1. Forklift stability

The risk of a cantilevered forklift tipping forward is intuitive, but the risk of horizontal forces due to braking and centrifugal force is all the more formidable because it is much less obvious. Their origin lies in the reduced dimensions of the support polygon in relation to the height of the load's center of gravity, and therefore that of the "truck + load" assembly.

To simulate the effect of these horizontal forces, stability tests are carried out on an inclined platform. Gravity acts obliquely to the wheel support plane, and can be broken down into a force perpendicular to this plane and another parallel to it. This component acts in the same way as the horizontal forces of inertia in real-life braking and cornering. Four tests are mandatory for cantilever trucks, corresponding to specific conditions of load, lift height and orientation in relation to the...