REMOTE CONTROL FORKLIFT: HOW THE TOWABLE EQUIPTER TOW-A-LIFT WORKS
A remote control forklift is a forklift the operator runs from outside the machine, using a handheld transmitter instead of sitting in a cab. The Equipter® Tow-A-Lift is a remote control forklift built for outdoor work: it tows behind a standard pickup, drives itself off the hitch and onto the site, and lifts 3,000 lb up to 8 feet on grass, gravel and dirt. Below is how the remote works, where the operator stands, and which crews get the most out of one.
What a remote control forklift is
On a conventional forklift, the controls and the operator sit on the machine. On a remote control forklift, the controls move to a handheld remote and the operator walks alongside. The machine still drives, steers, lifts and sets the load — the difference is where the person running it is standing.
That difference matters most outdoors. An operator on foot can walk around a pallet before setting it, pick a sight line that is not blocked by the load or the mast, and stay on firm footing while the machine works across soft ground. On a lawn, a gravel drive or a half-graded lot, being able to choose where you stand is a practical advantage, not a novelty.
How the Tow-A-Lift remote works
The Tow-A-Lift is run from a handheld remote the operator carries on the job. Pairing is one-click. From the remote, the operator can:
- Drive and steer with joystick control
- Switch to skid-steer driving mode to turn inside tight areas
- Raise and lower the load
- Hit the emergency stop the moment anything looks wrong
Switching between Tow Mode and Work Mode takes minutes, which is part of why one truck and one person can cover several stops in a day.
Where the operator stands — and why that matters
Walking the load instead of riding the machine changes three things crews notice right away.
- Sight lines. The operator can move to wherever the forks, the pallet and the drop point are all visible, instead of working around a raised load.
- Footing on soft ground. On turf, mud or a slope, the operator can stand on stable ground and let the machine handle the uneven part of the site.
- Tight spots. Between a truck and a house, along a fence line or in a narrow side yard, the operator can stand clear and still place the load precisely.
Safety features are built into the machine: an emergency stop, outriggers that stabilize it under load, work lights for low-light work, and auto engage/disengage between tow and work modes. Follow the operator's manual and the load chart on every lift.
Who uses a towable remote control forklift
The same machine solves a version of the same problem for three different businesses.
- Contractors. Roofing, hardscape, landscaping, fencing, and pool and spa crews who need pallets moved from the curb to the work area without tearing up the lawn.
- Supply houses and dealers. Yards delivering block, pavers, shingles or sod that want to set the pallet where the customer actually wants it, not at the end of the driveway.
- Rental fleets. Rental locations whose customers tow the machine themselves, which keeps a delivery truck and driver free for other work.
Equipter Tow-A-Lift specifications
The Equipter Tow-A-Lift is a towable, remote-controlled, all-terrain forklift that hitches to a standard pickup.
- Lift capacity: 3,000 lb
- Lift height: 8′0″
- Empty weight: 3,160 lb
- Controls: handheld remote with emergency stop
- Transport: attaches to a standard pickup hitch — no trailer required
- Drive: self-propelled, with a skid-steer driving mode
- Power: Honda iGX 390 gas engine, 5.74-liter fuel capacity
- Tires: wide turf tires to limit damage to lawns and landscaping
Not ready to buy? You can rent an Equipter through a rental location near you, or explore financing options to spread the cost across the season.
FAQ
Is a remote control forklift safe?
Operated correctly, yes — and the remote is part of why. The operator works from outside the machine, so they can stand clear of the load path and pick a position with a clear view of the forks and the drop point. The Tow-A-Lift also carries an emergency stop, outriggers for stability under load, work lights, and auto engage/disengage between modes. Follow the operator's manual and the load chart on every lift.
Can one person operate it?
Yes. One person can tow it to the site, set it up, and move pallets without a second crew member spotting from the ground. That is the main labor argument for a remote control forklift on a small crew.
How much does the Equipter Tow-A-Lift cost?
Build and price one to your configuration through Build + Buy, or call 717-661-3591 to talk through options and delivery.
Ready to put one to work? Build and price an Equipter Tow-A-Lift to fit the way your crew works.