While there are many factors that help determine which forklift is right for your job, capacity should be at the top of your priority list. The data plate on your forklift provides helpful details, but it doesn’t tell the entire story. For example, if the plate says its rated capacity is 12,000 pounds, that doesn’t always mean you can lift any load up to this amount. You must also consider:
With knowledge of these factors, you can then calculate the true capacity of your forklift. Here’s how all these pieces of information work together.
It doesn’t matter if you call it load capacity, net capacity, or rated capacity—these terms all mean the same thing. There is a maximum weight a forklift can raise at a specified load center.
The words “load center” are important to note, as a forklift cannot lift to its maximum capacity with a load that’s off-center1. The load center is defined as the horizontal distance from the vertical face of the forks to the center of gravity of the load.
Rated capacity and net capacity appear to be the same number, but that’s not necessarily true.
Rated capacity refers to the maximum weight on the data plate2. This number can vary greatly from model to model, with capacity typically falling between 3,000 and 158,000 pounds.
Net capacity, also known as payload capacity, is the actual weight the forklift can carry. It takes into consideration attachments, forklift weight, mast type, and any modifications to the vehicle.
Answering this one question will help you understand what type of forklift to choose. Generally, it’s best to err on the side of caution. If your typical load size is 5,000 pounds, a forklift with a rated capacity of 5,000 pounds is probably too small. Move up a step, such as a rated capacity of 7,500 pounds.
If you’re only using a forklift to move items on the ground, this question won’t influence your selection. However, if you need a vehicle to lift your loads, such as in a warehouse setting, only certain options will work.
Lifting capacity and maximum load height should both drive your decision.
Just the same as weight, the length of your load will impact the forklift that you buy or rent. Length affects the load center, so it will influence how much weight your forklift can safely lift and carry without tipping.
Attachments must be taken into consideration when calculating net capacity. If you don’t use them, you can skip over this question. However, if you often use accessories while lifting, you must understand their impact on capacity. Common attachments include:
Attachments often project the load further out from the body of the lift, which can change the machine’s center of gravity3. This means you’ll need to plan for less weight capacity, even if the attachment improves your reach and lift.
With all this information, you now have a clear idea of how to determine the forklift capacity you need. Browse our inventory of new forklifts to benefit from the most advanced features. Our lineup of used forklifts makes it easy to get reliable equipment for a price that fits your budget. We provide information about each unit’s capacity requirements, so you can make an informed decision and contact our sales team to learn more.
The load center of a forklift is identified by the center of gravity of a lift’s load measured from the face of the forks. Depending on where the load center is, a forklift’s functional lifting capacity changes. This is a safety feature that allows operators to avoid lifts going off-center and tipping. The standard load center is usually assumed to be 24 inches, and all weight ratings are calculated using that assumption4.
If the load center is longer than the standard measurement, a lift’s maximum capacity lowers to ensure a safe and balanced load. You can consult your lifts’ data plates to see what their lifting capacities are at various load centers. If you work with bulky loads or are frequently maxing out your lifts, you should verify the lift’s load center with the cargo loaded to ensure that no capacities are being exceeded.
When adding attachments to a lift, the lift center is very likely to change. This means that you always need to consider what types of loads you need to lift and determine each lift’s load center and corresponding new maximum lifting capacity once your attachments have been installed.
Because attachments change where a lift’s load center ends up, adding attachments will occasionally mean that your lift can’t handle certain loads. In cases like this, a different attachment should be chosen, or a different lift that has an appropriate capacity at that load center needs to be used for the job.
As a rule, the lift capacities listed on a forklift’s data plate and in the owners manual are calculated assuming that the lift is operated on flat, even ground–typically well-leveled concrete. This means that even small changes in the terrain can drastically alter a lift’s net lifting capacity5.
When driven indoors, it’s safe to apply a forklift’s capacities as listed. However, when the terrain becomes uneven or when the lift is operated on softer surfaces, like dirt or gravel, a forklift’s center of gravity can shift ever so slightly, altering its effective lifting capacity. To stay safe, it’s best to operate outdoor lifts under capacity.
There are several different mast types, and forklifts of different types will have different maximum heights they can extend to. Each of these factors changes a lift’s overall capacity. For example, simplex mast lifts tend to have the lowest lift heights, and they are ideal for lifting and stacking pallets. On the other hand, triplex mast lifts are used in warehouses with high ceilings, where their extreme lift heights become more useful.
The higher a lift goes, the higher its center of gravity gets. Correspondingly, its maximum lift capacity lowers, meaning that lifts can carry drastically less cargo at maximum height than they can when kept low6.
It’s always critical to calculate a forklift’s net capacity by accounting for all possible factors present at the worksite7. Factors like the attachments being used, the type of terrain, the grade of the floor being worked on, and the load center all change what a lift’s effective maximum capacity is. Ignoring these factors could lead to dangerous conditions and an overloaded lift.
This can lead to damaged equipment, tip overs, and personal injury and death, and it should be avoided at all costs. Before loading your lift, always take these factors into account to determine an accurate lift capacity.
When a forklift’s load center exceeds 24 inches, the machine’s center of gravity can move forward dangerously, putting the lift at risk of tipping over or spilling cargo. The lift may also become more difficult to drive and may behave unpredictably or unreliably.
If the load center shifts too far forward, try to rearrange the cargo to rein in the load center. If this isn’t possible, it may be necessary to separate the cargo into multiple loads until the load center is safe. If neither of the above options works, it may be necessary to use a different type of lift for the work.
