How Do You Know the Capacity of Your Forklift?

Forklifts are vital to many businesses in the South Florida area and beyond. They deliver incredible load-carrying capabilities to help you ensure that you can get the job done right. With that being said, you should never exceed your forklift’s capacity. Doing so may not only damage your equipment but also poses a safety risk as well. To ensure that you don’t exceed your forklift’s weight capacity, you should know the limits of your equipment.

But, how do you know the capacity of your forklift? Oftentimes, you can find your forklift’s capacity by referencing its owner’s manual and paperwork. However, if you purchased a used forklift or you’ve lost the paperwork to your forklift, you may be wondering, “How do you calculate the load capacity of a forklift?” Fortunately, our service professionals can assist. Find out how to calculate your forklift’s capacity today with the experts at Rechtien International Trucks!

How Do You Calculate the Load Capacity of a Forklift?

To help you answer, “How do you know the capacity of your forklift?” we’re going to go over the steps to determine your forklift’s weight capacity. It’s a simple process you can follow and before you know it, you’ll know your forklift’s weight capacity so that you can operate it safely and securely. So, how do you calculate the load capacity of a forklift? Take a look below to find out:

1. Determine your forklift’s weight rating.
2. Multiply the weight rating by the forklift’s center load distance. This can often be found on your forklift’s data plate.
3. Once you’ve multiplied your forklift’s weight rating and its center load distance, you’ll have an estimate of what your forklift’s weight capacity should be.

Keep in mind that adding different attachments to your forklift can affect the weight capacity.

Why You Shouldn’t Exceed Your Forklift’s Weight Capacity

While it may seem trivial, it’s not recommended to go over your forklift’s weight capacity. The weight capacity is there for a reason and it’s highly recommended that you don’t exceed it. When you do exceed the weight limit of a forklift’s capacity, you run the risk of injuring yourself and those around you. Here are some additional reasons why you shouldn’t go over your forklift’s weight capacity:

• Damage: You can damage your forklift due to additional strain caused by overloading your forklift.
• Tip-Overs: While forklifts have a counterweight to account for heavy loads, you run the risk of your forklift tipping over when you try to lift more weight than it can handle.
• Control: When a forklift load is too heavy, sometimes the forklift can become unbalanced and traction isn’t evenly distributed on each wheel. When this happens, you may lose control of your forklift.
• Fines: By improperly utilizing your forklift, you may run the risk of getting a fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Find a Forklift That Offers the Performance You Need With Rechtien International Trucks!

If you’ve got heavy cargo and you need a forklift that can handle it, our experts at Rechtien International Trucks can assist. We can help you find a forklift that can safely tackle the demanding jobs you throw its way. Contact us today to explore our selection of forklifts!