Forklift -Stability and Capacity Exam
Questions with Latest Update
The Stability Challenge - Answer-The Stability Challenge
In order to prevent your forklift from tipping over, you must keep the forklift's combined
center of gravity inside an area known as the forklift's stability triangle.
Capacity of the forklift
Weight of the load
Size, shape, position, and center of gravity of the load
Direction and speed of travel of the forklift
Grade of the surface on which you're operating the forklift
The Stability Triangle: Lever Is Like a Seesaw - Answer-Imagine a lever like a seesaw.
It is a bar with weight on each end and a balancing point in the middle. The balancing
point is called the fulcrum
Stability Triangle: Forklift Is Like a Seesaw - Answer-A forklift is like a seesaw too.
There is a load on the forks in the front of the forklift and a counterweight in the back.
The balancing point, or fulcrum, is the center of the forklift's front drive axle or front
wheels. Putting a heavy load on the forklift will cause the forklift to tilt forward.
Stability Triangle - Answer-While a forklift can tip forward and backward like a seesaw, it
can also tip from side to side. A forklift's stability triangle is an area bordered by the
forklift's two front wheels and the pivot point, or middle, of the rear axle. In order for the
forklift to stay upright, the forklift's combined center of gravity must remain within the
forklift's stability triangle.
Load's Center of Gravity - Answer-Ideally, the load's center of gravity will be at the
center of the forks. However, the load's center of gravity may not be in the center of the
forks if the load is oddly shaped, not evenly distributed, or not sitting as far back as
possible on the forks.
Combined Center of Gravity - Answer-After a forklift picks up a load, the mass of the
forklift and the load are combined, resulting in a single, relocated center of gravity.
=
Forklift's Center of Gravity - Answer-An unloaded forklift's center of gravity is generally
located under the operator. However, it may be located further back on an extra large
forklift with an elongated counterweight.
Forklift Capacity: Rated Capacity - Answer-Forklift manufacturers list a rated capacity
for each forklift model on the forklift's identification plate. The rated capacity indicates
the maximum, standard load a forklift can handle without becoming unstable. However,
, the rated capacity does not accurately indicate a forklift's capacity to pick up a non-
standard load or to pick up a load using a non-standard attachment.
Forklift Capacity: Exceeding Capacity - Answer-Picking up a load that exceeds a
forklift's capacity puts too much weight in front of the forklift's front drive axle and will
cause the forklift to tilt forward.
Forklift Capacity: Moment - Answer-A forklift's moment is the point at which a certain
amount of force will cause the forklift to tip over. A moment is expressed in units of inch-
pounds (kilogram-centimeters). A forklift will tip forward when the load's moment
exceeds the forklift's moment. To understand this, think about holding a jug of water
directly in front of your body and gradually extending it further away from your body. At
a certain point, the weight of the jug will pull your body forward.
Calculating Forklift Capacity: How to Calculate - Answer-To determine your forklift's
capacity to lift a non-standard load, calculate the forklift's moment and the load's
moment. Then compare the results. If the forklift's rated moment is greater, the forklift
has the capacity to lift the load. If the forklift's rated moment is less, it does not have the
capacity to lift the load.
Calculating Forklift Capacity: Calculate the Forklift's Rated Moment - Answer-To
calculate the forklift's rated moment, multiply the forklift's rated capacity by the distance
from the back of the forks to the capacity rating location at the center of the forks.
In the example to the left, the forklift's rated capacity is 5000 pounds (2,268 kg). The
distance from the back of the forks to the capacity rating location is 24 inches (60.96
cm).Since 5000 pounds (2,268 kg) times 24 inches (60.96 cm) equals 120,000 inch-
pounds (138,257 kg-cm), the forklift's rated moment is 120,000 inch-pounds (138,257
kg-cm).
Calculating Forklift Capacity: Calculate the Load's Moment - Answer-To calculate the
load's moment, multiply the weight of the load by the distance from the back of the load
to the load's center of gravity.
In the example to the left, the load's weight is 3000 pounds (1,361 kg). The distance
from the back of the load to its center of gravity is 30 inches (76.2 cm).So, 3000 pounds
(1,361 kg) times 30 inches (76.2 cm) equals 90,000 inch-pounds. The load's moment is
90,000 inch-pounds (103,708 kg-cm).
Calculating Forklift Capacity: Compare Moments - Answer-The calculations used in the
example indicate that the forklift's rated moment is 120,000 inch-pounds (138,257 kg-
cm) and the load's moment is 90,000 inch-pounds (103,708 kg-cm).
Since the forklift's moment is greater than the load's moment, we know that the forklift
has the capacity to lift the load.
Stability Factors - Answer-Stability Factors
Forklift Movement
Forks/Load Position