Toyota top of the class

An SAS equipped Toyota Tonero has come out top in an independent test of stability in counterbalance trucks

An independent test of forklift trucks from four wellknown brands has demonstrated exceptional stability for the Toyota Tonero engine powered forklift, equipped with the Toyota System of Active Stability (SAS). The test was conducted by the independent testing organisation Union Technique de l'Automobile, du Motocycle et du Cycle (UTAC).

Test conditions followed a proposed European standard for dynamic lateral stability.While all four forklifts passed the independent test, only the Toyota Tonero achieved an excellent score on all requirements. Forklift stability is a key safety factor, and these test results demonstrate that Toyota forklifts with SAS are best equipped to help companies drive down driver and damage costs related to tip-over accidents.

The independent testing organisation UTAC tested four standard, commonly available forklift trucks including the Toyota Tonero. The test conditions were based on a proposed European norm. The Toyota Tonero passed with flying colours, outperforming the proposed standard - and the other tested forklift models - in a test designed to measure dynamic lateral stability.

Dynamic lateral stability refers to the ability of a forklift truck to stay upright and not tip over while in motion. The dynamic stability test - with two professional test drivers having differing levels of forklift driving experience - involved making sharp turns at speed to determine whether the forklift would become unstable. Particular attention was paid to whether the forklift's inner rear wheel left the ground, as this indicates vehicle instability and could lead to the forklift tipping over.

During more than 200 rounds of testing, the Toyota Tonero far exceeded the other forklift trucks being tested. In particular, the Toyota Tonero was the only truck where the inner wheel did not leave the ground with either driver, demonstrating the exceptional dynamic lateral stability provided by Toyota SAS.

Tony Wallis, operations director for Toyota Material Handling UK says: "By providing excellent stability, Toyota SAS can help prevent accidents, injuries and damage to goods. Loss of lateral stability leading to vehicle tip-over is a major cause of serious forklift accidents and injuries, and is the single largest cause of forklift accident fatalities.

"It is an indication of our desire to improve workplace safety for operators.We strongly believe we can support businesses in establishing safe, healthy, productive workplaces, by providing high-quality materials handling products, services and solutions, as this test demonstrates, Toyota SAS helps keep our forklifts stable, protecting drivers, goods and the trucks themselves. SAS addresses costs in two key areas - driver costs and damages costs, which together can account for more than 70% of the life cycle cost of your forklift. Forklift accidents can have particularly serious consequences for companies. Toyota SAS can help to reduce the risk of forklift accidents, protecting your employees and your bottom line."