Forklift stability

The design of the forklift is based on a stability triangle. The front axle, with its drive wheels, acts as the base of the triangle and supports the weight of the load. The sides of the stability triangle meet at the point where the forklift steers, either at a single wheel or in the middle of the steering axle on four-wheel models.

In real life, your forklift and load become less stable:

* whenever the load is raised
* when you are turning
* on slopes, either front-to-back or side-to-side
* when tilting the load forward or backward, or side-to-side
* on rough or uneven surfaces

On every carry, you need to decide if your stability will be affected by:

* the load and its weight or shape
* the route and conditions along the way
* the destination and maneuvers needed to set down the load