Slough, UK: Toyota’s Active Stability system is 25 years old this year. It solves the problem of trucks rolling or tipping over; among the most common forklift accidents that occur within a warehouse or factory environment.
The system deploys several devices that make it considerably harder for trucks to be rolled or tipped as they go about their work. For example, the rear axle on Toyota’s four-wheel counterbalance trucks has a swing lock cylinder that provides greater lateral stability when the truck is turning by locking the rear axle. On the three-wheel Traigo range, the system controls the driving speed while taking curves to maintain stability.
It also uses an on-board controller to monitor and manage the truck’s mast when loads are being put-away or picked. By automatically restricting the mast’s speed and angle, the risk of ‘mast sway’ and a forklift becoming unbalanced is minimised.
“When it was launched the Toyota System of Active Stability was an industry first and, 25 years on, the multi award-winning technology remains unique in the industry,” says Chris Read, product development manager, Toyota Material Handling.
“Toyota has always been at the forefront of the development of new and advanced safety solutions and a quarter of a century after we first introduced it the Toyota System of Active Stability is still regarded as one of the most iconic and important developments in the material handling industry.”
The patented System of Active Stability is now a standard feature on every model in Toyota’s counterbalance truck range.
