A triple mast forklift, also known as a triplex or three-stage mast, is the most popular and versatile mast configuration for lift trucks, designed to provide high lift heights while maintaining a low collapsed height for maneuverability in spaces with limited overhead clearance. It features three sets of rails: one stationary outer rail and two movable inner rails, allowing it to extend to nearly three times its collapsed height. This design makes it the ideal choice for general warehouse operations, high-bay storage, and facilities that require both high stacking and the ability to operate in low-clearance areas.
Key Specifications and Capabilities
Specification Typical Range Notes
Maximum Lift Height 3,000 – 12,000 mm (10 – 40 ft) Can reach 30+ ft in many applications
Collapsed Height Low profile relative to max height Allows operation under low doorways and ceilings
Free Lift Full Forks can rise without mast extension
Stages 3 (one stationary + two movable) Provides optimal balance of height and stability
Common Mast Heights 3,000 – 6,000 mm (10 – 20 ft) Standard configurations for general warehousing
A triple mast can achieve maximum fork heights of 235 inches (19.6 ft) or more when fully extended. For example, a triplex mast on a 3,000 lb electric forklift can collapse to 83 inches and extend to 189 inches (15.75 ft), while reach trucks with triplex masts can reach 360 inches (30 ft). Some specialized units can lift up to 12 meters (39.4 ft).
Key Advantages
High Lift Capacity with Low Collapsed Height: The triple-stage design allows a forklift to stack to significant heights while keeping the overall machine height low when the mast is collapsed. This dual capability is essential for warehouses that need to store pallets at high levels but also have low doorways or operate under mezzanines.
Full Free Lift: Triple masts provide full free lift, allowing the forks to rise without the mast itself extending. This is critical for safely entering and stacking loads inside trailers, shipping containers, and other low-clearance areas.
Versatility for General Warehouse Operations: The triplex mast is suitable for a wide range of applications, from stacking pallets in high-bay racking to working in confined spaces. This versatility makes it the most common mast type in warehouses and distribution centers.
Applications
High-Bay Warehousing: Stacking pallets to multi-level racking heights
E-commerce Fulfillment Centers: Maximizing vertical storage density
Cold Storage Facilities: Navigating low-hanging refrigeration units
Retail Warehouses and Distribution Centers: General stacking and order fulfillment
Lumber Yards and Building Material Storage: Reaching high stacks of materials
The bottom line: A triple mast forklift is a three-stage mast configuration that offers full free lift and high lifting capacity while maintaining a low collapsed height. It is the most popular mast for general warehouse operations, providing versatility for both high-bay stacking and low-clearance environments. Triple masts can reach heights from 3,000 to over 12,000 mm (10–40 ft), depending on the model and application.