Every year within Utah, there are a few hundred lift truck accidents which are reported. Although operator training is definitely the most important part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidences. Obviously, the right approach to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the company and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everyone in the facility.
Toyota has applied the System of Active Stability or SAS, that is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling lift truck operations. This system is very essential for helping reduce the possibility of accidents from happening. Whenever the SAS system senses any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. Both the Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to prevent injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to sense numerous things that lead to possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS instantly locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this situation occurs, the lift truck's stability footprint changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an instant stability and really reduces the possibility of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the equipment detects instability happening, the SAS engages instantly. Then, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the equipment needs to help decrease the possibility of lateral tip-overs from occurring.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to sense the many things which may result in a possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses possible longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the possibilities of forward and rearward tip-over situations from occurring: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control would sense load weight and mass height, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to decrease the possibility of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. All these safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator be safe.
Utilizing the same mast height sensors and load sensors, the rear tilt speed control is designed 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.