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Class 4 Forklift Forks: Complete Specifications Guide

Published time：

2026-06-25

Author：

Xin Hong Guang

Source：

Xin Hong Guang

Abstract

Class 4 forklift forks are designed for 25‑inch ITA Class IV carriages and are rated for loads between 10,000 and 17,500 lbs. These heavy‑duty forks are commonly found on large industrial forklifts used in steel mills, ports, lumber yards, and heavy manufacturing.Key Dimensions at a GlanceSpecification Class 4 StandardCarriage Class ITA Class IVCarriage Height 25 inchesHook Spacing (h2) 23.54 inchesWorking Back Height (h1) 29.25 inchesLoad Capacity 10,000 – 17,500 lbsTypical Fork Thickness 2.0 – 3.0 inchesTypical Fork Width 6 inchesTypical Fork Lengths 48″, 54″, 60″, 72″, 96″Detailed SpecificationsHook Spacing (h2): The distance between the top and bottom hooks on Class 4 forks is 23.54 inches. All Class 4 forklift forks have 25 inches between the top and bottom hooks, which corresponds to the 25‑inch carriage height.Working Back Height (h1): The vertical dimension from the bottom of the lower hook to the top of the fork shank is 29.25 inches.Fork Thickness: Class 4 forks are available

Class 4 forklift forks are designed for 25‑inch ITA Class IV carriages and are rated for loads between 10,000 and 17,500 lbs. These heavy‑duty forks are commonly found on large industrial forklifts used in steel mills, ports, lumber yards, and heavy manufacturing.


Key Dimensions at a Glance

Specification Class 4 Standard

Carriage Class ITA Class IV

Carriage Height 25 inches

Hook Spacing (h2) 23.54 inches

Working Back Height (h1) 29.25 inches

Load Capacity 10,000 – 17,500 lbs

Typical Fork Thickness 2.0 – 3.0 inches

Typical Fork Width 6 inches

Typical Fork Lengths 48″, 54″, 60″, 72″, 96″

Detailed Specifications

Hook Spacing (h2): The distance between the top and bottom hooks on Class 4 forks is 23.54 inches. All Class 4 forklift forks have 25 inches between the top and bottom hooks, which corresponds to the 25‑inch carriage height.


Working Back Height (h1): The vertical dimension from the bottom of the lower hook to the top of the fork shank is 29.25 inches.


Fork Thickness: Class 4 forks are available in multiple thicknesses:


2.0 inches


2.25 inches


2.50 inches


3.0 inches


Fork Width: The standard width for Class 4 forks is 6 inches.


Fork Length: Common stock lengths include 48″, 54″, 60″, 72″, and 96″. A 60‑inch tine length is also available.


Example Class 4 Fork Specifications

Fork Size Thickness × Width × Length Typical Application

2.50 × 6 × 48 2.50″ × 6″ × 48″ Heavy‑duty pallet handling

2.50 × 6 × 54 2.50″ × 6″ × 54″ Medium‑length loads

2.50 × 6 × 60 2.50″ × 6″ × 60″ Long loads, lumber, steel

2.50 × 6 × 72 2.50″ × 6″ × 72″ Extra‑long loads

2.50 × 6 × 96 2.50″ × 6″ × 96″ Maximum length applications

Compliance and Safety

Class 4 forklift forks are built to ANSI B56 and ISO 2330 specifications and standards. They are also 100% compliant with ITA Class IV standards.


Critical Safety Limit: Per OSHA, a fork that shows any of the following defects must be withdrawn from service:


Surface cracks


Blade or shank not straight


Fork angle from blade to shank not straight


Difference in height of fork tips


Positioning lock not in working order


Fork blade or shank wear


Fork hooks wear


Fork marking not legible


Heel Wear: The most common reason for fork replacement is wear to the heel of the fork, which occurs from daily friction between the floor and the fork. A worn fork won't hold the load the forklift is rated to lift.


Pin‑Type Forks

Some heavy‑duty forklifts use pin‑type forks instead of ITA hook‑type forks. Pin forks do not follow any standard dimension or carriage fitting standard, so they must be ordered according to customer specifications.


The bottom line: Class 4 forklift forks are designed for 25‑inch ITA Class IV carriages with a load capacity of 10,000–17,500 lbs. Key dimensions include a 23.54‑inch hook spacing (h2), 29.25‑inch working back height (h1), 6‑inch fork width, and thicknesses ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 inches. Common stock lengths are 48″, 54″, 60″, 72″, and 96″. Always verify carriage compatibility and inspect forks regularly for wear and damage.

Keywords：
class 4 forklift forks
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