--- title: "Moffett vs. Truck-Mounted Forklift: Which Is Right for Your Yard?" description: Compare Moffett and truck-mounted forklifts to determine the best fit for your yard's delivery needs. Learn about their pros, cons, and real-world applications. image: https://trinitytrucksales.ca/hubfs/Moffett-1.jpg --- [![Trinity Truck Sales logo](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/hubfs/Trinity%20Truck%20Sales.jpg)The Building Centre Truck ProgramOperated by Trinity Truck Sales](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/?hsLang=en) [Home](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/?hsLang=en) Who We Help ▾ [Home Hardware](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/the-home-hardware-truck-program?hsLang=en) [Castle Building Centres](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/castle-truck-program?hsLang=en) [All Canadian Building Centres](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/building-centre-truck-program?hsLang=en) [Fleet Advisor +](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/fleet-advisor-plus?hsLang=en) [Our Truck Guide](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/building-centre-product-catalogue?hsLang=en) [About Trinity](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/our-story?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/phil-aitkens-bi-weekly) [Contact](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/contact-me-global?hsLang=en) ☰ Looking to speak with Phil? call directly at [(289) 527-4345](tel:12895274345) [Home](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/?hsLang=en) › [Blog](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/phil-aitkens-bi-weekly) # Moffett vs. Truck-Mounted Forklift: Which Is Right for Your Yard? ![Phil Aitken](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/e0b1fa7ef5f70dbbc84514aff5461c2a) **Phil Aitken**, President, Trinity Truck Sales • Oct 30, 2025, 10:32:02 PM • 5 min read ![\ If you’re running a Home Hardware, Castle, or Timber Mart yard, you’ve probably had this debate more than once: should you run Moffetts, or go heavier with truck-mounted forklifts like Princeton or Manitou? It’s not just a matter of preference or brand loyalty. The choice directly affects your delivery efficiency, driver safety, payload, and how many mornings you’ll spend pulling a machine out of a muddy subdivision. Let’s get into the real-world pros and cons — and finish with a side-by-side spec sheet you can actually use. ![manitou](https://44792138.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/44792138/hubfs/manitou.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=manitou.jpg) **Manitou TMT 55 XT Y ST5** ![Moffett](https://44792138.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/44792138/hubfs/Moffett.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=Moffett.jpg) ****Moffet M8 55.3PL NX****   ![Princton](https://44792138.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/44792138/hubfs/Princton.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=Princton.png) ****Princeton Hiab PB55Plus**** --- ## **1. What a Moffett Really Brings to the Table** A **Moffett** (often called a “piggyback forklift”) rides on the back of your delivery truck or trailer and detaches within minutes. Once it’s off, it handles lumber, drywall, shingles — basically anything you’d deliver to a builder or job site. **Where it wins:** - **Tight Job Sites:** Ideal for infill and downtown deliveries. Narrow frame, great turning radius, and low weight make it perfect for residential streets and tight lots. - **Speed:** A trained operator can unload in two minutes flat. No waiting for site equipment or extra help. - **Versatility:** Handles everything from siding to trusses with optional pantograph reach. **Where it struggles:** - **Soft Ground:** Limited ground clearance means mud, gravel, or new subdivisions can be a problem. - **Payload Loss:** You’ll lose around 2,500–3,000 lbs of truck payload to the mounting kit and machine weight. - **Upfront Cost:** Expect around **$45K–$55K CAD** for a new setup with mounting hardware. Still, for fast, multi-stop delivery routes, Moffetts are hard to beat. --- ## **2. Truck-Mounted Forklifts: Built for the Rough Stuff** Truck-mounted rough-terrain forklifts like **Princeton PB55+** or **Manitou TMT 55 XT** are beefier. They’re designed for heavy materials and job sites that look more like a gravel pit than a cul-de-sac. **Where they win:** - **All-Terrain Performance:** They can handle ruts, mud, and uneven ground. - **Heavier Lifts:** 5,500–7,000 lbs lift capacity means you can move bulk stone, masonry, or landscaping pallets with ease. - **Durability:** Built to take abuse. These units often outlast Moffetts in rough-use environments. **Where they struggle:** - **Weight:** Heavier units mean more payload loss and less fuel efficiency. - **Size:** They’re not ideal for tight urban work — turning and clearance are limited. - **Service Costs:** Heavier systems and more complex hydraulics mean higher maintenance bills over time. If your deliveries are mostly rural or heavy construction, a truck-mounted unit is a smarter long-term play. --- ## **3. Real-World Use Cases** Let’s be honest — every yard is different. Here’s how it breaks down across Canada: - **Downtown Toronto or Calgary:** Moffett wins. You’ll save time, and drivers won’t have to fight for space. - **Sudbury, North Bay, or Prince George:** Go truck-mounted. High ground clearance pays off the first time you drop block on a muddy lot. - **Mixed Operations:** Many yards run both — Moffetts for quick, local drops; truck-mounted units for bulk or rough deliveries. - **Seasonal Deliveries:** Moffetts tend to run better year-round since they handle snow and ice with fewer issues than people think, as long as you’re not in deep mud. --- ## **4. Spec Sheet: Typical Models We See** Here’s a side-by-side look at the real specs you’ll be comparing when you spec your next delivery truck. | **Category** | **Moffett M8 55.3 (Piggyback Forklift)** | **Princeton PB55+ (Rough Terrain)** | **Manitou TMT 55 XT (Rough Terrain)** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Lift Capacity** | 5,500 lbs @ 24" | 5,500 lbs @ 24" | 5,500 lbs @ 24" | | **Engine** | Kubota 3-cyl diesel (56 HP) | Deutz 4-cyl diesel (56 HP) | Kubota 4-cyl diesel (56 HP) | | **Operating Weight** | ~5,700 lbs | ~6,700 lbs | ~6,900 lbs | | **Payload Impact on Truck** | ~2,700 lbs | ~3,200 lbs | ~3,200 lbs | | **Lift Height** | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | | **Reach (Pantograph)** | 67" | 62" | 59" | | **Ground Clearance** | 10" | 12" | 13" | | **Drive Type** | All-wheel hydrostatic | All-wheel hydrostatic | All-wheel hydrostatic | | **Turning Radius** | 100" | 120" | 125" | | **Travel Speed** | 7 mph | 7 mph | 7.5 mph | | **Detach Time** | 1.5–2 minutes | 2.5–3 minutes | 2.5–3 minutes | | **Mounting Clearance Needed** | 60"–66" | 80"–84" | 80"–84" | | **Ideal Applications** | Lumber, drywall, siding | Block, landscaping, masonry | Heavy materials, rural deliveries | | **Approx. Cost (CAD)** | $48K–$55K | $58K–$68K | $62K–$75K | | **Dealer Support (Canada)** | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate | | **Resale Value (5 yrs)** | 60–70% | 50–60% | 55–65% | --- ## **5. Cost and ROI: Where the Dollars Land** A well-maintained Moffett typically holds **60–70% of its value after five years**, making it easier to upgrade when you replace your trucks. Truck-mounted units depreciate slower but are harder to sell — there’s less secondary market demand outside of bulk delivery fleets. **Maintenance averages (annual):** - Moffett: $1,500–$2,500 - Truck-Mounted: $2,500–$3,500 The difference doesn’t sound big until you multiply it by three or four units over a decade. --- ## **6. The Operator Factor** Don’t underestimate this one. Moffetts are faster to learn — most drivers are comfortable after one or two days. Truck-mounted forklifts take a little more finesse, and some operators simply prefer one type over the other. If you’ve got seasonal turnover or newer drivers, the Moffett is a safer bet operationally. --- ## **7. Safety, Insurance, and Compliance** Both systems are considered **truck-mounted material handling equipment** under Canadian CVOR regulations, but insurance can differ slightly: - Moffetts are lighter and often cheaper to insure. - Heavier truck-mounted forklifts can bump premiums a few percentage points if they’re used off-road regularly. Always double-check with your insurer before ordering — those small differences can eat into your ROI. --- ## **Bottom Line** - **Urban/Suburban Routes:** Moffett wins for speed, maneuverability, and resale. - **Rural/Heavy Construction:** Truck-mounted forklifts win for traction, lift capacity, and durability. - **Mixed Fleet:** Many Canadian yards run both, matched to route type — that’s the real efficiency play. --- ### **Final Word** Before you spec your next truck, take 10 minutes and look back at your last 50 deliveries. - How many were downtown or in tight residential areas? - How many were rural or new-construction sites? That’ll tell you which machine really makes sense for your operation. And if you’re not sure, give me a call — I’ve helped a lot of yards across Canada pick the right setup, and a quick chat about your routes can save you thousands before you sign off on the next build. 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For 18 years Phil has spec'd, sourced and delivered work trucks for Canadian building centres. [Read Phil's story](https://trinitytrucksales.ca/our-story?hsLang=en) or call [(289) 527-4345](tel:12895274345). Have a truck decision coming up? ## Send me your daily load and delivery radius I'll come back with a spec, price and sourcing plan. No obligation, no lot-pushing. 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