Each year in Manitoba, there are several hundred forklift accidents that are reported. Although operator training is certainly the most essential part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to lessen the number of incidences. Obviously, the best approach to preventing forklift accidents is having the organization and business involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the System of Active Stability or SAS, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS could electrically monitor and control forklift operations. This specific system is really essential for helping lessen the risk of accidents from happening. Whenever the SAS system detects any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to avoid accidents or injuries happening by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology which is able to detect many things which may result in potential lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this situation occurs, the forklift's stability footprint changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly lessens the chance of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the equipment detects instability happening, the SAS engages immediately. Then, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the machinery requires to help reduce the risk of lateral tip-overs from happening.
The active mast function is similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control. The active mast function controller system uses the same patented technology to detect many factors which lead to potential longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the chances of forward and rearward tip-over accidents from occurring: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would detect load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to lessen the chance of tipping the lift truck forward or spilling a load. These safety devices are in place to help the operator be safe.
Using the same load sensors and mast height sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly lessens the chances of having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured cargo.