There are 5 important steps to making sure that safety is a top priority. The first step is completing a Walk-Around Inspection in order to insure that the model is visually safe. After that assess if the work place is safe to use with a Worksite Assessment. The Function Test is the third step in order to determine whether or not the model is functioning in a safe way. The 4th thing to think about is Proper Operation, so as to know whether or not the unit is operating safely. Last of all, Proper Shutdown must be checked so as to make sure the model is capable of shutting down properly and is in a safe place.
At the center of the 5 steps and this regulation, there is a machinery which stands on a triangular footprint and lifts heavy weights to impressive heights. The main goal is to be able to keep the telehandler upright, but of course there are dangers.
The triangular base of the telehandler comprises the two front wheels and the rear-axle pivot point. The rear axles often oscillates, hence the rear wheels are not considered part of the base. The telehandler remains upright as long as the machine's center of gravity, which is defined as the point in 3 dimensions around which the weight of the machine is balanced, stays oriented in the stability triangle.
When a load is placed on the forks whilst the boom is down, the center of gravity forward and down. The load if raised would move the center of gravity to the rear upwards. At the same time, when this occurs, the stability triangle shrinks. Thus, the higher you lift a load, the less of a margin for error you have as the stability triangle lessens.
When the stability triangle is small, it leaves less room for the center of gravity to move right or left. It is this wandering action which could change the stability triangle and leave less room for the frame to remain balanced if it is not perfectly level. Like for example, imagine the center of gravity resembling a plumb bob hanging from the boom. You will always be able to find the center of gravity someplace on a totally vertical line between a point on the boom and the center of the ground. If the frame is not level, the center of gravity will not be oriented over the centerline of the equipment. The stability triangle is continuously aligned with the centerline of the telehandler.