Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The center of gravity and the stability triangle is one of the important basic operating considerations. Among the most complicated things for an operator of a lift truck to determine is the significance of maintaining their center of gravity within their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
A forklift has a 3-point suspension system. The stability triangle is formed when imaginary lines are drawn between these three points. The operator needs to ensure that the center of gravity, which 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 do you define the center of gravity? When it comes to lift truck operation, we should be concerned not just 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 and the lift truck itself.
The load center is defined as the load's center of gravity. In a uniform load situation, like a bale for instance, the load center could be more easily detected. Like for example, a uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, will have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for numerous lift trucks with smaller capacity. However, if a load is not correctly centered, like with things which are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for instance, then a lot of caution and care have to be taken to be able to gauge the center of gravity.
Moreover, the lift truck has it's own center of gravity. This shifts each time the lift truck carries a load. When the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. Care needs to be taken in order to maintain the center of gravity in the stability triangle of the forklift. This happens by following the numbers and not carrying over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. As well, the load center needs to be considered. Be really careful whenever raising the load, the load center shifts forward as well.
The operator and everyone else who works close-by or in the nearby vicinity, can stay much safer if the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained. This will really ensure balanced loads, a balanced equipment and safer for everyone.