HI again to you all

I won't repeat any of my previous comments, but emphasis that forklifts are inherently dangerous (can have a low "safety factor" when fully loaded and the load is raised to maximum height) so there is a strong need to ensure safety is maintained.

I emphasise that the rated distance is both a horizontal and vertical measure - a load with a COG height greater than the rated distance (24" in USA, 600 mm in Australia and 500 mm in many other countries for small forklifts) destabilises the forklift in respect of both tipover and rollover. So unless loads are all low in height the formulas above are misleading.

The 100 lb per inch formula is an approximation for 1500 - 1800 kg or 3000 - 4000 lb forklifts only WHEN carrying low loads - that is it's application is very limited.

And you need to be aware of other limitations. At the rated distance the forks themselves are quite rigid so there is limited tendency for the load to rock back and forwards on flexing forks. However because of the fork taper, as you move the load distance out, the forks flex increases quickly so that laods may start moving back and forth significantly. This is why standards limit fork extensions (slippers) to 150% of the fork length. And it could be argued that a prudent forklift manager should get advice from the manufacturer WHENEVER the rated distance exceeds 150% of the rated distance - in the case of small forklifts where it is greater than 36 inches/ 900 mm or 750 mm depending on the standard distance in their country.