Struggling to find the right forklift for your heavy-duty operations? The wrong choice can result in inefficiency and even safety hazards. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the biggest forklifts currently on the market and help you choose the perfect fit for your business needs.
Looking for the biggest forklifts on the market? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 forklift models designed to handle the heaviest loads and toughest terrains. From lifting capacities of 20 tons to over 50 tons, discover which models are leading the way in industries like construction, logistics, and shipping.
Let’s dive deeper into what makes these massive forklifts stand out and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What Makes a Forklift “Biggest”?
When we talk about the biggest forklifts, it’s crucial to understand what factors define their size and capabilities. It’s not just about physical dimensions but the overall performance of the machine. Let’s break it down:
- Load Capacity: Lifting capacity is a huge deal when it comes to forklifts. The biggest, badass forklifts out there are rated for a range from 20 tons up to that which can lift 50 tons or more.
- Height: How high is another defining aspect. Your standard forklift may lift to 10 or 20 feet, but the biggest bad boy forklifts will lift 30 feet or more in the air and stack all day long.
- Weight: It generally comes down to the fact that bigger forklifts weigh more. All that weight helps support lifting those super heavy loads. Plan for a ginormous forklift to weigh in at over 50,000 lbs.
- Maneuverability: These bad boys are usually used in their own environments where they can get around just fine and do what they were meant to do. They aren’t built for the cross-training course inside a small warehouse.
Key Characteristics of the Biggest Forklifts
| Characteristic | Small Forklifts | Medium Forklifts | Biggest Forklifts |
| Lifting Capacity | Up to 5 tons | 5-15 tons | 20-50 tons+ |
| Height | 10-15 feet | 15-25 feet | 30+ feet |
| Weight | 3,000-8,000 lbs | 8,000-20,000 lbs | 30,000-50,000 lbs |
| Fuel Type | Electric, LPG, Diesel | LPG, Diesel, Electric | Diesel, LPG |
| Industry Application | Warehousing, Light Lifting | Construction, Logistics | Ports, Large Construction |
What Industries Require the Biggest Forklifts for Daily Operations?
The biggest ones are for heavy-duty industries where you’re lifting heavy stuff. If you need to pick up 50 tons and take it from here to over there, that’s what they’re good for. Butt-kickers are better suited for where you have a lot of big, heavy stuff to lift, and that’s what you do with one of these monsters.
- Construction: On the construction site, the biggest forklifts are needed to pick up and carry large construction materials like steel I-beams, concrete blocks, and heavy equipment. These forklifts often work on uneven ground and require the power to raise heavy loads to high elevations.
- Shipping & Ports: In the shipping and port industry, large containers need to be picked up and moved efficiently. The biggest forklifts pick up containers that weigh 50 tons or more to load and unload them from ships and carry the containers across large docks.
- Manufacturing: In a factory, particularly one that has large machinery or heavy equipment, big forklifts are necessary to move around these big items on the shop floor to optimize space and speed up production.
- Logistics & Warehousing: The biggest forklifts are also found in large warehouses, especially those that store things in bulk, and where they have to move or pick up pallets of goods really quickly. These forklifts can pick to high racks and lift heavy loads, helping ensure the efficient operation of the warehouse.
Industries Using the Biggest Forklifts
| Industry | Applications | Example Tasks |
| Construction | Heavy lifting, rough terrain | Moving large beams, concrete blocks |
| Shipping & Ports | Container handling, heavy cargo | Loading/unloading containers, oversized goods |
| Manufacturing | Handling machinery, large materials | Moving heavy parts, machinery assembly |
| Warehousing | Bulk storage, high-level stacking | Storing pallets, stacking high shelves |
Top 10 Biggest Forklifts Models Currently on the Market
Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 biggest forklifts available on the market today. These models have been selected based on their lifting capacity, height, and overall versatility across various sectors.
Top 10 Biggest Forklifts Models
| Rank | Forklift Model | Lifting Capacity | Max Lift Height | Primary Application | Fuel Type |
| 1 | Toyota 8FDU80 Diesel Forklift | 8 tons | 20 feet | Construction, Warehousing | Diesel |
| 2 | Mitsubishi FG80 | 8 tons | 16 feet | Heavy-duty Operations | LPG, Diesel |
| 3 | Kalmar DCF100-45E6 | 45 tons | 30 feet | Ports, Large Yards | Diesel |
| 4 | Hyster H18XD-6 | 18 tons | 15 feet | Large Industrial Sites | Diesel |
| 5 | Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 Mobile Crane | 750 tons | 50 feet | Heavy Lifting, Cranes | Diesel |
| 6 | Doosan D80S-7 | 8 tons | 18 feet | Logistics, Construction | Diesel |
| 7 | Manitou MRT 2540 Privilege+ | 4 tons | 25 feet | Rough Terrain Operations | Diesel |
| 8 | Caterpillar DP80 | 8 tons | 20 feet | Industrial, Large Sites | Diesel |
| 9 | JCB 926 | 9 tons | 19 feet | Construction, Warehousing | Diesel |
| 10 | Hyundai 80D-9 | 8 tons | 18 feet | Logistics, Construction | Diesel |
How to Choose the Right Big Forklift for Your Needs?
Picking out the right forklift for your needs depends on a couple different things like how heavy a load you need to pick up, what you are picking up, what sort of terrain you are driving on, and whether you need special attachments. Here’s how to think through your options:
- Lifting Capacity: You want to make sure the forklift can lift the maximum weight of what you are trying to pick up and move. If you have a forklift that’s too smaller, you’re not being as productive and efficient as you could be. And if you have one too large, you are wasting money.
- Terrain: If you are outside and driving around on a construction site or in a rugged area, you want a forklift that’s designed to drive on rough terrain. It will generally have large tires. You’ll have an oscillating axle, which is part of the suspension system, usually very heavy-duty. You will typically see a forklift have four-wheel drive.
- Fuel Type: Forklifts can run on diesel, and if you are doing heavy duty work, you would probably use a diesel forklift because it gives you a huge amount of torque and can run for a long time. But there are also LPG or propane forklifts that are used in things like warehouses. They tend to be more environmentally friendly.
- Safety Features: The giant forklifts all have safety features like anti-tip, load sensors, and stability controls so they don’t tip over when they pick up something too heavy.
Choosing the Right Forklift – Key Factors
| Factor | Small Forklifts | Medium Forklifts | Biggest Forklifts |
| Terrain | Smooth Surfaces | Paved Surfaces, Light Terrain | Rough Terrain, Large Sites |
| Fuel Efficiency | High (Electric Models) | Medium (LPG, Diesel) | Low to Medium (Diesel) |
| Lifting Height | Low (10-15 feet) | Medium (15-25 feet) | High (30+ feet) |
| Load Capacity | 5 tons or less | 5-15 tons | 20 tons or more |
| Safety Features | Basic (Load Sensors) | Standard (Anti-Tip) | Advanced (Load Sensors, Stability) |
What Are the Benefits of Using the Biggest Forklifts in Large-Scale Operations?
The biggest forklifts are absolutely essential for large-scale operations where you need to move big, heavy stuff around all the time, and you need to do it very safely and very efficiently. The world’s largest forklifts are used in the largest construction projects, shipping, and port operations, the beefiest manufacturing environments, and warehouses.
Increased Efficiency
One of the biggest benefits of using the biggest forklifts is the efficiency of moving large amounts of material because you can move so much weight with one lift and lift to such a height in one lift. Think of the efficiency of being able to pick up 60,000 pounds with one lift instead of 6,000 pounds. Suppose you can lift that load 24 feet in the air with the biggest forklift.
That’s a huge timesaver. Instead of picking up ten loads and setting them down, you just pick it up once and set it down. If you have to move a ton of material all day long, you just saved a ton of time and make meetings, that is throughput, which is what all these companies are after. It also reduces the cost of handling the goods because you have one piece of equipment pick it up instead of several pieces multiple times.
Efficiency Benefits of Biggest Forklifts
| Forklift Model | Lifting Capacity | Max Height | Time to Complete Task (vs Smaller Forklifts) |
| Kalmar DCF100-45E6 | 45 tons | 30 feet | 20-30% Faster |
| Toyota 8FDU80 | 8 tons | 20 feet | 10-15% Faster |
| Mitsubishi FG80 | 8 tons | 16 feet | 10% Faster |
Heavy-Duty Capability
The biggest forklifts are built to pick up the heaviest stuff and the weirdest stuff. They are designed specifically to pick up machinery, big beams, heavy engines, and other things. Some of the very biggest will pick up 20,000 pounds, 30,000 pounds, 50,000 pounds or even more. This makes them the number one choice for anything that is huge in size and heavy in weight.
So if you have to pick up big, heavy stuff all the time, you’re not going to want to use your small forklift. Some forklifts are so big, they are cranes. The Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 is actually a mobile crane, but it’s a forklift (for large forklifts) and it can pick up 750 tons. So, that’d be a great machine if I got to build a bridge or a big building with lots of big beams and machinery pieces.
Heavy-Duty Capability of Top Forklifts
| Forklift Model | Lifting Capacity | Primary Application | Weight of Item Moved (Example) |
| Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 | 750 tons | Large Construction Projects | Steel Beams, Machinery |
| Doosan D80S-7 | 8 tons | Logistics, Construction | Large Equipment, Building Materials |
| JCB 926 | 9 tons | Industrial Operations | Construction Equipment, Cargo |
Versatility
Many of the biggest forklifts can take a lot of different types of attachments to give them a lot of versatility. You can add clamp forks. You can add lift platforms. You can add side shift. All these things with a smaller forklift are just ways to move material or to lift material or place material. So you start getting into some of this construction area and some of this large warehouse area, you can have a forklift that does all those things.
Why would you want one machine that lifts, places, and holds something all in one when you can have a separate machine for all three? For example, the Manitou MRT 2540 Privilege+ with a 15,000 pound capacity can take both forklift forks and change them out to an attachment for a winch to be a crane. This type of forklift is perfect for construction sites. Roles change all the time, and having a forklift that can lift, carry, and place items but also be converted to a crane, you’ve really got a versatile piece.
Versatility of Biggest Forklifts with Attachments
| Forklift Model | Available Attachments | Applications |
| Manitou MRT 2540 Privilege+ | Forks, Lifting Platforms, Crane Attachments | Construction, Outdoor Lifting Tasks |
| Caterpillar DP80 | Clamp Forks, Side Shifters | Industrial Sites, Material Handling |
| Hyster H18XD-6 | Forks, Lifting Beams | Large Warehouses, Ports |
Durability
Because of the size of the largest forklifts and where they operate, they are built to last. They are built to handle harsh environments. If you think about it, they are working in very rough conditions on construction sites, in shipping areas by the ports, and in large warehouses that by sheer virtue of their size get a lot of traffic moving around in them. These large forklifts are built to take the pounding of a construction job.
A good example is the Hyundai 80D-9, a three-stage, mast-type, container handling forklift with an 18,000 – 19,800 lb capacity. These are heavy-duty, all-around forklifts that can work outdoors and take a lot of use and abuse. You might find these machines working in the timber industry, big sawmills, or big lumber mills. Here your forklift has to be big, tough, and durable if you expect to keep it running for a long time in a very demanding role.
| Forklift Model | Terrain Suitability | Durability Features | Ideal Environments |
| Hyundai 80D-9 | Rough Terrain | Heavy-Duty Tires, Reinforced Chassis | Outdoor, Construction Sites |
| Kalmar DCF100-45E6 | Ports, Construction | All-Wheel Drive, Strong Suspension | Ports, Large Yards |
| Mitsubishi FG80 | Smooth to Rough | Anti-Corrosion Coating, Robust Engine | Manufacturing, Warehousing |
How Much Do the Biggest Forklifts Cost?
The cost of large capacity forklifts can vary significantly depending on the brand, lifting capacity, fuel type, and any additional features or attachments. These high-capacity forklifts are built to handle some of the toughest environments, like ports, construction sites, and large warehouses, and they are an investment for any business.
The price of the largest forklifts can start at around $500,000 or more for the most premium models with heavy-duty lifting capacities and advanced features. Prices can also jump significantly for specialized forklifts, such as mobile cranes or forklifts with specialized attachments designed for handling specific tasks.
Price Range for Popular Forklift Models
Here’s a closer look at the price range for some of the biggest forklifts on the market:
Price Range of the Biggest Forklifts
| Forklift Model | Price Range | Features |
| Kalmar DCF100-45E6 | $400,000 – $500,000 | 45 tons lifting capacity, advanced safety features, durable for heavy-duty operations |
| Toyota 8FDU80 | $50,000 – $100,000 | 8 tons lifting capacity, ergonomic design, fuel-efficient |
| Hyster H18XD-6 | $100,000 – $200,000 | 18 tons lifting capacity, high maneuverability, tough construction for rough terrains |
| Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 | $1,500,000+ | 750 tons lifting capacity, mobile crane functionality, excellent stability in harsh environments |
Note: Prices can vary significantly depending on location, dealer, and additional attachments or modifications.
The cost of operation, such as fuel, maintenance, and repair costs, can have a more substantial impact on the overall price tag of owning a forklift. All heavy equipment requires regular maintenance and, depending on the type of fuel, can be expensive to operate. Those costs need to be included in your calculations. If you need to transport the forklift off-site, you’ll also need to consider the cost of hiring a crane or some other form of transportation. Finally, consider the costs associated with training your employees to properly operate a forklift. It’s important that they be certified in the operation of their forklift, and that training may add some costs to your bottom line.
FAQs
How much weight can the biggest forklifts lift?
The biggest forklifts can typically lift anywhere from 20 tons to 50 tons, or more, depending on the model of forklift. The Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1, for example, can lift up to 750 tons.
Are the biggest forklifts suitable for rough terrain?
Yes, many of the largest forklifts are designed for outdoor use in rough- terrain applications. For example, the Hyster H18XD-6 is a forklift built for use in large industrial yards where it has to cross rough or uneven terrain.
What brands make the biggest forklifts?
The usual suspects—Toyota, Mitsubishi, Kalmar, Hyster, and Liebherr—build these types of high-capacity forklifts to lift heavy loads in demanding applications.
Conclusion
The biggest forklifts play a crucial role in large-scale operations where lifting heavy loads and staying productive are both important to your bottom line. By understanding the specific benefits of these forklifts – their efficiency, ability to handle heavy loads, flexibility, and durability – you can confidently decide which model is best for your needs. Just make sure you think about the requirements of your operation and have a clear budget before pulling the trigger on one these big boys for your business.Our company HIXEN mainly deals in second-hand forklifts and various second-hand construction machinery. I can provide you with high-quality machines at reasonable prices. If you need anything, please feel free to contact me.
