There are 5 important steps to ensuring safety is a main concern. The first step is completing a Walk-Around Inspection in order to assure that the unit is visually safe. Then assess if the work location is safe to operate in with a Worksite Assessment. The Function Test is the third step in order to determine whether or not the model is safely functioning. The 4th thing to consider is Proper Operation, so as to determine whether or not the model is safely working. Lastly, Proper Shutdown has to be checked so as to make certain the model is in a safe place and is capable of shutting down properly.
At the center of the 5 steps and this regulation, there is a machine that lifts heavy weights to impressive heights and stands on a triangular footprint. The main objective is to be able to keep the telehandler upright, but for sure there are dangers.
The rear-axle pivot point, and the two front wheels make up the triangular base of the telehandler. Normally the back axle oscillates and thus, the rear wheels are not a part of the base. The telehandler remains upright so long as the center of gravity of the machinery, that is defined as the point in 3 dimensions around which the machine's weight is balanced, stays oriented inside the stability triangle.
When the boom is down, adding a load to the forks at that time changes the center of gravity forward and down. Raising the load would move the center of gravity upwards and to the rear. At the same time, when this occurs, the stability triangle shrinks. Hence, the higher you raise a load, the less of a margin for error you have since the stability triangle lessens.
When the stability triangle is small, it leaves less room for the center of gravity to move left or right. It is this wandering action which could change the stability triangle and leave less room for the frame to remain balanced if it is not completely 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 somewhere 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 will not be oriented over the equipment's centerline. The stability triangle is always aligned with the machine's centerline.