An operator is attempting a lift and the Load Moment Indicator (LMI) displays a yellow warning light along with an audible alarm. The LMI screen shows the current load is 90% of the rated capacity for the current boom extension and angle. What action should the operator take immediately?

Question: An operator is attempting a lift and the Load Moment Indicator (LMI) displays a yellow warning light along with an audible alarm. The LMI screen shows the current load is 90% of the rated capacity for the current boom extension and angle. What action should the operator take immediately?

Answer options:

• Proceed with extreme caution, as the telehandler is near its limit but not overloaded. ✅ Stop the lift operation, lower the boom and retract the load to a safer configuration.
• Attempt to extend the outriggers (if equipped) to improve stability.
• Ignore the warning if the load appears stable and the ground is level.

Correct answer: Stop the lift operation, lower the boom and retract the load to a safer configuration.

Explanation: A yellow warning light and audible alarm on an LMI, particularly when indicating a high percentage of rated capacity (e.g., 90%), means the telehandler is approaching an overload condition or is operating at its stability limit. The immediate action should be to stop the lift, lower the boom, and retract the load to get into a safer configuration (i.e., reduce load radius or increase boom angle) to prevent an actual overload or tip-over. Extending outriggers should be done before the lift starts, not during a warning, and ignoring warnings is unsafe.