Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
One of the important basic discussions about lift trucks is taking into consideration the center of gravity and the stability triangle. Amongst the most difficult things for a lift truck operator to determine is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
To describe it simply, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When drawing imaginary lines between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator should make sure that the center of gravity, which is made, together with the machinery and his load, remains in the stability triangle to be able to guard against the forklift losing balance and tipping over.
Centers of Gravity
How is the center of gravity defined? When it comes to using a lift truck, we must be concerned not just with the center of gravity of the load being lifted but as well with the combined center of gravity. This comprises the lift truck and 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. Like for example, a uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, would have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for a lot of lift trucks with smaller capacity. However, if a load is not properly centered, like with non-symmetrical things, maybe an engine for example, then a lot of care and caution must be taken to be able to gauge the center of gravity.
The lift truck has a center of gravity of its own, that shifts every time the lift truck picks up a load. When the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. Care has to be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity in the stability triangle of the forklift. This occurs by following the numbers and not carrying over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center should be considered. Be really careful whenever raising the load, the load center also shifts forward.
The operator and everyone else who works in the nearby vicinity or close-by, could stay much safer if the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained. This would guarantee balanced loads, a balanced machine and safer for everybody.