Load centre and real capacity
A 3 tonne forklift does not lift 3 tonnes in every situation. Here is why.
What the load centre is
It is the horizontal distance from the front face of the forks to the load's centre of gravity. On the data sheet it is usually 500 mm. A uniformly loaded 1,000 × 1,200 mm pallet has its centre of gravity at about 500–600 mm.
What happens with a longer load
The further the centre of gravity is from the carriage, the greater the tipping moment and the fewer kilos the machine can lift safely. The truck's data plate and load chart show the capacity for each combination of load centre and height.
Height matters too
At greater lift heights, residual capacity decreases. With tall masts the chart shows a capacity lower than the nominal one.
What to do
- Always ask for the load chart of the model and mast you will use.
- If your load is long or raised, step up in capacity rather than working at the limit.
- Never alter the plate or add counterweight yourself.