Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The stability triangle and the center of gravity is one of the important basic operating factors. Amongst the hardest things for an operator of a lift truck to judge is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity in 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 should ensure that the center of gravity, which is created, combined with the machine and his load, remains within the stability triangle to be able 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 should be concerned not just with the center of gravity of the load being lifted but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck as well as the load it is picking up.
The center of gravity of the load is defined as the load center. The load center could be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, like for example a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for example, would have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for numerous lift trucks with smaller capacity. However, if a load is not centered correctly, such as with items that are not symmetrical, perhaps an engine for example, then a lot of caution and care should be taken in order to estimate the center of gravity.
The lift truck has its own center of gravity, that shifts every time the lift truck carries a load. When the load is raised, the center of gravity shifts forward. A lot of care needs to be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity in the stability triangle of the forklift. This happens by following the numbers and not raisin over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center has to be taken into consideration. Be really careful whenever lifting the load, the load center moves forward as well.
The operator and everybody else who works close-by or in the nearby vicinity, can stay a lot safer if the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained. This will guarantee a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everyone.