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 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 created. The operator should ensure that the center of gravity, that is made, along with his load and the equipment itself, remains within the stability triangle to be able to prevent the forklift from 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 have to be concerned not just with the center of gravity of the load being lifted but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the load which is being picked up and the lift truck itself.
The load center is defined as the load's center of gravity. In a uniform load situation, such as a bale for example, the load center can be more easily detected. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for instance, would have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for lots of smaller capacity lift trucks. Then again, if a load is not centered correctly, like with non-symmetrical things, perhaps an engine for example, then a lot of care and caution should be taken in order to estimate the center of gravity.
The lift truck has a center of gravity of its own, which shifts each time the lift truck carries a load. When the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. Care should be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity in the forklift's stability triangle. 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 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 employees and pedestrians nearby can stay much safer. This will guarantee a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everyone.