Every year in Bakersfield, there are a few hundred forklift mishaps which are reported. Though operator training is certainly the most important component of preventing workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to lessen the number of incidences. Obviously, the right method to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the company and organization involved, in addition to combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota applies the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology came from automotive technology. The SAS can electrically control and monitor forklift operations. This specific system is essential for helping decrease the risk of accidents from happening. When the SAS system senses any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. The Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to avoid accidents or injuries happening by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to sense many factors which lead to 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 lift truck's stability footprint changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly lessens the chance of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the machinery detects 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 decrease the possibility of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
The active mast function is similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control. The active mast function controller system utilizes the same patented technology to sense many things that lead to possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller detects possible longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the chances 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 will detect load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to reduce the possibility of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. These safety devices are in place to help the operator be safe.
Using the same load sensors and mast height sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly lessens the possibilities of spilling unsecured loads or having the lift truck tilt backwards.