How Much Does a Forklift Weigh?
The weight of a forklift varies significantly depending on its type, capacity, and design. Here’s a general overview to help you understand how much does a forklift weigh:
Electric Warehouse Forklifts:
These typically weigh between 3,000 to 8,000 pounds (1.5 to 4 tons).
Internal Combustion Forklifts:
Internal combusion forklifts can weigh from 4,000 pounds to more than 15,000 pounds (2 to 7.5+ tons). The weight largely depends on their lifting capacity.
Large Capacity Forklifts:
Large capacit forklifts are lift trucks designed for heavy loads, such as container handlers, can weigh up to 100,000 pounds (50 tons) or more.
Reach Trucks and Order Pickers:
Typically, reach trucks and order pickers weigh less, often between 5,000 to 10,000 pounds (2.5 to 5 tons).
Telescopic Handlers or Telehandlers:
Telescopic handlers can range from approximately 10,000 to 30,000 pounds (5 to 15 tons) or more based on their design and capacity.
Rough Terrain Forklifts:
These heavy-duty forklifts, designed for challenging environments, can weigh from 8,000 to 30,000 pounds (4 to 15 tons).
It’s essential to note that the above weights are approximate. For precise specifications, it’s best to consult the manufacturer’s documentation or a forklift manual for a particular forklift model.
Weight of most popular forklifts
Want to know the weight of the top 10 forklifts in the U.S. lift truck market today? Listed below is the approximate weight ranges for some widely-recognized brands and their general classifications:
Toyota:
- 3-wheel electric forklifts: 5,700 to 6,500 lbs
- 4-wheel electric forklifts: 7,800 to 9,600 lbs
- Internal combustion forklifts: 7,340 to 15,500 lbs for smaller capacities; heavier models can go up to 40,000 lbs or more.
Hyster:
- Electric lift trucks: 6,400 to 9,900 lbs
- Internal combustion trucks: 8,000 to 16,000 lbs for standard models; high-capacity models can exceed 70,000 lbs.
Yale:
- Electric rider forklifts: 6,500 to 9,800 lbs
- LP-gas forklifts: 7,200 to 15,600 lbs
Caterpillar (Cat):
- Electric forklifts: 6,800 to 10,000 lbs
- Diesel forklifts: 11,000 to 33,000 lbs for most models, with large-capacity models weighing much more.
Crown:
- Electric counterbalance forklifts: 7,700 to 10,300 lbs
- Narrow-aisle reach trucks: 8,000 to 10,500 lbs
Raymond:
- Stand-up counterbalance trucks: Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 lbs
- Reach-fork trucks: Around 8,000 to 9,500 lbs
Komatsu:
- Electric forklifts: 7,000 to 10,500 lbs
- Internal combustion forklifts: 8,000 to 12,000 lbs for standard models; larger models can be much heavier.
Mitsubishi:
- Electric 3-wheel forklifts: 6,000 to 7,000 lbs
- Gasoline/LP gas forklifts: 8,000 to 12,500 lbs
Important note about forklift weights
It’s vital to recognize that these weights are approximations and can vary based on specific model variations, configurations, and attachments. Always consult the manufacturer’s specifications for the most accurate weight information for a particular model.