To make sure that safety is a main concern, there are 5 important steps. To be able to ensure that the unit is visually safe, the first step is to perform a Walk-Around Inspection. Next assess if the work location is safe to utilize with a Worksite Assessment. The Function Test is the third step in order to determine whether or not the model is functioning safely. The 4th thing to take into consideration is Proper Operation, so as to determine whether or not the unit is working safely. Last of all, Proper Shutdown needs to be checked so as to make certain the model is capable of shutting down properly and is in a safe place.
At the center of the 5 steps and this regulation, there is a machine which lifts heavy weights to impressive heights and stands on a triangular footprint. The key goal is to keep the telehandler upright, but for sure there are risks.
The triangular base of the telehandler consists of the two front wheels and the rear-axle pivot point. The back axles often oscillates, thus the rear wheels are not considered part of the base. The telehandler remains upright so long as the machine's center of gravity, that is defined as the point in 3 dimensions around which the equipment's weight is balanced, stays oriented inside the stability triangle.
When the boom is down, adding a load to the forks at that time moves the center of gravity down and forward. Raising the load would change the center of gravity to the rear and upwards. At the same time, the stability triangle shrinks when this happens. Hence, the higher you lift a load, the less of a margin for error you have as the stability triangle lessens.
When the stability triangle is small, it leaves less room for the center of gravity to move right or left. It is this wandering action which can change the stability triangle and leave less room for the frame to remain balanced if it is not completely level. Like for instance, imagine the center of gravity resembling a plumb bob hanging from the boom. You could always find the center of gravity somewhere on a totally vertical line between a point on the boom and the center of the ground. 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 centerline of the equipment.