Vestil LM-CM Carriage Mounted Forklift Lift Boom — Direct Carriage Attachment, ITA Class 2 or Class 3

Carriage-Mounted Forklift Lift Boom — Direct Carriage Attachment for Heavy-Duty Lifting (ITA Class 2 or 3)

The Vestil LM-CM Carriage Mounted Lift Master Boom is a heavy-duty forklift attachment that mounts directly to your forklift's carriage rather than the forks — delivering more rigid, more capacity-friendly lifting performance for operations that use the boom daily and don't need the forks installed during boom work. Built with structural steel construction, AWS-welded joints, telescoping extendable reach, and a 10-position multi-hook system (A through J, from 36" to 144" reach), the LM-CM is the premium-tier choice for dedicated lifting operations in heavy-duty manufacturing, construction, steel fabrication, engine and transmission shops, marine operations, tank and vessel manufacturing, power generation maintenance, and any operation where boom lifting is a primary daily activity.

Why Carriage Mount vs Fork-Pocket Mount: Most forklift booms attach via fork pockets (slide onto your existing forks). The LM-CM takes a different approach — it hooks directly onto the forklift's carriage using standardized ITA Class 2 or Class 3 carriage hooks (the same standardized mounting system used for forks, side shifters, paper clamps, and other premium forklift attachments). Forks are REMOVED during boom operation, giving the boom a more rigid mounting interface, reducing lost load weight (no forks attached), and creating cleaner geometry for heavy lifts. The trade-off: longer installation/removal time (forks must be removed) and bulkier storage when not in use. For occasional boom operations where keeping the forks installed is preferred, see our fork-pocket boom series (LM-1NT, LM-1T, LM-EBNT, LM-EBT, or LM-HBE) instead.

⚠️ Critical Compatibility — ITA Carriage Class: Your forklift's carriage class MUST match the boom you order. ITA Class 2 (~16" pin spacing top-to-bottom) covers most US-market forklifts in the 3,000-5,000 lb capacity range. ITA Class 3 (~20" pin spacing top-to-bottom) covers larger forklifts in the 5,000-10,000 lb capacity range. Check your forklift's owner's manual for the carriage class specification, or measure the vertical distance between the upper and lower carriage hook pins. Wrong class = boom won't fit your forklift.

10-Position Multi-Hook System — Sliding Capacity Scale: Unlike single-hook booms with a fixed capacity rating, the LM-CM features 10 hook positions labeled A through J corresponding to 10 different boom reach distances. Each position has its own published capacity rating — closer hooks (position A at 36") deliver maximum capacity, while farther hooks (position J at 144") trade capacity for reach. This is engineering reality of cantilever lifting (load center moves further from the pivot point, reducing the effective leverage available), but Vestil's transparent documentation of derating per hook position is unusually clear and helps operators plan lifts correctly.

Maximum Single-Hook Capacity by Hook Position (lbs)

Use this table to plan your lifts: identify the actual reach distance you need, then verify the load you're lifting falls within the rated capacity at that specific hook position. For maximum capacity, use closer hook positions; for maximum reach, use farther hook positions with reduced load weight.

Construction & Build Quality: Both Class 2 and Class 3 variants feature structural steel construction with AWS-welded joints (American Welding Society standards) for professional-grade weld integrity. The telescoping mechanism delivers extendable reach for variable load distances. The blue and yellow powder-coat finish provides industrial durability, abrasion resistance, and high visibility for safety during operation. The carriage-mount interface is engineered for repeated installation and removal without wear on the mounting hooks.

Custom Fabrication Available: If your operation requires non-standard capacities, custom reach configurations, or non-standard carriage classes, Vestil's custom fabrication program can build to specification. Contact us before ordering to discuss your specific requirements.

⚠️ Load Center Safety Notice: NEVER EXCEED LOAD CENTER RATING PER FORKLIFT MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES. Adding any attachment shifts the load center forward, reducing the forklift's effective capacity. As the boom extends to farther hook positions, the load center moves further forward — operators must reduce load weight accordingly per the capacity derating table above. Consult your forklift's load center capacity chart before purchase and during operation.