How to Read a Telehandler Load Chart

A telehandler's rated capacity at ground level is not its capacity at reach. As the boom extends forward and upward, the effective load capacity decreases — sometimes dramatically. The load chart is the operator's primary safety tool for every lift.

What Is a Load Chart?

A load chart (also called a load diagram or load capacity table) plots the maximum load the machine can safely carry as a function of two variables:

• Boom height (Y axis): How high the forks or attachment are above the ground.
• Horizontal reach (X axis): How far forward from the machine's front axle centerline the load center is positioned.

The intersecting cell shows the maximum permitted load in that position. Exceeding it risks machine tipover.

Step 1 — Identify the Load Center

The load center is the horizontal distance from the face of the forks to the center of gravity of the load. Most load charts are calculated for a 500 mm (20 in) load center from the fork face. Unusually deep or irregular loads shift the actual center of gravity rearward, reducing effective capacity further than the chart shows.

Step 2 — Determine Boom Height and Reach

Estimate the height at which the load will be placed (top of the stack, conveyor height, shelf height) and the horizontal distance from the machine's front axle to that placement point. These are your two chart inputs.

Step 3 — Read the Chart

Locate the row for your boom height and the column for your horizontal reach. The number in that cell is the maximum rated load in kilograms (or pounds, depending on the chart). If your planned load exceeds this number, do not attempt the lift from that position — reposition the machine closer to reduce reach.

Step 4 — Apply Attachment De-Rates

Every attachment (jib crane, work platform, bucket, hook) adds weight to the front of the machine. This weight reduces the net load the machine can safely carry.

• Obtain the attachment weight from the manufacturer's dataplate.
• Subtract the attachment weight from the chart's rated capacity at your working position.
• The result is the maximum payload you may handle with that attachment at that reach and height.

Step 5 — Check Ground Conditions

Load charts assume firm, level ground. Soft ground, slopes > 2°, or uncompacted fill can reduce effective stability significantly. Reduce working loads on soft or sloped ground and use outriggers if the machine is equipped with them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using maximum rated capacity for all lifts — rated capacity only applies at ground level, forks fully retracted.
• Ignoring attachment weight — a 300 kg jib crane is 300 kg that cannot be load.
• Extending boom on soft ground without outriggers — ground bearing pressure changes the stability triangle the chart assumes.
• Reading the wrong machine's chart — confirm the chart is for your exact model, serial number range, and attachment configuration.