German police are attributing a EUR70,000 forklift rampage to "a failed love affair".

A 20-year-old man caused havoc with a forklift ride in the town of Waldachtal in the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, having previously announced his plans to the police.

The background to the joyride was probably "a failed love affair," according to local police.

During his 5 km journey, the man crashed his forklift into five parked vehicles, a paddock, a barn, walls and street lamps.

The lovestruck man finished his joyride after about an hour and was arrested without resistance.

How the man got hold of the forklift is still unclear.