Every year in Ohio, there are several hundred forklift accidents which are reported. Although operator training is definitely the most important part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to decrease the number of incidences. Clearly, the best approach to preventing forklift mishaps is having the organization and company involved, as well as combining the efforts of each person in the facility.
Toyota has applied the SAS or System of Active Stability, that is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS could electrically control and monitor forklift operations. This specific system is vital for helping lessen the risk of mishaps from occurring. When the SAS system senses any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. The Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to avoid injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect many things that result in possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this specific situation occurs, the stability footprint of the forklift changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in an increase in stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly reduces the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
The SAS system engages instantly, once the machinery detects the occurrence of instability. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machinery requires 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 detect the numerous factors which can result in a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the chances of forward and rearward tip-over situations from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The equipment forward tilt angle control could sense the mast height and load weight, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It will also limit the forward tilt that would decrease the possibilities of spilling or forward tipping. All these safety devices are in place to help the operator stay 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 decreases the possibilities of spilling unsecured cargo or having the forklift tilt backwards.