There are 5 important steps to ensuring safety is a top priority. The initial step is completing a Walk-Around Inspection to be able to assure that the unit is visually safe. After that check if the worksite is safe to operate in with a Worksite Assessment. The Function Test is the third step so as to know whether or not the unit is working safely. The 4th thing to consider is Proper Operation, so as to know whether or not the model is safely operating. Lastly, Proper Shutdown needs to be checked in order to make sure the model is in a safe place and is capable of shutting down properly.
At the center of the 5 steps and this regulation, there is a machine which stands on a triangular footprint and lifts heavy weights to impressive heights. The key goal is to be able to keep the telehandler upright, but of course there are dangers.
The telehandler's triangular base consists of the rear-axle pivot point and the two front wheels. The back axles normally oscillates, therefore the back wheels are not considered part of the base. The telehandler remains upright so long as the center of gravity of the machinery, that is defined as the point in 3 dimensions around which the weight of the equipment is balanced, stays oriented inside the stability triangle.
When a load is positioned on the forks while the boom is down, the center of gravity down and forward. The load if lifted will move the center of gravity upwards to the rear. At the same time, the stability triangle shrinks when this happens. Therefore, the higher you lift a load, the less of a margin for error you have because the stability triangle lessens.
When the stability triangle is small, it leaves less room for the center of gravity to move left or right. It is this wandering action that can change the stability triangle and leave less room for the frame to remain balanced if it is not perfectly level. Like for instance, imagine the center of gravity resembling a plumb bob hanging from the boom. You would always be able to find the center of gravity someplace on a totally vertical line between the center of the ground and a point on the boom. If the frame is not level, the center of gravity will not be oriented over the centerline of the machinery. The stability triangle is continuously aligned with the machine's centerline.