Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The center of gravity and the stability triangle is amongst the important basic operating considerations. Among the hardest things for a lift truck operator to determine is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity in 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 must ensure that the center of gravity, that is made, together with the machinery and his load, remains within 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 it comes to utilizing a lift truck, we need to be concerned not just with the center of gravity of the load being lifted 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's center of gravity 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, would have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for a lot of smaller capacity lift trucks. However, if a load is not correctly centered, like with items that are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for example, then a lot of care and caution have to be taken to be able to estimate the center of gravity.
The lift truck has a center of gravity of its own, which shifts every time the lift truck carries a load. Once the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. A lot of care should be taken in order to maintain the center of gravity within the stability triangle of the forklift. This occurs by following the numbers and not raisin more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center should be taken into consideration. Be aware that whenever raising the load, the load center shifts forward too.
If the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected, the operator and all employees and pedestrians close by can stay a lot safer. This will really guarantee balanced loads, a balanced machine and safer for everyone.