Several hundred forklift mishaps are sadly reported in San Diego each year. Operator training is not sufficient to decrease the number of incidents, enough to say, although, it is certainly amongst the most vital parts. Obviously, the right method to preventing forklift accidents is having the organization and company involved, as well as combining the efforts of each and every individual in the facility.
Toyota applies 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 particular system is important for helping lessen the risk of accidents from happening. Whenever the SAS system senses 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 injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that could sense many factors that could 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 particular situation happens, the stability footprint of the lift truck changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly reduces the chance of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages instantly, once the equipment senses the occurrence of instability. Then, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the equipment needs to help lessen the possibility of lateral tip-overs from happening.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to detect the many things that could result in a possible longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the possibilities of forward and rearward tip-over situations from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The machinery forward tilt angle control can sense the mast height and load weight, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It will also limit the forward tilt that will lessen the possibilities of forward tipping or spilling. All these safety devices are in place to help the operator be safe.
Using 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 really reduces the possibilities of having the forklift tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.