Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
Among the key basic discussions with lift trucks is taking into consideration the stability triangle and the center of gravity. Among the hardest things for an operator of a lift truck to determine is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
To describe it simply, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When imaginary lines are drawn between these three points, the stability triangle is created. The operator should ensure that the center of gravity, which is created, combined with the equipment and his load, remains in the stability triangle in order to guard against the forklift losing balance and tipping over.
Centers of Gravity
How is the center of gravity defined? When in regards to utilizing a lift truck, we must be concerned not just with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck as well as the load it is picking up.
The load's center of gravity is defined as the load center. The load center could be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, such as a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for instance, will have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for lots of lift trucks with smaller capacity. Then again, if a load is not centered correctly, like with non-symmetrical things, maybe an engine for instance, then great care and caution should be taken in order to gauge the center of gravity.
Furthermore, the lift truck has a center of gravity of its own. This shifts each time the lift truck picks up a load. Once the load is lifted, the center of gravity shifts forward. Care must be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity within the stability triangle of the forklift. This happens by following the numbers and not lifting more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center must be considered. Be really careful whenever raising the load, the load center moves forward too.
The operator and everybody else who works close-by or in the nearby vicinity, can stay much safer if the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected. This would guarantee a balanced equipment, balanced loads and safer for everybody.