Powered Industrial Truck Definitions
Center of gravity: The point on an object at which all of the object's weight is concentrated. For symmetrical loads, the center of gravity is at the middle of the load.
Dynamic stability: The resistance of the PIT to overturn while traveling or moving.
Fulcrum: The PIT's axis of rotation when it tips over.
Lateral stability: The resistance of the PIT to overturn sideways.
Load center: The distance from the back of the forks to the center of the load being lifted.
Longitudinal stability: The resistance of the PIT to overturn forward or backward.
Powered industrial truck: Any mobile, power-propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier materials. Examples include:
- Sit down powered industrial trucks
- Stand up powered industrial trucks
- Low-lift pallet jacks (walk-behind)
- High-lift pallet jacks (walk-behind)
- High-lift order pickers
- High-lift reach riders
- Sit down rider tractors with forks
- Bobcats with forks
- Rough-terrain extended-reach powered industrial trucks
- Rough-terrain straight-mast powered industrial trucks
Spotter: A person who aids the operator with visibility issues.
Stability triangle: The imaginary triangle between the PIT's two front tires and the pivot pin on the rear axle. The principle is that the PIT will not tip over as long as the vehicle's center of gravity remains inside of this triangle.
Track: The distance between wheels on the same axle.
Wheelbase: The distance between wheels on different axles.