Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The stability triangle and the center of gravity is amongst the important basic operating factors. Among the hardest things for a lift truck operator to judge is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity within their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
In order to describe it clearly, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When imaginary lines are drawn between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator needs to ensure that the center of gravity, that is created, combined with his load and the machine itself, remains within 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 in regards to using a lift truck, we have to be concerned not only with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck and the load it is picking up.
The load's center of gravity is defined as the load center. The load center could be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, like for instance a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for instance, will have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for many lift trucks with smaller capacity. Then again, if a load is not correctly centered, like with things that are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for instance, then a lot of care and caution need to be taken in order to estimate the center of gravity.
The lift truck has a center of gravity of its own, which shifts every time the lift truck picks up a load. Once the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. Care should be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity within the forklift's stability triangle. This occurs by following the numbers and not raisin more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. Also, the load center needs to be considered. Be really careful whenever raising the load, the load center shifts forward as well.
If the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained, the operator and all workers and pedestrians close by could stay much safer. This will guarantee a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everybody.