Discussion:
A question for all you Service Techs

I trained today at a new client's site. They have a new Clark ESX25 stand up ride-on stacker. The truck, I presume, although I may be wrong, is rated for 5000lbs. It is an EE truck with a sideshifter, and that is it. Why does the data plate read a capacity of only 2800lbs. @ 24" LC?
  • Posted 26 Mar 2009 07:48
  • Discussion started by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Showing items 1 - 15 of 18 results.
Hi Doc,

I've seen it. Many times. On several different classes of lift trucks. From various manufacturers.

I don't know. I am baffled. As said earlier, I can see the 2800lbs @240", but no capacity based on lesser height? Maybe what you say is correct. I train, and don't engineer, or stamp data plates.

Good discussion tho', and I enjoy your input.
  • Posted 31 Mar 2009 09:28
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Dan,

No manufacture that I know of is willing to provide incremental capacity changes.

Almost all stick to ANSI B56, ASTM, Etc and provide only max cap at MFH.

Just a matter of protecting Liability.


Regards,

Doc.
  • Posted 31 Mar 2009 09:18
  • Reply by Drlifttruck
  • Texas, United States
Lift Trucks all the same, just painted different colors.
Doc
Email: kulsh@forkliftservice.net
Andy,

That I can appreciate, However, frequently, the data plates have been modified to reflect the capacity changes due to various heights. Whether the dealer, or manufacturer, is the party involved in doing so, that is not for me to decide. I would expect that the info provided would be legit, whoever has done up the plate, anticipating a certain amount of professional trust. I suppose, whoever has done up an inaccurate plate, would be the party liable, however, that does not do the injured party an good.

Now, previous to my training, the account has been lifting 3500 pound pallets, 7 feet high, apparently with no problem. I come in and say that is not right, or legal. Follow the data plate, and that is what's allowed. But they had tendered and purchased a lift truck that could, and should handle the weight, and when we look at the data plate, surprise! surprise! 2800lb., 24" LC, 240".

I suppose the account can call the dealer, or Clark, and get the correct information. As a training specialist, with contacts from all over the world, I decided to take it upon myself as to why this is happening. I am NOT going to tell them that they can pick up more if the data plate is indeed incorrect, however, I can try to somehow resolve this mystery that is plaguing everyone who has read this thread.

Maybe when I get a response from Prentice, we can figure this out. And if the data plate is wrong, then they can approach their dealer. If the truck cannot lift anymore than 2800 pounds, then someone has a problem, but I would love to know why.

Thank you.
  • Posted 31 Mar 2009 02:42
  • Modified 31 Mar 2009 02:44 by poster
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Dan

The capacity of any machine is supplied by the manufacturer not the service technician. In the UK most manufacturers have stopped fitting multi weight SWL plates. I believe this is to prevent confusion over the actual SWL and prevent operators lifting an overweight load past its safe height (if you can get a plate for this machine how do you prevent the operators going past the safe height?). Your customer should contact his supplier and see if a multi weight plate is available. If someone posted a multi wieght chart on this site which said what you wanted it to say, could you or would you be prepared to use it?
  • Posted 31 Mar 2009 02:09
  • Reply by AndyPandy
  • Staffordshire, WM, United Kingdom
Believe u me, I do not have to learn how the height affects capacity.

That is all I am asking. Question again. 5000lb capacity stand-up stacker, data plate reads only this: 2800lbs., 24" LC, 240" high. Now Dr., what will it lift at 3 feet high? or 6' high or 10' high? Okay Dr., whats the answer?

There has got to be some scale of decrease capacity displayed on the data plate as the forks go higher up the mast if that's the case. Say, 5000lbs-161", 4500lbs -212", 2800lbs-240". IT DOESN'T!

Or does it only take 2800lbs all the way up to 240"? If so, WHY? Especially when the client order a stand-up stacker, EE, sideshift, and they have to be able to lift as much as 3500 pounds?

I am not a service tech, and as repeated many times previously, I will not pretend to be one. Technical issues are for the techies, and training/safety issues for the safety trainers. This is a technical issue, and I am currently unsure why this data plate reads as it does. So, until you can provide me with the correct response on this particular truck, please, and I really mean it sincerely, please do not question my abilities as a trainer, and don't tell me to go online to see how the height affects the capacity, because it doesn't always, and please do not belittle my knowledge.
  • Posted 30 Mar 2009 22:45
  • Modified 31 Mar 2009 00:10 by poster
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Hello Dan, Let me know prenticelift @ bellnet dot ca
  • Posted 30 Mar 2009 22:18
  • Reply by Prentice
  • Ontario, Canada
Thanks, Martin.

Well, we are getting closer. If it can lift 5000lbs-the sideshifter up to a certain height, I agree, the data plate should state that. And then, as the forks ride up the mast, a declining capacity on the data plate should be noted. And maybe, at 240" high, the capacity IS only 2800 pounds, but even if the client does NOT lift that high due to ceiling limitations, I agree, the capacity should be stated on the data plate for a lower lift height. And all I can advise my students is not to exceed the rated capacity of the forklift even tho', most likely, at a lower lift height, the capacity is greater than 2800 pounds.

Puts me between a rock and a hard place because I like the dealer and I enjoy the Clark machines, and I am just trying to teach what is right, and this truck gotta lift more than the 2800 pounds. I'll see if Prentice will give me his email so I can email the serial number and draw this thread to a close, sooner than later.

Thanks everyone.
  • Posted 28 Mar 2009 05:12
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Dan

I understand your frustration, I'm a trainer, tech and used equipment dealer so sometimes have to wear more than one hat!

If you check the spec sheet on the Clark website, you will see that it is indeed nominally a "5000lb capacity" unit, however that rating is with a standard mast, and no accessories (s/s etc). Some manufacturers only get the nominal lift capacity with a 120" two stage mast, a spec you will rarely see.....

You have a truck with a 240" mast which leads to the downrating, I'm sure it will lift more, quite safely, at lower lift heights, indeed many manufacturers will have staggered capacities/lift hts. on the spec plate. That being said your machine only has only the one capacity listed and therefor by law that is it's capacity. No exceptions!

Clark may rerate the unit for your customer and give staggered lift heights/capacities, but then again they may not.

Hope this helps,

Martin
  • Posted 28 Mar 2009 04:52
  • Reply by martin_w
  • British Columbia, Canada
Prentice,

Can I somehow email you the serial #?

Danny
  • Posted 28 Mar 2009 03:50
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Hey Dan, Whats the serial #???? I have some people that can pull the Line card and find the technical info for this this unit
  • Posted 27 Mar 2009 22:41
  • Modified 27 Mar 2009 22:44 by poster
  • Reply by Prentice
  • Ontario, Canada
On the metric end of things, 25X2.2=5600 pounds, 600 more than the imperial measurement side of things.

All I am doing is trying to resolve an issue for a client. They bought the thing believing that they would be able to pick up 3500 pound loads, of which I am sure the sales rep (he's good) figured that the 25EX would do the job. Now I go in and teach the guys that they are not allowed to exceed the rated capacity of the lift truck and when we look at the data plate, straight up, 2800@24", 240".

I told my client that I belong to a forum that would be able to possibly figure this one out. And if a Clark 25 sit-down can p/u approx 5000lbs as does a Toyota, what would make this any different.

Anyhow, I though I could help these people out. I am not calling Kentucky. They will have to speak to the dealer and get the answers themselves.
  • Posted 27 Mar 2009 21:30
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Dan , have you been working for NASA doing the math for the Mars landers? :-)
Are you _assuming_ the 25 in the model is metric and not US?
Why not ask the folks at Clark in Lexington Ky. USA?
Where are you getting the info that says it is 5000 pounds (2500kilo) unit?
I personally have no idea.
  • Posted 27 Mar 2009 21:05
  • Reply by edward_t
  • South Carolina, United States
Data plate reads 2800 lbs., 24" load center, 240" high. That is it. That is all. There is no loss of capacity as the forks ride up the mast. From 0-240", 2800 lbs.

Where are all you guys?
  • Posted 27 Mar 2009 20:50
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada
Is this truck a pantograph or moving mast? Not sure whether this truck is manufactured to Korean (Samsung) standard. If they follow the Korean standard, then it is not surprise that the capacity will drop by more than half at 240 ins. lift height. Also Korean standard only set at 20ins load centre.
  • Posted 27 Mar 2009 16:42
  • Reply by richard_y
  • Singapore, Singapore
But by almost half?
  • Posted 26 Mar 2009 23:21
  • Reply by dan_m
  • Ontario, Canada

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