Every year in Murrieta, there are a few hundred lift truck accidents which are reported. Though operator training is definitely the most essential part of avoiding workplace mishaps, it is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidences. Clearly, the best approach to preventing forklift accidents is having the business and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everyone in the facility.
Toyota applies the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology originated from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling forklift operations. This system is very important for helping lessen the chance of accidents from occurring. Whenever the SAS system senses any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. The Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to prevent accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology offered by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect many things which lead to potential lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this situation happens, 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 immediate stability and really lessens the likelihood of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages immediately, once the machine senses the occurrence of instability. Next, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the machine requires to help decrease the risk of lateral tip-overs from happening.
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 sense many things that result in potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses possible longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the chances of forward and rearward tip-over accidents from happening: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The equipment forward tilt angle control can detect the mast height and load weight, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It would also limit the forward tilt which will decrease the possibilities of forward tipping or spilling. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes 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 having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured cargo.