Several hundred lift truck accidents are unfortunately reported in Oklahoma every year. Operator training is not enough to lessen the number of incidents, suffice to say, though, it is certainly one of the most important parts. Obviously, the right approach to avoiding lift truck accidents is having the organization and company involved, in addition to combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has applied 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 system is very vital for helping reduce the chance of mishaps from occurring. When the SAS system senses any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. Both the Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to prevent injuries or accidents happening by adding stability.
The patented technology offered by Toyota's SAS system is in place to sense numerous things that lead to 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 added stability. The result is an instant stability and really lessens the possibility of a lateral overturn from happening.
When the machine senses instability occurring, the SAS engages immediately. Then, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the equipment needs to help lessen the possibility 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 which result in possible longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller detects possible longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the chances of rearward and forward tip-over accidents from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The machinery forward tilt angle control could detect the load weight and mast height, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It would also limit the forward tilt which would 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 utilizes the same mast height sensors and same load sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly decreases the possibilities of having the forklift tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.