Komatsu Gas Forklifts Portland

Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle

The stability triangle and the center of gravity is one of the important basic operating factors. One of the hardest things for a lift truck operator to judge is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity within 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 certain that the center of gravity, that is made, along with his load and the equipment itself, 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 it comes 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 load which is being picked up as well as the lift truck itself.



The center of gravity of the load 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 example, a uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, will have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for lots of smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not correctly centered, such as with non-symmetrical things, perhaps an engine for instance, then great caution and care need to be taken in order to gauge the center of gravity.



Furthermore, the lift truck has a center of gravity of its own. This shifts every time the lift truck carries a load. Once the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. Care needs to be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity in the stability triangle of the forklift. This happens by following the numbers and not raisin more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center must be considered. Be aware that whenever lifting the load, the load center moves forward also.



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

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