Most charts are organized with boom extension distances across the top axis and boom angles down the left axis. Some manufacturers present the data as a graphical arc diagram rather than a table, particularly for rough terrain telehandler models. Both formats communicate the same information.

For example, a 10,000 lb telehandler with a 55-foot maximum reach might show:

- At 0 ft extension and 0 degrees: 10,000 lbs
- At 20 ft extension and 45 degrees: 6,000 lbs
- At 40 ft extension and 70 degrees: 2,500 lbs
- At 55 ft extension and maximum angle: 1,200 lbs

This pattern holds true across virtually all telehandler models. The farther you extend the boom and the more you change the angle, the lower the safe working load becomes. The relationship between reach and capacity is not linear. A small increase in boom extension at maximum reach can produce a large drop in safe load capacity.

Understanding this curve is the foundation of safe telehandler operation. Operators who assume the machine will handle the same load at full extension as at retracted position are the operators most likely to cause a tip-over.

Step 1: Identify the machine configuration. Determine whether you are operating with stabilizers or outriggers deployed, on rubber tires only, or in a specific drive mode. Many telehandlers have multiple chart sections for different configurations. Using the wrong section of the chart is as dangerous as not reading it at all.

Step 2: Determine your required reach. Measure or estimate the horizontal distance from the front axle of the telehandler to the target placement point. This is your required horizontal reach.

Step 3: Determine your required lift height. Calculate the vertical height you need to reach. Using the boom angle scale on the chart or a boom angle indicator in the cab, identify which boom angle corresponds to your required combination of height and reach.

Step 4: Weigh your load accurately. Never estimate load weight. Include the weight of any attachment (forks, hook, jib) in your total load figure. The combined weight of the load and attachment must stay within the chart's rated capacity for your configuration.

Step 5: Find the intersection on the chart. Locate your boom extension length along one axis and your boom angle along the other. The value at the intersection is the maximum safe working load for that configuration.

Step 6: Apply a safety margin. If your calculated load is close to the chart limit, stop and reassess. Industry best practice recommends staying at or below 85% of the chart-rated capacity to account for dynamic forces, load sway, and surface irregularities.

Step 7: Recheck when conditions change. If you move to a different surface, change attachments, or need to reach a new target location, repeat the process. Load chart verification is not a one-time check at the start of a shift.

Rated Lift Capacity: This is the maximum load the machine can handle in its most favorable configuration, typically with the boom fully retracted and horizontal or slightly elevated. Common rental classes include 5,000 lb, 6,000 lb, 8,000 lb, and 10,000 lb machines.

Maximum Lift Height: The highest point the forks or attachment can reach with the boom fully extended and elevated. Standard rental telehandlers range from 19 feet to 60 feet. Taller machines have longer charts and more capacity drop-off at height.

Maximum Forward Reach: The horizontal distance the boom can extend beyond the front of the machine. This figure determines how far you can place a load without repositioning the machine. Typical rental units offer 25 to 55 feet of forward reach.

Boom Angle Range: Most telehandlers can operate from below horizontal (negative angles for placing loads at ground level in front of the machine) up to approximately 70 to 80 degrees above horizontal. Each degree of angle change affects load capacity differently depending on extension length.

Stabilizer Configuration: Machines equipped with outriggers or stabilizer pads have separate load charts for stabilized vs. unstabilized operation. Stabilized ratings are always higher because the machine's tipping resistance increases. If the job requires maximum capacity, plan to use stabilizers where permitted.

Attachment Weight and Center of Gravity: Heavier attachments shift the load center forward, reducing net capacity. A standard pallet fork set weighs 400 to 700 lbs depending on length and rating. A man basket or jib boom adds more weight and moves the effective load center even farther from the machine.

Pre-operation inspection: Walk around the machine before each shift. Check hydraulic lines and fittings for leaks, inspect boom wear pads, verify attachment locking pins are fully engaged, and confirm tire pressure and condition. Most rental providers include an inspection checklist with the unit.

Level the machine before lifting: Use the level indicator in the cab or a bubble level on the frame. A 2-degree out-of-level condition can reduce effective capacity by 10% or more depending on the direction of lean relative to the load.

Never travel with a raised load: The load should be as low as safely possible while traveling, typically 12 to 18 inches off the ground. Traveling with an elevated load raises the center of gravity and dramatically increases the risk of tipping on uneven terrain.

Keep bystanders clear: Establish a clear exclusion zone beneath and around any overhead lift. Falling loads are a leading cause of fatalities near telehandlers.

Understand your machine's load sensing system: Many modern telehandlers include a load management indicator or rated capacity indicator (RCI) that provides a visual or audible warning when approaching the load chart limit. This system supplements the chart but does not replace manual verification.

Operating near power lines: Maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from energized power lines at all times unless the lines have been de-energized and grounded by the utility company. The telehandler load chart does not account for electrical hazards.

Report damage immediately: If the machine is involved in a tip-over, collision, or exceeds rated capacity during your rental period, stop operations and contact the rental provider before resuming use. Structural damage may not be visible but can compromise future lifts.