Komatsu Gas Forklifts West Valley City

Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle

The stability triangle and the center of gravity is one of the important basic operating factors. Among the most difficult things for an operator of a lift truck to judge is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.



The Stability Triangle

A forklift has a 3-point suspension system. The stability triangle is created when imaginary lines are drawn between these three points. The operator needs to make certain that the center of gravity, which is made, together with his load and the machinery itself, remains in the stability triangle in order to prevent the forklift from losing balance and tipping over.



Centers of Gravity

How is the center of gravity defined? When it comes to lift truck operation, we need to be concerned not only with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the load which is being picked up and the lift truck itself.



The center of gravity of the load is defined as the load center. The load center could be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, like for instance a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for instance, would have the load center at 24 inches. This load center is very common for numerous smaller capacity lift trucks. Then again, if a load is not centered correctly, like with non-symmetrical items, maybe an engine for example, then great caution and care have to be taken to be able to estimate the center of gravity.



The lift truck has a center of gravity of its own, which shifts each and every time the lift truck carries a load. Once the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. Care must be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity within the forklift's stability triangle. This occurs by following the numbers and not carrying over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center has to be considered. Be aware that whenever lifting the load, the load center also shifts forward.



If the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected, the operator and all employees and pedestrians close by could stay much safer. This will ensure a balanced equipment, balanced loads and safer for everybody.

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