Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The center of gravity and the stability triangle is one of the key basic operating considerations. Among the hardest things for a lift truck operator to determine is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity in their stability triangle.
The Stability Triangle
In order to describe it simply, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When drawing imaginary lines between these three points, the stability triangle is created. The operator should ensure that the center of gravity, which is made, together with the machinery and his load, remains within the stability triangle in order to guard against the forklift losing balance and tipping over.
Centers of Gravity
How do you define the center of gravity? When it comes to lift truck operation, we must be concerned not just with the center of gravity of the load being lifted but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the load which is being picked up and the lift truck itself.
The load's center of gravity 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, will have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for numerous lift trucks with smaller capacity. However, if a load is not centered correctly, such as with items that are not symmetrical, maybe an engine for example, then a lot of care and caution need to be taken to be able to estimate the center of gravity.
Moreover, the lift truck has it's own center of gravity. This shifts each time the lift truck carries a load. Once the load is raised, the center of gravity moves forward. A lot of care should be taken to be able to maintain the center of gravity within the stability triangle of the forklift. This occurs by following the numbers and not lifting over the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. As well, the load center should be taken into account. Be really careful whenever lifting the load, the load center also moves forward.
If the center of gravity is maintained and the stability triangle is respected, the operator and all workers and pedestrians nearby can stay much safer. This will truly ensure a balanced machinery, balanced loads and safer for everyone.