At Southeast Industrial Equipment, we know a forklift is only as versatile as the tools it’s paired with. Whether you’re moving pallets, paper rolls, drums, or slip sheets, forklift attachments can help you do more—with greater speed, precision, and safety. But with so many options out there, how do you know which attachments are right for your operation?

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common forklift attachments, what they’re used for, and how they can add value to your material handling operation.

Common Forklift Attachments and Their Benefits

1. Fork Positioners
Fork positioners allow operators to adjust the spacing between forks without leaving the cab. This is ideal for warehouses that handle loads of varying sizes. The benefits? Faster handling times and reduced risk of pallet or product damage.

2. Side Shifters
A side shifter lets you move the carriage left or right, making it easier to line up loads without repositioning the entire forklift. It’s a simple attachment with a big impact on efficiency and operator comfort.

3. Paper Roll Clamps
Perfect for the paper, packaging, and printing industries, these clamps handle large rolls of paper safely—without the need for a pallet. They’re designed to protect products while minimizing manual labor.

4. Carton Clamps
Carton clamps allow non-palletized items like appliances, electronics, or furniture to be lifted securely. These are great for operations aiming to reduce pallet use or improve warehouse space.

5. Push/Pull Attachments
Used with slip sheets, this attachment replaces wooden pallets altogether—ideal for high-volume, fast-paced environments like grocery distribution or consumer goods.

6. Rotators
Rotators allow the forks to rotate, making it easy to dump bins or rotate containers in applications like food processing, recycling, or manufacturing.

7. Drum Handlers
Designed to lift and tilt drums safely, these attachments are essential in chemical, oil, or beverage industries.

How Attachments Increase ROI

Adding the right attachment can transform a standard forklift into a task-specific powerhouse. Here’s how attachments deliver measurable return on investment:

• Speed: Reduce load times and increase throughput.
• Safety: Minimize manual handling and reduce the chance of product damage.
• Versatility: One forklift can handle multiple tasks with the right attachments.
• Cost Savings: Cut back on pallets, shrink product damage, and reduce handling labor.

Choosing the Right Attachment for Your Operation

When selecting attachments, consider your load types, warehouse layout, and equipment compatibility. Need help figuring out the best fit? That’s where our experts come in. At Southeast Industrial Equipment, we assess your needs and recommend the attachment solutions that improve performance without overcomplicating your fleet.

Let SIE Help You Maximize Your Forklift Investment

With locations throughout the Southeast and decades of experience in material handling, SIE offers a full range of forklift attachments, expert guidance, and service support to keep your operation running smoothly. Ready to add new capability to your fleet?

Contact us today to talk attachments and discover how the right tool can make all the difference.