What is likely to happen to the forklift capacity if the load center increases?

When the load center increases, the forklift capacity decreases. The load center refers to the distance from the vertical face of the forks to the center of gravity of the load being lifted. As the load center increases, it effectively moves the center of gravity further away from the forklift's mast.

This shift in load center can lead to a reduction in the maximum weight that the forklift can safely lift while maintaining stability. If the load is too far from the mast, the risk of tipping increases, which is why manufacturers provide load charts that specify how capacity is affected by changes in load center. Therefore, with a greater load center, there’s less capacity available to operate safely. This principle is vital for safe forklift operation and ensuring compliance with load limits.