Driving safety

Mitsubishi has pioneered many new developments to increase safety on its forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, winning a host of FLTA Archies, as well as two international Red Dot awards for its achievements.

Huge amounts of research continue to confirm that the optimum performance in terms of throughput, safety and minimising stock damage is achieved from trucks without any surprising features. Predictability is key – because then the truck does exactly what the operator expects. It’s a case of eliminating all disruptive factors.

Inherent stability

The ideal truck feels stable under all circumstances. Whether it’s lifting or driving, you’ll work differently if you feel any instability. At worst you can even feel scared. If ever you’ve skidded on black ice or aquaplaned in a car you’ll know exactly what I mean.

It’s why the Mitsubishi EDiA EX was designed with generous over-capacity and exceptional inherent stability. Some have systems to try and overcome poor basic geometry through the use of systems that prevent drivers from ‘feeling’ what the truck is doing. They create a false sense of security, virtually encouraging the operator to drive recklessly. The danger is that if a truck reaches its tipping point it comes as a complete surprise to the operator.

Generous working space

Sufficient room to climb on and off and an ample seated area are also prerequisites for working safely and efficiently. After all, any interference is one too many. If you don’t have a good area to work in, you become distracted by details and fatigue sets in – and that’s a recipe for disaster.

The pedals mustn’t be too high to operate; otherwise the muscles in the lower legs are under constant strain. (A good rule of thumb is that the operator’s heel should rest on the floor while operating the pedals.)

Steering and mast control

The steering wheel must not be too large or too small, and within ‘relaxed’ reach of the left arm, even when the steering knob is at its furthest point. A thin and possibly also freely adjustable steering column is also desirable.

It must be precisely weighted and not too light, with the right amount of proportional movement to steer wheel angle.

A steering system that always has the same position when driving straight ahead is easier and safer. It’s very important that the truck’s steering matches the driver’s expectations as much as possible. This prevents corrective adjustments both for the steering and the speed.

The same applies for the mast operation. The hydraulic levers must be within easy reach of the right hand. They have to result in the exact fork and mast movements that the driver expects, and prevent any incorrect operation. Nothing more, nothing less.

Visibility

Visibility on a forklift truck is always a compromise. Well positioned roofs with intelligent profile designs reduce the lack of visibility. A panoramic roof made from safety glass only makes sense if it’s easy to keep clean and not reflective.

Every mast results in some loss of visibility, but some do so more than others. Wide Intelligent placement of mast profiles, hoses and chains also helps to reduce the loss of visibility.

Driving and working

It’s preferable to limit noise as possible when working with a forklift truck. They are stressful and can be harmful in large doses – they also tire the driver unnecessarily.

The roles that assisting systems play also shouldn’t go unmentioned: curve control, active stabilisation and other self-regulating systems introduced by Mitsubishi help minimise the consequences of any operational errors. Mitsubishi’s Sensitive Drive System (SDS) means that from the very first touch,  the truck intuitively knows exactly how a driver wishes to operate and then automatically adjusts the machine’s performance to suit him or her. Alongside that, the Intelligent Cornering System (ICS) prevents dangerously fast cornering by sensing the angle and dynamically reducing the speed at the start of and throughout the turn. The result is smoother, safer cornering that’s utterly predictable.

Wider health and safety solutions

We also take great efforts to consider the wider working environment and the role our trucks play in making it as safe as possible. Take dust. Dust is unpleasant to work with, and it damages stock – especially in industries where hygiene or cleanliness, or customer facing products are important. But the dust that settles on racking, stock and clothes is just part of the problem – because this is the dust you and your colleagues haven’t already breathed in. The fast moving parts of the engine create a cyclone effect – a lot like the one used in modern vacuum cleaners – which sucks dust and dirt from the floor. Except, unlike a cleaner, the particles aren’t stored: they’re thrown into the air.

Mitsubishi has solved the problem by fitting a belly plate with sealed rear wheel arches on every one of its GRENDiA LP gas and diesel trucks as standard. Putting that physical barrier under the truck stops dust and dirt being sucked into the engine and sprayed around.

The right truck for the application

For in-out operations, Mitsubishi has created a new electric range that will do everything that a diesel or LP gas truck will do – doing it more cheaply and without any emissions.

The Mitsubishi EDiA EX is the first electric truck to outperform an IC engine equivalent without compromise. Wet, dirty or salty workplaces are no problem, thanks to sealed wet disc brakes and counter-rotating drive wheels that maintain total traction whatever the floor conditions.

Importantly, EDiA is the first truck to meet the stringent IPX4 waterproofing standard – making it impervious not only to wind-blown rain but to water splashing from all directions.  

EDiA EX’s ‘hill hold’ system automatically applies an electronic parking brake when the driver leaves the seat.  And when the truck is being driven, a hill hold/anti-roll-back feature prevents accidental rolling – even on steep ramps.

Keeping everyone informed about safety

Mitsubishi takes it responsibilities to all truck users very seriously and provides a wealth of independent and informative information through its Forklift Briefing newsletters and support website.

Here, owners and operators can find out how best to prevent “mousetrapping” (whereby a driver is crushed under and forklift that has tipped over, how to select tyres to improve stability as well as guidance on legislation concerning the use of hand pallet trucks.