
Keep in mind that other factors may influence the capacity of your forklift, such as the weight of extra attachments (e.g. For instance, a forklift rated for 2,000 lbs at a 24" load center will only be able to carry 1,666 lbs at 36".Īlthough this is a fairly straightforward calculation, our online calculator will save you time and allow you to quickly determine the maximum weight capacity of a forklift if it must be loaded outside its load center. In this case, it is useful to do a load center calculation. Perhaps the center of mass of the cargo is outside the rated load center, but within the weight rating. Often, there are situations where the load does not exactly fit within the parameters of the rating. Thus, the forklift's load center and weight rating can tell us its rated load moment - which is the capability that really matters. A given weight has a larger "load moment" as it is moved out from the front wheels of a forklift. Forklifts are not only rated for a specific weight - they are also rated for a certain load center. Too much weight on the forks can tip the forklift, which is an extremely dangerous situation. For this problem, the actual load center is 30 inches.Forklifts are designed to lift and move large loads, within specific limits. Next, determine the actual load center distance. In this case, this is determined to be 20 inches. Next, determine the standard load center distance. In this example, the rated capacity of the forklift is 7,500 lbs at standard load center. The following example outlines the steps and information needed to calculate Forklift Load Center Capacity.įirst, determine the rated capacity. How to Calculate Forklift Load Center Capacity?

What is a Forklift Load Center Capacity?Ī load center capacity describes the equivalent capacity a forklift can hold when the load center distance is different than the standard load center distance that the forklift was rated at.

To calculate the forklift load center capacity, divide the standard load center by the actual load center, then multiply by the rated capacity.

