CFA Load Center & Capacity Limits 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A forklift's nameplate shows a capacity of 5,000 lbs at a 24-inch load center. If you're carrying a load with a 36-inch load center, what happens to the effective capacity?
- It increases because longer loads weigh less
- It decreases because the load center moves forward (Correct answer)
- It stays the same as long as the load is within the forks
- It increases proportionally with the load center distance
Correct answer: It decreases because the load center moves forward
Moving the load center farther from the forks creates more leverage, reducing the forklift's effective lifting capacity.
Question 2: What does the term 'load center' specifically refer to on a forklift?
- The center of the forklift's cab
- The horizontal distance from the face of the forks to the load's center of gravity (Correct answer)
- The center point between the two forks
- The midpoint of the forklift's wheelbase
Correct answer: The horizontal distance from the face of the forks to the load's center of gravity
Load center is measured horizontally from the fork face (vertical part) to the center of gravity of the load.
Question 3: A capacity plate shows '6,000 lbs @ 24" LC.' You need to lift a uniformly dense pallet that is 60 inches deep. What is the load center?
- 24 inches
- 30 inches (Correct answer)
- 60 inches
- 48 inches
Correct answer: 30 inches
For a uniformly dense load, the load center is half the load depth: 60 ÷ 2 = 30 inches.
Question 4: When stacking loads vertically, how does lifting height affect a forklift's rated capacity?
- Capacity increases at greater heights due to better leverage
- Capacity remains constant regardless of lift height
- Capacity decreases as lift height increases (Correct answer)
- Capacity only changes if the mast is extended beyond 10 feet
Correct answer: Capacity decreases as lift height increases
As lift height increases, the load's weight shifts the center of gravity higher, reducing stability and effective capacity.
Question 5: A forklift capacity plate lists attachments that reduce capacity by 500 lbs. The standard rated capacity is 4,000 lbs. What is the maximum load with the attachment installed?
- 4,500 lbs
- 4,000 lbs
- 3,500 lbs (Correct answer)
- 3,000 lbs
Correct answer: 3,500 lbs
Attachments add weight and shift the load center, reducing the net capacity: 4,000 − 500 = 3,500 lbs.
Question 6: Which factor is NOT typically shown on a standard forklift capacity plate?
- Rated load capacity
- Maximum fork height
- Operator's weight (Correct answer)
- Load center distance
Correct answer: Operator's weight
Capacity plates list rated capacity, load center, lift height, and attachment data — not the operator's weight.
Question 7: A side-shifting attachment is installed on a forklift. How does this affect capacity when the load is shifted fully to one side?
- No effect — side shifting only moves loads laterally
- Capacity decreases because the load center shifts off-center (Correct answer)
- Capacity increases due to better load positioning
- Capacity doubles on the side the load shifts toward
Correct answer: Capacity decreases because the load center shifts off-center
Shifting a load laterally moves its center of gravity sideways, reducing stability and effective capacity.
CFA Load Center & Capacity Limits 2
A forklift's nameplate shows a capacity of 5,000 lbs at a 24-inch load center.
If you're carrying a load with a 36-inch load center, what happens to the effective capacity?