Ordering replacement fork arms for your forklift might seem like a headache, but getting the right dimensions is crucial for safe load handling and maintaining optimal capacity. The good news? You don’t need specialized tools to figure it out—a standard tape measure is all it takes.
Follow this four-step guide based on Ichinen USA Corporation’s quick video walkthrough to ensure you get the exact fit every time.
Step 1: Identify Your Carriage Class
Before measuring the fork itself, you need to identify the carriage class. This tells you how the forks mount to the truck’s carriage.
To find this, measure the vertical distance between the inner notch of the top hook down to the inner notch of the bottom hook along the back of the shank:
| Carriage Class | Hook Distance | Common Truck Capacity |
| Class II | ~16 inches | 2,000 – 5,500 lbs |
| Class III | ~19 inches | 5,500 – 10,000 lbs |
| Class IV | ~23.5 inches | 10,000 – 17,500 lbs |
Step 2: Measure Width and Thickness
Next, measure the cross-section of the fork blade near the vertical shank:
- Width: Measure horizontally across the top flat surface of the blade.
- Thickness: Measure vertically down the side profile at the top section.
Pro Tip: Always measure thickness near the heel/shank where the steel hasn’t worn down, rather than near the tip where everyday friction thins out the metal.
Step 3: Measure the Blade Length
Measure straight along the top surface of the horizontal blade, running from the very front face of the shank all the way out to the tip. Standard lengths typically range from 36 to 72 inches, with 48 inches being the most common choice across industries.
Step 4: Putting It All Together
When ordering, fork measurements are written in a standard format:
Carriage Class x Width x Thickness x Blade Length
For instance, if your tape measure shows:
- Carriage: Class II (~16″)
- Width: 4 inches
- Thickness: 1.5 inches
- Length: 48 inches
Your final order spec is: Class II – 4″ × 1.5″ × 48″.
Ready to Replace Your Forklift Arms?
Taking two minutes to confirm these four dimensions eliminates guesswork, prevents costly order returns, and keeps your warehouse running smoothly .
If you have questions about custom dimensions, non-standard hooks, or special load requirements, reach out to an equipment specialist today to get the exact forks you need.