There’s no point in buying or renting a forklift that can carry the loads you need to lift if it won’t fit where you need it to go.Ĭonsider the length, width and height (especially the collapsed height) of your forklift with respect to access points such as aisles, doors, gates, low-hanging beams and branches the height of your ceiling (factor in any overhead lights) and your storage space. And keep in mind that forklift capacity is reduced as you lift the load higher. When choosing a machine based on forklift capacity, give yourself wiggle room - consider your heaviest loads, not just your average ones. The actual load capacity of your forklift will be affected by several factors, including the shape of load you’re carrying, any attachments you’re using and how high you need to lift the load. Counterbalance forklifts can usually lift more weight than forklifts without a counterweight. Larger forklifts often have greater capacity.įorklifts come in a wide range of load capacities, from 3,000 pounds on the low end to 70,000+ pounds for a high capacity diesel forklift on the high end. The number is listed on the machine’s data plate.

One of the main considerations when choosing a forklift is its rated capacity, or load capacity, which tells you the maximum weight it can safely lift. To get the most out of your forklift, you’ll need one that can function in your workspace, whether that’s the narrow aisles of a warehouse or the muddy terrain of a lumber yard, and one that can lift and carry your loads. What size forklift do I need? Consider load capacity and dimensions Understanding common forklift sizes, forklift dimensions and forklift types will help you identify the right machine for your job. But with so many forklifts types and forklift sizes to pick from, you may be wondering how to choose. Whether you’re lifting items from warehouse racks, loading pallets onto a truck or transporting materials around a construction site, there’s a forklift for every task.

Forklift capacity chart