Telehandlers are heavy duty work machines made specially to operate in rough terrain. This however, does not mean they can be driven without regard on rough terrain. These types of machinery have a much greater risk of tipping over or load loss when they are traveling on slopes.
When traveling on a slope, make sure that you move slowly with the machinery while also keeping the load low. Downshift to 4WD and a lower gear, prior to getting on the slope. Using the engine brake would really help to control the telehandler's speed. Try not to turn on a slope if possible. If you have to make the turn, use extreme caution and take it as wide as possible.
Under any circumstances, do not drive across excessively steep slopes. Ascend and descend slopes with the telehandler's heavy end pointing up the incline. Even when there is no load on the forks, the equipment's counterweighted rear is fairly heavy; thus, it can be necessary to drive backwards up slopes. Once the telehandler is carrying a load, the front of the unit becomes the heavy end, and you would be able to back the machine down the slopes.
On a mixed jobsite, operator training is very important. The coordinated steering machines, along with the rear-pivot machinery normally work on the same jobsite where everyone is permitted to use all of the machinery. In this instance, an individual who is used to using a coordinated steer equipment can jump onto a rear-pivot equipment. A very key difference between how these two units operate depends on what part of the machine extends outside of the turning radius.