Forklifts are rated by what measurement?

• A. Weight
• B. Lifting Capacity
• C. Speed
• D. Height

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is lifting capacity—the maximum weight a forklift can safely lift at a specified load center. This rating is what governs what loads you can handle and helps prevent instability or tipping by staying within the machine’s stability limits. The nameplate rating depends on factors like the counterweight, hydraulics, and mast geometry, and it can change with fork height and how far the load is from the mast. Other specs, such as the forklift’s own weight, its speed, or the maximum mast height, are separate details and do not define the safe load limit. So forklifts are rated by their lifting capacity.