Getting a forklift from one job site to another can be tough, and you might not even have thought about transporting forklifts from site to site when planning a job.

But if you need to move a forklift, especially long-distance, you should know what options you have for loading, shipping, and delivering this type of heavy equipment.

Read on to find the best method for your forklift transport.

Piggyback Forklifts

One way to move a forklift is to purchase a “piggyback” forklift and pair it with a regular truck or trailer.

The forklift pulls up to the back of the trailer or truck and the forks stick into a specialized mounting system. Then the forklift raises and pulls itself into a mounting position, “piggybacking” on the back of the trailer or truck. 

Although these types of forklifts are not cheap, buying a used and refurbished piggyback will be a great investment if you are moving lifts often.   

Flatbed Truck Forklift Transport

Because of its weight, a flatbed truck is one of the tried and true methods of moving a forklift to a different location.

If the forklift is not electric, and you don’t mind it being carted out in the open, you can simply place the lift on a flatbed for delivery, usually the cheaper method.

If the forklift needs protection, you can place it into a storage container which is then placed on the truck or trailer.  This method will cost you a little more and you will need to drain the forklift of all fluids before loading. 

If you are trying to lower costs, you can do the flatbed transport yourself, provided you know how to load the lift onto the truck, as well as other safety concerns.

Forklift Delivery Service

It might be worth the extra money to hire a professional lift delivery service, instead of going it alone.

Make sure you get multiple quotes from delivery services that are licensed and insured and look for good reviews of each online. You want qualified and certified drivers who have training in every aspect of moving lifts.

Heavy Equipment Shipping Broker

A shipping broker puts you in touch with transport trucks that might have extra space in their regularly-scheduled haul for your forklift.

A good broker will coordinate all logistics and other details for your forklift pickup and delivery. Depending on the arrangement, this method might save you both money and headaches. 

Things to Factor In

Your choice for forklift transport is determined by how many lifts you need to move, the size of the lifts, the distance they need to travel, and how often you need to move them. 

Whether you choose to do it yourself or use delivery, contact us. We can give you quotes on the equipment and services you will need. Plan for your forklift transport from the start so that you always have these machines ready to go on your job sites!