How much does a forklift weigh?
Across the 9 forklifts we track, weights run from 7,170 lb (3,252 kg) for the Toyota 8FBCU25 to 10,780 lb (4,890 kg) for the Crown FC 5245-50. The median is 8,399 lb (3,810 kg).
Weight by class
| Class | Models | Lightest | Median | Heaviest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric forklifts | 2 | 7,170 lb | 8,833 lb | 10,780 lb |
| Internal combustion forklifts | 7 | 7,840 lb | 8,399 lb | 8,640 lb |
Why forklifts are heavy
A counterbalance forklift carries a heavy cast counterweight behind the rear axle to balance the load on the forks, so a 5,000 lb capacity truck usually weighs 7,000–9,000 lb itself, and more with a large battery. In electric trucks the battery is part of the counterweight.
All models
| Toyota 8FBCU25 | 7,170 lb3,252 kg3.25 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 6 in | 7 ft 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota 8FGU25 | 7,840 lb3,556 kg3.56 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 9 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Toyota 8FGCU25 | 8,000 lb3,629 kg3.63 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 6 in | 6 ft 9 in |
| Bobcat GC25S-9 | 8,200 lb3,719 kg3.72 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 6 in | 7 ft |
| Hyster H50FT | 8,399 lb3,810 kg3.81 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 10 in | 7 ft 1 in |
| Yale GP50N | 8,520 lb3,865 kg3.86 t | 5,000 lb | 4 ft 1 in | 7 ft 2 in |
| Hyster S50FT | 8,587 lb3,895 kg3.89 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 8 in | 7 ft |
| Hangcha FP25C | 8,640 lb3,919 kg3.92 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 7 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Crown FC 5245-50 | 10,210–10,780 lb4,631–4,890 kg4.63–4.89 t | 5,000 lb | 3 ft 8 in | – |
Run the numbers
Common questions
How much does a 5,000 lb forklift weigh?
Most 5,000 lb trucks in our data weigh about 7,200–8,700 lb without a load, roughly 1.5 to 1.75 times their rated capacity. Electric trucks with large batteries can be heavier: the Crown FC 5245-50 is about 10,200–10,800 lb with its battery.