A few hundred lift truck mishaps are unfortunately reported within Canada every year. Operator training is not sufficient to lessen the number of incidents, suffice to say, although, it is certainly amongst the most essential parts. Obviously, the best approach to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the organization and business involved, in addition to combining the efforts of each and every individual in the facility.
Toyota implements the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology originated from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring lift truck operations. This specific system is really important for helping decrease the possibility of mishaps from happening. Whenever the SAS system senses any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to prevent injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology which is able to detect numerous factors that could cause possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS instantly locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this situation happens, the forklift's stability footprint changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly lessens the chance of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the machine senses instability occurring, the SAS engages immediately. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machinery requires to help lessen the risk of lateral tip-overs from happening.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller utilizes the same technologies. Its function is to sense the numerous things that could lead to a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the chances of forward and rearward tip-over situations from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would detect load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to lessen the chance of tipping the lift truck forward or spilling a load. All these safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes the same mast height sensors and same load sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This really lessens the chances of having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured cargo.