12/11/2026 | Wester

Tractor pallet carrier: how to choose and use one

The short answer

A pallet carrier is an implement with two fork tines that you attach to the three-point linkage at the rear of your tractor. Using the hydraulics of the linkage, you lift pallets, crates and big bags and move them around the yard, the nursery or the building site.

The difference with pallet forks: those sit on the front loader and lift higher, while a pallet carrier hangs in the rear linkage and needs no front loader. Choose a pallet carrier in the same category as your linkage and keep the weight of carrier and load well within your tractor's lift capacity.

What is a pallet carrier and what do you use it for?

A pallet carrier consists of a sturdy frame with mounting points for the three-point linkage and two fork tines at the bottom. You reverse up to the pallet, lower the forks, slide the tines under the pallet and lift the load with the linkage. Then you drive to the spot where the pallet needs to go, with the load behind the tractor.

Typical uses include:

moving bags of feed, bedding or fertiliser from the delivery point to storage

moving trays, potting soil and plant trolleys in nurseries and greenhouses

moving bricks, paving slabs and bags of sand on a building site or yard

delivering crates, big bags and materials around parks, campsites and sports facilities

In the Knegt range of implements, the pallet carrier sits alongside the transport box and the bale clamp for transport and loading. Which of the three suits you best depends on what you mainly move: pallets, loose material or bales.

Pallet carrier or pallet forks: what is the difference?

Both have fork tines, but they are mounted in a different place on the tractor and are meant for different work.

Position: the pallet carrier hangs in the three-point linkage at the rear. Pallet forks sit on the front loader.

Front loader required: not for a pallet carrier, but it is for pallet forks. If you have no front loader, a pallet carrier is the simplest way to move pallets.

Lift height: pallet forks on a front loader lift much higher, for example to put a pallet on a trailer or a rack. A pallet carrier lifts as high as the linkage reaches and is mainly meant to pick up pallets, carry them and set them down on the ground again.

Visibility: with pallet forks the load is in front of you. With a pallet carrier you look over your shoulder when picking up and setting down.

Use: if you have both, you hang the pallet carrier in the linkage and keep the front loader free for other work, for example with a bucket or bale spear.

The rule of thumb: if you mainly move pallets at ground level from A to B, a pallet carrier will do. If you regularly need to stack pallets high or load them onto a trailer, a front loader with pallet forks is the better choice.

How to choose the right pallet carrier in 5 steps

Determine your heaviest load: check the weight you move most often and the maximum, including the pallet itself.

Check your tractor's lift capacity: the linkage must be able to lift the weight of the pallet carrier and the load. Knegt states lift capacity at 61 cm behind the ball ends: 665 kg for the electric 404G2E and 1,100 kg for the 504G3E. You can find the figures for the other models on the models page or ask your dealer.

Allow for distance: the further the load hangs behind the lower links, the less the linkage can lift. So keep a generous margin.

Choose the right category: the pallet carrier must match the category of your three-point linkage, category 1 (22 mm pins) or category 2 (28 mm pins). Your tractor's category is stated in the manual.

Consider your pallets and your terrain: match the tine length and the spacing between the tines to the pallets you use, and check whether the spacing is adjustable if you work with different pallets. On grass, gravel and slopes, drive more slowly and keep the load low.

If you are unsure about any of these points, your Knegt dealer will check that the pallet carrier and tractor are a good match.

Working safely with a pallet carrier

A full pallet at the rear of the tractor shifts the centre of gravity backwards and makes the front lighter. Follow these rules of thumb to work safely:

Slide the tines as far under the pallet as possible, so the load hangs close to the tractor.

Lift the load no higher than needed to clear the ground.

Drive calmly, especially in bends, on slopes and on uneven ground.

Watch the front axle: with heavy loads in the rear linkage, extra weight at the front keeps the tractor stable and steerable. Discuss with your dealer whether this is needed.

Look behind you carefully and make sure nobody stands between the tractor and the pallet when you operate the linkage.

Set the load down on the ground before you get off.

On the electric Knegt tractors, the hydraulics run on their own 15 hp electric motor, separate from the drive motor. This keeps hydraulic power available for the linkage, even while you are driving. Because an electric compact tractor is quiet and produces no exhaust fumes, you can also use the pallet carrier indoors, for example in barns, greenhouses and stables.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a pallet carrier and pallet forks?

A pallet carrier hangs in the three-point linkage at the rear of the tractor and needs no front loader. Pallet forks sit on the front loader and lift higher.

How much can I move with a pallet carrier?

That depends on your tractor's lift capacity and the load rating of the pallet carrier itself. Add up the weight of carrier and load and stay well below the lift capacity of your model.

Does a pallet carrier fit every tractor?

It fits tractors with a three-point linkage in the same category. Check the category of your linkage and the lift capacity before you choose.

Can I attach a pallet carrier to an electric Knegt?

Yes, a pallet carrier in the right category attaches to the three-point linkage like any other implement. Your dealer will be happy to check which version suits your model.

Advice on pallet carriers and tractors

Would you like to know which pallet carrier suits your tractor, your pallets and your terrain? Book an advice session or find a Knegt dealer near you. For the current price of a pallet carrier, simply request a quote.

Would you rather first experience how an electric Knegt works with an implement in the linkage? Then request a free demo on your own site.

Bekijk elektrische modellen Bekijk dieselmodellen

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