Each year in British Columbia, there are a few hundred forklift accidents that are reported. Although operator training is definitely the most important component of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not enough to decrease the number of incidences. Obviously, the best approach to preventing lift truck accidents is having the organization and business involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the System of Active Stability or SAS, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS could electrically monitor and control lift truck operations. This specific system is important for helping decrease the possibility of accidents from happening. When the SAS system detects any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to prevent accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that could sense various factors that can cause potential 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 happens, the stability footprint of the forklift changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an immediate stability and really lessens the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
The SAS system engages instantly, once the machinery senses the occurrence of instability. Next, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machinery needs to help reduce the chance of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller utilizes the same technologies. Its function is to detect the numerous factors that could result in a possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses possible longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the chances of rearward and forward tip-over situations from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would detect load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to lessen the chance of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control uses the same mast height sensors and same load sensors 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.