A 3.5 ton forklift is rated to lift 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs) at a standard 500 mm load center. This popular mid-heavy class is widely used in warehouses, distribution centers, construction sites, ports, and manufacturing facilities. Available in diesel, electric, and rough-terrain configurations, 3.5-ton forklifts offer a balance of power and maneuverability for demanding material handling operations.
Key Specifications
Specifications vary by model and power source. The table below shows typical figures for popular 3.5-ton forklifts.
Specification Diesel (EP CPCD35T8-S4S) Electric (Yale ERP3.5N) Electric (Heli G2-M Li-ion) Rough Terrain (Hyster F3.5UT)
Load Capacity 3,500 kg 3,500 kg 3,500 kg 3,500 kg
Load Center 500 mm 500 mm 500 mm 500 mm
Overall Width 1,200 mm 1,223 mm — 1,600 mm
Construction Height 2,180 mm 2,193 mm 2,180 mm 2,276 mm
Turning Radius 2.51 m 2.169 m 2.215 m —
Lift Height 3,500 mm 3,268 mm 4,700 mm 3,000 mm
Service Weight 4,700 kg 3,739 kg 5,450 kg 5,180 kg
Engine/Motor Mitsubishi S4S-DPEU2 (35.3 kW) 18 kW traction / 20.7 kW hoist 16.6 kW drive / 25.5 kW lift Yanmar 4TNE98 (42.1 kW)
Travel Speed (Loaded) 20 km/h 16 km/h 19 km/h 21 km/h
*Sources: * [10†L15-L23][9†L15-L20][11†L14-L15][11†L27][8†L11-L20]
Popular 3.5 Ton Forklift Models
Diesel Models
Brand Model Engine Lift Height Weight Key Feature
EP CPCD35T8-S4S Mitsubishi S4S-DPEU2 (35.3 kW) 3,500 mm 4,700 kg 20 km/h, 20% gradeability [10†L15-L23]
Heli CPCD35 — 3,000–5,000 mm ~4,500 kg Chinese/Japanese engine options
Hangcha CPCD35-XH7F Diesel — 4,705 kg —
Generic CPCD35 Diesel 3,000–6,000 mm — $8,000–$12,000
Electric Models
Brand Model Battery Lift Height Weight Key Feature
Yale ERP3.5N 80V 3,268 mm 3,739 kg 18 kW traction, 20.7 kW hoist [9†L15-L20]
Heli G2-M 80V / 404Ah Li-ion 4,700 mm 5,450 kg 19 km/h, triplex mast, side shift [11†L14-L15][11†L27]
XCMG XCB35-L6-S 80V / 206Ah Li-ion 3,000 mm 4,500 kg Removable battery, 14 km/h [12†L10-L11][12†L13]
BYD ECB35 80V LiFePO4 Up to 7,500 mm — Lithium iron phosphate [5†L17-L18]
Rough Terrain Models
Brand Model Engine Lift Height Weight Key Feature
Hyster F3.5UT Yanmar 4TNE98 (42.1 kW) 3,000 mm 5,180 kg 21 km/h, 30% gradeability [8†L11-L20]
Generic 4X4 Off-Road Diesel 3,000–6,000 mm 5,500 kg All-terrain, 4WD [0†L6-L7]
2026 Price Range
Category Price Range (USD)
New Diesel (Chinese Brands) $8,000 – $12,000
New Electric (Mid-Range) $25,000 – $45,000
New Electric (Lithium-Ion) $30,000 – $55,000+
New 4WD Off-Road $45,000 – $80,000+
Used / Auction Varies by condition and hours
Battery Options (Electric Models)
Lead-Acid Batteries – Lower upfront cost (adds $3,000–$6,000 to base price). Requires regular watering and maintenance [1†L14-L16].
Lithium-Ion Batteries – Higher upfront cost (adds $8,000–$20,000). Offers zero maintenance, fast charging (1–2 hours), longer lifespan, and opportunity charging during breaks [5†L28-L31].
High-Voltage Systems – Models like Heli's G2-M (80V / 404Ah) and XCMG's XCB35 (80V / 206Ah removable battery) deliver improved efficiency and faster lifting speeds [11†L37-L38][12†L32].
The bottom line: A 3.5-ton forklift offers 3,500 kg capacity at 500 mm load center. Diesel models like EP CPCD35T8-S4S (35.3 kW Mitsubishi, 20 km/h, 4.7 t) cost $8,000–$12,000. Electric models include Yale ERP3.5N (80V, 18 kW, 3.7 t), Heli G2-M Li-ion (80V, 19 km/h, 4.7 m lift, 5.45 t, $30,000–$55,000+), and XCMG XCB35 (removable battery, 4.5 t). Rough-terrain models like Hyster F3.5UT (Yanmar 42.1 kW, 21 km/h, 5.18 t) cost $45,000–$80,000+. Choose lithium for multi-shift operations and lower long-term costs; choose diesel for outdoor heavy lifting; choose rough-terrain for construction and off-road applications.