Several hundred lift truck accidents are sadly reported within Norwalk every year. Operator training is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidents, enough to say, though, it is certainly amongst the most essential components. Obviously, the right approach to preventing lift truck accidents is having the business and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everyone in the facility.
Toyota applies the SAS or System of Active Stability. This technology originated from automotive technology. The SAS can electrically control and monitor forklift operations. This system is important for helping lessen the possibility of mishaps from occurring. When the SAS system detects any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to avoid accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to sense many factors that 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 situation occurs, the stability footprint of the lift truck changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in an increase in stability. The result is an immediate stability and really reduces the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
The SAS system engages immediately, when the machinery detects the occurrence of instability. Next, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the machine needs to help lessen the risk of lateral tip-overs from happening.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller utilizes the same technologies. Its function is to sense the numerous factors which could result in a possible longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller senses possible longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help lessen 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 sense mast height and load weight, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to decrease the possibility of tipping the lift truck forward or spilling a load. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator be safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes 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 having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.