When you purchase a 5,000lb. Capacity forklift, you probably expect it to lift 5,000lbs.And it will – but only in the right circumstances. How much a forklift can safely lift is constantly changing. The higher the lift height, the less capacity. And this can be influenced even more by factors like attachments, load shape and distribution and load center.
Attachments like clamps or even sideshifters can also reduce the capacity as they affect the weight distribution – which can alter the load center.
Most forklifts are designed for a 24-inch load center — longer loads shift the center of gravity and reduce lifting capacity. Uneven weight distribution can also affect your forklift’s strength. Remember to place the heaviest part of the load closest to the fork face.
Fork Condition:
The “heel” of the forklift (the bottom of the 90° angle) is a great indicator of the wear on your forks. You can lose around 20% of your lifting capacity for every10% of erosion of your forks. Wear and tear on other components can also play a role in capacity retention – just look at your tires.
The more stable a forklift, the better the capacity retention. As a rule of thumb, cushion tires provide more capacity retention than pneumatic tires, but dual tire configurations and wider tread tires can help improve the weight capacity even with pneumatic tires.
Why do electric counterbalanced lift trucks have a minimum battery weight? It’s because those batteries are working as part of the counterweight. Reducing the weight of the battery would reduce the amount you can safely lift. Make sure to check your forklift’s data plate to be sure your battery meets the truck’s requirements.
Interested in brushing up on more of your forklift basics?
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