First, the words

The horizontal distance from the fork face to the centre of gravity of the load. Rated capacity is always quoted at a specific load centre, most commonly 500 mm.

Why it matters Load a pallet whose centre of gravity sits further out and the safe capacity falls, even though the load weight has not changed. It is why a rated tonnage is not a universal figure.

The maximum load a truck can lift under defined conditions — at a stated load centre, lift height and mast configuration. It is not a single universal number.

Why it matters Capacity falls as lift height rises. A truck rated at 2 tonnes at ground level may lift considerably less at six metres, which is what the load chart shows.

A diagram showing the maximum safe load at each lift height and load centre for a given truck and mast combination. It is specific to the machine, not to the capacity class.

Why it matters It is the document that should decide a purchase. Comparing two quotes without comparing load charts at your working height compares two different capabilities.

The height to which the forks can be raised. Often quoted as maximum, but the useful figure is the height at which you still need full capacity.

Why it matters Specifying on maximum lift height alone produces a truck that reaches the top rack but cannot lift the load there. The working height is what matters.

A mast arrangement where the forks rise within the mast before the mast itself extends, so overall truck height stays constant through the first range of travel.

Why it matters Required for working inside a container, under a mezzanine, or through a low door frame. Without it, a truck that fits when empty may not fit once the forks are raised.

The number of mast sections that extend. A two-stage mast is standard; a three-stage mast reaches higher within the same collapsed height and is usually required for free lift.

Why it matters It is the trade-off between lift height, collapsed height and cost. Choosing the wrong stage count is a common reason a machine cannot enter a building it was bought for.

How hard the truck works: shifts per day, hours per shift, loads per hour, and how much of the time it is actually lifting versus travelling.

Why it matters It decides the battery strategy more than any other factor. A light single shift and a heavy two-shift operation need different answers even for the same machine.

Topping up the battery during breaks or idle periods instead of running a full charge cycle. Practical with lithium, generally not with lead-acid.

Why it matters It is what removes the spare battery set from multi-shift operation, which is the main practical argument for lithium.

A truck whose weight at the rear counterbalances the load on the forks. The most versatile type, able to work indoors, outdoors, on ramps and inside trailers.

Why it matters It needs a wider aisle than a reach truck of the same capacity because the whole truck pivots, which is the trade-off against its versatility.

A truck whose mast moves forward to reach the racking rather than the whole truck turning. Designed for narrow aisles and high racking.

Why it matters It buys storage density, because a narrower aisle means more racking. It is not intended for outdoor or trailer work, which is where the counterbalance wins.

A pedestrian or rider machine that lifts pallets to a height but travels short distances. Simpler and cheaper than a counterbalance truck.

Why it matters For short transfer and low-level stacking it does the job at a fraction of the cost. The mistake is using it where longer travel is needed.

A machine for moving pallets horizontally, typically with limited lift height. Electric versions suit longer distances and heavier loads.

Why it matters It is usually the cheapest way to move pallets and the first machine most operations buy. If you also need stacking, a stacker covers both.

Non-pneumatic tyres that do not puncture and last well on smooth indoor floors. The standard choice for warehouse machines.

Why it matters They are the wrong choice on gravel or soil, where traction and ride quality both collapse. Ground surface decides the tyre, before capacity does.

Air-filled tyres that absorb surface irregularities and provide traction on uneven or soft ground. Common on rough-terrain and outdoor machines.

Why it matters Required for gravel, soil and mixed outdoor surfaces. Choosing solid tyres for an outdoor yard is a specification error that shows up immediately.

The gradient a truck can climb, usually stated as a percentage. It is specified at a particular load and condition, not universally.

Why it matters Rated gradeability rarely equals performance at full load on a wet ramp. If ramps are part of the duty, the figure has to be checked at the working load.

An attachment that moves the forks laterally without moving the truck, used to align with pallet openings. The most commonly fitted attachment.

Why it matters It saves repositioning time on every pallet, which is why it is usually the first attachment specified. It has to match the carriage class.

The standardised size and load rating of the fork carriage, which determines which attachments can be mounted and how they connect.

Why it matters An attachment bought locally may not fit a machine specified without checking the carriage class. It is confirmed, not assumed.

How many units fit in a given container, which depends on machine size, whether the mast and tyres are removed, and how units are braced.

Why it matters It is calculated from the loading plan, not estimated. The CBM and weight per unit from that plan is what a freight quote is built on.

Standard trade terms defining where risk and cost transfer between seller and buyer — EXW, FOB, CIF and others.

Why it matters Two quotes for the same machine are not comparable if one is EXW and the other includes delivery to the port. The term is part of the price.

The seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port; risk transfers at that point. The buyer arranges and pays the main freight.

Why it matters It is the common basis for equipment exports because it separates the machine price from the freight, which the buyer’s forwarder prices separately.

The international classification code for a traded product, which determines the duty rate and any applicable trade measures in the destination country.

Why it matters It has to be confirmed with a customs broker for your specific configuration. We do not publish duty rates because they follow the code, the origin and current measures.

A document certifying where goods were produced, used for customs clearance and to claim preferential tariff treatment under a trade agreement.

Why it matters It can change the duty payable, and some markets require it to be legalised before shipment. Ask your broker whether it applies to your consignment.

A document in which the manufacturer declares that a product meets the applicable directives and standards. For most machinery it is a self-declaration.

Why it matters This is what you check, not the CE mark itself. It should name the machine and cite specific directives and standards, otherwise it is not usable.

The documentation set behind a conformity declaration — drawings, calculations, test results and risk assessment — which an authority can request.

Why it matters If it does not exist, the declaration behind it is unsupported. Asking whether it exists is a quick way to test whether a compliance claim is real.

A document showing how units are positioned, braced and blocked inside the container, with the CBM and weight per unit.

Why it matters It is the basis of a freight quote and of the container count. Quoting freight before it exists is how freight estimates turn out to be wrong.

Components that are expected to be replaced during normal service — chains, rollers, seals, brake parts, tyres, seal bars, belts.

Why it matters These are what stop a machine, not the drive system. The list should come from the supplier at quotation stage so the first set can ship with the unit.

Shipping a machine partially disassembled — typically with the mast removed — to reduce the volume occupied in a container.

Why it matters It reduces freight volume but requires reassembly capability at the destination. A machine that arrives in pieces with nobody able to rebuild it is not a saving.