NCCCO Telehandler cheat sheet

Walk-around inspection covers all four sides plus the machine's top and underside before every shift or after any operator change; a defect found here is corrected before the engine is started.

Fluid checks: engine oil on the dipstick between ADD and FULL marks; coolant at the cold-fill line on the surge tank; hydraulic reservoir at the sight-glass level with the boom fully retracted and lowered.

Tire rule: inspect for cuts, sidewall bulges, exposed cord, and lug-nut torque; a pneumatic tire showing less than 1/4 in (6 mm) of tread or any cord exposure is removed from service.

Boom and attachment inspection points: wear pads, extend/retract chains, hose sheaves, quick-attach pins and locks, and the attachment's locking lever fully engaged.

ROPS/FOPS structure is inspected for cracks, bends, or unauthorized welds; a damaged ROPS/FOPS is never field-repaired without manufacturer approval.

Seat belt, seat bar, and operator-presence switch are function-tested: the machine must not start or travel unless the operator is seated with the belt latched.

Load chart must be legible, mounted in the cab, and matched to the installed attachment and tire type; a missing or unreadable chart makes the machine out of service.

Brake and steering checks before travel: service brake stops the machine from low speed, parking brake holds on a slope, and steering responds in both directions.

Daily inspection record is written and retained; defects are logged, and out-of-service tags stay on the machine until a qualified person signs off the repair.

Ground bearing is the controlling limit: telehandlers concentrate load on the outriggers or front axle, so check for uncompacted fill, voids, buried tanks, and utility trenches under the wheel path.

Rule of thumb for slope: travel only on grades within the manufacturer's rating, keep the boom low and retracted, and never operate the frame-level function or lift on a side slope.

Overhead hazard clearance: identify power lines and treat all lines as energized; maintain the utility- or site-specified minimum approach distance for the boom and load.

Soil capacity check: compare the maximum outrigger or tire load from the load chart against the site's verified allowable bearing pressure, not against the machine's gross weight.

Site survey items: access roads, gate widths, bridge and floor load limits, overhead obstructions, blind corners, pedestrian routes, and designated spotter positions.

Wind: stop lifting when wind exceeds the manufacturer's limit or when the load's sail area makes it uncontrollable; a tag line is used to control rotation, not to arrest swing.

Excavations and slopes: keep the machine back from the edge by at least the depth of the excavation or the engineered distance, whichever is greater.

Surface conditions that change capacity: soft ground, ice, mud, and loose gravel reduce stability; steel plates or mats are used to spread load only when the manufacturer permits them.

Load weight determination: use the shipping papers, a scale ticket, or a calculated weight with a documented margin; never estimate from appearance.

Load chart reading order: select the correct attachment column, enter with the boom angle or radius, then read the capacity at the actual boom extension and height; all three must be satisfied simultaneously.

Radius is measured horizontally from the center of rotation (or the manufacturer's stated point) to the center of gravity of the load, not to the attachment pin.

Deduct the weight of all rigging and attachments not already included in the chart: slings, shackles, spreader beams, and the quick-attach device where the chart requires it.

Rigging check: verify sling capacity at the actual sling angle, hook latch closed, no side-loading of the hook, and the load's center of gravity below the lift point.

Communication plan: one designated signal person, agreed hand signals or radio channel, and a stop signal that any worker on site may give.

Lift plan elements: load description and weight, attachment, boom length, radius and height, capacity versus demand, ground conditions, travel path, and emergency lowering procedure.

Personnel exclusion: no one stands or passes under a suspended load, and the operator keeps the load in view or follows the signal person when visibility is blocked.

Tag lines are used on long or odd-shaped loads to control rotation; they are held from outside the load's fall zone, never wrapped around the hand.

Leveling rule: set the frame level using the frame-level function before raising the boom; the load chart assumes a level machine, and tilt reduces capacity.

Boom sequencing: extend the boom before lowering the angle when placing a load far out, and retract before raising the angle when bringing it in, to keep the load within the chart.

Travel with a load: keep the boom retracted and low (typically just above ground clearance), keep the load uphill on grades, and use the manufacturer's travel position.

Capacity at height: the chart capacity may decrease as the boom is raised even at constant radius; recheck the chart at the actual lift height, not only at ground level.

Sway control: use the frame-level and boom functions smoothly and one at a time; simultaneous functions plus wind can induce oscillation that the chart does not cover.

Load placement: set the load down, verify stability, then release rigging; never leave a suspended load unattended or rely on hydraulics to hold a load while the operator leaves the seat.

Emergency lowering: know the manual descent procedure and the location of the emergency lowering valve or pump before the lift begins.

Shutdown and parking: park on level ground, boom retracted and lowered, attachment flat on the ground, parking brake set, controls neutralized, and keys removed.