Every year within Sunnyvale, there are a few hundred lift truck accidents which are reported. Although operator training is definitely the most important part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidences. Clearly, the best approach to preventing forklift accidents is having the organization and company involved, in addition to combining the efforts of everyone in the facility.
Toyota applies the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology came from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling forklift operations. This particular system is very vital for helping lessen the risk of mishaps from happening. Whenever the SAS system detects any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to prevent accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology which is able to sense numerous things that can 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 particular 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 reduces the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
When the equipment senses instability happening, the SAS engages immediately. Then, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machinery needs to help lessen the risk of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to detect the many factors which can result in a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses possible longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help lessen the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over accidents from happening: 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 forklift forward or spilling a load. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
Using the same mast height sensors and load sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly decreases the chances of having the forklift tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.