Maximise Your Forklift: A Guide to Attachments & Upgrades
In most warehouses, the forklift is the one thing everything relies on. It moves stock, loads trucks, and keeps the whole place ticking. But even a great forklift can only do so much with standard forks.
That’s where we come in. At Arrow Warehousing, we supply forklift attachments that help your machine handle more jobs without bringing in extra equipment. They make it easier to lift heavy, long, or awkward loads safely and efficiently, while cutting down on manual handling and damage. The result? A smoother, more productive warehouse.
This guide walks you through the main attachments we offer, what they do, and why they’re worth having in busy warehouses across New Zealand.
Forklift Drum Lifters
Anyone who’s tried to move a full drum knows it’s not as simple as it looks. They’re heavy, slippery, and roll away the second you take your eye off them. A Forklift Drum Lifter fixes all of that.
The lifter grabs the drum securely around the rim or body, letting your forklift do the lifting instead of your team. It’s fast, controlled, and safe, which means no more dragging barrels across the floor or balancing them on a pallet and hoping for the best.
Drum lifters are essential for warehouses dealing with liquids, oils, or chemicals, where spills or dents can be expensive. They also reduce strain injuries and downtime since operators aren’t fighting awkward, round loads by hand.
Our models are simple to attach, compatible with standard forklifts, and built to handle daily use. If you’re still moving drums the old-fashioned way, this one upgrade will make an immediate difference.
Forklift Extensions
Forklift extensions are used when standard forks don’t provide enough reach to lift or support a load safely. They slide over the existing forks and lock in place, extending the usable length of the fork so that long or oversized items can be handled with proper balance and control.
With extensions fitted, operators can move long pallets, timber packs, steel beams, or other extended loads without overhanging weight or instability. They allow for correct weight distribution, keeping both the load and the forklift steady during lifting and transport.
For warehouses that regularly handle materials longer than a standard pallet, forklift extensions are a practical upgrade. They improve safety, reduce the risk of damage, and make everyday lifting more controlled and efficient.
Forklift Jib Attachments
A forklift jib allows a standard forklift to lift and move suspended loads safely. It converts the machine into a compact lifting unit that can handle irregular or non-palletised items such as machinery, engines, or steel components.
The jib fits securely over the forklift’s forks and includes a fixed or adjustable boom fitted with a lifting hook. This allows operators to attach chains or slings and lift from above, rather than from underneath. The design improves reach and flexibility, particularly in workshops, loading yards, or warehouses where space is limited, or loads vary in shape and size.
All Forklift Jibs supplied by Arrow Warehousing are built from heavy-duty steel and rated for New Zealand conditions. They’re designed to meet local safety requirements, with high lifting capacity and locking mechanisms to prevent movement during operation.
Forklift Safety Cages
A forklift safety cage provides a secure platform for personnel working at height. It attaches to the forklift’s forks and locks into position, creating a stable, enclosed space for stocktaking, maintenance, or inspection tasks.
Each Forklift Safety Cage includes handrails, toe boards, and safety chains to meet New Zealand workplace safety regulations. When used correctly, the cage eliminates the risks associated with ladders or makeshift elevated platforms.
Safety cages are particularly useful for routine tasks such as replacing light fittings, checking inventory, or carrying out repairs on high racking. They’re built from durable materials, designed for daily warehouse use, and easy to store when not required.
Forklift Roll Prongs
A Forklift Roll Prong is designed for lifting and transporting rolled materials such as carpet, fabric, paper, or film. Standard forks can damage or deform these loads, while a roll prong supports them from the core to maintain shape and surface quality.
The prong slides directly into the roll’s core, providing balanced support and stable handling. This prevents crushing, slippage, or tearing during movement. Roll prongs are especially effective in flooring, textile, packaging, and printing operations where product quality and precision handling are critical.
Each model is built from high-strength steel and engineered for regular commercial use. They’re simple to operate and reduce both product waste and operator effort. For any business moving cylindrical stock, a roll prong is the correct tool for efficient, damage-free handling.
When to Upgrade Attachments
Knowing when to review or upgrade your forklift attachments often comes down to recognising small inefficiencies that have become normal. If operators are constantly adapting to awkward loads, switching between manual and mechanical handling, or waiting for the one suitable piece of gear to become available, the equipment setup isn’t working as hard as it could.
The right attachments remove those bottlenecks instantly. They allow a single forklift to take on multiple tasks safely, reduce handling time, and prevent unnecessary wear on both machinery and stock. Upgrading also improves safety compliance, especially as New Zealand’s workplace standards continue to evolve and place greater emphasis on fit-for-purpose equipment.
If you’re unsure where to start, talk to us. The team at Arrow Warehousing can help you identify what’s slowing down your operation and match you with attachments that’ll fix it.
Forklift Attachment FAQs
Do attachments affect a forklift’s load capacity?
Yes. Any attachment alters a forklift’s lifting capacity by changing the overall weight and load centre. While we supply load charts and specifications for our attachments, the forklift’s actual rated capacity depends on the specific truck and its configuration. For accurate and compliant ratings, operators should consult the forklift manufacturer or supplier to confirm suitability with the attachment fitted.
Can forklift attachments be swapped between different forklifts?
Yes, as long as both forklifts have compatible fork sizes, carriage types, and rated capacities. Many attachments are designed for easy interchange, but you should still confirm specifications to avoid overloading a smaller machine.
Can forklift attachments help reduce manual handling injuries?
Absolutely. Attachments such as drum lifters, roll prongs, and safety cages replace many high-risk manual handling tasks. They reduce lifting strain, awkward movements, and repetitive stress injuries.