Load charts are the most critical safety document for telehandler operation — yet they're frequently misread or ignored. This step-by-step guide uses the Maverick MVT3507 as a worked example to show exactly how to apply a load chart in real farm conditions.
A load chart (also called a load diagram or lift capacity chart) is a table or graph published by the telehandler manufacturer that shows the maximum load the machine can safely lift at any combination of boom angle, extension length and — for rotating models — working radius.
The chart reflects the physical stability limits of the machine: at what point tipping becomes possible, or where hydraulic pressure limits are reached before structural limits. Exceeding the load chart is not a margin of safety question — it is a tip-over or structural failure risk.
In agricultural operations, load chart compliance matters every time you:
⚠️ Legal note: In most jurisdictions, telehandler operators are legally required to operate within the manufacturer's rated load chart. Overloading is a recordable incident in most safety management systems and can void insurance coverage for accidents.
Most telehandler load charts are organized as a matrix with boom angle on one axis and boom extension (reach) on the other. Each cell shows the maximum permissible load at that combination.
Using the Maverick MVT3507 / MVT8.24 as our example (3,500 kg rated capacity, 7.15M max height, 4,150 mm forward reach):
MVT3507 — Illustrative Load Capacity Matrix (kg)
| Boom Angle → Extension ↓ | 0° (Horizontal) | 20° | 40° | 60° | Max Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retracted | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,200 | 2,800 |
| 1,500 mm | 2,800 | 3,000 | 3,200 | 3,000 | 2,400 |
| 2,500 mm | 2,200 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,000 |
| 3,500 mm | 1,600 | 1,900 | 2,100 | 2,300 | 1,800 |
| Max (4,150 mm) | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,700 | 2,000 | 1,500 |
🔴 Highlighted cells = common scenarios. ⚠️ Yellow = reduced capacity requiring extra caution. Values are illustrative — always refer to the official machine load chart in the operator manual.
Weigh or estimate your load before lifting. For bales, use the baler's output weight or a calibrated onboard weighing system. Don't guess — a 5x5 silage bale can range from 500 to 1,100 kg depending on moisture content.
Measure or estimate how far from the front axle the load needs to be placed. "Over the truck side rail" might be 2.5 meters. "Into a second-story hay loft" might require 3.5 meters of reach at 4 meters height. Find this extension column in the chart.
The boom angle determines maximum height at any given extension. Find the angle row that achieves your required placement height. Note that height and horizontal reach are inversely related — raising the boom increases height but reduces forward reach.
The cell at the intersection of your extension and angle gives the maximum permitted load. Your actual load must be below this number. If it's not — reduce extension, reduce boom angle, or use a lighter load. Never exceed the chart value.
Any attachment has its own weight, which reduces the net payload capacity. If your round bale clamp weighs 310 kg and the chart says 2,800 kg at your working position, your actual bale payload is 2,800 – 310 = 2,490 kg maximum. Always deduct attachment weight from chart capacity.
Most load charts are certified for level, hardened ground. On a 5% side slope, stability margins reduce significantly. On soft ground (loose soil, wet grass), outrigger sinkage can compromise stability. Apply a minimum 20% safety reduction from chart values when working on slopes or soft terrain.
A machine rated at 3,500 kg can only carry 3,500 kg in a very specific configuration: boom retracted, on level ground, with no attachment weight deducted. At any extension beyond zero, capacity drops. Operators who assume 3,500 kg is always available at any reach position create serious tip-over risk.
A 310 kg round bale clamp is essentially a "permanent" load on the boom. If the chart shows 1,600 kg at your working position and your clamp weighs 310 kg, you can only carry 1,290 kg of bale — not 1,600 kg.
Farm terrain is rarely perfectly flat. A machine on a 5° downhill slope while extending the boom forward significantly shifts the center of gravity toward the tip-over line. When in doubt, position the machine across the slope (not downhill) and apply conservative load reductions.
Driving with a raised load, sudden acceleration/braking, or hydraulic shock from rapid boom movements all create dynamic loads that can momentarily exceed the static chart values. Always travel with the boom fully retracted and as low as safely possible.
Best practice: Most experienced telehandler operators keep a laminated copy of the load chart in the cab and consult it every time they encounter a new lift scenario. If you're unsure whether a load is within limits, it's always safer to err on the side of reduced extension or reduced load.
Aerial work platforms (AWP attachments) for personnel are subject to more restrictive load limits than material handling. When a person is in the platform, most manufacturers require:
Personnel lifting is a regulated activity in most jurisdictions. Check local requirements (OSHA in the USA, regulatory requirements in Chile, Canada) before using a telehandler AWP for personnel access.
All Maverick agricultural telehandler brochures include capacity data. Contact us for official operator manuals with full load diagrams.