Every year within United States, there are several hundred lift truck mishaps which are reported. Although operator training is certainly the most essential component of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not enough to decrease the number of incidences. Obviously, the right method to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the business and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the System of Active Stability or SAS, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring forklift operations. This particular system is vital for helping lessen the chance of mishaps from happening. Whenever the SAS system senses any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to prevent accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that can detect various factors that could lead to 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 happens, the stability footprint of the forklift changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in more stability. The result is an instant stability and greatly lessens the possibility of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages immediately, when the equipment senses the occurrence of instability. Then, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machine requires to help decrease the risk of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
Like the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller utilizes the same technologies. Its function is to detect the many things which can lead to a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller detects possible longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the chances of forward and rearward tip-over accidents from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control will sense load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to reduce the possibility of tipping the lift truck forward or spilling a load. These safety devices are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control uses the same mast height sensors and same load sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This really lessens the possibilities of spilling unsecured loads or having the lift truck tilt backwards.