Forklift Operation - Maintaining the Stability Triangle
The center of gravity and the stability triangle is amongst the important basic operating considerations. One of the hardest things for a lift truck operator to determine is the importance of maintaining their center of gravity within their stability triangle.

The Stability Triangle
In order to explain it simply, a forklift has a 3-point suspension system. When imaginary lines are drawn between these three points, the stability triangle is formed. The operator has to ensure that the center of gravity, which is created, together with his load and the machine itself, remains within the stability triangle in order to guard against the forklift losing balance and tipping over.

Centers of Gravity
How do you define the center of gravity? When it comes to lift truck operation, we must be concerned not just with the load's center of gravity but as well with the combined center of gravity. This includes the lift truck as well as the load it is picking up.

The center of gravity of the load is defined as the load center. The load center could be more easily detected in a uniform load situation, such as a bale. A uniform load on a 48 inch long pallet, for instance, would have the load center at 24 inches. This is a common load center for numerous lift trucks with smaller capacity. Then again, if a load is not centered correctly, like with non-symmetrical items, perhaps an engine for instance, then great caution and care should be taken to be able to gauge the center of gravity.

The lift truck has a center of gravity of its own, which shifts each time the lift truck picks up a load. When the load is lifted, the center of gravity moves forward. Care must be taken in order to maintain the center of gravity in the forklift's stability triangle. This occurs by following the numbers and not raisin more than the maximum allowable, given the center of the load. What's more, the load center should be considered. Be aware that whenever raising the load, the load center shifts forward also.

If the stability triangle is respected and the center of gravity is maintained, the operator and all workers and pedestrians nearby could stay much safer. This would really guarantee balanced loads, a balanced machine and safer for everyone.