Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The center of gravity and the stability triangle is among the important basic operating factors. Amongst the most difficult things for an operator of a lift truck to judge is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
To explain it simply, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When imaginary lines are drawn between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator should ensure that the center of gravity, that is made, combined with the machinery and his load, remains in 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 lift truck operation, we must be concerned not just with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck as well as the load it is picking up.
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. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for example, will have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for many smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not centered correctly, such as with things that are not symmetrical, perhaps an engine for instance, then great caution and care should be taken in order to estimate the center of gravity.
The lift truck has its own center of gravity, which shifts every time the lift truck picks up a load. Once the load is raised, the center of gravity shifts forward. A lot of care should 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 carrying over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center must be taken into consideration. Be really careful whenever lifting the load, the load center shifts forward too.
If the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected, the operator and all workers and pedestrians nearby could stay much safer. This will truly ensure a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everyone.