The term "cantilever forklift" is not a single machine type but a broad engineering classification that describes how a forklift carries its load. In material handling, a cantilever design means the load is carried in front of the support point (the front wheels), creating a lever effect that must be balanced. Understanding this principle is essential because it defines the stability, capacity, and limitations of nearly every forklift on the market.
What Is a Cantilever Forklift?
According to the Michigan Administrative Code, a "cantilever truck" is formally defined as "a self-loading counter-balanced or non-counterbalanced truck equipped with cantilever load engaging means". In simpler terms, any forklift that extends its forks forward beyond its front axle—with the load supported by a counterweight at the rear—is operating on the cantilever principle.
The counterbalanced forklift is the most common example. It gets its name from the large iron counterweight carried at the rear. The machine operates like a first-degree lever: the counterweight (effort) at the back balances the load (resistance) at the front, with the front wheels acting as the fulcrum. The counterweight includes the chassis, motor, transmission, and hydraulic pump. The mast, fork carriage, and forks—along with the load itself—are all positioned in front of the fulcrum and must be counterbalanced.
Key Characteristics of Cantilever-Design Forklifts
Characteristic Description
Load Position Carried in front of the support point (front wheels)
Stability Mechanism Rear counterweight balances the forward load
Lever Principle First-degree lever: counterweight (effort) vs. load (resistance)
Capacity Factor Load capacity decreases as load center moves farther from the mast
Typical Aisle Width 10.5 to 13.1 feet, depending on model and load
Max Lift Height Typically limited to approximately 24.6 feet
Counterbalanced Forklifts: The Primary Cantilever Type
The counterbalanced forklift is the most widely used cantilever truck. It is a sit-down, four-wheel vehicle that handles loads by using the weight of the truck itself to offset the load. These machines are fast, versatile, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor operations.
Common Power Sources:
Electric (battery-powered): Ideal for indoor warehouses with zero emissions
Internal Combustion (gas, diesel, LPG): Better for outdoor and heavy-duty applications
Mast Types:
Double mast: Two telescopic bodies that extend during lifting
Double mast with full free lift: Mast does not extend until forks are fully raised
Triple mast: Three telescopic bodies for greater lift height
Aisle and Height Limitations: Counterbalanced forklifts typically require aisles of 10.5 to 11.5 feet, though some models may need over 13.1 feet. Lifting height is generally limited to about 24.6 feet.
Specialized Cantilever Forklift Designs
Beyond the standard counterbalanced truck, the cantilever principle appears in several specialized configurations:
1. Cantilever Forks for Flexible Load Handling
Modern automated forklifts like the STILL EXV-CB iGo feature cantilever forks that enable the truck to pick up a wide variety of load carriers and lift loads directly from the floor. This design, combined with an integrated counterweight and recessed chassis, ensures high stability regardless of transfer point configuration. The EXV-CB iGo has a load capacity of 1,400 kg, a storage height of up to 3.8 metres, and a maximum speed of 7.2 km/h.
2. Cantilever Walkie Stackers
Jungheinrich's EJG 210-216 series of counterbalanced walkie stackers is specifically designed for loading and unloading cantilever-type storage racking. These are used where support-arm walkie stackers cannot operate, such as sideways lifting of pallets or special load sizes.
3. Cantilever Hoisting Structure Forklifts
Patent filings describe forklifts with cantilever hoisting structures that allow the lifting assembly and fork arm adjusting frame to be rotated and adjusted for different tasks. This design widens the application scenarios and enhances adaptability.
4. Non-Counterbalanced Cantilever Trucks
The regulatory definition explicitly includes "non-counterbalanced" cantilever trucks. These are less common but may include specialized machines where the load is supported differently—such as through outriggers or stabilisers rather than a rear counterweight.
Cantilever Racking and Forklift Accessibility
The term "cantilever" also appears frequently in warehouse storage systems. Cantilever racking is an open-design storage system ideal for long, unwieldy items such as pipe, tubing, lumber, and bar stock. These racks are designed for easy forklift accessibility, allowing operators to load and unload long materials quickly and efficiently. While not a forklift type, cantilever racking is a critical part of the material handling ecosystem that frequently interacts with cantilever-design forklifts.
Cantilever Forklifts vs. Counterbalance Forklifts
Aspect Cantilever Forklift Counterbalance Forklift
Definition Broader category; includes counterbalanced and non-counterbalanced trucks The most common type of cantilever truck
Counterweight May or may not have one Always has a rear counterweight
Load Position In front of support point In front of support point
Stability Depends on design (counterweight or other means) Depends on rear counterweight and truck mass
Common Usage Term used in regulations and engineering Everyday warehouse and industrial use
In practice, most people use "counterbalance forklift" to describe the standard sit-down truck, while "cantilever forklift" is the broader engineering term that encompasses it.
Pricing and Availability
Prices for cantilever-design forklifts vary significantly based on type, capacity, and features:
Equipment Type Price Range (2026)
Used 2-Stage Forklift From $4,661
Cantilever Surface Mount Dock Lift $88,339.00 base price
Jungheinrich EJG 210 Walkie Stacker Request a quote (MSRP varies)
For current pricing on specific models, contact authorised dealers directly.
The Bottom Line
A cantilever forklift is not a niche or exotic machine—it is the fundamental engineering principle behind the vast majority of forklifts in operation today. Every counterbalanced forklift, from a compact electric warehouse truck to a heavy-duty diesel workhorse, is a cantilever truck. Understanding this principle helps operators and buyers appreciate why load center, counterweight, and stability are so critical to safe and efficient material handling. Whether you are navigating narrow aisles, loading cantilever racking, or automating your warehouse with advanced cantilever-fork vehicles, the cantilever design remains the backbone of the industry.