Bill Parks

Forklift Capacity - How Much Do You Need?

If the data plate on your forklift says its rated capacity is 10,000 lbs, that doesn't necessarily mean you can lift any load weighing less than 10,000 lbs. The load dimensions, placement, weight distribution of the load and any forklift attachments affect your lift truck's true maximum capacity.

Today's blog post will answer the questions:
- What is rated capacity vs. net/payload capacity
- How much can a forklift actually lift?
- What is load center?
- How to choose a forklift with the right capacity

New Equipment Forklift FAQs

When to Buy a 3-Wheel Forklift vs. Stand-Up Forklift

A question we hear fairly often is, “should I buy a 3-wheel or a stand-up forklift?” The price range for these two products is similar, $30,000- $40,000. Both forklifts are:

An excellent value for the money
Have a low-maintenance AC motors
and have a max lift height of 23 feet.

So how do you choose the best lift truck for your operation?

In this article, we’ll compare Toyota's Stand-up Rider Forklift (8BNCU15 8BNCU18 and 8BNCU20) to Toyota's 3-Wheel Electric Forklift (8FBE15U-20U, 8FBES15U and 8FBEH18U) so you can make an informed buying decision.

Electric Forklifts New Equipment Reviews

Review: Toyota 3-Wheel Electric Forklift

Product Name: Toyota 3 Wheel Electric Forklift
Model Numbers: 8FBE15U-20U, 8FBES15U and 8FBEH18U
Lift Capacity: 3000 - 4000 lbs.
Notable feature(s): Extreme maneuverability, standard wet disc brakes
Price Range: $27,000 - $34,000
Value for the money: Excellent
Optional Features:
Mini levers ergonomic controls
EZ Control joystick
Blue safety light for pedestrians
Rear assist grip with horn button

Best for: These forklifts are uniquely suited for narrow-aisle warehouses (or any operation with limited space) and barrel operations in wine caves. These machines can turn in less than their own length! Every winery needs one...

Not recommended for: The only downside to these lifts is that they are harder on dock leveler plates and generally require the next weight capacity up.

View current inventory:

Electric Forklifts New Equipment Reviews

Forklift Battery Types and Battery Changers

Most forklifts come with a standard flat plate battery. You may be wondering if a waterless battery or tubular plate battery would service your operational needs better. In this post, we’ll review the pros and cons of different types of forklift batteries. We’ll also go over a few ways multi-shift operations can save time (and therefore money) changing out batteries between shifts.