To make sure that safety is a top priority, there are 5 key steps. To be able to make certain that the unit is visually safe, the initial step is to perform a Walk-Around Inspection. After that assess if the worksite is safe to use with a Worksite Assessment. The Function Test is the third step so as to determine whether or not the model is functioning safely. The 4th thing to think about is Proper Operation, in order to know whether or not the model is safely working. Lastly, Proper Shutdown has to be checked so as to make sure the unit is in a safe place and is capable of shutting down correctly.
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 main objective is to be able to keep the telehandler upright, but surely 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, therefore the rear wheels are not considered part of the base. The telehandler remains upright so long as the center of gravity of the machinery, which is defined as the point in 3 dimensions around which the equipment's weight is balanced, stays oriented in the stability triangle.
When a load is placed on the forks whilst the boom is down, the center of gravity forward and down. The load if lifted would change the center of gravity to the rear upwards. At the same time, the stability triangle shrinks when this occurs. Therefore, the higher you lift a load, the less of a margin for error you have as the stability triangle lessens.
With a small but stable stability triangle, it leaves less room for the center of gravity to move right or left. This wandering action can change the stability triangle, leaving less room for the frame to remain balanced if it is not perfectly level. For example, 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 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 equipment's centerline. The stability triangle is continuously aligned with the telehandler's centerline.