DIMENSIONS and WEIGHT - The chart shows the crane dimensions. To illustrate how to read a crane chart, we’ve chosen the chart for the Terex RT345XL, a rough terrain crane with a maximum lift capacity of 45 tons.ġ. Everyone, from the crane operator, to the job supervisors, to even the sales guys have to know how to read a crane chart. Just like the old saying ​ ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail,’ failing to consult a crane load chart before renting or employing a crane for a specific job could leave you with too much or too little capacity for your job.īefore a crane is rented, transported, employed or purchased, the crane chart must be consulted. Each crane has a load chart that, in short, specifies the crane’s capabilities - detailing its features and how its lift capacity varies when considering distance and angle.