A telehandler operator is asked to use a pallet fork attachment to lift a bundle of drywall secured with straps. The drywall weighs 850 kg and is 3 metres long. The telehandler has a rated capacity of 2,500 kg at a 600 mm load centre. What is the primary concern when lifting such a load with standard forks?

Question: A telehandler operator is asked to use a pallet fork attachment to lift a bundle of drywall secured with straps. The drywall weighs 850 kg and is 3 metres long. The telehandler has a rated capacity of 2,500 kg at a 600 mm load centre. What is the primary concern when lifting such a load with standard forks?

Answer options:

• The load will likely exceed the telehandler's overall capacity. ✅ The length of the drywall will cause the load centre to shift significantly outwards from the mast.
• The straps may not be strong enough to secure the load for the lift.
• The forks might not be wide enough to support the drywall bundle safely.

Correct answer: The length of the drywall will cause the load centre to shift significantly outwards from the mast.

Explanation: Long loads, like 3-metre drywall, significantly shift the load centre horizontally away from the telehandler's front wheels. This dramatically reduces the effective lifting capacity, even if the weight itself is well within the machine's overall limits. The 600 mm load centre capacity rating assumes a much shorter load, making this a critical stability issue.