forklift load center

Defining Forklift Load Center

Understanding the forklift load center is vital to an operator keeping the forklift and load stable. Keep in mind that forklifts typically weigh almost twice of their rated lift capacity. To protect operators and product, load center ratings are required on the forklift data plate. To understand the concept of load center, visualize two children […]

forklift tip over

What to Do During a Forklift Tip-Over

On average 100 people lose their lives each year working on, or around forklifts, and almost half of those casualties result from forklift tip-over accidents. Engineering, accident statistics, eye-witness, and first-hand accounts tell us that if an operator stays inside the overhead guard area in the seat of the forklift, the operator’s chance of survival […]

Toyota Core Electric Forklift

Reading a Forklift Data Tag

“We almost had a forklift tip-over yesterday when an operator lifted a load that was too heavy for the forklift. How can we educate our operators about the forklift’s capacity?” Forklift operators must know how to read a data tag. The information on the tag is very important because it features unique capacity details for […]

toyota sas

Active Mast Function Controller

“Our new Toyota forklifts have a fork leveler button. Can older forklift models be retrofit with this feature?” Toyota Forklift SAS The active mast function controller (AMC) was introduced by Toyota Forklift in 1999 as part of its System of Active Stability (SAS). With a push of a button, the AMC automatically levels forks. This […]

toyota sas

Toyota System of Active Stability (SAS)

Providing forklift safety training to operators is one of the best practices to prevent accidents involving employees and product. However, even with training, operators will find themselves in dangerous situations. Toyota recognizes this reality and since 1999 has equipped their forklifts with the System of Active Stability (SAS). This system includes an active control rear […]

Forklift Operator Training Image

How Important is a Forklift Operator Seat Belt?

Seat belts save lives, which is why their usage is not an option. A forklift seat belt helps to prevent the most common human reaction during a tip-over … to jump! An operator’s panicked attempt to get away puts him at great risk for being crushed under a multi-ton machine. Forklift Tip-Overs Tip-over accidents claim, […]

forklift accident

Overloading a Forklift

Some might say, “If the rear tires of the forklift are on the ground, it can handle the load you are attempting to pick up.” However, this statement is proven untrue with every tip-over. Understanding the basic design of a counterbalance forklift will help increase operator safety. 80/20 Forklift Design Regardless of the forklift manufacturer, […]