Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
One of the key basic discussions with lift trucks is taking into account the center of gravity and the stability triangle. Amongst the hardest things for a lift truck operator to judge is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
To describe it clearly, 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 make sure that the center of gravity, that is made, along with the machinery and his load, remains within the stability triangle in order to prevent the forklift from losing balance and tipping over.
Centers of Gravity
How do you define the center of gravity? When in regards to lift truck operation, we must be concerned not only with the center of gravity of the load being lifted but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck and the load it is picking up.
The center of gravity of the load is defined as the load center. The load center can 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 many smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not centered correctly, like with items which are not symmetrical, perhaps an engine for example, then a lot of care and caution must be taken in order to estimate the center of gravity.
Additionally, the lift truck has a center of gravity of its own. This shifts each time the lift truck picks up a load. When the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. A lot of care must be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity within the forklift's stability triangle. This occurs by following the numbers and not raisin over 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 also shifts forward.
The operator and everyone else who works close-by or in the nearby vicinity, could stay a lot safer if the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained. This will ensure balanced loads, a balanced machine and safer for everyone.