TCM FB10-7 - HOW THE LIFT TRUCK WORKS?

B KEEPING THE TRUCK BALANCED
Lift trucks are equipped with load handling means including a mast
and forks at their front. The front wheels of the truck work as a `
fulcrum to balance the center of gravity of the truck and the center
of gravity of the load. The relationship between the locations of
those two centers of gravity is vitally important for safety.
Ш KNOW THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF YOUR
LOAD
Materials of various shapes such as boxes or flat or cylindrical
items may be loaded on the lift truck. In order to accurately judge
the stability of the truck, it is vitally important for the operator to
know the location of the center of gravity for each type of load.
HOW THE LIFT TRUCK WORKS?
Ш HOW THE CENTER OF GRAVITY SHIFTS
The stability of the lift truck is determined by the overall center of
gravity, which is the product of the centers of gravity of the truck
and the load. When the truck is empty, this point is the same as
the center of gravity for the truck, and when it is loaded it shifts
according to the center of gravity of the load. Since the center of
gravity of the load changes whenever the mast is tilted forward or
backward or the fork is raised or lowered, the overall center of
gravity also changes. The center of gravity is also governed by the
following factors:
e Size, weight and shape
of the load
e Unloading height
• Tilt angle of the fork
• Tire inflation
е Acceleration, deceleration
and turning
• Surface condition and
gradient of the road
• Type of attachment
The higher the
load, the higher
ihe truck's center
of gravity
ти)
Truck’s center of |
gravity with high
mast raised Н
Н
|
Truck’s center of
gravity with
standard mast
raise
LEE
-
Lift truck viewed from
front.