There are 5 key steps to making sure that safety is a top priority. The initial step is completing a Walk-Around Inspection in order to assure that the model is visually safe. After that assess if the work place is safe to operate in with a Worksite Assessment. The Function Test is the third step so as to know whether or not the model is working safely. The 4th thing to consider is Proper Operation, in order to know whether or not the unit is working safely. Lastly, Proper Shutdown has to be checked in order to make sure the model is capable of shutting down correctly and is in a safe place.
There is a machine that lifts heavy weights to impressive heights upon a triangular footprint at the center of the 5 steps and this regulation. The main goal is to keep the telehandler upright, but surely there are dangers.
The telehandler's triangular base consists of the rear-axle pivot point and the two front wheels. The back axles often oscillates, therefore the back 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 weight of the machine is balanced, stays oriented in the stability triangle.
When a load is positioned on the forks while the boom is down, the center of gravity forward and down. The load if lifted will change the center of gravity upwards to the rear. At the same time, the stability triangle shrinks when this happens. Thus, the higher you raise 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 could change the stability triangle, leaving less room for the frame to remain balanced if it is not perfectly level. For instance, 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 the center of the ground and a point on the boom. If the frame is not level, the center of gravity would not be oriented over the machine's centerline. The stability triangle is always aligned with the machine's centerline.