The Different Types of Crane Forks

Performing lifts that used to be difficult or complex has never been easier. With the use of crane forks, your cranes can be transformed into specialist lifting equipment that can move and manage large, heavy loads with ease and simplicity.

Crane forks are generally used to move pallets and coils with ease, where they need to be manoeuvred on site or in a place where cranes are present. This can make it easier to complete all processes at once, with limited amounts of lifting equipment needed. You can cut down on additional costs and make it easier to carry out the required processes, all whilst making the most of the cranes you have invested in and spent good money on. Crane lifting forks are valuable, highly useful items that should be appreciated by any good crane operator.

The different types of crane forks: understanding your options and picking the right ones for your lifting processes

The most important part of investing in crane forks is making your life as easy as possible. That is, after all, what these pieces of lifting equipment are intended to do. It’s possible to have a crane fork that will make life easier and speed up processes as much as possible – as long as you choose the right one. This might even mean buying or renting multiple crane forks so you have the right lifting equipment to suit different processes. If this is what is required, this is what you should do.

There are tow main types of crane fork available in the lifting equipment market: self balancing and manual balance. The differences can mean the difference between a successful lift and full crane compatibility, or an item of lifting equipment that isn’t suitable for its purpose. Here are the key differences:

• Self balancing crane forks are generally used with industrial construction applications, and are most commonly found on site for use with overhead cranes and lifting slings. The name self balancing refers to their method of operation: they will stay level no matter what kinds of load they are lifting. They are the more premium type of crane fork available, and the fork width and height can be fully adjusted for every lift. This gives you more flexibility and will make your lifting equipment more multi purpose.
• Manual balance crane forks need to be manually adjusted for the appropriate lift. They won’t be able to balance themselves like a self balancing crane fork, meaning that not all the work is taken out of the lift. However, they will still be considerably more useful and lifts won’t need to be performed by hand. They will have an adjustable height mast and the master link will need to be manually hooked in to achieve balance.

If you’re not sure what kind of crane fork you need, consult with a lifting equipment supplier that is familiar with your brand of crane. You should make sure they know your brand inside out and can recommend appropriate crane forks to meet your individual needs.