special mounting is required for the type of vehicle, these factors can influence the TMF specification. Mounting Systems |
 | Carrying Vehicle Type and Spec? The heavier the truck mounted forklift the bigger the influnence on truck / trailer. Sometimes the spec of the TMF needs to be increased / compromised to make a good match. Need more info on the TMF influence on the carrying vehicle, click here |
