How to Choose Pallet Crane Forks
Three checks get you to the right crane forks.
Capacity, including the forks themselves
Both types come in 2000kg and 3000kg models. Your crane lifts the forks as well as the pallet, so add their weight (150kg to 230kg) to the load when you check the crane's rating at the working radius.
Manual or self levelling
Bow and eye forks balance on notched lifting positions that you set before the lift, which suits pallets of a similar size and weight. Self levelling forks use springs to balance the load for you, so the forks stay level as the weight changes. They need a minimum load to work: 200kg on the 2000kg models and 600kg on the 3000kg model.
Pallet size and free height
Check your pallet against the fork length (970mm or 1170mm) and fork centres, and your tallest load against the free height, which is the space between the forks and the top of the frame.
Where Crane Forks Are Used
Builders' merchants and hauliers use crane forks to unload lorries with a lorry loader crane. Construction sites use them to land pallets of blocks and bags onto scaffolds and upper floors, and workshops and warehouses use them to move stock under an overhead crane.
Using Crane Forks Safely
- Have every lift planned by a competent person, and check the crane's rating with the forks fitted
- Centre the pallet on the forks and push it back against the frame before you lift
- Use a safety net or other restraint wherever anything could fall from the load
- Keep people out of the area under the load
- Crane forks are lifting accessories under LOLER, so they need a thorough examination at least every six months unless your examination scheme says otherwise
Our guide to lifting pallets with a crane covers it step by step.
Pallet Crane Fork FAQs
What are pallet crane forks?
A steel frame with a pair of forks at the bottom and a lifting point at the top. It hangs from a crane hook, so the crane can pick up pallets the way a forklift would. You'll also hear them called crane forks, crane pallet forks or pallet lifters.
Will crane forks work with my lorry loader crane?
Yes, as long as the crane can lift the forks plus the load at the working radius. Lorry loader cranes, often called HIABs, are one of the most common uses. Send us your crane details and we'll confirm.
Do I need a safety net?
Use a net or other restraint whenever anything on the pallet could fall, especially near people. The self levelling range includes a 2000kg model with a built-in safety net frame.
How long does delivery take?
Crane forks are made to order in the UK, so we confirm the lead time with your quote.
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