Manufacturers of shipping containers make them in such a way that they can be lifted by crane and forklift. But several other factors impact the decision. This article will discuss whether a crane or forklift is a better choice for transporting, setting up, and arranging a container.
Working With Crane And Forklift
Shipping containers come with corner castings on each of the eight sides of the container. These castings offer an opening for a twist lock that helps to secure the stacking. They also come with connection points that help a crane lift the container. Some of them are specifically designed for cranes so that they can easily be loaded, stacked, and unloaded on and off the cargo ships. Some containers also have terminals for dockside container cranes, which help arrange the containers at ports.
Similarly, the containers also have pockets for forklifts, which is also an efficient container lifting equipment. These pockets are generally located at the bottom of the containers and are used by industrial forklifts to move the containers easily. They also help to load the containers on trucks for inland travelling.
Choosing A Crane
These days, companies are focused on repurposing containers into multi-unit structures that can be easily done with the help of cranes. Placing containers with a crane can be done fast and easily. It saves time and effort, which is indeed beneficial for a company. Also, this container lifting equipment proves to be helpful in various difficult locations. However, it is to be noted that cranes are more expensive to buy or rent than forklifts. Also, keeping cranes on site might not be practical for all companies.
Choosing A Forklift
Companies that need to move containers frequently through their yard should go for forklifts. Apart from these, they also help load and unload containers to and from the trucks. Single-unit container projects prefer forklifts but cannot handle very large or heavy objects. This means a standard warehouse forklift cannot handle a shipping container. It can be very dangerous and might damage both the structure and the forklift. Also, if some modifications are done in the container, like insulation on the floor, that might make the forklift pockets inaccessible. Thus, lifting containers from the bottom might be practical for some containers but not for all.
Thus, the selection of the right equipment would depend on the size, shape, weight, and structure of the container. A crane should be used for containers that are heavy and large. On the other hand, forklifts are preferred for working with containers inside warehouses or loading and unloading trucks. Also, they are a more affordable lifting solution than cranes. Thus, the right choice would depend on your needs and situation. Know about the equipment and choose wisely.
