Understanding Load Charts for Telehandlers: A Crucial Guide

When it comes to operating telehandlers safely and effectively, load charts play a vital role. These charts provide essential information about a machine's capacity, operating range, and envelope, allowing operators to make informed decisions when lifting, placing, or carrying heavy loads.

According to Brian Hatch, AMS-Merlo territory manager and tech trainer, load charts for forks, grapples, jibs, buckets, and other attachments are permanently mounted on all Merlo models. However, attachments other than forks may have a load center greater than 24 inches from the carriage backplate. In such cases, it's essential to consult the load chart specifically designed for that attachment.

The most common load chart is typically for standard factory-supplied forks with the load positioned no more than 24 inches from the carriage backplate. The operating range of a telehandler reflects minimum and maximum boom angles, as well as fully retracted and extended boom positions. Attachments are also taken into account when creating load charts, with the operating envelope located relative to the load center position of the attachment being used.

As Steve Kiskunas, product manager - telescopic handlers at Manitou Group, explains, specific engineering tests are conducted on each machine to determine its correct capacity in various positions. This design standard provides a consistent load chart development process for the industry, ensuring that telehandlers from different manufacturers can be safely and effectively operated.

In North America, load charts for rough-terrain telescopic forklifts are created according to the ANSI/ITSDT B56.6 Standard. But what goes into developing these charts, and why is adhering to recommended parameters so critical?

John Boehme, senior product manager at JLG Industries, emphasizes that telehandlers have the unique potential to extend materials away from the vehicle with their telescoping boom. Therefore, it's up to the operator to assure that the material being lifted, placed, or carried is within the rated capacity of the unit.

In conclusion, load charts are a crucial tool for operators and owners of telehandlers. By understanding how to use them effectively, users can ensure safe and efficient operation of these versatile machines, which are used to transport, lift, and place materials and tools of varying weights, shapes, and sizes on or over uneven terrain.

Telehandler load chart