How to Choose a Forklift Jib
Choosing a forklift lifting jib comes down to four checks.
Start with your truck's capacity
Each jib is rated to suit the truck it's fitted to, from 1000kg to 5000kg, so find the rated capacity on your forklift's data plate and choose that option. The jib itself weighs between 100kg and 202kg depending on model and size, which uses up some of the truck's capacity before you lift anything.
Work out how far out you need to lift
Measure from the face of your forks to the point where the load is picked up or set down. That's the hook position you'll use, and it sets how much you can lift. On a 2500kg truck, the telescopic jib lifts 1400kg at 1000mm but only 230kg at 3000mm, so choose the shortest reach that does the job.
Choose fixed or extending, raised or low profile
Fixed jibs have an 1800mm beam and cover most workshop and yard lifts. Telescopic and extender jibs extend by hand from 2000mm to 3000mm for reaching over obstacles or into vehicles. Raised jibs lift the beam above the forks for a clear view of the load and keep the hook off the ground, while low profile jibs keep the beam at fork level, so they fit under obstructions and lift from 500mm, closer to the truck.
Check your forks fit
Each jib has fork pockets with a maximum fork size and a set spread. Jibs for trucks up to 2500kg take forks up to 130 x 55mm (low profile) or 140 x 60mm (raised), and jibs for 3000kg to 5000kg trucks take forks up to 170 x 70mm (low profile) or 180 x 80mm (raised). Our guide on how to measure your forklift forks shows you how to measure.
Where Forklift Jibs Are Used
Engineering workshops, factories, steel fabricators, plant hire depots and builders' merchants use forklift jibs to lift motors, pumps, gearboxes, press tools, moulds, steel sections and machinery that won't sit on a pallet. A jib does it with the forklift you already have, so you don't need to hire a crane or fit an overhead hoist for occasional lifts.
Using a Forklift Jib Safely
- Fit the heel retaining pins before every lift, so the jib can't slide off the forks
- Stay within the safe working load for your truck and hook position, not the figure on the truck's data plate
- Lift loads straight up, never drag them
- Travel with the load low and slow, as a hanging load will swing
- Never lift a load over people
- Use slings and shackles rated for the load, and include the jib in your LOLER thorough examinations
Forklift Jib FAQs
What is a forklift jib?
A forklift jib is a steel beam with fork pockets that slides onto your forks and gives you a hook point out in front of the truck. It turns a forklift into a small mobile crane for loads that hang from a hook rather than sit on the forks.
How much can a forklift jib lift?
It depends on your truck's capacity and the hook position. Our jibs lift up to 4400kg at 500mm on a 5 tonne truck, falling to 500kg at 3000mm. Each product page shows the full capacity table.
Will a jib fit my forklift?
Most counterbalance forklifts from 1 to 5 tonnes can take a jib, as long as the truck has the capacity and your forks fit the jib's pockets. Send us your forklift details and we'll confirm the right model.
Can I use a forklift jib on a telehandler?
Yes, as long as the telehandler's forks fit the jib's pockets. Check with your telehandler manufacturer that a jib is approved for your machine, and send us your fork sizes so we can confirm the fit.
Do I need a LOLER inspection for a forklift jib?
Yes. A jib used for lifting is covered by LOLER, so it needs a thorough examination by a competent person at regular intervals. Our jibs come tested and certificated, so keep the Certificate of Conformity with your lifting equipment records.
How quickly will it arrive?
Most jibs are delivered within 7 to 10 working days. The lead time shows on each product page.
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