Several hundred lift truck mishaps are sadly reported in Prince Edward Island every year. Operator training is not sufficient to decrease the number of incidents, enough to say, although, it is certainly among the most vital components. Clearly, the right approach to avoiding lift truck accidents is having the organization and business involved, in addition to combining the efforts of each and every person in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the SAS or System of Active Stability, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS can electrically control and monitor lift truck operations. This system is very vital for helping decrease the chance of accidents from occurring. When the SAS system detects any kind 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 prevent injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that can detect various things that can 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 stability footprint of the lift truck changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in more stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly lessens the chance of a lateral overturn from happening.
Once the equipment detects 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 equipment needs to help reduce 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 sense many factors that lead to possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help lessen the chances of rearward and forward tip-over situations from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would sense mast height and load weight, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to lessen the chance of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. All these safety devices are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes the same load sensors and same mast height sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly lessens the chances of spilling unsecured cargo or having the lift truck tilt backwards.