Komatsu Gas Forklifts Long Beach

Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle

The stability triangle and the center of gravity is amongst the important basic operating factors. One of the hardest things for an operator of a lift truck to determine is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity within their stability triangle.



The Stability Triangle

To describe it clearly, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When drawing imaginary lines between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator must ensure that the center of gravity, which is created, along with the machinery and his load, remains within the stability triangle in order 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 utilizing a lift truck, we should be concerned not just 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 instance, a uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, will have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is really common for many smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not correctly centered, like with things that are not symmetrical, perhaps an engine for example, then great caution and care must be taken in order to gauge the center of gravity.



Additionally, the lift truck has it's own center of gravity. This shifts each time the lift truck carries a load. Once the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. A lot of care needs to 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 carrying more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. As well, the load center should be considered. Be very careful whenever raising the load, the load center also moves forward.



The operator and everybody else who works close-by or in the nearby vicinity, could stay much safer if the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected. This would guarantee a balanced equipment, balanced loads and safer for everyone.

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