What must be done when the capacity listings are no longer legible on a load chart?

When the capacity listings on a load chart are no longer legible, obtaining new charts from the manufacturer is the best course of action. This ensures that the information is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with safety standards. Load charts contain critical information regarding the crane's capabilities, limits, and operational parameters, which can change based on various factors such as model, design, and updates in safety regulations. By securing new charts directly from the manufacturer, operators can trust that they are using reliable specifications, thus preventing potential overload scenarios, which could lead to accidents or equipment damage.

Making a copy of the existing charts is not advisable since if the originals are illegible, copies would also be difficult to read and could perpetuate the same issues. Estimating capacities based on similar models lacks precision and can lead to miscalculations, risking safety as actual capacities may vary significantly. Using previous load records for reference may not provide relevant or accurate data, as those records could pertain to different conditions, loads, or crane configurations. Therefore, obtaining new charts is the only method that guarantees safety and operational efficiency.