Every year in Canada, there are several hundred lift truck mishaps which are reported. Although operator training is certainly the most essential part of preventing workplace mishaps, it is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidences. Obviously, the right approach to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the business and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has applied the SAS or System of Active Stability, that is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling forklift operations. This system is really important for helping lessen the possibility of accidents from happening. When the SAS system detects any type 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 happening by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology which could sense many different things that can result in possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this particular situation occurs, the stability footprint of the forklift changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in an increase in stability. The outcome is an instant stability and really reduces the chance of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages instantly, when the equipment detects the occurrence of instability. Then, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the equipment requires to help lessen the chance of lateral tip-overs from happening.
Like the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to detect the many things that could lead to a possible longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller senses potential 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 Forward Tilt Angle Control will sense load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to lessen the possibility of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. All 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 chances of having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured cargo.