Lifting Roundup: 10 attachments for grabbing, hoisting, working at heights

From vacuum-powered lifts to platforms with easier access, these 10 attachments for loaders and telehandlers are designed for grabbing, hoisting or working at lofty heights.

Lifting with wireless remote

Vacuworx is offering a wireless remote option for its SL 2 Vacuum Lifting System, eliminating the need to route hoses and a controller to the cab of the host machine. This gives the system a greater range of motion and easy attachment to not only skid steers but backhoes, forklifts and cranes, the company says. The all-aluminum SL 2 features a hydraulic vacuum pump and has a lifting capacity of 2,700 pounds. The company says it is a safer lifting alternative than hooks and chains and increases work speed.


Save your back while adjusting tines

Pemberton’s Bac-Savr Forks for loaders are designed for easy, safe tine adjustment that won’t leave the operator with an aching back, the company says. A lever that fits into a series of notches gives the operator leverage when adjusting the tines to the task. The forks are available on frames that are 60 to 96 inches wide and feature a non-swinging heavy-duty carriage frame. They are available for pin-on or quick coupler hook-ups. Tines are 60, 72, 84 and 96 inches long.


Multiple gates for easier platform access

Genie’s platform baskets make it easier for operators to enter and exit the platforms on the company’s boom lifts. The baskets feature side swing gates for walk-on access when operators are wearing a tool belt, carrying a tool box or need to load materials onto the platform. Sliding mid-rails offer alternative access points. The baskets come in two sizes: an 8-foot basket with three entry points and a 6-foot basket with two entry points for compact booms. The baskets provide eight lanyard attachment points and can be used on any Genie boom equipped with a 6- or 8-foot basket.


Transforming a telehandler into a forklift

The JLG Dual Fork Positioning Carriage turns a JLG or SkyTrak telehandler into a forklift. The operator can adjust the forks’ positions from the cab for a variety of load sizes, including those beyond standard pallet dimensions. The attachment has a 12,000-pound capacity. The carriage is 50 inches wide, and the forks come in lengths of 48 or 60 inches.


Forks made for heavy lifting

Doosan pallet forks for wheel loaders are designed for heavy construction. They are built for use with tine static load ratings that are beyond the loader’s lift capacities, the company says. They feature an open carriage design, which gives the operator a better view when lifting and placing materials. Doosan also offers an optional wheel loader quick coupler, allowing the pallet fork to be attached quickly on multiple carriers. They come in a variety of carriage widths and tine lengths. Tines can be adjusted manually to the desired width.


Designed for better cab access, visibility

Bobcat’s pallet fork frame provides operators with easier access to the cab with its walk-through design, as well as better visibility while working. The frame is compatible with all Bobcat skid-steer and compact track loaders, Toolcat utility work machines and the V519 VersaHANDLERS telescopic tool carrier. It also can use the Bob-Tach and Power Bob-Tach mounting systems. The frame comes in three capacities: 2,500, 4,000 and 5,500 pounds. Pallet forks are available in lengths of 42 and 48 inches, and bale forks are 40.8 inches.


Switch easily from pallet to planting

With Case’s Hydraulic Pallet Forks with Nursery Sleeves, operators can transition easily between standard pallet configurations to handling landscaping duties, such as planting trees. The company says the forks are ideal for municipalities and contractors that deal with both materials on pallets and live plants and trees. The forks can be positioned to protect the root ball during transport. The tines are hydraulically driven and can be widened from 10 inches to 44 inches from the cab.


Gain 5 feet of reach

After turning your skid steer into a backhoe with Eterra’s backhoe attachment, you can further transform your machine with the company’s Mini Boom, which adds 5 more feet of reach for lifting and other tasks. The company designed the Mini Boom for its E60 and E70 Backhoe Attachments and says it is ideal for lifting materials over walls, setting trusses, tree placement and unloading trucks. The boom gives the attachment a total reach of 10 feet. It has a load-bearing design for strength, durability and safety, the company says.


Automatically adjustable grips

Kenco says its Multilift works on any machine with lifting capabilities. With the flip of a lever, the attachment’s sliding grips adjust to widths of 3 to 68 inches. With another lever shift, the legs automatically grab concrete walls, blocks and slabs. The Multilift attaches to the host machine with a sling and shackle assembly and requires no additional hydraulics. Models come in 3,000- and 8,000-pound capacities. The legs’ orientation can also be switched to allow operators to grab objects such as culvert boxes from inside out.


Add lifting versatility to loaders

The Edge Boom Lift/Tree Boom from Manitou is designed to pick up and carry a variety of materials. Its 3,500-pound capacity allows it to be used for such tasks as loading and unloading attachments or construction materials from hard-to-reach places, placing and removing concrete forms and moving and transporting trees, the company says. The attachment weighs 182 pounds and is 59.25 inches wide. It is compatible with a variety of Gehl and Mustang skid steers, track loaders and articulated loaders.