--- title: "Product Review: Bobcat D120S-9 High-Capacity Forklift" description: Discover why the Bobcat D120S-9 high-capacity forklift is built for tough outdoor jobs, offering powerful performance, durability, and operator-friendly features. --- [MidColumbia Forklift Blog ](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog) # [Product Review: Bobcat D120S-9 High-Capacity Forklift](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/bobcat-d120s-9-high-capacity-forklift) Written by [Dan Livingston](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/author/dan-livingston) | May 1, 2026 at 12:37 PM Bobcat equipment has a reputation for conquering even the toughest jobs. The D120S-9 high-capacity forklift lives up to that legacy. This forklift combines high-output power with rugged durability and easy maintenance. Together, these features keep total ownership costs low. Enhanced safety features, excellent ergonomics, and optional upgrades protect the operator, pedestrians, and your products even when moving the heaviest loads. If you need a high-capacity, diesel forklift to elevate your operation, the D120S-9 might be for you. Read on to learn what we love about this Bobcat forklift. A Local Story on a National Stage Filmed in Puyallup. Seen at Lumen Field. The video above wasn't filmed on a Hollywood set. It was filmed right here in Puyallup, Washington, at Jensen Infrastructure's facility — one of our customers. When Bobcat's film crew came out to shoot, their operator put the machine through its paces, and that footage ended up on the screens at Lumen Field during Seattle Seahawks home games last fall. You may have heard… the Hawks had a pretty good season. "We were happy to be a part of this." Timothy Nyhus General Manager, Jensen Infrastructure — Puyallup "Thank you for bringing this opportunity and allowing our partnership to be showcased in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Bobcat and MidCo have shown we're a team that's hard to beat." Yedidah Glass Marketing Manager, Doosan Bobcat North America **— Trey Barber** General Manager, Midco Material Handling Midco Material Handling ## Bobcat D120S-9 Notable Features As an industry-leading brand,[ Bobcat forklifts](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/evolution-of-doosan-forklifts-to-bobcat-forklifts) offer a host of benefits. Here are a few that make the D120S-9 stand out. - **Raw Power.** First and foremost, this forklift has the strength and speed to keep your business moving. The DL06 5.9-liter engine provides ample power to lift 26,500 lb loads with best-in-class lifting and lowering speeds. - **Convenient Design.** Features like the ZF 3-speed power-shift transmission and auto throttle up reduce task loading, making this machine easy to operate. **Easy Maintenance.** The D120S-9’s design makes service simpler than ever. Centralized fuse and relay panels, a fully integrated CAN bus system, and detailed diagnostic software drastically reduce downtime. **Best For:** The D120S-9 is best suited for outdoor operations seeking to increase efficiency and productivity by moving heavier loads faster. **Not Recommended For:** The D120S-9 is not recommended for light-duty work, indoor use, or picking from traditional racks. ## Specifications Model: D120S-9 Manufacturer:[Bobcat](https://www.midcoforklift.com/bobcat) Load Capacity: 26,500 lbs. Load Center: 24 inches Maximum Fork Height: 236 inches Forward Tilt Angle: 15 degrees Backward Tilt Angle: 12 degrees Loaded Top Speed: 21.7 mph Unloaded Top Speed: 25.5 mph Power: Diesel ## The Pros and Cons of the Bobcat D120 Forklift ## Pros ### Reduced Total Cost of Ownership The D120S-9’s design extends service intervals, reducing maintenance costs. The transmission oil has a 2,000-hour rating, and the hydraulic oil boasts an impressive 4,000-hour rating. The fuel-efficient diesel engine increases fuel economy by up to 18%. With the fluctuating cost of diesel fuel, this efficiency translates into significant savings over the unit's lifetime. Consequently, the D120S-9 saves owners thousands each year compared to similar models. ### Rugged Durability [Heavy lifting outdoors is hard on a truck, but this pneumatic forklift can handle it.](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/top-3-doosan-forklifts-for-the-lumber-industry) The D120S-9 features a high-durability steer axle and a full, floating drive axle to handle rough terrain. The design also maximizes heat dissipation, extending the engine life while protecting transmission and hydraulic fluids. Additionally, all electrical connectors meet or exceed IP67 requirements. These features ensure the D120S-9 continues to operate even under the most taxing conditions. ### All-Day Operator Comfort Even the best forklifts can only work as long as the operator. To increase uptime, the D120S-9 prioritizes operator comfort. The enclosed cabin features automatic, automotive-style heat and air conditioning to maintain a constant temperature with minimal operator input. Both the suspension seat and steering column are adjustable, allowing operators of any size to customize the cabin to their comfort. Ergonomic, centralized switches provide greater control with less stress. Finally, the redesigned cabin improves visibility by 40% over previous models, thanks to a wide, wraparound glass windshield. ### Safety Centered Heavy-duty loads magnify the hazards faced by traditional forklifts. The D120S-9 addresses this by incorporating numerous standard safety features. Some comfort features, like the high-visibility windshield, enhance safety, but this forklift doesn’t stop there. Panoramic and rear view mirrors further enhance visibility. The 7-inch, multi-function display alerts the operator to critical information, including vehicle grade, steering angle, and load weight. Features like the Hill Start Assist (HSA), Guardian Stability System (GSS), and cornering speed control improve load stability throughout each shift. These integrated safety features ensure the D120S-9 becomes one of the safest machines in your fleet. ## Cons ### Big Boy Weighing in at approximately 36,000 lbs, the D120S-9 is four times heavier than a typical forklift. Additionally, its wheelbase is nearly ten feet with a turning radius of 167.5 inches. This behemoth provides plenty of power, but it also needs lots of room to move. This poses a problem for yards looking to maximize storage space. If you’re concerned about available space, this might not be the model for you. ### Outdoor Exclusive The combination of its size and diesel engine makes the D120S-9 a poor choice for indoor-outdoor use. This isn’t an issue for many heavy-duty applications. However, if your process involves transitioning loads between outdoor storage and indoor workspaces, the D120S-9 can be cumbersome. In that case, you would be better served by[a more compact model](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/doosan-redesigned-d70s-9-diesel-pneumatic-forklift). Midco Material Handling Bobcat D120S-9 High-Capacity Diesel Pneumatic Forklift — Full Specifications 26,500 LB Lift Capacity 21.7mph Loaded Speed 25.5mph Unloaded Speed 236in Max Fork Height 5.9L DL06 Diesel Engine 128.7kW Engine Power Performance & Dimensions 26,500 lbs Rated Load Capacity 21.7 / 25.5 mph Travel Speed Loaded / Unloaded 236 in Maximum Fork Height 24 in Load Center 15° / 12° Forward / Backward Tilt 167.5 in External Turning Radius ~9.8 ft Wheelbase ~35,900 lbs Operating Weight 19.2 ft Overall Length Engine DI/DL06 Engine Type 5,890 cc Displacement (5.9L) 128.7 kW Engine Power 6 cyl Cylinders 2,100 rpm Rated Speed 725.7 N·m Max Torque @ 1,400 rpm Service Intervals 2,000 hr Transmission Oil 4,000 hr Hydraulic Oil 195 L Fuel Tank Capacity P / E Tire Type (Pneumatic or Elastic) 24 V Battery System IP67 Electrical Connectors Transmission ZF 3WG-171 Transmission Model 3-Speed Powershift Electronically Controlled 44% Max Gradeability (Loaded) Standard Features Operator Sensing System (OSS)Stops movement & locks mast if operator leaves seat Guardian Stability System (GSS)Auto speed reduction & tilt limits when mast is raised Hill Start Assist (HSA)Prevents rollback on grades during direction changes 7-Inch Multi-Function DisplayWeight indicator, diagnostics, camera feed, maintenance alerts Auto Throttle UpEngine RPM increases automatically during hydraulic use Full HVAC System (Standard)Automatic heat & A/C with twin evaporators Electric Parking BrakeAuto-applies when operator leaves seat Rear Object Detection SystemAudible alert when pedestrian or object detected Oil-Cooled Disc Brakes (OCDB)Fully enclosed, sealed from contamination Closed Center Load Sensing (CCLS)Uses only oil needed for load — improves fuel economy Best For Lumber & Building Materials Steel & Heavy Manufacturing Ports & Intermodal Stone, Tile & Aggregate Outdoor Staging & Yards Agriculture & Bulk Handling Specifications sourced from [Bobcat official documentation](https://www.midcoforklift.com/hubfs/Bobcat/D120S_Bobcat_Forklift_Brochure_for_sale_at_Midco_Material_Handling.pdf). Rated at 12,000 kg / 26,500 lbs at 600 mm load center. Specifications subject to change; contact Midco Material Handling for current configuration options. Talk to a Midco Material Handling specialist today. [midcoforklift.com/bobcat](https://www.midcoforklift.com/bobcat) Auburn 253-854-5438  ·  Pasco 509-547-7413 Wenatchee 509-663-9009  ·  Yakima 509-457-5137   ## Your Bobcat Forklift Partner Bobcat forklifts are increasingly popular in heavy-duty industries across the Pacific Northwest. With models like the D120S-9, it’s easy to see the appeal. However, every operation faces unique challenges that influence forklift choice. That’s where we come in. Our expert team can analyze your facility and workflow to help you find the right forklift for your application. No matter your industry, there’s a forklift waiting to revolutionize your operation. To learn more about the D120S-9 or to request a quote,[contact us online](https://www.midcoforklift.com/bobcat) or visit one of our locations. Auburn 253-854-5438 Pasco 509-547-7413 Wenatchee 509-663-9009 Yakima 509-457-5137 Further Reading [Doosan Is Now Bobcat: The Evolution of How We Got Here](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/evolution-of-doosan-forklifts-to-bobcat-forklifts) [4 Things To Love About Doosan’s Redesigned D70S-9 Diesel Pneumatic Forklift](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/doosan-redesigned-d70s-9-diesel-pneumatic-forklift) [Top 3 Doosan Forklifts for the Lumber Industry](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/top-3-doosan-forklifts-for-the-lumber-industry) [View full post](https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/bobcat-d120s-9-high-capacity-forklift) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dan Livingston" }, "dateModified" : "2026-05-01T12:37:47.144Z", "datePublished" : "2026-05-01T12:37:47Z", "headline" : "Product Review: Bobcat D120S-9 High-Capacity Forklift", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 386, "url" : "https://5712709.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/5712709/Product-Review-Bobcat-D120S-9-High-Capacity-Forklift.png", "width" : 686 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.midcoforklift.com/blog/bobcat-d120s-9-high-capacity-forklift", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "MidColumbia Forklift Blog" } } ```