Carriage Capacity: 11,000 to 17,600 lbsįor further confirmation, the nameplate on your forklift will state the machine’s capacity.

ITA hook-type forks are the industry standard, and ITA Class 2, 3, and 4 are the most common carriage classes. To find your forklift’s carriage class, measure the distance between the top and bottom carriage bars, and compare the measurement to the chart below. Each carriage type has a certain load capacity. The carriage height determines the class of your forks. Keep in mind that the fork capacity may exceed the carrying capacity. There are many different dimensions and weight capacities within each class. Here are example measurements for the thickness, width, and length you might find in each class.

The dimensions of a forklift fork can vary dramatically, both between and within the different carriage classes.

Your forklift operator should also consider the load center of the vehicle because that impacts its capacity allocation. If that’s the case, go by the truck capacity rather than the fork capacity. Understanding the individual capacities of the parts helps you know the capabilities and limitations of your forklift.įor example, your forks may have a higher capacity than your truck. These parts all contribute to the overall load and lifting capacities of the machine. Keep in mind that the various parts of a forklift truck-including the forks, mast, forklift carrier or carriage, and attachments-have their own capacities. Sometimes, the thickness of the fork can be the same across forks with different capacities. Generally, the greater the fork’s width and length, the greater the fork’s lifting capacity. It’s important to use the back side of the fork, rather than the bottom because the bottom of the fork wears down from its original thickness with use. Fork thickness: Measure the fork from the shank back to the shank face.Fork length: Measure the fork from the front of the fork to the end of the tip.Fork width: Measure the fork from side to side.Here’s how to measure each of these three key dimensions: To get precise measurements, you may want to use a tool like a fork caliper. Table of Contentsįorklift forks, also called blades or tynes, are measured by the width, length, and thickness of the fork. In this article, we go over how to measure fork dimensions, as well as the different types of forks and how and when they’re used. The dimensions are important because they affect the load capacity, or the amount forklift can hold.

Forklift fork dimensions are determined by the width, thickness, and length of the stainless steel forks.

Forklift fork capacity chart