Each year within Garden Grove, there are a few hundred lift truck accidents which are reported. Though operator training is definitely the most essential component of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not enough to decrease the number of incidences. Clearly, the right method to avoiding forklift accidents is having the company and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the System of Active Stability or SAS, that is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring forklift operations. This particular system is important for helping reduce the risk of accidents from happening. When the SAS system senses 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.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that is able to detect many things which can 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 particular situation occurs, the forklift's stability footprint changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in more stability. The outcome is an instant stability and greatly lessens the likelihood of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the equipment senses instability occurring, the SAS engages instantly. Next, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the machine requires to help decrease 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 numerous things which can result in a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over situations from occurring: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The equipment forward tilt angle control is able to detect the load weight and mast height, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It will also limit the forward tilt that will decrease the chances of spilling or forward tipping. 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 decreases the chances of having the forklift tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.