An operator is moving a telehandler with a lifted load of 800 kg. If the machine weighs 10,000 kg and the centre of gravity of the load is 3 metres from the front axle and 2 metres high, what effect does driving over a small pothole have on the stability triangle during movement?

Question: An operator is moving a telehandler with a lifted load of 800 kg. If the machine weighs 10,000 kg and the centre of gravity of the load is 3 metres from the front axle and 2 metres high, what effect does driving over a small pothole have on the stability triangle during movement?

Answer options: ✅ Momentarily and dynamically shifts the machine's centre of gravity, potentially moving it outside the stability triangle and increasing tip-over risk.

• The pothole will cause a transient reduction in engine power, reducing lifting capacity.
• The stability triangle's size remains static, only its orientation changes with steering.
• Driving over a pothole causes immediate tire deflation, enhancing stability through a larger footprint.

Correct answer: Momentarily and dynamically shifts the machine's centre of gravity, potentially moving it outside the stability triangle and increasing tip-over risk.

Explanation: Driving over a pothole, especially with a suspended load, introduces dynamic forces that can momentarily and unpredictably shift the combined center of gravity outside the stability triangle. This significantly increases the risk of dynamic tip-over, as emphasized in CSA B354.7 and OHS regulations against traveling with elevated loads over uneven terrain.