BRITISH STANDARD BS 5777:1979

ISO 5766:1978

Methods of test for

Verification of stability
of pallet stackers and
high lift platform
trucks
[ISO title: Pallet stackers and high lift platform trucks —
Stability tests]

UDC 621.868.274:531.36:620.1
BS 5777:1979

Cooperating organizations

The Mechanical Engineering Standards Committee, under whose direction

this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the
following Government departments and scientific and industrial
organizations:

Associated Offices Technical Committee* Department of Trade (Marine Division)

Association of Consulting Engineers Electricity Supply Industry in England and
Association of Hydraulic Equipment Wales
Manufacturers Engineering Equipment Users’ Association*
Association of Mining Electrical and Federation of Manufacturers of Construction
Mechanical Engineers Equipment and Cranes
British Compressed Air Society Health and Safety Executive*
British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’ Institution of Gas Engineers
Association (BEAMA) Institution of Mechanical Engineers
British Gas Corporation Institution of Plant Engineers
British Gear Manufacturers’ Association Institution of Production Engineers
British Internal Combustion Engine Lloyd’s Register of Shipping
Manufacturers’ Association London Transport Executive
British Pump Manufacturers’ Association Machine Tool Industry Research Association
British Steel Corporation Ministry of Defence*
British Steel Industry National Coal Board
British Valve Manufacturers’ Association Oil Companies Materials Association
Chartered Institution of Building Services Process Plant Association
Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Railway Industry Association of Great Britain
Administrations Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Department of the Environment Limited
Department of Industry (Mechanical Telecommunication Engineering and
Engineering)* Manufacturing Association (TEMA)
Department of Industry (National Engineering Water-tube Boilermakers’ Association
Laboratory)

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the
preparation of this British Standard:

British Industrial Truck Association Contractors Plant Association

British Ports Association Cranfield Institute of Technology
Castor Manufacturers (UK) Association Food Manufacturers’ Federation Incorporated
Chemical Industries Association Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Mechanical
Engineering Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Executive Board and comes
into effect on Amendments issued since publication
31 October 1979
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
© BSI 11-1999

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference MEE/112
Draft for comment 77/75770 DC

ISBN 0 580 10924 0

 BS 5777:1979

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
National foreword ii
1 Scope and field of application 1
2 Conditions of validity 1
3 Stability tests for pedestrian and rider controlled pallet
stackers and high lift platform trucks 1
4 Stability tests for trucks with other attachments 3
Figure 1 2
Figure 2 4
Figure 3 4
Figure 4 4
Figure 5 4
Figure 6 5
Figure 7 5
Figure 8 5
Figure 9 5
Figure 10 5
Figure 11 5
Figure 12 5
Figure 13 5
Figure 14 6
Figure 15 6
Figure 16 6
Figure 17 6
Figure 18 — Test No. 3 7
Figure 19 — Test No. 4 7
Figure 20 — Test No. 6 8
Table of tests 4
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 11-1999 i
BS 5777:1979

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Mechanical
Engineering Standards Committee. It is identical with ISO 5766:1978 “Pallet
stackers and high lift platform trucks — Stability tests”, prepared by Technical
Committee ISO/TC 110, Industrial trucks, of the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO).
Terminology and conventions. The text of the International Standard has
been approved as suitable for publication, without deviation, as a
British Standard. Some terminology and certain conventions are not identical
with those used in British Standards; attention is especially drawn to the
following:
The comma has been used for metric values as a decimal marker. In British
Standards it is current practice to use a full point on the baseline as the decimal
marker.
Wherever the words “International Standard” appear, referring to this standard,
they should be read as “British Standard”.
Cross-reference
International Standard Corresponding British Standard
ISO 5767:1978 BS 5778:1979 Methods of test for verification of stability
of industrial trucks operating in special condition of
stacking with mast tilted forward
(Identical)
Additional information
Clause 3.2.3. Location of truck on the test platform
In the second paragraph it is to be understood that wedging the wheels against
the truck frame is carried out in such a way that articulation is not affected.
Clause 3.2.4. Verification of the vertical position of the mast
In the first paragraph the vertical position of the mast can be verified by means
of a plumb line or other suitable equipment.
Figure 20 — Test No. 6
It should be understood that trucks operating on intermediate gradients should
be tested at a tilt angle calculated by the appropriate formula.
The above clarifications are subject to consideration within ISO/TC 110 as
amendments to ISO 5766.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 11-1999
 BS 5777:1979

1 Scope and field of application

This International Standard specifies tests for verification of the stability of pedestrian and rider controlled
pallet stackers and high lift platform trucks of rated capacity up to and including 5 000 kg (10 000 lb), with
tilting or non-tilting masts.

2 Conditions of validity
2.1 Normal operating conditions
The tests specified in this International Standard ensure that the type of truck under consideration has
satisfactory stability for operation under general operating conditions:
a) operating on substantially level surfaces,
b) travelling with the load in the lowered position,
c) stacking with the mast substantially vertical.
2.2 Other conditions
When the operating conditions differ from the conditions defined in 2.1, it is necessary to use either
a) a truck with a higher rated capacity, or
b) a truck having design modifications which are agreed upon between the interested parties, or
c) a truck complying with any existing International Standard(s) covering the different
conditions (for example ISO 5767, when forward tilt is required during stacking with full load at full
elevation.)
2.3 Complementary tests
In the case where tests other than the six tests as specified would be necessary, the details should be agreed
between the interested parties.

3 Stability tests for pedestrian and rider controlled pallet stackers and high lift
platform trucks
3.1 Specification of tests
The stability of these trucks shall be verified by means of the tests described below, using a test platform
which can be tilted about one side.
The tests shall be carried out on an operational truck but without the operator.
For rider controlled trucks, the operator shall be represented by an object of corresponding mass, if the
stability during a test is thereby decreased. For this purpose a unit mass of 90 kg (200 lb) shall be provided,
and it shall be secured and centred 250 mm (10 in) above the operator’s seat on sit-on trucks,
and 1 000 mm (40 in) above the foot plate on stand-on trucks.
A truck being tested for stability is placed on the test platform, which is initially horizontal, in the
conditions specified in 3.2, and, successively, in each of the positions described in the table of tests.
In each of these tests, the test platform shall be tilted slowly to the slope indicated in the table. The truck
is considered stable if it passes all tests without overturning.
In the case of tests Nos. 3 and 4, it is permissible for one wheel to rise from the test platform and for the
outer edges of the truck to come into contact with the test platform, provided that the truck does not
overturn under the prescribed test platform inclination.
3.2 Conditions for carrying out the tests
3.2.1 Position of truck on test platform
For tests Nos. 1 and 2, the truck shall be placed on the test platform with the drive (steer) axle and the axle
of the outrigger wheels parallel to the tilt axis, XY, of the test platform, the side nearest this axis being the
one of the mast (see Figure 4 and Figure 5).
For tests Nos. 3 and 4, the truck shall be placed on the test platform with line MN parallel to the tilt axis,
XY, of the test platform (see Figure 8 to Figure 13 inclusive).
In the case of Figure 10, the steerable wheel nearest to the tilt axis shall be parallel with it. Positions of
steerable wheels on other designs are shown in Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 11, Figure 12 and Figure 13.

© BSI 11-1999 1
BS 5777:1979

Point N is the centre point of the area of contact between the test platform surface and the outrigger wheel
nearest to the tilt axis XY (Figure 8 to Figure 13 inclusive).
Point M is defined as follows:
a) For trucks with articulating steering axle (Figure 10) or pivoting single point support
steering (Figure 12), M is the vertical projection on the test platform of the point of intersection between
the centre line AB of the truck and the centre line of the axle.
b) Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 11 and Figure 13 indicate positions for trucks of other designs.
For tests Nos. 5 and 6, the truck shall be placed on the test platform with the drive (steer) axle and the axle
of the outrigger wheels parallel to the tilt axis, XY, of the test platform, the side nearest this axis being the
one opposite to the mast (see Figure 16 and Figure 17).
3.2.2 Test load
The test load shall be such that it simulates an unrestrained homogeneous cube the mass of which is equal
to the maximum load Q and the dimensions of which are equal to twice the rated load centre distance D,
the values of Q and D corresponding to the manufacturer’s rated capacity of the truck (see Figure 1).

Figure 1

For trucks having a lift height greater than 2,5 m (100 in) or 3,3 m (130 in), the test load shall be equal to
the load that the truck is able to carry in the stability conditions set out in the following table of tests.
The distance D for the respective tests is found in the table of tests.
The centre of gravity G of the test load (see Figure 1) shall be located in the vertical plane of symmetry AB
of the truck (see Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 16 and Figure 17).
3.2.3 Location of truck on the test platform
It is essential that the initial position of the truck on the test platform be maintained during testing.
This may be achieved by application of hand or service brakes, which can be secured in the “on” position,
or by wedging the wheels against the truck frame.
The use of chocks or blocks between the wheels and the test platform is allowed, if their height does not
exceed the values indicated in the following table:
Wheel diameter Maximum height of chocks
d or blocks
mm
up to 250 25 mm
250 to 500 0,1 d
over 500 50 mm

2 © BSI 11-1999
 BS 5777:1979

3.2.4 Verification of the vertical position of the mast

Before proceeding with test No. 1, the vertical position of the mast shall be verified by means of a
plumb-line.
The projection on the horizontal test platform of the reference point R (inner corner of the fork arm,
see Figure 1), shall be the same for the lift height depending on the test load as for the lift height with
lowered fork arms (i.e. in transporting position).
Deviations caused by deflections shall be corrected by varying the tilt of the mast or fork arm, within the
limits imposed by the design of the truck.
NOTE These conditions do not apply to trucks where the design does not allow such corrections.
3.2.5 Height of truck platform or fork arms
Tests Nos. 2, 4 and 6 (travelling) shall be carried out with the upper face of the load platform or fork
arms 300 mm (12 in) above the ground, or at the minimum height for transporting the load, whichever is
the greater.

4 Stability tests for trucks with other attachments

Pallet stackers and high lift platform trucks fitted with attachments other than fork arms or platforms
shall be subjected to the same stability tests, except in cases where the attachment can bring the centre of
gravity of the load out of the plane of symmetry AB of the truck.
The test load, however, shall be the specified load at the specified distance indicated for the attachment
when used on the truck being tested.
The lift height for tests Nos. 2, 4 and 6 shall be measured between the tilting platform or the upper part of
the outriggers and the underside of the load or attachment, whichever is the smaller.

© BSI 11-1999 3
BS 5777:1979

Table of tests
Test No. 1 2 (see note 2)
Stability Longitudinal
Operation Stacking Travelling
Load Test load Test load
Centre of
D D
gravity distance
Lift height Maximum Lowered (see 3.2.5)
Platform slope 4% 18 %
Tilt of forks or
Vertical (see 3.2.4) Maximum backward tilt
mast

Position of the
truck on the
tilting platform
(see 3.2.1)

NOTE 1 If the truck is equipped with a device which automatically limits the travel speed when the fork arms are elevated, this
reduced speed shall be used when determining the tilt of the test platform in the formula of Figure 18.
NOTE 2 In tests Nos. 2, 4 and 6, when the outrigger legs can be raised relative to the ground, the test shall be carried out with the
outriggers in the raised position
NOTE 3 The positioning of vehicles on the test platform for lateral tests depends on the type of truck to be tested (see Figure 8 to
Figure 13). The true tip line between points M and N must be parallel to tilt axis XY of the test platform, test being conducted
towards the side on which truck is least stable.
NOTE 4 Nominal distance D or 400 mm (16 in) if this latter distance corresponds to minimum stability and if the truck has been
designed for this distance.
If the truck is designed only for distance D this shall be mentioned on the load plate.
NOTE 5 When the truck is equipped with tilting mast or tilting forks they shall be so positioned that the truck is in the condition
of least stability.

4 © BSI 11-1999
 BS 5777:1979

Table of tests
Test No. 3 (see note 3) 4 (see notes 2 and 3)
Stability Lateral
Operation Stacking Travelling
Load Test load Unladen
Centre of
gravity D or 400 mm (16 in) (see note 4) —
distance
Lift height Maximum Lowered (see 3.2.5)
Platform slope See Figure 18
See Figure 19
See note 1
Tilt of forks or
See note 5 See note 5
mast

Position of the
truck on the
tilting platform
(see 3.2.1)

© BSI 11-1999 5
BS 5777:1979

Table of tests
Test No. 5 6 (see note 2)
Stability Longitudinal rearward
Operation Stacking Travelling
Load Test load Unladen
Centre of
gravity D or 400 mm (16 in) (see note 4) —
distance
Lift height Maximum Lowered (see 3.2.5)
Platform slope 10 % See Figure 20
Tilt of forks or
See note 5 See note 5
mast

Every safety precaution shall be taken when tilting toward the drivers side during
stability tests. To prevent any danger of overturning at the tilting limit, right of
axis MN or left of axis MO, the articulation of the drive (steer) axle may be locked on
trucks with centre-articulated axle.

Position of the
truck on the
tilting platform
(see 3.2.1)

6 © BSI 11-1999
 BS 5777:1979

Figure 18 — Test No. 3

Figure 19 — Test No. 4

© BSI 11-1999 7
BS 5777:1979

Figure 20 — Test No. 6

NOTE Test No. 6: Calculation of required tilt for intermediate gradients — Minimum platform tilt formula.
Metric system

For v = 0 to 10 km/h, µ = 10 + 0,5 i + 1,1 v 

 max. 26 %
For v > 10 km/h, µ = 21 + 0,5 i 
Inch system

For v½ = 0 to 6.2 mile/h, µ = 10 + 0.5 i + 1.75 v½ 

 max. 26 %
For v½ > 6.2 mile/h, µ = 21 + 0.5 i 

where
µ is the required test platform tilt expressed as a percentage (%) (maximum 26 %);
i is the maximum gradient of unladen truck (maximum 10 %);
v or v½ is the maximum speed of an unladen truck on level ground (v max. = 10 km/h; v½ max. = 6.2 mile/h).

8 © BSI 11-1999
 BS 5777:1979

Publications referred to

See national foreword.

© BSI 11-1999
BS 5777:1979
ISO 5766:1978
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