Several hundred forklift accidents are sadly reported in Canada each year. Operator training is not enough to lessen the number of incidents, enough to say, although, it is definitely one of the most important parts. Clearly, the right method to preventing lift truck accidents is having the business and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has applied the System of Active Stability or SAS, that is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling lift truck operations. This system is really essential for helping lessen the risk of accidents from occurring. When the SAS system senses any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. 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 that can sense many different factors which can result in potential lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this particular situation occurs, the lift truck's stability footprint changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in more stability. The outcome is an immediate stability and greatly lessens the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the equipment detects instability occurring, the SAS engages instantly. Next, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machine needs to help reduce the possibility of lateral tip-overs from happening.
The active mast function is similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control. The active mast function controller system uses the same patented technology to detect many things which lead to possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over situations from happening: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would detect mast height and load weight, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to reduce the chance of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. These safety devices are in place to help the operator be safe.
Using the same mast height sensors and load sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This really reduces the possibilities of having the forklift tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.