FORKLIFTS and Rated Capacity

All forklifts have a rating, which is the maximum weight that they are designed to lift safely, often referred as SAFE WORKING LOAD (SWL) or WORKING LOAD LIMIT (WLL).  Depending on the type of forklift depends on how they are actually calculated.

Counterbalanced forklifts

The rated capacity for counterbalanced trucks shall be expressed as the maximum load in kilograms that a truck is designed to transport and stack, operating on a hard level surface, with the mast vertical, with maximum lift height and at load-centre distances.

Reach and straddle trucks

The rated capacity of reach and straddle trucks shall be expressed as the maximum load in kilograms that a truck is designed to transport and stack, operating on a hard level surface with the mast vertical, with maximum lift height and at load-centre distances.

Four-direction trucks, single-side-loading trucks, order-picking high-lift trucks and turret type high-lift trucks

The rated capacity of four-direction trucks, single-side-loading trucks, order-picking high-lift trucks, and turret type high-lift trucks shall be expressed as the maximum load in kilograms that a truck is designed to transport and stack, operating on a hard level surface, with any lateral leveling mechanism leveled, with maximum lift height and at a specified load-centre distance as specified in AS 2359.3.

Low-lift platform trucks and pallet trucks

The rated capacity of low-lift platform trucks and pallet trucks shall be expressed as the maximum load in kilograms that the truck is designed to transport, operating on a hard level surface.

Rough terrain lift trucks

The rated capacity of rough terrain lift trucks shall be expressed as the maximum load in kilograms that the truck is designed to support and stack, operating on rough terrain, with the mast vertical, with maximum lift height and at load-centre distances as follows:

(a) For rated capacity supported by forks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 mm or 600 mm.

(b) For rated capacity supported by attachments . . . . . . . . . . . the specified distance.

Remember, whenever you add an attachment to a forklift, (ie. Work cage, slippers, e.t.c), you must get the Forklift re rated by the Original Equipment Manufacturer.

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By John

John Condron, has had a very long varied career in heavy equipment industry. Including a 10 year stint in the USA materials handling markets. John now make a full time writing for several online publications.