Every year in Kentucky, there are several hundred lift truck mishaps which are reported. Although operator training is certainly the most vital part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to decrease the number of incidences. Obviously, the right approach to avoiding lift truck accidents is having the company and organization involved, in addition to combining the efforts of each person in the facility.
Toyota implements the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology is derived from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring lift truck operations. This system is very important for helping decrease the risk of accidents from occurring. When the SAS system detects any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. The Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to avoid injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect many factors that lead to 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 lift truck changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in an increase in stability. The result is an instant stability and really reduces the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the machinery senses instability occurring, the SAS engages instantly. Next, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machinery needs to help lessen the risk of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
The active mast function operates like 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 potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the chances of forward and rearward tip-over accidents from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control will detect 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 mechanisms are in place to help the operator be safe.
Using the same mast height sensors and load sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This really decreases the possibilities of spilling unsecured loads or having the forklift tilt backwards.