EKKO EK16A-177 3-Wheel Electric Forklift — 3,500 lb Capacity with 177" Lift Height for Tight Indoor Spaces
The EKKO EK16A-177 is a 3-wheel electric counterbalanced forklift engineered for contractors and warehouse professionals who need reliable lifting performance in narrow aisles and space-constrained environments. With a 3,500 lb load capacity and a maximum lifting height of 177 inches (14.75 ft), it handles the demands of loading docks, stock rooms, manufacturing floors, and warehousing operations. Powered by a 24V/320Ah battery and driven by a 2.2 kW AC drive motor paired with a 3.3 kW lift motor, this unit is built for sustained indoor duty cycles. The battery and 24V/50A charger are both included.
Unlike standard 4-wheel forklifts, the 3-wheel configuration delivers a tighter turning radius of 58.9 inches, making it well suited for narrow warehouse aisles where maneuverability is critical. The Zapi controller and hydraulic power steering (HPS) set this unit apart from budget alternatives that rely on less responsive control systems, giving operators precise, confident handling throughout the shift.
Key Features & Benefits
3-Wheel Design for Narrow Aisle Maneuverability
The 3-wheel layout reduces the turning radius to 58.9 inches, allowing operators to work efficiently in tight spaces such as narrow warehouse aisles and congested loading dock areas. With an overall width of just 42.1 inches and a wheelbase of 49.2 inches, the machine fits where larger counterbalanced forklifts cannot.
177" Maximum Lift Height with Free Lift Capability
A maximum lifting height of 177 inches (14.75 ft) lets contractors reach high racking levels common in warehouse and storage environments. The 34.5-inch free lifting height allows loads to be raised without increasing the overall mast height, which is essential when working under low overhead clearances such as mezzanines or dock doors. The lowered mast height of 81 inches further supports movement through standard doorways and tight clearances.
Zapi Controller with AC Drive Motor
The Zapi controller manages the 2.2 kW AC drive motor, delivering smooth, programmable performance and responsive acceleration and braking. AC motor technology generally requires less maintenance than brush-type DC systems, reducing downtime on active job sites. The 3.3 kW lift motor supports laden lift speeds of 4.71 in/s and unladen speeds of 10.2 in/s for efficient cycle times.
Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS)
Hydraulic power steering reduces operator fatigue during extended shifts, particularly in environments that require frequent directional changes. This is especially valuable in applications like stock rooms and manufacturing floors where the operator is constantly repositioning loads.
Side-Shifting Adjustable Forks
The 3-way valve side shift and fork adjust width of 7.9 to 26 inches allow operators to fine-tune fork positioning without repositioning the entire machine. Fork tilt of 2° forward and 4° backward provides additional load control during pickup and placement. The 42.1-inch fork length and 1.4-inch fork thickness are sized for standard pallet applications.
Included Battery and Charger
The 24V/320Ah lead acid battery and matching 24V/50A charger are included with the unit, so contractors can put it to work without sourcing separate charging infrastructure. This reduces upfront setup complexity and total cost of deployment.
Steel Construction with Robotic Welding
The frame is built from high-quality steel using robotic welding processes, producing consistent, high-integrity weld joints throughout the structure. This construction approach supports the durability demands of daily loading, unloading, and material movement on active commercial and industrial sites.
Common Applications
Loading and Unloading Trucks
The EK16A-177 is well matched to truck loading and unloading tasks at commercial loading docks, handling up to 3,500 lb per lift cycle with forks sized for standard pallet configurations.
Loading Dock Operations
The compact 3-wheel footprint and tight turning radius allow the forklift to maneuver efficiently within the confined floor space typical of indoor loading dock areas.
Stock Room Material Handling
In stock rooms where aisle widths are limited, the narrow overall width and 3-wheel layout enable operators to navigate between shelving rows and position loads accurately at height.
Warehouse Racking
With a 177-inch maximum lift height, this unit can service high-bay racking systems in warehouse environments, placing and retrieving palletized loads at elevated rack positions.
Manufacturing Floor Support
On manufacturing floors, the EK16A-177 can transport raw materials and finished goods between production areas, storage, and staging zones on flat indoor surfaces.
Compatible Materials
- Standard wood pallets
- Plastic pallets
- Palletized boxed goods
- Palletized bagged materials
- Flat indoor concrete surfaces
- Smooth warehouse flooring
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | EK16A-177 |
| Lift Type | Electric |
| Drive Type | Electric |
| Load Capacity | 3,500 lb |
| Load Center Distance | 24 in |
| Lifting Height | 177 in (14.75 ft) |
| Free Lifting Height | 34.5 in |
| Lowered Mast Height | 81 in |
| Mast / Fork Carriage Tilt (Forward / Backward) | 2° / 4° |
| Side Shift | 3-way valve |
| Fork Size (Thick / Width / Length) | 1.4 / 4 / 42.1 in |
| Fork Adjust Width | 7.9–26 in |
| Overall Length | 107.1 in |
| Overall Width | 42.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 49.2 in |
| Turning Radius | 58.9 in |
| Lift Speed (Laden / Unladen) | 4.71 / 10.2 in/s |
| Lowering Speed (Laden / Unladen) | 11.8 / 15.7 in/s |
| Max Gradient (Laden / Unladen) | 6% / 10% |
| Drive Motor | AC 2.2 kW |
| Lift Motor | 3.3 kW |
| Controller | Zapi |
| Steering | HPS (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Tires | Cushion |
| Battery | 24V / 320 Ah (included) |
| Charger | 24V / 50A (included) |
| Service Weight | 5,200 lb |
| Construction | Steel with robotic welding |
| Recommended Use | Indoor use on flat surfaces |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the battery and charger included with this forklift?
A: Yes. The EK16A-177 includes both a 24V/320Ah battery and a 24V/50A charger at no additional cost.
Q: What is the maximum lifting height?
A: The maximum lifting height is 177 inches (14.75 ft), with a free lifting height of 34.5 inches and a lowered mast height of 81 inches.
Q: Is this forklift suitable for outdoor use?
A: The EK16A-177 is recommended for indoor use on flat surfaces. Cushion tires are designed for smooth indoor flooring rather than uneven or outdoor terrain.
Q: What controller does this unit use?
A: The forklift uses a Zapi controller, which manages the AC drive motor for smooth and programmable performance.
Q: Can the forks be adjusted for different pallet widths?
A: Yes. The fork adjust width ranges from 7.9 to 26 inches, and the 3-way valve side shift allows lateral fork positioning without repositioning the entire machine.