Heavy Equipment Forklift

Heavy equipment forklifts handle loads that would crush standard warehouse lift trucks. These industrial giants—rated from 10,000 to 100,000+ pounds capacity—move steel coils, shipping containers, heavy machinery, and oversized loads in ports, steel mills, manufacturing plants, and construction yards worldwide.

When standard forklifts top out at 5,000-8,000 kg capacity, heavy equipment forklifts begin. These machines feature massive counterweights, reinforced structures, powerful engines, and specialized attachments designed for extreme loads that few industries encounter but where failure isn't an option.

This guide covers heavy capacity forklift types, specifications, applications, and selection considerations.

Capacity classifications

Heavy capacity ranges

Classification	Capacity Range	Typical Applications
Heavy duty	4,500-10,000 kg (10,000-22,000 lb)	Heavy manufacturing, steel service
Extra heavy duty	10,000-20,000 kg (22,000-44,000 lb)	Steel mills, heavy industry
Super heavy duty	20,000-36,000 kg (44,000-80,000 lb)	Ports, container handling
Mega capacity	36,000+ kg (80,000+ lb)	Specialized industrial, shipyards

Standard vs. heavy equipment

Key differences from standard forklifts:

Size. Dramatically larger footprint and height.
Weight. Heavy counterweight for stability—machine may weigh 3-5x rated capacity.
Power. Large diesel engines, often 100-300+ horsepower.
Tires. Massive pneumatic tires, sometimes dual wheels.
Cost. $100,000 to $500,000+ new.

Types of heavy equipment forklifts

Heavy counterbalance forklifts

Scaled-up versions of standard counterbalance design.

Capacity range. 5,000-25,000 kg (11,000-55,000 lb).
Power. Diesel (most common), some LPG options.
Applications. Steel service, heavy manufacturing, lumber.
Features. Standard forklift controls in larger package.

Container handlers

Designed specifically for ISO shipping containers.

Capacity. 9,000-45,000 kg (20,000-100,000 lb).
Lift height. Stack containers 4-5 high.
Attachments. Top-lift spreaders for container handling.
Applications. Ports, intermodal facilities, distribution centers.

See our container forklift rental guide for more details.

Reach stackers

Telescoping boom for extended reach.

Capacity. 10,000-45,000 kg at various reaches.
Reach. Can access second or third row of containers.
Versatility. Handle containers without repositioning.
Applications. Container terminals, intermodal yards.

Side loaders

Lift from the side rather than front.

Advantage. Handle long loads in narrow aisles.
Applications. Lumber, steel, pipe, long materials.
Capacity. Up to 15,000+ kg for heavy models.

Coil handlers

Specialized for steel coil handling.

Attachments. Coil rams, clamps, or cradles.
Capacity. Matched to coil weights—often 10,000-30,000 kg.
Applications. Steel mills, service centers, automotive stamping.

Rough terrain heavy forklifts

Heavy capacity with outdoor capability.

Features. Large pneumatic tires, 4WD, high ground clearance.
Capacity. Up to 15,000+ kg.
Applications. Ports, construction, lumber yards.

See our construction forklift guide for outdoor options.

Specifications

Example heavy forklift specifications

Specification	15,000 kg Class	25,000 kg Class
Rated capacity	15,000 kg (33,000 lb)	25,000 kg (55,000 lb)
Load center	600 mm (24 in)	600-900 mm (24-36 in)
Engine power	100-150 HP	150-250 HP
Lift height (max)	3-6 m (10-20 ft)	3-6 m (10-20 ft)
Overall length	5-6 m (16-20 ft)	6-8 m (20-26 ft)
Overall width	2.5-3 m (8-10 ft)	3-4 m (10-13 ft)
Turning radius	4-5 m (13-16 ft)	5-7 m (16-23 ft)
Machine weight	20,000-30,000 kg	40,000-60,000 kg
Tire size	12.00-20 or larger	14.00-24 or larger

Capacity derating

Understand capacity limitations:

Load center. Capacity decreases with longer loads.
Lift height. Capacity decreases when lifting high.
Attachments. Clamps, rotators reduce effective capacity.
Always check. Load chart for actual capacity in your configuration.

Applications

Steel industry

Steel coil handling (10,000-30,000 kg coils)
Slab and billet movement
Die and mold handling
Heavy plate stacking

Ports and shipping

Container handling (laden containers to 30,000+ kg)
Break bulk cargo
Heavy equipment loading/unloading
Intermodal transfer

Manufacturing

Heavy machinery movement
Large casting and forging handling
Production equipment relocation
Heavy tooling and fixtures

Construction and infrastructure

Pre-cast concrete handling
Heavy pipe and structural steel
Generator and equipment placement
Modular building components

Lumber and forest products

Log handling
Heavy lumber packages
Timber frame components

Power options

Diesel

Dominant power source for heavy equipment:

Advantages. Power, torque, runtime, outdoor capability.
Engines. Industrial diesel, 4-6+ cylinders.
Emissions. Tier 4 Final compliance required (newer units).
Considerations. Outdoor use primarily; ventilation required indoors.

LPG (propane)

Alternative for some heavy applications:

Capacity. Available to approximately 15,000 kg.
Advantages. Cleaner than diesel, indoor/outdoor capable.
Limitations. Less common in highest capacity ranges.

Electric

Growing but limited in heavy equipment:

Availability. Some models to 15,000+ kg capacity.
Advantages. Zero emissions, lower operating cost.
Limitations. Battery weight, runtime, charging infrastructure.
Trend. Expanding as battery technology improves.

Attachments

Fork attachments

Heavy forks. Thick, reinforced forks for high capacity.
Wide forks. Distribute load over larger surface.
Fork positioners. Hydraulic width adjustment.
Fork extensions. Longer reach for oversized loads.

Specialized attachments

Coil rams. Insert into steel coil center.
Coil clamps. Grip coil outside diameter.
Container spreaders. Lock onto container corners.
Paper roll clamps. Handle paper rolls without damage.
Rotating heads. 360° rotation capability.
Side shifters. Lateral fork adjustment.

Selection considerations

Key questions

What is the maximum load weight (with margin)?
What load dimensions and load centers?
What lift height is required?
Indoor, outdoor, or both?
What floor/ground conditions?
What attachments are needed?
What service support is available locally?

Infrastructure requirements

Floor loading. Heavy forklifts impose massive point loads.
Aisle width. Much larger turning radius than standard forklifts.
Door clearance. Height and width for machine passage.
Ramp capacity. Must support machine plus load.
Fuel storage. Larger tanks, more fuel usage.

Operator requirements

Specific training on equipment class
Experience with heavy loads
Understanding of capacity limitations
Often requires more experienced operators

Costs

Purchase price ranges

Capacity Class	New Price Range	Used Price Range
10,000-15,000 kg	$80,000-150,000	$40,000-90,000
15,000-25,000 kg	$120,000-250,000	$60,000-150,000
25,000-40,000 kg	$200,000-400,000	$100,000-250,000
Container handlers	$250,000-600,000	$100,000-350,000

Operating costs

Fuel. 10-30+ liters per hour depending on size and use.
Maintenance. Higher than standard—budget 5-8% of value annually.
Tires. $1,000-5,000+ per tire; multiple tires.
Insurance. Higher premiums for expensive equipment.

Top manufacturers

Hyster. Strong in heavy capacity, excellent range.
Taylor. Specialized heavy forklift manufacturer.
Kalmar. Container handlers and heavy equipment.
Toyota. Heavy capacity options, reliability leader.
CAT. Heavy equipment heritage, industrial applications.
Linde. European heavy equipment strength.
Konecranes. Container and heavy lift specialists.