Knowing how to read a forklift specification sheet helps you compare trucks correctly and avoid buying a truck that cannot handle your loads at the real rack height. A data sheet has dozens of lines, but only a few figures decide whether the truck can do the job. This article explains each key figure, with examples using real data from STILL trucks.
What does a forklift data sheet contain?
A data sheet is usually divided into groups: identification (model, operator type, power source), capacity and load centre, mast dimensions, truck and aisle dimensions, performance (travel speed, lift and lowering speed), drive and battery. On its product pages, STILL summarises this in a model table with maximum capacity, maximum lift height, travel speed and battery voltage. An example from the STILL RX 20 series:
| Model | Max. capacity (kg) | Max. lift height (mm) | Travel speed (km/h) | Battery voltage (V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 20-14C/Li-Ion | 1,400 | 7,870 | 20 | 48 |
| RX 20-18/Li-Ion | 1,800 | 7,720 | 20 | 48 |
| RX 20-20L/Li-Ion | 2,000 | 7,930 | 20 | 48 |
To read this table, understand that each column shows the model’s maximum value, not a value reached simultaneously under all conditions.
Capacity and load centre: two figures that belong together
Rated capacity is the maximum weight the truck can lift when the load’s centre of gravity sits exactly at the specified load centre. The load centre is the distance from the vertical face of the forks to the load’s centre of gravity. A capacity figure without its load centre is almost meaningless.
Real examples from STILL’s source:
- The STILL RCE 15 – 20 lifts up to 2.0 tonnes with a load centre of 500 mm.
- The STILL RX 70 4.0 – 5.0 t lifts up to five tonnes with a load centre of 600 mm.
- The STILL RX 60 6.0 – 8.0 t: the RX 60-80/900 lifts up to eight tonnes at a load centre of 900 mm.
The “/900” suffix in RX 60-80/900 is the load centre. When goods are longer than a standard pallet (steel, timber, pipes), the centre of gravity moves outward, the tipping moment increases and the permissible capacity falls. That is why two “5-tonne” trucks with different load centres (500 mm and 600 mm) cannot be compared directly. Detailed guide: how to choose forklift capacity.
Lift height and residual capacity
Maximum lift height is the height of the top of the forks with the tallest mast available in the range. In the RX 20 table, the RX 20-18/Li-Ion has a maximum lift height of 7,720 mm, while the RX 20-20L/Li-Ion reaches 7,930 mm. Two points are often overlooked:
- Residual capacity: the higher the forks, the less stable the truck, so the permissible load at great heights is usually lower than the rated capacity. This figure is in the load chart for each mast, not in the summary table.
- Lowered mast height: decides whether the truck fits through doors, under racking or into containers. For example, STILL describes the RXE 10–16C as just under 2 metres high so it fits through doorways.
A practical rule: take the highest rack level plus handling clearance, then check the residual capacity at that height with your heaviest pallet.
What is free lift?
Free lift is the lifting distance over which the fork carriage rises while the overall mast height does not yet increase. It matters when working in containers, lorries, under low roofs or when double-stacking where ceilings are low: the truck can raise the load without the top of the mast hitting the ceiling.
Data sheets usually state the mast type: simple masts with little or no free lift, and full free lift masts often used for containers. Conversely, some designs deliberately omit free lift to gain speed. For example, STILL’s source describes the STILL EK-X order picker as having fast lifting and lowering speeds thanks to a mast without free lift and without mast transition journeys, with a reach height of up to 14.5 metres. When reading the sheet, match the mast type to your real working environment.
Working aisle width Ast
Ast is the minimum aisle width needed for the truck to turn 90 degrees and put a pallet into or take it out of the rack. Ast depends on the turning radius, truck length and pallet dimensions (data sheets usually give Ast for pallets in both orientations). This figure decides how many rack rows fit in your warehouse.
| Example from STILL’s source | Working aisle width (Ast) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| STILL AXV 12 iGo | 2,480 mm | Automated truck, used where previously only manual trucks fitted |
| STILL RX 60-80/900 | 4,999 mm | Lifts 8 tonnes at a 900 mm load centre |
These two figures show how much Ast varies with truck type and load. For counterbalance trucks, dimensions and turning radius are the main factors; STILL presents the Combi floating axle on the four-wheel RX 20 as improving the working aisle width. When aisles are too narrow for a counterbalance truck, look at reach trucks.
Travel speed, lift speed and other performance figures
- Travel speed: usually given laden and unladen. For example, the STILL RXE 10–16C reaches a maximum of 12 km/h when laden.
- Lift and lowering speed: given in m/s or cm/s, laden and unladen. For example, in the independent F+H test the RX 20 reached a lift speed of 65.1 cm/s with a 1000 kg load in Sprint mode.
- Gradeability: given in %, laden and unladen; compare it with your actual ramps.
- Battery voltage: 24 V, 48 V or 80 V reflects the truck’s power class. For example, the RXE 10–16C uses 24 V, the RX 20 uses 48 V and the RX 60 uses 80 V.
The maximum speed in the table is a technical limit. Real productivity also depends on the drive programme, floor and operator.
How to read a data sheet when choosing a truck
- Record the heaviest pallet, its dimensions and centre of gravity to know your real load centre.
- Measure the highest rack level, door and ceiling heights, and any containers the truck must enter.
- Measure the aisles between racks and compare them with the truck’s Ast for the right pallet size.
- Filter trucks by capacity and load centre, then check the residual capacity chart for the right mast.
- Compare speed, battery and number of shifts.
Frequently asked questions
Why can a 2-tonne truck not lift 2 tonnes to the top rack level?
Because the rated capacity only applies at the standard load centre and up to a certain height. At great heights, or when the load’s centre of gravity is further out than the load centre, residual capacity falls. Read the load chart for the exact mast.
Can the Ast of a counterbalance truck and a reach truck be compared directly?
Yes, if the pallet size and orientation are the same. That is exactly how to judge which truck lets your warehouse fit more rack rows.
Do I need free lift if I do not work in containers?
If the warehouse ceiling is high and there are no low obstructions, the need for free lift is lower. Discuss it with an engineer to choose the right mast for each working position.
Need help reading and comparing data sheets for your project? Send a request via the request a quote form or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70 for support from a T&C engineer.