Each year within Pasadena, there are a few hundred forklift mishaps that are reported. Though operator training is definitely the most essential part of preventing workplace mishaps, it is not enough to reduce the number of incidences. Clearly, the right approach to avoiding lift truck accidents is having the business and organization involved, in addition to 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 can electrically monitor and control forklift operations. This system is essential for helping reduce the risk of accidents from happening. When the SAS system senses any kind of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the correct controller. Both the Active Control Rear Stabilizer and the Active Mast Function Controller help to prevent accidents or injuries happening by adding stability.
The patented technology offered by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect numerous things that lead to 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 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 immediate stability and greatly lessens the possibility of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages instantly, once the machinery detects the occurrence of instability. Then, the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged and the rear axle becomes stabilized. This creates the lateral stability the equipment requires to help lessen the risk of lateral tip-overs from happening.
The active mast function is similar in operation to the active rear stabilizer control. The active mast function controller system uses the same patented technology to detect many things which lead to possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help reduce the possibilities of forward and rearward tip-over situations from happening: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The machines forward tilt angle control can sense the mast height and load weight, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It will also limit the forward tilt which would reduce the chances of forward tipping or spilling. All these safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control utilizes the same load sensors and same mast height sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This greatly reduces the possibilities of spilling unsecured loads or having the forklift tilt backwards.