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Complete Powerpoint slide presentation for forklift instructors. Ready made training course

Forklift lifting capacity with extended load centre

forklift lifting capacityI have been asked to include this information on the website. How do you calculate the new, reduced, lifting capacity when the load centre is increased on a forklift truck?

On the above sketch the dimensions are as follows:

It is important that the calculations are done from the fulcrum of the truck, i.e. the centreline of the front wheels. Therefore we add L and X together to get to the 90 cm shown above.

Now the load of 2000 kg is multiplied by the distance of 90 cm, 2000 x 90 = 180,000 (this is in Kg/cm)

As an example let's say the load centre is increased by 6 cm to 56 cm.

The new load centre of 56 cm needs to be added to L in order to get back to the drive wheel centreline, i.e. 56 + 40 cm = 96 cm.

Now the 180,000 above is divided by this dimension so:

180,000/96 = 1875. The cm cancel out and the new capacity is 1875 Kg.

Please note that the effects of the weight of attachments have been ignored for these capacity calculations but obviously may have to be taken into account.

IMPORTANT. Please also note that if the load centre is reduced, it does NOT follow that the forklift's capacity is increased. It may do, but the strength of the forklift's components such as forks, lift chains etc may be compromised. Always check any alteration to capacity with the forklift manufacturer and remember the capacity rating plate may need altering.

Disclaimer: The legislative information contained on this web site is my interpretation of the law based on many years in the health and safety business. A definitive interpretation can only be given by the courts. I will therefore not be held responsible for any accident/incident/prosecution arising as a consequence of anyone using any information obtained from this web site.

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