Unloading a 20’ shipping container is one job. Moving the container once it’s empty is another. Most yards need two separate machines to do both. This container forklift with fork clamp does the lot with one machine, a Heli 7 tonne unit built for both jobs. This 7 tonne configuration forms part of Allied’s broader F6 to, developed for heavy lifting

This is a genuinely clever combination and one we don’t see often in Perth. It’s a low profile diesel forklift built to fit and work inside a standard 20’ sea container, fitted with a fork clamp that extends once the machine is back outside, giving it the ability to pick up and reposition the container as well.

The Problem With Standard Container Work

Most forklifts are too tall, too wide or simply not designed to enter a shipping container safely. Because of this, businesses often end up hand unloading goods near the container door, or bringing in a second dedicated container handler just to shift the box once it’s empty.

That adds time, adds labour and adds risk. Every extra step inside a confined space is another chance for damage or injury.

Built for the Inside: A Forklift That Actually Fits

The base machine is a purpose built low profile diesel forklift, engineered specifically to meet the height and width limits of a standard 20’ container. The narrow body and reduced overhead height let it drive straight in and operate where a standard counterbalance forklift simply can’t fit.

Under the bonnet, the machine carries the same drivetrain technology found across Heli’s container entry range. A load sensing dual pump hydraulic system improves lifting speed while keeping fuel use down, and the specialised transmission and drive axle system has more than 20 years of proven use in the field.

Operator comfort hasn’t been an afterthought either. Overhead guard mounted headlamps light up the inside of the container, the seat to guard clearance gives the operator real headroom, and a wide view mast plus wide angle mirror keep visibility sharp in a tight space. A CAN-bus LCD display keeps engine and machine data in front of the operator at all times.

The Fork Clamp: Where This Machine Earns Its Keep

Here’s the part that makes this build stand out. Once the load is out and the machine has reversed clear of the container, the fitted fork clamp extends. From there, the operator can clamp directly onto the 20’ container itself and reposition it — whether that’s shuffling it within a yard, lining it up for a truck, or clearing space for the next box in.

1. 01Drive inside a 20’ container and unload or load goods.
2. 02Reverse out clear of the container.
3. 03Extend the fitted fork clamp.
4. 04Clamp onto the container and reposition it — no second machine required.

Who This Machine Suits

If your team is currently running a standard forklift for the unload and a separate container handler for repositioning, this is worth a serious look. Compare Allied’s complete range of 6 to 10 tonne container forklifts, including available capacities and configurations.

See It in Action

Video and photos of the Heli 7 tonne container forklift with fork clamp in operation, showing it working inside a 20’ container and then extending the clamp to reposition the box outside.

Why Buy Through Allied Forklifts

Allied Forklifts has been servicing Perth since 1996 and is the exclusive WA dealer for Heli. We stock, sell and support the full Heli container forklift range from our Malaga and Henderson branches, backed by our own parts and service team.

View our container forklifts for sale or speak with Allied about the right machine and we’ll walk you through the right setup for your site.