How to Ship a Large Industrial Forklift

Large Forklift Weight and Dimension Ranges

For transport planning purposes, "large" industrial forklifts generally means units over 15,000 lbs. Common categories:

• Mid-size counterbalanced forklifts (15,000–30,000 lbs): Common in manufacturing and distribution. Examples: Toyota 8FD300, Hyster H300HD. Typically 7–9 ft wide, 8–11 ft tall in transport position.
• Heavy-duty counterbalanced forklifts (30,000–60,000 lbs): Used in steel mills, lumber yards, and heavy manufacturing. Often 9–12 ft wide, requiring oversize permits.
• Container handlers and reach stackers (60,000–100,000+ lbs): Port and intermodal equipment. Extremely wide (12–16 ft) and heavy, requiring multi-axle trailers, permits, and pilot cars.

The Counterbalance Challenge

Unlike most construction equipment, forklifts have a heavily uneven weight distribution. The counterweight at the rear of the machine can account for 30–40% of the total machine weight, concentrated in a small area. This creates challenges for:

• Axle weight distribution: The carrier must position the forklift on the trailer to distribute weight across axles within legal limits. This often means the forklift is positioned further forward than you might expect.
• Tie-down planning: Standard tie-down points may not be adequate for the counterweight mass. Carriers experienced with forklift transport know the correct securement approach for each brand and model.
• Loading stability: The counterweight makes forklifts prone to tipping during loading if the approach angle is too steep.

Trailer Selection

• Flatbed: Suitable for forklifts within legal dimensions (under 8.5 ft wide, 13.5 ft tall, 48,000 lbs payload). Many mid-size forklifts ship on standard flatbeds.
• Step-Deck: Used for taller forklifts where the mast height approaches or exceeds 13.5 ft. The lower deck provides additional clearance.
• Lowboy or RGN: Required for very heavy forklifts (over 48,000 lbs payload) or those with mast heights that exceed step-deck clearance. RGN preferred for units that can be driven on at ground level.
• Multi-axle configurations: Container handlers and reach stackers over 80,000 lbs require 3-axle or 4-axle trailers.

Loading Considerations

Large forklifts present specific loading challenges:

• Low ground clearance: Many industrial forklifts have very low ground clearance (4–8 inches), making steep loading ramps problematic. Loading from a dock or using a crane is often preferred.
• Mast height: The mast must be fully lowered and tilted forward for transport. Verify the mast locks in transport position before loading.
• Forks orientation: Load the forklift in reverse (forks facing away from the cab) to keep the heavy counterweight toward the rear of the trailer for better weight distribution.
• Propane tanks: Remove propane tanks before transport — they cannot be shipped on the forklift.
• Battery disconnect: Disconnect the battery on electric forklifts before transport.

Permit Requirements

Large forklifts frequently require oversize permits. Federal thresholds: 80,000 lbs GVW, 8.5 ft width, 13.5 ft height. Heavy-duty counterbalanced forklifts and container handlers almost always exceed at least one of these thresholds. Permit processing takes 5–10 business days; super loads may take 3–5 weeks.

Ready to ship your large industrial forklift? IronHaul Logistics handles forklift transport nationwide, from mid-size counterbalanced units to massive container handlers. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit our online quote form for a competitive rate.