Forklift Jibs - Buyers Guide

Why use a forklift jib ?

Forklift jibs are a simple and effective way of transforming your forklift truck into a mobile crane. Giving an extended reach beyond the tips of the forklift forks, forklift jibs are ideal for lifting products that require that extended reach.

What are the Health & Safety Requirements ?

All our forklift crane jibs are manufactured in accordance with the latest EC machinery directives as well as the lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER). Our jibs  for forklifts are stress analysed prior to manufacture and load tested upon completion

All our forklift crane arm jibs are ‘CE’ marked and come supplied with Certificate of Conformity, full technical rating details, and set of operating instructions.

Will the crane jib fit my forklift ?

All our jibs for forklift are designed to fit onto the forks of conventional fork trucks. The main things to check when ordering a forklift crane jib to fit your forklift, are the width and thickness of your truck forks, the maximum fork spread of your truck, the capacity of your truck (It is important that the combination of forklift jib attachment and load do not exceed the forklifts rated load capacity). It is important to confirm if you have a conventional forklift or another type such as a Reach truck or Pedestrian Stacker as these may have fitment issues.

Our Carriage mounted jibs for forklifts have been designed to fit onto the carriage rails of conventional forklift trucks. The important information to bear in mind when ordering a carriage mounted forklift jib to fit your lift truck is the carriage class and the capacity of your truck (It is important that the combination of forklift jib attachment and load do not exceed the forklifts rated load capacity).

Do not worry if your truck is not suitable for a standard model of forklift crane arm jib! We have a bespoke design service to cater for any non-standard configurations.

How does the forklift jib work ?

Each forklift jib attachment we make has its own unique functionality and features.  Primarily forklift crane jibs either have single or multiple lifting points. Hooks and Shackles can be adjusted along the variable holes. The weight of the load that can be lifted at each hole varies with capacity of the forklift jib. A capacity chart can be found on each of the forklift jib product pages. Loads can be secured to the lifting hook provided using straps, eye bolts or shackles for example. Lifting of the load is carried out by the mast of the truck. The forklift crane jib simply supplies the frame work to be able to convert your forktruck into a crane.

Will the forklift jib be suitable for my load ?

When selecting a forklift jib for your application, it is important to ensure that you are certain of the size and type of load that's being handled. It is crucial that an accurate weight of the load is known and also the overall dimensions of the load. When dealing with unsymmetrical loads it is important to know the load centre. When dealing with loads with fixed lifting points it is important to know the lifting point dimensions. If you require technical advice our sales department will be happy to assist you.

Will the forklift jib be suitable for my workplace ?

It is important to be aware of the environment that the forklift crane jib will be used in. Consideration should be given to the working conditions as well as any restrictions. The dimensions of the forklift jib should be checked against any restrictions you may have in your workplace, i.e. lift height, door heights, access to the load. It should also be noted that when a forklift is fitted with a forklift jib it is deemed to become a crane and is subject to the relevant crane legislation.

Summary – Important checks

• Ensure the size of the forks on the forklift is suitable for the fork entry pockets on the forklift jib
• Ensure the forks on the forklift truck can be adjusted apart sufficiently to accommodate the spacing of the fork entry pockets on the forklift jib
• If ‘Carriage Mounted’ ensure the forklift carriage type is suitable with the forklift jib connection detail (if unsure, please consult our sales office)
• Ensure the forklift truck is suitable for the specified forklift jib – all our forklift jibs are rated accordingly to suit specific forklfitruck sizes, that way you will not overload your forklift (please consult our sales office if unsure of lifting capacities)

Why purchase our Forklift Jibs ?