Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The center of gravity and the stability triangle is one of the important basic operating factors. One of the hardest things for a lift truck operator to judge is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity within their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
In order to describe it clearly, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When drawing imaginary lines between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator needs to ensure that the center of gravity, that is made, together with the machine and his load, remains in the stability triangle in order to guard against the forklift losing balance and tipping over.
Centers of Gravity
How is the center of gravity defined? When in regards to lift truck operation, we should be concerned not only with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the load that is being picked up as well as the lift truck itself.
The center of gravity of the load is defined as the load center. The load center could be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, such as a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for instance, will have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for numerous smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not correctly centered, such as with items that are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for instance, then a lot of care and caution should be taken in order to gauge the center of gravity.
Additionally, the lift truck has it's own center of gravity. This shifts each time the lift truck picks up a load. When the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. Care must be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity in the stability triangle of the forklift. This occurs by following the numbers and not raisin over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. Also, the load center should be considered. Be very careful whenever raising the load, the load center also moves forward.
If the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained, the operator and all workers and pedestrians close by can stay much safer. This will guarantee balanced loads, a balanced machinery and safer for everybody.