Most forklifts stay in one place. They live at a warehouse, a yard, or a facility and do their job within a defined footprint. A piggyback forklift is different. It rides on the back of a delivery truck, travels with the load, and handles the unloading at the destination without any additional equipment on site. For operations that deliver to locations without a loading dock, a receiving crew, or any material handling equipment, a piggyback unit is often the only practical solution.
This guide covers what piggyback forklifts are, how they work, who uses them, what to look for when buying or renting one, and the major brands in the market.
What Is a Piggyback Forklift?
A piggyback forklift is a compact, truck-mounted forklift designed to be carried on the rear of a delivery vehicle and deployed at the point of delivery. The unit mounts to the back of the truck using a dedicated mounting frame or receiver system. When the driver reaches the delivery destination, they dismount the forklift, use it to unload the truck, and then remount it for the return trip.
The concept solves a fundamental last-mile delivery problem. A standard delivery truck can carry palletized freight efficiently, but getting that freight off the truck and into a building or storage area requires either a dock, a pallet jack, a separate forklift on site, or manual labor. None of those are guaranteed at every delivery point. A piggyback forklift makes the truck self-sufficient.
They are also commonly called truck-mounted forklifts. The term "Moffett" is used generically in the industry in the same way people say Kleenex or Band-Aid. Moffett is actually a specific brand name that became synonymous with the product category. Not all piggyback forklifts are Moffetts, but the name gets applied broadly.
How They Work
The mounting system is the defining feature. A piggyback forklift attaches to the rear of the truck via a receiver frame or dedicated mounting bracket that is typically bolted to the truck chassis. The forklift forks slide into the receiver, and hydraulic pins or mechanical locks secure the unit in place for transport. The whole mounting and dismounting process takes a trained driver two to five minutes.
Most piggyback forklifts are three-wheeled designs. Two front wheels handle drive and steering, and a single rear wheel provides stability. This compact layout allows the unit to fit within the width of the truck and minimizes overhang during transport. The three-wheel design also gives the machine a tight turning radius that is useful in residential driveways, jobsite lots, and other confined delivery areas.
Power is typically gasoline, diesel, or LPG. Electric piggyback units exist but are less common in delivery applications because of limited range and the challenges of charging in the field. Diesel is the most common choice for units that need to operate outdoors on varied terrain.
In most states, a piggyback forklift mounted on a truck does not require a separate vehicle registration because it is classified as an accessory to the delivery vehicle rather than a standalone vehicle. However, the combined weight of the truck, load, and mounted forklift must remain within the truck's GVWR and any applicable axle weight limits. Operators should verify weight compliance with their carrier and confirm any state-specific requirements before operating on public roads.
Typical Specifications
Who Uses Piggyback Forklifts
The common thread across every application is delivery to locations that do not have receiving infrastructure. If your customers have loading docks and forklifts of their own, a piggyback unit adds cost and complexity without solving a real problem. If your customers are residential jobsites, rural properties, small businesses, or any location that lacks material handling equipment, a piggyback unit is often the difference between a workable delivery operation and a constant logistical headache.
Building Materials and Lumber
One of the most common applications. Lumber yards, roofing suppliers, masonry distributors, and building materials dealers make deliveries to residential construction sites and small commercial jobsites that have no dock and no forklift. The piggyback unit rides along and handles unloading on whatever surface is available, whether that is a gravel driveway, a graded lot, or a suburban backyard.
Beverage Distribution
Beverage distributors delivering to bars, restaurants, and small retailers frequently encounter locations where the only unloading option is hand-trucking cases through a back door. A piggyback unit allows pallet-level delivery to a wider range of accounts, reducing labor and delivery time per stop significantly.
Landscaping and Nursery
Delivery of palletized sod, mulch, stone, plants, and hardscape materials to residential and commercial properties is a natural fit. Landscaping deliveries almost never have a dock. A piggyback unit can place a pallet of stone exactly where the customer needs it rather than dropping it at the curb and letting the crew move it by hand.
Agricultural Supply
Farm supply deliveries, feed and seed distributors, and agricultural chemical suppliers often serve rural locations with no material handling infrastructure. Piggyback units are well-suited to the uneven terrain and remote delivery points common in agricultural applications.
General Freight and LTL Delivery
Less-than-truckload freight that serves a mix of dock and non-dock locations benefits from a truck that can handle both. Rather than requiring a separate liftgate service for non-dock deliveries, a piggyback unit handles the full range of delivery types from a single vehicle.
Flatbed and Heavy Freight
Flatbed operators delivering steel, pipe, lumber, and construction materials to jobsites use heavier-capacity piggyback units to self-unload without requiring a crane or forklift on the receiving end.
Major Brands in the Market
| Brand | Overview | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Moffett | The most widely recognized name in piggyback forklifts, now owned by Manitou Group. Available in gasoline, diesel, and LPG configurations across multiple capacity tiers. | Market leader, widest dealer network, most common unit on the road in North America |
| Manitou | French manufacturer that acquired Moffett and also produces its own truck-mounted forklift lines. Broad product range covering light delivery to heavy freight applications. | Engineering quality, variety of configurations, global parts availability |
| Pettibone | American manufacturer producing truck-mounted forklifts under the Cary-Lift brand. Well-known in the building materials and lumber segments. | Durability in rough outdoor environments, strong in lumber and construction applications |
| Stellar Industries | US-based manufacturer with a line of truck-mounted forklifts. Common in flatbed and freight delivery applications. | Integration with flatbed truck bodies, made in the USA |
| Hiab | Finnish manufacturer offering a range of truck-mounted material handling equipment including piggyback-style units. Strong in Europe with a growing North American presence. | Engineering quality, integration with truck crane systems |
Buying vs Renting a Piggyback Forklift
When Buying Makes Sense
If your operation makes regular deliveries to non-dock locations and a piggyback unit would be in use most working days, ownership is the right direction. The unit becomes a fixed part of your delivery fleet and its cost is spread over years of service. Used piggyback forklifts are actively traded and a well-maintained unit can provide many years of reliable service if cared for properly. Purchase prices for used units vary widely depending on age, hours, and condition, but the market is active enough that options exist at multiple price points.
When Renting Makes Sense
Seasonal businesses, project-based operations, or companies testing piggyback delivery before committing to a purchase are good rental candidates. A building contractor who needs a truck-mounted unit for a specific project phase, or a landscaping company with heavy spring delivery volume and lighter fall demand, may be better served by renting rather than carrying the capital cost of ownership year-round. Rental availability varies by market. Not every equipment rental company carries piggyback units, so sourcing may require outreach to specialty providers.
A piggyback forklift is only as useful as the truck it is mounted on. Before purchasing a unit, confirm that your delivery truck or trucks are rated for the combined weight of the forklift and a full load of freight. The mounting frame also requires installation, which is typically done by a dealer or qualified fabricator and adds to the upfront cost of the setup. Factor both into your total cost of ownership calculation.
What to Look for When Evaluating a Used Piggyback Forklift
Used piggyback units take significantly more abuse than a typical warehouse forklift. They travel on public roads, operate on uneven outdoor surfaces, and are mounted and dismounted repeatedly. A used unit evaluation should cover all of the standard forklift inspection points plus a few specific to the piggyback application.
- Mounting frame and receiver condition. Inspect the mounting frame on the forklift and the receiver bracket on the truck for cracks, deformation, and weld quality. This is a structural safety component and any damage is disqualifying.
- Frame integrity. Piggyback units sustain more frame stress than warehouse machines due to road vibration and rough terrain. Inspect the chassis for cracks, particularly around weld points and the mast mounting area.
- Hour meter reading. Verify that the hours are accurate and cross-reference against the apparent wear on the seat, controls, and tires. High-hour units are not necessarily bad buys but the price should reflect the wear.
- Tire condition. Most piggyback units run pneumatic tires designed for outdoor terrain. Check tread depth, sidewall condition, and inflation. Tire replacement on a piggyback unit can be expensive given the specialized sizes some models use.
- Hydraulic system. Test the mast, tilt, and any attachments through their full range of motion and check for leaks at cylinder seals and hose connections. Hydraulic repairs on a unit that has operated outdoors in variable weather are common and should be factored into pricing.
- Engine condition. Listen for unusual noises, check fluid levels, and look for oil leaks. Piggyback engines run hard and irregular maintenance histories are common on used units.
Piggyback Forklifts in the Charlotte Market
The Charlotte metro and surrounding Piedmont region have a strong base of industries that use piggyback forklifts regularly. Construction activity across the greater Charlotte area, including residential development in Cabarrus, Union, and Iredell counties, drives steady demand from building materials and lumber suppliers. Landscaping and nursery businesses serving the region's large residential market also represent a consistent user base.
Availability of piggyback units for purchase or rental in the Charlotte market is more limited than standard counterbalance or reach truck inventory. If you are sourcing a piggyback unit locally, working with a provider who has experience with specialty equipment and can advise on mounting compatibility for your specific truck is worth the additional step. A local provider who understands your delivery operation and fleet configuration will save time compared to a national dealer who does not know the market.
Charlotte Lift Trucks is an independent forklift matching service connecting businesses across the Charlotte metro with independent local equipment providers. Looking for a piggyback forklift for your delivery operation? Request a free consultation →