Telehandler: how to read capacity and lift height
Maximum capacity does not tell the whole story: the load chart is the real figure to check before choosing a telehandler.
"It lifts 3,500 kg and reaches 7 metres" is the most common — and most misleading — way to read a telehandler spec sheet. The two figures never apply together: maximum capacity is with the boom retracted and low, maximum height with reduced loads.
The load chart
Every telehandler has a chart crossing reach, height and capacity: that is the document to read. The right question is not "how much does it lift?" but "how much does it lift at the height and reach I need to work at?". A 1,000 kg pallet on third-floor scaffolding is a precise requirement: check it on the chart, not in the headline.
The other figures that matter
- Outriggers: many capacities at height only apply with outriggers extended; on tyres the chart shrinks.
- Carriage and attachments: forks, bucket, hook or winch change the usable capacity and the load's centre of gravity.
- Dimensions and weight: machine width and height determine where you can enter; weight matters for transport and surfaces.
Fixed or rotating?
A fixed telehandler is simpler and cheaper and is perfect as a high-capacity "site forklift". A rotating one, with a slewing turret, often replaces a small mobile crane: it costs and weighs more, but avoids constant repositioning when working at several points around the machine.
Practical advice
List the three most demanding lifts you actually do (weight, height, reach) and bring them with you when comparing machines: it is the quickest way to rule out models that fall short and avoid paying for capacity you will not use.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the maximum capacity apply at maximum height?
- No, never: maximum capacity and maximum height are achieved in different configurations. The actual capacity at your required height is read from the machine's load chart.
- Is an operator licence required for telehandlers?
- Yes: in Italy telehandler operation requires the training certificate provided by national regulations, with additional modules for rotating models. Make sure operators are certified for the machine type.
- Can a telehandler replace a crane?
- A rotating telehandler with a winch covers many small-crane lifts, within the limits of its chart. For heavier loads or greater heights a crane is still needed: we can assess your case on the load chart.
Browse the catalogue or talk to us directly: we will assess sale or rental together.