Komatsu Gas Forklifts Austin

Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle

The center of gravity and the stability triangle is amongst the important basic operating considerations. Amongst the most complicated things for an operator of a lift truck to determine is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.



The Stability Triangle

To describe it simply, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When imaginary lines are drawn between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator must make sure that the center of gravity, which is created, combined with the machine and his load, remains within 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 in regards to lift truck operation, we need to be concerned not only with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck and the load it is picking up.



The center of gravity of the load is defined as the load center. The load center can be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, such as a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for example, will have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for many smaller capacity lift trucks. Then again, if a load is not centered properly, such as with non-symmetrical items, maybe an engine for example, then great care and caution must be taken in order to estimate the center of gravity.



Moreover, the lift truck has it's own center of gravity. This shifts every time the lift truck picks up a load. Once the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. Care has to be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity within the stability triangle of the forklift. This occurs by following the numbers and not lifting over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. As well, the load center should be considered. Be aware that whenever raising the load, the load center moves forward also.



If the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected, the operator and all employees and pedestrians nearby could stay much safer. This would really guarantee a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everyone.

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