The Best Truck-Mounted Forklifts for Lumberyards

Truck mounted forklifts revolutionized the supply chain in the billion-dollar building industry. 

Forklifts are the workhorse of the lumberyard as well as pretty much everywhere else. Truck mounted forklifts attach to the back of a transport truck and are shipped to the destination, ready to unload the product as soon as it arrives. This saves time and money by eliminating the need to coordinate with another machine upon arrival. Best of all, it doesn’t take up precious cargo space. 

Lumberyards need machines that work at high efficiency keep productivity high – making truck mounted forklifts a great choice. Which models stand up to the lumber industry’s tough demands?

The best truck mounted forklifts for lumberyards are light enough for convenient transport, but still sturdy and durable. 

Truck Mounted Forklifts for the Lumber Industry

Truck mounted forklifts save cargo capacity. This is especially important in the lumber industry. Because lumber is often packed in irregular shapes, packing space is a premium.  

Plus, lumber makes many stops along the production chain, from the harvest site, to the lumber mill, to the supply yard. Each of those stops takes time to unload and reload the product. Truck mounted forklifts save time at each stop. 

However, truck mounted forklifts have to be lighter than traditional forklifts in order to be stored and carried on the back of compatible trucks.  

And the lumber industry is tough on its machines. Lumber yard equipment has to be durable enough to last under heavy loads, harsh conditions, long hours, and grueling work. Flimsy machines won’t last long.

That’s why it’s important to find a forklift that does both. Here are our top picks for the best truck mounted forklifts that will maximize your transport efficiency while staying tough in the face of rough lumberyard conditions.

Moffett M8: Best on Rough Terrain

Moffett is known as one of the best forklift brands in the industry. With models that range from indoor to heavy duty, Moffett’s M8 series are among its toughest machines. 

The M8 stands out with a lift capacity of up to 8,000 lbs. It’s an outdoor machine through and through, designed for heavy loads and the roughest terrain, making them popular in the fire and rescue industry. 

In the lumberyard, the Moffett M8 has a carrying capacity that rivals that of trucks, with a terrain capability that can carry loads to and from places that trucks can’t reach. It’s can handle the logging site, the lumber yard, and everything in between. 

It also boasts 4-way steering and 3 drive wheels. This is not an indoor-outdoor machine – it’s the reliable, high capacity transport that the toughest lumberyards need.

Manitou TMT 55: Best Compact Option

The Manitou TMT 55 line is small but mighty. At 4 ft 8 in, it boasts the shortest overhang in the forklift industry. This means it maintains its stability while extending at its full reach of 58 inches. 

A short overhang also means that it losing less load capacity even while at full boom extension, so its lift capacity will stay closer to its optimal lifting power of 5500 lbs even at full reach, for heavy lifting over longer distances. Plus, its overall height is just 96.5 inches, making it a compact option for navigating through low doorways and narrow lumberyards.  

For rougher terrain, the Manitou TMT 55 series offers High Traction (HT) and Extra Traction (XT) models as well. The HT model adds a 400 cc front driver motor and a 560 cc rear, while the XT boasts a 750 cc motor in both front and rear. These models give the Manitou TMT 55’s small frame extra power for the roughest jobs in the tightest spaces.

Moffett M4: Best All-Purpose Workhorse

While its big brother the Moffett M8 rolls over the roughest terrain, the Moffett M4 series is versatile enough for industrial use in urban settings as well. 

With a lift capacity that goes up to 5511 lbs and a lift height of up to 160 in, these road-worthy forklifts are just as capable at the delivery site as in the lumberyard.

The strength of the M4 is precision combined with power. Its lift capacity puts it in the league with the big boys, while some models come with 4-way drive to navigate precise turns. This is a great machine to transition from heavy warehouse loads to paved settings and lumber delivery. 

With the quality of the industry’s most popular brand, the Moffett M4 is a good choice for a machine that needs to do it all, from standing up to heavyweight loads to getting the front-end deliveries done. 

Honorable Mention: Princeton PB70

Princeton competes with Moffett as one of the best forklift brands in the industry. However, Princeton has the broadest range of products and enjoys a good reputation with over 30 years’ experience. 

While Princeton offers models from the 3,300 lb to 8,000 lb lifting capacity range, the PB70 is on the more heavy-duty end with a 7,000 lb lifting capacity. It’s rated well for rough terrain and boasts a 56 horsepower diesel engine, as well as a lift height of 144 in. 

All in all, Princeton’s engineering is very similar to Moffett’s. They even promise the same ultra-quick dismount time of less than a minute. 

Even though Princeton doesn’t stand out when compared to Moffett’s machines, the PB 70 still belongs on this list because it is a durable forklift with a great reputation. It won’t let you down in the tough jobs of the lumberyard or the warehouse. 

Finding the Best Truck Mounted Forklifts for Lumberyards

The lumber industry has steadily increased production over the past decade in the USA. It’s a fast-paced industry that can’t stop for unnecessary machinery problems and transport time. 

Lumberyards need reliable machines that make every job as efficient as possible. With the best truck mounted forklifts for lumberyards, you’ll save space, save time, and keep productivity high.

Find the right machines for your lumberyard at the right price. Equipment Remarketing is home to a large selection of pre-owned truck mounted forklifts, professionally refurbished at a competitive price.