A few hundred lift truck accidents are unfortunately reported in Colorado each year. Operator training is not enough to reduce the number of incidents, enough to say, although, it is definitely among the most vital parts. Clearly, the best approach to avoiding lift truck mishaps is having the organization and company involved, in addition to combining the efforts of everyone in the facility.
Toyota implements the SAS or System of Active Stability. This technology is derived from automotive technology. The SAS can electrically control and monitor forklift operations. This specific system is important for helping reduce the possibility of accidents from happening. Whenever the SAS system senses any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to avoid injuries or accidents happening by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect many factors that lead to possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS instantly locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this specific situation occurs, the forklift's stability footprint changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in added stability. The outcome is an instant stability and greatly lessens the chance of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages instantly, once the equipment detects the occurrence of instability. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the equipment needs to help reduce the possibility of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to sense the numerous factors that can result in a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over situations from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would sense mast height and load weight, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to decrease the possibility of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. All these safety devices are in place to help the operator be safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes the same load sensors and same mast height sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly decreases the chances of having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.