Overview
ISO 22915-3:2021 - Industrial trucks - Verification of stability - Part 3: Reach and straddle trucks - defines the laboratory tests and procedures used to verify the static and dynamic stability of reach trucks (with retractable masts or fork-arm carriages) and straddle trucks. It applies to trucks with tilting or non-tilting masts/fork arms and rated capacities up to and including 5 000 kg, including those fitted with load‑handling attachments. The standard is part of the ISO 22915 series covering stability verification for a wide range of industrial trucks.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Reach and straddle trucks, rated capacity ≤ 5 000 kg; includes operation with load‑handling attachments.
- Test matrix: A set of numbered tests (Tests 1–8) covering longitudinal and lateral stability, load-leading and load-trailing conditions, travelling and stacking/retrieving modes. Test criteria are summarized in Table 1 of the document.
- Test setup and positioning:
- Use of a tilt table with specific truck alignment rules (drive/steer and load axles relative to the tilt axis).
- Definitions of datum points (notably points M and N) to locate wheel and load contact positions on the tilt table for certain tests.
- Load datum and lift height:
- Procedures to establish the horizontal load datum point (point E → F) when elevating loads; permissible corrections for tilting vs non‑tilting masts.
- For travel-simulating tests (Tests 2, 5 and 8) the fork heel upper face is positioned 300 mm above the tilt table.
- Regional notes: Certain regional provisions are highlighted (for example, a North American constraint on correcting the location of point F).
- Reference documents: Terminology and general test conditions reference ISO 5053-1 and ISO 22915-1.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 22915-3:
- Manufacturers for design validation, stability assessment and type testing.
- Independent test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing stability verification.
- Safety engineers, fleet managers and procurement teams assessing truck suitability for warehouse/stacking tasks.
- Regulatory and certification organizations that require documented stability testing.
Why it’s used:
- To ensure safe operation under defined load, mast and travel conditions.
- To support compliance, reduce tip-over risk, and inform safe operating limits and attachment compatibility.
Related standards
- ISO 22915-1 (General principles for verification of stability)
- ISO 5053-1 (Industrial trucks - Vocabulary)
- Other parts of the ISO 22915 series (e.g., Parts 2, 4, 5, 7, 8) cover counterbalanced trucks, pallet stackers, sideloaders and special test conditions. See the ISO catalogue for the complete series.
Keywords: ISO 22915-3, industrial truck stability verification, reach trucks, straddle trucks, tilt table testing, load-handling attachments, forklift stability testing.