Many friends are curious that there is always a load chart on a manual book or curved on a plate fixed on a forklift; what is it?
The load chart of a forklift, sometimes also called a capacity chart, shows the basic information of the forklift, including model number, rated capacity, load center, lift height, net capacity at each lift height, and special remarks such as if net capacity would be influenced with an attachment. Then the question comes, how should we understand a load chart?
It is not simple to understand a load capacity, not just reading the rated capacity. Many factors would influence how many kilograms your forklift can lift at a certain height. It is forbidden to lift cargos that exceed the forklift's maximum rated capacity and net capacity, or else it would cause big problems, dangers, and even death of the operator. It is vital and very necessary for forklift operators to understand well and correctly how to read a forklift load chart and know exactly to shift different weights of cargo according to the net capacity a forklift can lift at different required heights.
What do the main factors or parameters in the load chart mean? Load chart: The horizontal distance from the center of gravity to the front wall of the vertical section of the fork when a standard cargo is placed on the fork. Normally it equals pallet depth dividing two. That is why we always need to ask customers' pallet size, especially the depth, which would be alongside the forklift's forks.
Lift height: The height from the surface top of forks to the ground. Attention pls, it is different from the concept of the height of the top beam. Normally lift height a customer need =height of top beam + thickness of the pallet. So you see, here again, the pallet size is important On the other hand, the standard vertical load center is normally 500 mm to 600 mm; when the height of cargo is more than 1 meter or 1.2 meters, the extra height needs to be added to the lift height. Let us take an example, if a customer has a top beam height of 5 meters, the thickness of the pallet is 15cm, the whole height of the pallet with cargo is 1.5meters, how many kilograms it can lift at the top beam? Here you need check net capacity at 5meters+15cm+(1.5meter-1 meter)=5.65 meters,instead of 5 meters.
Remarks: it normally states if net capacity would be less with an attachment. Most time, the attachment is a side shifter. Make an example again, if it states"net capacity would be 100kgs less with a side shifter", What does it mean? It means if the original net capacity at 5 meters is 1000kgs, now with a side shifter equipped, the net capacity at 5 meters becomes 900kgs.
In conclusion: the higher lift height, the smaller load capacity; The bigger load center, the smaller load capacity; the heavier attachment equipped, the smaller load capacity.
What is the meaning of understanding this formula? When a customer inquired you a forklift, perhaps he would only say loading capacity xx kilograms, lift height xx meters. Not all end-users have a sense of it, but you have to know and has an obligation to remind them, of the net capacity at maximum lift height. Then they would know perhaps they need a larger rated loading capacity. Operators must understand the decreased lifting capacities at tall heights in order to avoid equipment malfunction, damage, and possible harm to equipment operators.
Why do forklift attachments affect load capacity? Any Forklift attachments, such as side shifter, fork positioner, bale clamp, paper roller, etc., each have their own rated maximum capacity and service weight. If you are planning to order a forklift with attachments or modify a forklift after purchasing, the Load chart must be re-calculated by the manufacturer to ensure safety.
Sincerely hope this article will do you a favor to have a better understanding of the load chart of a forklift. If any further questions, pls just contact me. We are open to a discussion.
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