Views: 20 Author: Achord Publish Time: 2026-09-28 Origin: Site
A forklift jib crane is an attachment that mounts on a forklift's carriage or forks and adds a boom and hook. With it, the truck can lift, reach and place loads the way a small crane does. It is one of the quickest ways to add crane capability to a warehouse, factory or yard without buying a separate crane. The attachment must be matched to the forklift and used within its load chart.
This guide explains the two main types of forklift jib crane, how to read capacity against reach, how to size one to your truck, and what the rules say about adding one. Specifications quoted below come from the BOB-LIFT forklift fly jib crane range.
Key Takeaways
A forklift jib crane adds a boom and hook to an existing forklift, giving it crane-style reach over obstacles, into pits and onto upper floors.
Hydraulic fly jib cranes fold and telescope using the forklift's hydraulic supply. Simple fork jibs are fixed or manually extended steel booms with no hydraulics.
Rated capacity applies only at short reach. On a moment-rated crane, available load falls in inverse proportion to the hook's distance from the mast: double the reach, roughly half the load.
Size the attachment to the forklift, not just the load: check the truck's rated capacity, mast height, hydraulic flow and the combined weight of the attachment.
In the United States, OSHA requires the forklift manufacturer's written approval and an updated capacity plate before a non-factory attachment is used.
A forklift jib crane is a lifting attachment that converts a counterbalance forklift into a mobile crane. The forklift supplies the travel, the mast lift and the counterweight. The jib supplies horizontal reach and a hook, so loads can be picked from above and lowered into places that forks cannot reach.
Buyers use the term for two quite different products, and the difference decides what you can actually lift.
A simple fork jib reaches out at a fixed angle. A hydraulic fly jib can raise, fold and extend its boom to lift over obstacles.
A simple fork jib is a steel boom that slides over the forks and is pinned or chained to the carriage. The boom is fixed or extended by hand in steps, and a hook or swivel hook hangs from the tip. It has no hydraulics of its own. Height comes only from raising the mast, and the angle of the boom does not change.
These attachments are low-cost and easy to fit. They suit occasional, light lifts at short reach, such as moving a die or lifting a coil from a rack.
A forklift fly jib crane is a hydraulic crane mounted on the forklift's carriage. It has its own lift and fold cylinders and a telescopic boom, and it runs on hydraulic oil supplied by the forklift. The operator can raise the boom angle, fold it and extend it, so the hook can travel up, out and over obstacles independently of the mast.
A carriage-mounted fly jib lifting a load above the forklift mast.
BOB-LIFT's forklift fly jib cranes belong to this second group. The range runs from 2.3 t to 7 t maximum capacity, all rated at a 20 MPa working pressure, with maximum working distances from 5.5 m to 15.2 m.
A forklift jib crane makes sense wherever a forklift is already on site and the job needs lift from above, reach over an obstacle, or placement into a space the forks cannot enter. It is not a replacement for a mobile crane on heavy lifts, but it covers much of the routine lifting that would otherwise wait for a crane or be done unsafely with chains on forks.
A fly jib on a rough-terrain forklift can raise the hook well above the mast.
Typical applications include:
Loading onto upper floors and mezzanines. The boom reaches over a guardrail or through an opening and sets a load down on the floor above. BOB-LIFT's product notes describe lifting irregular objects to higher floors as a core use.
Working in pits and below grade. A jib can lower a pump, motor or valve into a pit or trench where forks cannot follow.
Indoor lifting in confined spaces. A compact attachment can work inside factory halls and narrow aisles where a truck-mounted crane cannot fit or set its outriggers.
Handling irregular loads. Engines, castings, machine parts, bundled pipe and bagged material that do not sit on a pallet are easier to lift from a hook.
Logistics and construction yards. One forklift can switch between pallet work and crane work during a shift.
If the lifting point is on a public road or far from any forklift, a knuckle boom truck mounted crane is usually the better tool. For very tight indoor access, a spider crane is another option worth comparing.
The headline capacity of a forklift jib crane applies only when the hook is close to the mast. As the boom reaches out, available capacity drops, and at full reach it is a fraction of the rated figure. Buyers who size by headline capacity often come up short at reach.
At extended reach the available load is far below the rated maximum.
Hydraulic fly jib cranes are rated by maximum lifting moment, measured in kN·m. Lifting moment is load multiplied by distance. A crane with a fixed moment rating can therefore carry a heavy load close in, or a light load far out, but not a heavy load far out.
A quick estimate is: load (t) ≈ lifting moment (kN·m) ÷ working distance (m) ÷ 9.81.
Take the 2.3 ton forklift fly jib crane. It has a 50 kN·m maximum lifting moment. At its 2.18 m minimum working distance, 50 ÷ 2.18 ÷ 9.81 gives about 2.3 t, which matches its rated capacity. At its 5.5 m maximum working distance, the same moment gives about 0.9 t.
Estimated upper-bound load against working distance for each BOB-LIFT model. Source: BOB-LIFT specifications; estimate method in the note below the table.
The table below applies that estimate to all four BOB-LIFT models, using the published specifications. It is an upper bound for planning only. The manufacturer's load chart for the specific configuration always governs, and the forklift's own stability can limit the lift before the crane does.
Model | Max capacity | Max lifting moment | Min / max working distance | Estimated load at max reach* | Self weight | Matched forklift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2,300 kg | 50 kN·m | 2.18 m / 5.5 m | about 0.9 t | 510 kg | 3, 5 or 7 t | |
3,000 kg | 60 kN·m | 2.275 m / 7.1 m | about 0.9 t | 730 kg | 5 or 7 t | |
4,000 kg | 100 kN·m | 2.42 m / 8.2 m | about 1.2 t | 1,050 kg | 5 or 7 t | |
7,000 kg | 180 kN·m | 2.5 m / 15.2 m | about 1.2 t | 2,000 kg | 10 t |
*Estimate = maximum lifting moment ÷ maximum working distance ÷ 9.81, rounded. It ignores boom self-weight and forklift stability, so real figures at full reach will be lower. On some models the headline capacity applies at a radius shorter than the listed minimum working distance; the 3 t model, for example, gives about 2.7 t at 2.275 m by this estimate. Use the official load chart for any lift plan.
Maximum working distance and self-weight of each model. Source: BOB-LIFT specifications.
The pattern is clear. Moving up a model buys you much more reach and more capacity at mid-range, but the load at full extension stays around one tonne. If your job is "2 t at 6 m", you need the crane whose load chart shows 2 t at 6 m, which is not the same as a crane labeled 2 t.
Hook height depends on the forklift mast as well as the crane. BOB-LIFT lists maximum lifting height from the ground for two common mast (gantry) heights. With a 3 m mast, figures run from 8.9 m for the 2.3 t model to 11.8 m for the 4 t model. With a 4.5 m mast, they run from 10.4 m to 13.2 m. The 7 t model is listed at up to 19 m. Confirm the figure for your exact mast when you request a quote.
A forklift jib crane must be sized to the forklift as much as to the load. The attachment adds weight far forward of the front axle, and the truck must carry that weight, the load and the turning force of the boom without tipping.
The 2.3 t model folded on a 3 t class counterbalance forklift.
Work through these checks before you order:
Forklift rated capacity. Every BOB-LIFT fly jib is specified for a class of forklift. The 2.3 t model suits 3 to 7 t trucks, the 3 t and 4 t models suit 5 to 7 t trucks, and the 7 t model needs a 10 t truck. Choosing a smaller truck than listed reduces stability and usable capacity.
Attachment self-weight. The crane itself weighs 510 kg to 2,000 kg. That weight comes straight off the forklift's residual capacity before any load is lifted.
Load center and residual capacity. The forklift manufacturer can calculate the truck's residual capacity with the attachment fitted. Ask for it in writing and compare it with the crane's load chart. The lower of the two is your real limit.
Hydraulic supply. A hydraulic fly jib needs pressure and flow from the forklift's auxiliary circuit. BOB-LIFT models are rated at 20 MPa and 40 to 80 L/min depending on size. Check that your truck has a spare auxiliary valve section and enough pump flow, or plan for an added circuit.
Mast height and overhead clearance. A taller mast gives more hook height but can conflict with doors, roof beams and racking. Measure the building, not just the job.
Carriage class and mounting. Confirm the carriage width and class so the crane base locks securely to the truck.
Floor and ground conditions. Heavy loads at reach concentrate force on the front wheels. Soft ground, slopes and pit edges need extra care or a lower rating.
Send these details with your inquiry and BOB-LIFT can recommend a model and configuration. You can start with a quote request or contact the engineering team.
Adding a jib crane to a forklift changes its capacity and how it behaves, so most safety regimes treat it as a modification that needs approval and new capacity markings.
In the United States, OSHA's powered industrial truck standard is 29 CFR 1910.178. Paragraph (a)(4) states that modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation must not be made by the user without the manufacturer's prior written approval. Capacity, operation and maintenance plates must then be changed accordingly (29 CFR 1910.178, Legal Information Institute). Paragraph (a)(5) adds that a truck fitted with non-factory front-end attachments must be marked to identify the attachment and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination.
OSHA has confirmed in a standard interpretation that a front-end attachment is generally an "addition" under this rule, so both the written approval and the new marking are required before use (OSHA standard interpretation, 2002). Other countries apply similar principles through their own machinery and lifting regulations. Check local requirements before the attachment goes into service.
Practical rules that apply everywhere:
Use the load chart, every lift. Know the weight of the load and the working distance, then read the chart.
Travel with the load low and the boom retracted. A swinging load shifts the combined center of gravity and can tip the truck, especially on turns or slopes.
Keep people clear. Never let anyone stand or walk under a raised boom or a suspended load.
Inspect before each shift. Check pins, hoses, cylinders, hook latch and mounting locks.
Train operators for crane work. Driving a forklift and rigging a suspended load are different skills.
A fly jib with a heavy-duty hook block, mounted on the forklift carriage.
BOB-LIFT builds hydraulic cranes for trucks, ships and forklifts, and the forklift fly jib range applies the same folding and telescopic boom design to a carriage-mounted package. Buyers get:
Four sizes from 2.3 t to 7 t, with published lifting moment, reach, height, self-weight and matched forklift class for each model.
Folding, telescopic booms that reach over obstacles, into pits and onto upper floors, which a fixed fork jib cannot do.
Compact packages for indoor work, designed for confined spaces and narrow areas.
Factory-direct supply and export support, with technical data, photos and pre-order communication for international buyers. See how the equipment is built on the BOB-LIFT factory tour.
Compare all four BOB-LIFT fly jib models side by side.
A forklift jib is usually a fixed or manually extended steel boom that slips over the forks and has no hydraulics. A forklift fly jib crane is a hydraulic crane with its own cylinders and a folding, telescopic boom, powered by the forklift's hydraulic circuit. The fly jib can change boom angle and reach while loaded, so it can lift over obstacles and into pits.
No. The forklift must have enough rated capacity, a suitable carriage and, for hydraulic models, an auxiliary hydraulic supply. Each BOB-LIFT model lists its matched forklift class, from 3 t trucks for the smallest model to a 10 t truck for the 7 t model. The forklift manufacturer should confirm residual capacity with the attachment fitted.
BOB-LIFT fly jib cranes have maximum working distances from 5.5 m on the 2.3 ton model to 15.2 m on the 7 ton model. Capacity at full reach is much lower than the rated maximum, so always check the load chart for the distance you need.
In the United States, yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4) requires the forklift manufacturer's prior written approval for additions that affect capacity or safe operation, and the capacity plate must be updated. Other regions have comparable rules, so check with your local authority.
It is usually a lower investment because it uses a forklift you already own for travel, lift and counterweight. The total cost depends on the model size, whether the forklift needs an added auxiliary hydraulic circuit or a larger truck, mounting work, and freight. It suits on-site and indoor lifting. For a price on your configuration, request a quote with your forklift model and lifting requirement. For road travel between sites or heavier lifts at long reach, a truck mounted crane remains the better choice.
A forklift jib crane gives an existing forklift real crane capability: reach, hook height and the ability to place loads where forks cannot go. The key decisions are the type of jib, the load you need at the reach you need, and whether your forklift can carry the attachment safely.
Choose a hydraulic fly jib when you need to lift over obstacles, into pits or onto upper floors.
Size by the load chart at your working distance, not by the headline capacity.
Match the crane to the forklift's capacity, carriage and hydraulic supply, and get the approvals and new capacity plate in place.
About the author: Achord is Product Operations Director at BOB-LIFT and has spent decades working with construction machinery products. The figures in this guide come from BOB-LIFT's published specifications, checked on 28 September 2026. Learn more about BOB-LIFT.
Tell us your forklift model, typical load and working distance, and BOB-LIFT will recommend the right model. Request a quote to get started.
English
