Each year within Oceanside, there are several hundred forklift accidents that are reported. Although operator training is certainly the most vital part of preventing workplace mishaps, it is not enough to decrease the number of incidences. Obviously, the right method to preventing forklift accidents is having the business and organization involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the SAS or System of Active Stability, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS is capable of electrically monitoring and controlling forklift operations. This particular system is very essential for helping lessen the risk of mishaps from occurring. When the SAS system senses any kind 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 injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
The patented technology provided by Toyota's SAS system is in place to sense many factors which lead to possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this particular situation happens, the stability footprint of the forklift changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in more stability. The result is an immediate stability and greatly reduces the chance of a lateral overturn from happening.
The SAS system engages immediately, once the equipment detects the occurrence of instability. Next, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the equipment requires to help reduce 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 can result in a potential longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller detects potential longitudinal instability from happening, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over accidents from occurring: the rear tilt speed control and the forward tilt angle control.
The equipment forward tilt angle control can detect the load weight and mast height, the will override the operator's manual control automatically. It will also limit the forward tilt which would decrease the chances of forward tipping or spilling. All these safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator stay safe.
Using the same load sensors and mast height 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 loads or having the forklift tilt backwards.