10 Things to Consider When Buying Hooklift Systems

08 Sep.,2025

 

Hook Lift Truck: A Detailed Guide To Help You Buy Them New Or ...

# 1: Lifting Capacity

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Consider the weight of materials you intend to haul to decide how powerful the hooklift system should be. Depending on the nature of your business, investing in a little more power than you currently need can allow you to carry weightier loads and extend your business opportunities in the future.

# 2: Cab Control

The 3 kinds of in-cab control systems to consider are hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical with each being more suitable than others for specific applications. In case of heavy equipment applications, for example, hydraulic is usually the system of choice, while electric control offers quick and responsive functionalities for light-duty jobs.

# 3: Slide And Tilt

The purpose of use will determine if articulated sliding or tilting jib is a better choice for you. A combination of both, however, does make drops and lifts easier in working environments with low headroom.

# 4: Storage Options

When on duty, hooklift trucks don’t travel light. They carry all kinds of gear and utility materials which are stored in underbody or side mounted steel or aluminum toolboxes. The size of these toolboxes can be upto 48” long with an interior depth of 16”, and they can be customized with sectioning, shelving, waterproof sealing etc to suit the specific carry-all needs for your kind of operations.

# 5: Fuel Efficiency

Hooklift trucks run predominantly on diesel or gasoline, which offer maximum fuel efficiency. Some things that will determine your choice are the most common functions you want your hooklift to perform, weight of the lift, the payload it is expected to carry and the nature of the hydraulics installed.

# 1: Go With A Reputable Seller

Pre-owned hooklift trucks are not expected to come in a gently used condition. But overuse, misuse and abuse that go beyond expected wear and tear can become a huge financial drain in the long run as you replace worn parts, re-start maintenance checklists that were ignored in the past and try to extend the longevity of your workhorse. Go with a reputable hook-lift dealer, who stands behind the unit they are selling to save yourself the stress and expense of buying blind.

# 2: Ask For Maintenance Records

Making sure that the hooklift unit comes with a maintenance record gives you the peace of mind of seeing documented proof of servicing and maintenance jobs undertaken by previous owners on it in the past.

# 3: Check The Engine And Drivetrain

The probability of damaged engine or transmission is pretty high if the hooklift is showing signs of transmission fluid leaks or engine oil leaks. Have these checked out, and also see if the hooklift owner is willing to give you a drivetrain warranty.

# 4: Check The Electrical System

Hooklifts are composed of a large number of moving parts and some of these can heat up very quickly. If wiring harnesses and rubber hoses come in contact with an overheated engine compartment, for example, it can cause leaking and shorting of the electrical system. Make sure you have these checked and evaluated by an experienced professional before you buy.

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# 5: Check The Hooklift Hoist

The hoist, attached to the frame of the truck, needs special inspection to make sure it is in pristine condition with no signs of rusting and cracks or bending of shape. Make sure that hoist pins (where the hoist and frame connect) are in good working condition as well.

# 6: Check For Cleanliness

If the hooklift unit has not been cleaned regularly and on schedule in the past, you may run risks like clogged valves. A clean lift system also says a lot about the previous hooklift owner and how well the unit was looked after while in his or her care.

# 7: Listen For Sounds

Turn off the radio or any environmental sound and listen for any unusual sounds emanating from the hooklift trucks’s operating system. Noise anomalies can be a great help when trying to investigate performance glitches that are not readily apparent to the eye.

# 8: Check The Noise Pollution Factor

Lower engine RPMs, minimal friction and shorter cycle times will help you stay compliant with noise regulations, in case there are any in the area you intend to use your hooklift.

# 9: Consider The Resale Value

Hooklift trucks can give reliable service for many, many years, which is why you should always keep an eye on the resale value in case you choose to diversify or modify your business and have to sell the hooklift you’re buying today.

What to look for when purchasing your first hooklift - Ampliroll

If you’re in any way involved in trucking or transportation, it’s likely you know the many advantages of hydraulic hooklift systems.

Users purchase a single truck chassis, outfit it with a hydraulic hooklift, and then purchase as many truck bodies as they need. Roll on a dump body for today’s excavation work, roll it off at sundown, and go with a water tanker body for tomorrow’s schedule. One truck can do the work of many — and contractors, municipalities, waste haulers and many others are reaping the cost savings!

If that kind of efficiency appeals to you, then you’ll want to know what to look for when purchasing your first hooklift. And, perhaps your most important first decision is hook height. Here are some considerations that will guide your choice before signing that purchase order …

  • What’s the best hook height? 36-inch, 54-inch and 62-inch hooklift heights are available. And, so are dual-height hooks … at an additional cost.
  • Some suppliers will, of course, push you to go with the more expensive dual-height hooklift. But beware; this makes no sense when purchasing your first unit. Why? You’ll also be purchasing your equipment to match the particular hook height of the loader you are buying. With a dual-height hooklift, you might end up with a mismatched collection of 36-inch and 54-inch bodies and containers!
  • Another argument against dual-height hook loaders? They entail additional expenses and maintenance costs that are not required for your initial purchase!
  • Next question: If a single hook height is best, should you go with a 36-inch type? No. Because limiting yourself to a 36-inch hook height only allows for restricted-size bodies and containers. Similarly, 62-inch hook heights will be too large for most operations. Both are decisions you’re likely to regret in the long run.

Your best first choice? A 54-inch hooklift height.

With the 54-inch, you get maximum flexibility for your investment. Even if you’re considering a smaller hook for, say an F-550-class chassis, Ampliroll always recommends a 54-inch hook height. The reason? It allows for future expansion and growth of your company to bigger containers and larger equipment. Now, and down the road, it’s a good decision.

For selection, savings and service, make Ampliroll your first choice in hydraulic hooklift systems.

Ampliroll Hooklift Systems are manufactured by Marrel – the inventor of hooklifts in and first again in bringing them to users across the U.S. in . Today, Ampliroll is the nation’s leading provider of hooklift systems. Of course, we also offer high-quality pre-owned hooklift vehicles.