The term ‘forklift’ (in the construction machinery category) typically refers to robust all-terrain forklifts and telescopic forklifts designed for construction and outdoor use. Unlike traditional industrial forklifts, these models are designed for uneven terrain, higher load capacities and harsh conditions.
Variants include all-terrain forklifts (four-wheel drive, large wheels, high ground clearance) for construction sites and timber yards, telescopic forklifts / telehandlers (extendable boom with a lift height of up to 17 m) for construction sites, agriculture and recycling, as well as heavy-duty forklifts with a load capacity of up to 50 t for steel, glass and container operations.
Common manufacturers include Manitou, JCB, Merlo, Caterpillar, Bobcat, Kramer, Genie, Hyster, Linde and Sennebogen.
Construction forklifts are used in building construction and civil engineering, in agriculture (livestock management, hay handling), in quarries, at building materials yards, in container handling, in forestry, and for the transport of reinforcement and materials on large construction sites.