How The Lift Truck Works - UniCarriers FD160-2 Operation & Maintenance Manual

■ KEEPING THE TRUCK BALANCED
Lift trucks are equipped with load handling means including a mast
and forks at its front part. The front wheels of the truck work as a
fulcrum to balance the center of gravity of the truck and the center
of gravity of the load. The relationship between the locations of
those two centers of gravity is vitally important for safety.
■ KNOW THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF YOUR LOAD
Load's
center
gravity
Distance
Materials of various shapes such as boxes or flat or cylindrical
items may be loaded on the lift truck. In order to accurately judge
the stability of the truck, it is vitally important for the operator to
know the location of the center of gravity for each type of load.
Weight x distance x moment
(constant)
Basic load center
Load center (from fork root) mm

HOW THE LIFT TRUCK WORKS?

■ HOW THE CENTER OF GRAVITY SHIFTS
Truck's center of gravity
with high mast raised
Truck's center of gravity
with standard mast raised
The stability of the lift truck is determined by the overall center of
gravity, which is the product of the centers of gravity of the truck
and the load. When the truck is empty, this point is the same as
the center of gravity for the truck, and when it is loaded it shifts
according to the center of gravity of the load. Since the center of
gravity of the load changes whenever the mast is tilted forward
or backward or the fork is raised or lowered, the overall center of
gravity also changes. The center of gravity is also governed by the
following factors:
• Size, weight and shape of
the load
• Unloading height
• Tilt angle of the fork
• Tire material
The higher the
load, the higher
the truck's center
of gravity Truck's center of
gravity with truck
tilted
Lift truck viewed from front
• Acceleration, deceleration
and turning
• Surface condition and
gradient of the road
• Type of attachment
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