An operator is conducting a pick and carry operation with a pallet of drywall sheets. The path includes a small, gradual incline. To maintain stability, how should the operator orient the telehandler relative to the slope?

Question: An operator is conducting a pick and carry operation with a pallet of drywall sheets. The path includes a small, gradual incline. To maintain stability, how should the operator orient the telehandler relative to the slope?

Answer options:

• Travel perpendicular to the slope to distribute weight evenly.
• Travel diagonally up or down the slope for better traction.
• Travel with the heavy end of the machine (counterweight) pointing uphill. ✅ Travel with the forks and load pointing uphill when ascending, and downhill when descending.

Correct answer: Travel with the forks and load pointing uphill when ascending, and downhill when descending.

Explanation: When ascending a slope, the load should face uphill to keep the weight on the uphill side of the machine, preventing backward tip-over. When descending, the load should face downhill to prevent forward tip-over by using the machine's frame as a counterweight. Traveling perpendicular or diagonally can increase the risk of a lateral tip-over. The counterweight is not always the 'heavy end' when considering where the load is positioned.