The selection of the tonnage for an electric forklift requires a comprehensive judgment based on various factors such as actual operational needs, environmental constraints, and long-term usage costs to ensure that the equipment can complete work efficiently and safely. The following is a detailed selection guide:

I. Core Basis: Cargo Weight

• If mainly transporting goods weighing 1-3 tons (such as standard pallet goods, small equipment), you can choose an electric forklift with a capacity of 3 tons or less, which has high flexibility and is suitable for narrow warehouses or light-duty operations.
• If the cargo weight is 3-5 tons (such as heavy machinery parts, bulk building materials), an electric forklift with a capacity of 3.5-5 tons is required, which has stronger power, and the tire and frame structures are more robust.
• If heavy goods over 5 tons are involved (such as containers, large industrial equipment), then heavy-duty electric forklifts with a capacity of 7 tons or more should be considered. Some models need customized enhanced configurations (such as thickened oil cylinders, reinforced drive axles).

II. Impact of Operating Environment

1. Site Space:
   • For narrow passages (such as warehouses with a width of 2-3 meters), priority should be given to small-tonnage forklifts (2-3 tons), which have a small turning radius (usually 2.5-3.5 meters) and are more flexible to operate.
   • For open spaces (such as logistics parks, factory workshops), medium and large-tonnage forklifts can be selected according to the cargo weight, without excessive restrictions on size.
2. Ground Conditions:
   • Flat cement ground: There are few restrictions on the forklift tonnage, and conventional models can meet the requirements.
   • Rough ground (such as gravel yards, outdoor construction sites): It is recommended to choose larger-tonnage forklifts, which have wider tires (stronger grip) and higher chassis ground clearance, which can reduce the loss of equipment caused by bumps.
3. Operating Height:
   • If stacking operations are required (such as shelf storage), in addition to considering the tonnage, the mast lifting height needs to be matched. Small-tonnage forklifts (2-3 tons) can usually be equipped with masts of 3-6 meters, and large-tonnage forklifts (over 5 tons) can be equipped with higher masts (6-9 meters). However, it should be noted that the higher the lifting height, the actual load-carrying capacity of the forklift will decrease slightly (refer to the "load curve" provided by the manufacturer).

III. Other Key Factors

1. Battery Life Requirements:
   Large-tonnage electric forklifts (over 5 tons) usually have larger capacity batteries (such as 80V/500Ah or more) due to their high motor power, which have longer battery life and are suitable for long-term continuous operations. Small-tonnage forklifts have smaller battery capacities (such as 48V/200-300Ah) and are more suitable for short-term, intermittent operations. If you need to extend the battery life, you can choose dual battery packs or fast-charging models.
2. Frequency of Use:
   • High-frequency operations (such as more than 8 hours a day): It is recommended to choose medium and large-tonnage forklifts, whose components (such as motors, gearboxes) have higher strength and better durability, reducing the frequency of maintenance.
   • Low-frequency operations (such as 2-3 hours a day): Small-tonnage forklifts have higher cost performance and lower maintenance costs.
3. Future Expandability:
   If there may be an increase in cargo weight or operation scope in the future, it is recommended to appropriately choose a forklift with a slightly larger tonnage (for example, if the current maximum cargo is 3 tons, you can choose 3.5 tons) to avoid repeated purchases in the short term.

IV. Summary: Selection Steps

• Determine the maximum daily cargo weight and reserve a 10%-20% margin;
• Screen the appropriate tonnage range according to the site space and ground conditions;
• Refine the model based on operating height, battery life, and frequency of use;
• Refer to the "load curve" provided by the manufacturer to confirm the load-carrying capacity of the forklift under actual operating conditions;
• If there are special needs (such as explosion-proof, low-temperature environments), it is necessary to choose a special electric forklift with customized tonnage.