How to Read a Crane Load Chart
Load charts look intimidating at first, but they follow the same logic across nearly every manufacturer. Here's the process, step by step.
1. Find your crane's configuration
Every load chart is built around a specific setup — boom length, counterweight, outrigger spread, and whether a jib is attached. Before reading any numbers, confirm the chart matches exactly how your crane is currently rigged. The same crane can have several different charts for different configurations.
2. Locate the radius
Radius is the horizontal distance from the crane's center of rotation to the center of the load. Measure or estimate this first — it's the row (or column, depending on chart layout) you'll be reading from.
3. Match radius to boom length or angle
Most charts cross-reference radius against either boom length or boom angle. Find the column for your current boom length, then read down to the row matching your radius.
4. Read the capacity rating
The number at that intersection is your maximum rated capacity at that radius and configuration — not a target, a ceiling. It already accounts for the crane's stability and structural limits, but not for the weight of your rigging (slings, spreader bars, hooks).
5. Subtract rigging weight
The load chart's number is the crane's total lifting capacity, which includes the hook block, slings, and any other rigging hanging below the boom tip. Subtract that rigging weight from the rated capacity to get your true available load capacity.
6. Check the footnotes
Load charts are covered in footnotes for a reason — they modify capacities based on outrigger position, tire pressure (for mobile cranes), wind speed limits, and other conditions. A number pulled without checking the applicable footnotes can be misleading.
Important: load charts are provided for informational purposes only. Always refer to your crane's official manufacturer documentation before any lift.
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