Each year in San Francisco, there are several hundred forklift mishaps that are reported. Although operator training is definitely the most important part of preventing workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to lessen the number of incidences. Clearly, the right method to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the organization and company involved, as well as combining the efforts of each and every person in the facility.
Toyota implements the SAS or System of Active Stability. This technology originated from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically controlling and monitoring lift truck operations. This system is important for helping lessen the chance of mishaps from happening. When the SAS system senses 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 avoid accidents or injuries happening by adding stability.
The patented technology offered by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect many factors that cause potential lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS instantly locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this situation happens, the stability footprint of the forklift changes from triangular in shape to a rectangular shape, resulting in added stability. The result is an instant stability and greatly lessens the likelihood of a lateral overturn from occurring.
Once the machinery senses instability occurring, the SAS engages instantly. After that, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the machinery requires to help decrease the possibility of lateral tip-overs from happening.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to detect the numerous things that can result in a potential longitudinal instability. Whenever the SAS controller senses possible longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help lessen the possibilities of forward and rearward tip-over accidents from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The equipment forward tilt angle control is able to sense the mast height and load weight, the would override the operator's manual control automatically. It will also limit the forward tilt that would lessen the chances of spilling or forward tipping. All these safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control uses the same load sensors and same mast height sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This really reduces the possibilities of having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.