Every year within North Carolina, there are a few hundred forklift mishaps which are reported. Though operator training is certainly the most essential part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not enough to reduce the number of incidences. Obviously, the best approach to avoiding lift truck accidents is having the company and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everyone in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the System of Active Stability or SAS, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring lift truck operations. This specific system is vital for helping lessen the risk of mishaps from occurring. Whenever the SAS system detects any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. The Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to avoid injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that can sense many different things that can cause possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this situation occurs, the lift truck's stability footprint changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in more stability. The outcome is an instant stability and greatly lessens the possibility of a lateral overturn from happening.
Once the machinery senses instability happening, the SAS engages immediately. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the equipment requires to help decrease the possibility of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
The active mast function is similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control. The active mast function controller system utilizes the same patented technology to detect many things which result in possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller detects possible longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over accidents from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The machines forward tilt angle control is able to detect the load weight and mast height, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It would also limit the forward tilt that will reduce the possibilities of forward tipping or spilling. These safety devices are in place to help the operator be 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 greatly reduces the possibilities of spilling unsecured loads or having the forklift tilt backwards.