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No matter what the job, some industrial and heavy trucks can become unbalanced under certain conditions, creating a high risk for accidents. Work vehicles that have a low center of gravity with a larger, heavier chassis are not facing as great a risk for tipping over or overturning; however, those with a higher balance point are definitely facing quite a risk. This is particularly noteworthy for vehicles such as cherry pickers, cranes, and knuckle booms because there exists the ability to lift a considerable amount of weight much higher than the truck itself. Preventing an overturn or other serious accident is the responsibility of those who operate the vehicle and is best accomplished by taking the necessary time to deploy and use the outriggers. Center of Gravity Keeping a balanced center of gravity is critical to heavy lifting equipment use in order to prevent loss of balance and possibly serious accidents as a result. Anything that lifts heavy objects higher than itself is in danger of losing balance because its center of gravity has moved upward, making the base unit appear lighter. The heavy object at the end of a crane can change the center of gravity so that a truck is no longer stable or heavy enough to support the crane, leaving the weighted object on the end of the boom able to fell the whole truck. This can be prevented with stabilization support through the use of outriggers, making it much more difficult for a vehicle to flip, even when lifting. When these stabilizing legs are correctly positioned to provide support between the truck and the end of the crane or lift, the weight is prevented from shifting and keeps the whole unit upright. Correct Adjustment Problems can still happen with unbalanced trucks if the outriggers have been engaged but have not been correctly installed. The basic idea behind the use of these supports is that the heavier the load being lifted and the further away it is from the truck doing the lifting, the longer the legs should be extended. It takes careful length and angle adjustment for these supports to properly perform, making it essential that correct usage be given to all users. Instructions are provided with outriggers as to adjustment, correct length, and accurate angles. Different Types The simplest and easiest support legs on many commercial lifting vehicles are manual ones pulled from under the truck body. The easiest set-up does not necessarily mean it is the best option to keep a vehicle balanced. Newer models are being made with hydraulic outriggers that are much easier to adjust than manual ones; some include sensors to detect truck weight and its load so that the supports are accurately extended. The newest technology in outriggers includes supports that can determine positioning themselves and also be set unevenly for circumstances where the ground is not completely flat. These are the most accurate and safest, although it is the most expensive option to have on a truck. Considering the alternative of a possible accident, such cost is worth the investment even if cost is greater than less expensive, less automatic ones. As with any type of safety equipment, it can only work to prevent accidents if it is used. All of the people involved in boom truck operations must know that these lifting vehicles should not be operated without first extending the outriggers – period. That extra bit of set-up time will prevent a future disaster from happening if these leg supports are properly extended and used. It is vital to always extend outriggers per manufacturer instructions in order to ensure safe knuckle boom truck operations! Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Knuckleboom Trucks, go to the main website at: http://www.centraltrucksales.net/home.
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