The forklift stability triangle

A forklift is not a car. It steers with its rear wheels, carries heavy loads at one end, and can tip over.

A sit-down forklift balances on three points: the two front wheels and the pivot pin in the middle of the rear axle.

Join them and you get the stability triangle. Keep the combined center of gravity inside it and the truck stays on its wheels.

Pick up a load and the center of gravity moves forward. Carry it low, just clear of the floor, and tilted back.

Watch the raised load shift the dot forward. Never tilt raised forks forward except to pick up a load or deposit a load positioned over a rack or stack.

Raise the load yourself. Keep the dot well inside the triangle.

You carry a load across the yard. Where should your forks be?

1. At eye level
2. Low, just clearing the ground, tilted back
3. As high as possible

Answer: Low, just clearing the ground, tilted back. Low and tilted back helps keep the combined center of gravity inside the triangle. Raising the load shifts it up and forward, making the truck less stable.

A fast turn with the load up swings the center of gravity out past the side. That is how a truck tips over sideways.

Your sit-down counterbalanced forklift starts tipping sideways. What should you do?

1. Stay in, hold on, lean away
2. Brake hard and steer into it
3. Jump toward the falling side

Answer: Stay in, hold on, lean away. Stay in, hold on, lean away. Do not jump. Grip the wheel, brace your feet, and lean away from impact and forward. Wear the seat belt if fitted. On a stand-up, rear-entry truck, step backward off the truck during a tip-over.

Next lesson: Reading the load capacity plate