Several hundred lift truck accidents are sadly reported within El Monte every year. Operator training is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidents, enough to say, although, it is definitely among the most important components. Clearly, the best approach to preventing forklift mishaps is having the organization and business involved, in addition to combining the efforts of each person in the facility.
Toyota has applied the SAS or System of Active Stability, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS could electrically monitor and control forklift operations. This system is important for helping decrease the risk of accidents from happening. When the SAS system detects any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to avoid accidents or injuries happening by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that can detect numerous factors that could cause potential 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 happens, the stability footprint of the forklift changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in added stability. The outcome is an instant stability and really reduces the possibility of a lateral overturn from happening.
Once the machinery detects instability happening, the SAS engages instantly. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machine needs to help lessen the possibility of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
The active mast function is similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control. The active mast function controller system uses the same patented technology to detect many things that lead to possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the chances of forward and rearward tip-over accidents from occurring: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The machines forward tilt angle control can detect the load weight and mast height, the would override the operator's manual control automatically. It would also limit the forward tilt that would decrease the chances of spilling or forward tipping. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
Utilizing the same load sensors and mast height sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly decreases the possibilities of spilling unsecured cargo or having the forklift tilt backwards.