A method of detecting a magnitude of a load applied to a hoisting motor in a material handling system using a motor drive controlling the hoisting motor , the method comprising the steps of: reading a first parameter and a second parameter stored in the motor drive , wherein the first parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at a first speed with no load, the second parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at a second speed with no load, and the second speed is greater than the first speed; reading a third parameter and a fourth parameter stored in the motor drive, wherein the third parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the first speed with a rated load and the fourth parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the second speed with the rated load; measuring a speed of rotation of the hoisting motor; determining an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with no load as a function of the first and second parameters; determining an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with rated load as a function of the third and fourth parameters; determining a magnitude of torque generated by the hoisting motor at the measured speed; and determining the magnitude of the load applied to the hoisting motor at the measured speed and measured torque as a function of the expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with no load and the expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with rated load. reading a first parameter and a second parameter stored in the motor drive , wherein the first parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at a first speed with no load, the second parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at a second speed with no load, and the second speed is greater than the first speed; reading a third parameter and a fourth parameter stored in the motor drive, wherein the third parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the first speed with a rated load and the fourth parameter defines an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the second speed with the rated load; measuring a speed of rotation of the hoisting motor; determining an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with no load as a function of the first and second parameters; determining an expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with rated load as a function of the third and fourth parameters; determining a magnitude of torque generated by the hoisting motor at the measured speed; and determining the magnitude of the load applied to the hoisting motor at the measured speed and measured torque as a function of the expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with no load and the expected level of torque produced by the hoisting motor at the measured speed with rated load. <EOS>