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How much does a forklift weigh?


Forklift weight

Learn the weight of the most common forklifts

Curious about how much a forklift weighs?

Whether it's out of curiosity, a near-miss incident, or for operational needs, there are several reasons why knowing the weight of a forklift might be essential. For example, you might want to:

  • Transport it via truck, rail, or ship.
  • Lift it with a crane.
  • Load it onto a ship.
  • Deliver it on a flatbed truck.
  • Operate it on an upper floor and need to inform an architect of its weight.
  • Understand the weight as you redesign a warehouse layout.

Or perhaps you're just one of those people who like to know the details!

Here’s the simple answer: A typical forklift weighs between 5,000 and 10,000 lbs, with most popular models weighing around 7,000 to 8,000 lbs.

Service weight vs. lift capacity

It’s easy to mistake the weight rating on a truck for its actual weight on a scale. But that number represents the forklift's lift capacity, which indicates how much it can lift, not how much it weighs.

You can find a forklift's service weight in its manual or on the data tag.

Forklift manufacturer websites also provide specifications, including the weight of the truck with its battery and any accessories.

Here’s a handy trick: A forklift’s service weight is typically 1.5 to 2 times its lift capacity.

If a forklift can lift 2,500 pounds, the forklift itself will weigh between 3,750 and 5,000 lbs. Always verify this by checking the manual, contacting a forklift dealer, or consulting the manufacturer.

What is the weight of the most common forklifts?

Here are the weights (in both lbs and kg) for common forklift models from brands such as Raymond, Hyster, Yale, Komatsu, Crown, Toyota, Caterpillar, Yale, Clark, and Nissan.

What is the weight of a Hyster H40FT forklift?

Answer: 7,654 lbs or 3,472 kg

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What is the weight of a Komatsu FG18HT-20 forklift?

Answer: 6,340 lbs or 2,826 kg with a 2-stage, standard mast

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What is the weight of a Crown 4520-30 forklift?

Answer: 5,974 lbs or 2,709 kg without the battery

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What is the weight of a Toyota 8FGCU25 forklift?

Answer: 8,000 lbs or 3,628 kg with a 2-stage, 131.5-inch mast

***

What is the weight of a CAT C5000 forklift?

Answer: 8,110 lbs or 3,678 kg with a standard mast

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What is the weight of a Yale GLC050 forklift?

Answer: 9,016 lbs or 4,089 kg

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What is the weight of a Clark CMP25 forklift?

Answer: 8,254 lbs or 3,744 kg for a standard truck

A forklift weighs about the same as these things:

Since it can be difficult to visualize weights like 8,000 lbs or 3,000 kg, here are some common objects to help you compare:

Ford Explorer: 4,500 to 4,900 lbs

Female African Elephant: 5,000 to 7,000 lbs

600 x 12-packs of Coke cans: A 12-pack weighs about 10 lbs, so 600 12-packs equal the weight of a small forklift.

Dishwasher: At 80 lbs each, 100 dishwashers would weigh about the same as many forklifts.

A female African elephant and a Crown 4520-30 forklift weigh about the same

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