Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
Amongst the key basic discussions with lift trucks is taking into consideration the stability triangle and the center of gravity. One of the hardest things for an operator of a lift truck to judge is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity within their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
A forklift has a 3-point suspension system. The stability triangle is created when imaginary lines are drawn between these three points. The operator must ensure that the center of gravity, that is created, along with the machinery and his load, remains in the stability triangle to be able to guard against the forklift losing balance and tipping over.
Centers of Gravity
How do you define the center of gravity? When it comes to using a lift truck, we must be concerned not only with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the load which is being picked up as well as the lift truck itself.
The load's center of gravity is defined as the load center. The load center can be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, such as a bale. Like for example, a uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, will have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for lots of smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not centered properly, like with items that are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for example, then great caution and care must be taken to be able to estimate the center of gravity.
In addition, the lift truck has it's own center of gravity. This shifts every time the lift truck carries a load. When the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. Care must be taken in order to maintain the center of gravity within the forklift's stability triangle. This happens by following the numbers and not lifting over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center needs to be taken into account. Be really careful whenever lifting the load, the load center moves forward also.
The operator and everybody else who works in the nearby vicinity or close-by, could stay a lot safer if the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected. This will really guarantee a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everybody.