What Will Happen If The Combined Center Of Gravity Moves Outside Of The Stability Triangle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Any time the forklift’s center of gravity moves outside the stability triangle,

the lift will tip over

. … If the bottom of this line goes outside of the stability triangle – because a load is too heavy or too high, or because the forklift is not on a level surface – it will tip over.

What will probably happen when a forklift’s center of gravity moves outside the stability triangle?

If the combined center of gravity moves outside of the stability triangle,

the forklift tends to tip sideways

. Factors that cause a forklift to tip sideways are: Excessive speed while turning. Turning with an elevated mast.

When the center of gravity is outside the stability triangle the load is stable True or false?

As long as the line of action of the combined vehicle’s and load’s center of gravity falls within the stability triangle, the truck is stable and will not tip over. However, if the line of action falls outside the stability triangle, the

truck is not stable and may tip over

. Refer to Figure 2. A-6.2.

What can affect your lift truck center of gravity within the stability triangle?

Factors such as

heavy and/or unbalanced loads, driving on sloping or uneven terrain, or turning with elevated loads

can result in the center of gravity moving outside of the triangle. The result can be catastrophic.

What happens to the combined Centre of gravity when you tilt the mast back?

As the mast is

moved forward and back

, the combined centre of gravity also moves forward and back. As the mast is tilted forward and back, the combined centre of gravity moves forward and back.

What three points make up a forklift’s stability triangle?

There’s the weight of the load itself and the counterbalance weight located in the engine. This weight is distributed on three points—

the front two wheels and the pivot point on the back axel

—forming an imaginary “triangle.” This is the stability triangle of the forklift.

What factors can affect the forklift center of gravity and stability?


The load weight, weight distribution, size, shape, and position

are key factors affecting the capacity and the stability of the forklift. Forklifts are designed to carry a capacity load at a standard load center, commonly 24 inches.

What are the three major points of the stability triangle?

The three points are

the two front wheels and the pivot point of the rear axle

. Connect the three points, and you have what’s called the stability triangle.

What is the forklift stability triangle?

What is the stability triangle? Most counterbalanced forklifts have a

three-point suspension system

, meaning that the truck is supported at the two front wheels and the center of the steer axle. If you imagine all three points connected into a triangle, this is the forklift’s stability triangle.

What will make the load more stable during travel?

When traveling with a load, always make sure

to tilt the mast of the forklift backward

so that the load will firmly place against the backrest to make it more secure during transport. By doing this, you move the center of gravity towards to rear of the forklift making it more secure when traveling.

Can the center of gravity shift on a moving truck?

The combined center of

gravity may shift outside the stability triangle

and may cause the vehicle to tipover to the left or right. Never turn on a grade or ramp. Even a 10 percent grade may shift the combined center of gravity outside the stability triangle and cause the vehicle to roll over laterally.

Does the center of gravity of a lift truck always stay in the same place?

In order for the lift truck to be stable (not tip-over forward or to the side), the

Center of Gravity must stay within the area of the lift truck stability base

—a triangle drawn between the front wheels and the pivot of the rear axle. This is sometimes referred to as the “stability triangle”.

Is a lift truck more stable with or without a load?

How should you raise the load? When a load is raised,

the lift truck is less stable

. … Attend the controls of the forklift truck when a load is elevated. In other words, the operator must stay on the forklift when the load is in a raised position.

What is the largest cause of fatal or serious forklift accidents?


Forklift overturns

are the leading cause of fatalities involving lift trucks. Overturns can be caused by: Improper turning. Driving with an elevated load.

What is the best way to handle an uneven load?

If the load is unstable, lift the load slightly first, then

carefully tilt it back

so that the load stays tight against the backrest. If it’s a stable load and secure on the pallet, tilt first, then lift. Once the load is lifted, lower it to a safe traveling height.

Where can you not park a forklift?

Never park or leave the forklift in

any doorway

, entrance, emergency exit or in front of fire extinguishing equipment.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.