Every year in Antioch, there are several hundred lift truck mishaps which are reported. Though operator training is definitely the most important part of avoiding workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to reduce the number of incidences. Obviously, the best approach to avoiding forklift accidents is having the organization and company involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota implements the System of Active Stability or SAS. This technology is derived from automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling forklift operations. This specific system is important for helping decrease the chance of mishaps from occurring. When the SAS system detects any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. The Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to prevent accidents or injuries occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to detect numerous things that cause potential lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this specific situation happens, the stability footprint of the forklift changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in more stability. The outcome is an immediate stability and greatly lessens the likelihood of a lateral overturn from happening.
Once the machine senses instability occurring, the SAS engages instantly. After that, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the machine needs to help decrease the possibility 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 utilizes the same patented technology to sense numerous factors which result in potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller senses potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the chances of forward and rearward tip-over situations from happening: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed 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 reduce the chance of tipping the lift truck forward or spilling a load. All these safety devices are in place to help the operator be safe.
Using 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 reduces the possibilities of spilling unsecured loads or having the lift truck tilt backwards.