KEVOS® MAKEOS · Mechanics
Forklift Load Centre Check (Load Centre of Gravity, Derated Capacity, Side Offset)
For a load made of several items on the forks, where is its centre of gravity, what can the forklift lift at that load centre, and is the load within it?
Check of a forklift lift: the combined mass and centre of gravity of up to three items on the forks measured from the fork face (as the combined centre of gravity tool), the capacity at that load centre from the rated capacity and rated load centre by the balance of moments about the front axle, and the sideways offset of the load, against the load mass and an offset limit.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | kg | Rated capacity on the truck’s data plate. |
| Rated load centre | mm | Load centre at which the rated capacity applies. |
| Front axle to fork face | mm | Distance from the front axle (tipping line) to the fork face. |
| Item 1 | ||
| Mass (0 = unused) | kg | Mass of item 1. |
| Distance of its CG from the fork face | mm | Distance of item 1’s centre of gravity from the fork face. |
| Sideways offset of its CG from the truck centre line | mm | Sideways offset of item 1. |
| Item 2 | ||
| Mass (0 = unused) | kg | Mass of item 2. |
| Distance of its CG from the fork face | mm | Distance of item 2’s CG from the fork face. |
| Sideways offset of its CG from the truck centre line | mm | Sideways offset of item 2. |
| Item 3 | ||
| Mass (0 = unused) | kg | Mass of item 3. |
| Distance of its CG from the fork face | mm | Distance of item 3’s CG from the fork face. |
| Sideways offset of its CG from the truck centre line | mm | Sideways offset of item 3. |
| Largest sideways offset | mm | Largest sideways offset of the combined CG you accept. |
Method and formulas
- Combined mass and centre of gravity of the items (as the combined centre of gravity tool).
- Capacity at load centre c = Q (A + c₀) ÷ (A + c), from moments about the front axle.
- Utilisation = load ÷ capacity; sideways offset against the limit.
- Example: 1,400 kg with its CG 614.29 mm out; the truck can lift 2,231.5 kg there.
Limitations
- Moment balance only; the manufacturer’s capacity plate for the mast height and attachments governs.
- Load lifted low and level; tilting and lifting high reduce stability.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Check a long or uneven load before lifting
- Find the capacity of a forklift at a longer load centre
- Arrange items on a pallet to keep within capacity
Who it is for
- Warehouse supervisors
- Riggers
- Safety advisers
What you get
- Load mass and centre of gravity
- Capacity at that load centre
- Load against capacity and offset
Interpreting the result
- Capacity falls as the load centre moves out: a load twice as deep as standard can roughly halve what the truck may lift.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 221–227, 153–163. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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