A telehandler’s headline lift capacity is not a safe capacity for every position. The permitted load changes as the boom extends and rises, and can also change with the attachment and the machine’s stabiliser or tyre configuration. The load chart in the cab and the manufacturer’s manual govern; a number in an advert or a badge on the boom is not enough.
Before lifting, identify the exact machine model and attachment, then locate the chart for that configuration. Find the planned lift height and forward reach, and read the permitted load at that point. If the chart has multiple zones, use the correct one for stabilisers, tyres or operating mode. Do not interpolate beyond the chart or assume that a bucket’s capacity equals the machine’s safe working load.
The HSA says the safe working load must be marked and operators should never exceed it. It also warns that rough ground can cause an overturn, that counterweights may be required and that people must never stand or pass under a raised load. A load that is within the chart can still become unsafe if the ground is soft, sloped or uneven.
Treat a new attachment as a new configuration. Ask the dealer for the attachment’s weight, load centre and compatibility details; a heavier attachment reduces what remains for the material being lifted. Check the forks, carriage locks, tyres and boom before work, and keep people outside the operating zone.
For a used machine, compare the cab chart with the serial number and service documentation. Missing or unreadable charts are a reason to pause the purchase until the correct manufacturer data is obtained.
