The Carriage
The carriage is like a typical forklift because the lifting attachment can be tilted forwards and backwards from its horizontal. The tilt that is possible on this machinery exceeds more than that of the vertical masts. There are different types of available lifting attachments, and this positioning ability makes them as efficient as possible.
Nearly all telehandlers have the capability of tilting to a position that is actually parallel to the ground. Some models have rotating carriages also. This allows the operator to radially adjust the lifting attachment. This translates to the load being capable of being tilted forwards and backwards, and side to side.
Load Capacity
Knowing a telehandler's load capacity is a a lot different exercise than it is on a vertical mast unit. The capacity of the unit is completely dependent on such things as: the amount of boom transaction deployed, if this is applicable and boom extension and angle, whether the unit is lifting on outriggers or on rubber tires. Also, which lifting attachment plays a very important role, as does the wind, the grade the equipment is operating on et cetera. All of these specifics could be changing on a regular basis and this gives the operator much more information to think about.
Telehandlers will often have some different load charts available to them, giving them a good reference they can use to know a certain lift's load capacity. Depending upon the configuration of the boom and the unit in particular, the load capacity may vary by thousands of pounds all together.