Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
Among the important basic discussions about lift trucks is taking into account the center of gravity and the stability triangle. Among the hardest things for a lift truck operator 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 should ensure that the center of gravity, which is created, together with the machinery and his load, remains within the stability triangle in order to prevent the forklift from 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 load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck as well as the load it is picking up.
The load's center of gravity is defined as the load center. The load center can be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, like for example a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for example, will have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for numerous lift trucks with smaller capacity. However, if a load is not centered correctly, like with things which are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for example, then great caution and care must be taken to be able to gauge the center of gravity.
Moreover, the lift truck has a center of gravity of its own. This shifts every time the lift truck picks up a load. Once the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. A lot of care should be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity in the forklift's stability triangle. This occurs by following the numbers and not lifting more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. Also, the load center has to be considered. Be very careful whenever lifting the load, the load center also shifts forward.
If the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained, the operator and all employees and pedestrians nearby could stay much safer. This would ensure balanced loads, a balanced machinery and safer for everybody.