UniCarriers FG20 Series Operation & Maintenance Manual page 22

ACCELERATING, DECELERATING AND
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TURNING
The principle of inertia provides that a stationary
object will remain stationary as long as there is no
external force acting on it, and that a moving object
will continue moving at a constant speed as long as
there is no external force acting on it.
Due to inertia, when the lift truck starts to move
there is a momentary backward force, and when
it stops there is a momentary forward force. As a
result, if the brakes are applied suddenly, there
is a very strong hazard that the forward force will
become strong enough for the truck to tip forward.
Likewise, when the truck is turning there is a
centrifugal force that pulls it outward from the
turning center. This force can cause the truck to
fall sideways. Since the zone of lateral stability is
especially narrow, it is necessary to slow down
substantially when turning in order to prevent the
truck from tipping.
When the load is elevated the overall center of
gravity is raised, increasing the danger of the truck
tipping over to the front or side.
HOW THE LIFT TRUCK WORKS?
1-17