Several hundred lift truck accidents are unfortunately reported within Indiana every year. Operator training is not enough to lessen the number of incidents, enough to say, though, it is definitely among the most important parts. Obviously, the right approach to avoiding forklift accidents is having the company and organization involved, in addition to combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota implements the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology originated from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring lift truck operations. This particular system is really vital for helping decrease the possibility of mishaps from happening. When the SAS system detects any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to avoid accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect numerous things which cause potential lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this specific situation happens, the lift truck's stability footprint changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in an increase in stability. The result is an instant stability and really lessens the likelihood of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the equipment detects instability happening, the SAS engages immediately. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machine needs to help lessen the risk of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
Like the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to detect the many things that can lead to a possible longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller detects potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help lessen the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over accidents from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control will detect mast height and load weight, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to decrease the possibility of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes the same load sensors and same mast height sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly lessens the chances of spilling unsecured loads or having the forklift tilt backwards.