Shipping Forklift Attachments Freight Class Guide
Forklift Attachments typically classify around Class 65, in the 20-30 lb/ft³ density range. Boxed forklift attachments and forks.
Calculate Forklift Attachments Freight Class
Enter your actual shipment dimensions and weight below. Typical forklift attachments run 150-600 lb, but your exact class depends on your specific shipment's measured density.
Measure the full footprint including packaging, and include pallet weight in your total. Carriers will re-measure at the terminal.
Shipping Forklift Attachments the Right Way
Weight Concentrates Fast on Attachment Loads
Forklift attachments are solid metal with very little void space, so a pallet or crate of attachments reaches its weight limit well before it uses up available trailer space, which shifts load planning toward weight distribution rather than cube.
Mounting Points Need Precise Protection
The mounting surfaces that connect an attachment to a forklift's carriage need to stay precisely aligned and undamaged, so crating should specifically protect those contact points rather than just cushioning the attachment's bulk.
Boxed or Crated Depending on Attachment Size
Smaller attachments often ship boxed, while larger forks and attachments typically need a crate built around the unit's exact shape, so packaging decisions should scale with attachment size rather than defaulting to one standard approach.
Forklift Attachments: What Carriers and Shippers Look For
Forklift attachments and forks are dense, heavy metal freight that ships boxed or crated despite looking like they would need specialized equipment, and that density puts them in a relatively efficient freight class. The real handling concern is weight distribution and protecting mounting points, since a dropped or improperly secured attachment can bend or crack at the exact spot that needs to stay precise for it to function correctly once installed.
Why Forklift Attachments Classify Around Class 65
Boxed forklift attachments and forks typically run 20 to 30 pounds per cubic foot, which puts most shipments in the Class 65 range under the standard density table. That density reflects solid, heavy metal construction with relatively little wasted internal space once properly boxed or crated, landing this commodity toward the denser, less expensive end of the freight class chart.
Packaging and Mounting Point Protection
The mounting surfaces where an attachment connects to a forklift's carriage need to stay precisely aligned, since even minor damage at that contact point can prevent the attachment from seating correctly once it reaches the customer. Crating should specifically brace and protect these mounting points rather than treating the whole attachment as one uniform shape to cushion.
Larger forks and attachments typically need a custom built crate matched to their exact dimensions, while smaller attachments can often ship in a standard heavy duty box. Shippers moving a range of attachment sizes should treat packaging decisions by unit rather than defaulting to whatever crate or box is on hand.
Equipment and Handling Notes
Dry van is standard for forklift attachment freight, and no temperature control is needed. Because attachments are dense and heavy for their size, drivers should distribute weight carefully across the trailer when hauling multiple units, and forklift operators at pickup and delivery should handle attachment crates at rated capacity rather than exceeding it to save a trip.
Common Shipping Mistakes
The most common mistake is packaging an attachment without specific protection for its mounting points, which can leave the unit unable to seat correctly on a forklift's carriage even though the rest of the attachment shows no damage. The second is underestimating how quickly attachment freight adds up in weight, leading to loads that hit legal limits well before the trailer looks full.
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Carriers Hauling Forklift Attachments
“Attachment freight is dense and heavy for how small it looks. I always plan weight distribution first before I even think about how much space is left.”
“I've seen attachments arrive with the mounting surface dinged just enough to cause installation problems. Careful crating around that spot really matters.”