Prevention aspects for avoiding rollover incidents together for tractors, self-propelled harvesting and material handling machinery

Abstract

Abstract: Tractors, self-propelled harvesting and material handling machines are the most commonly used self-propelled machineries in Austrian agriculture that have similarities in main rollover incident causes.  The aim of this study was to present sustainable prevention measures against rollovers together for tractors, self-propelled harvesting and material handling machinery based on a new machine evaluation, manufacturer surveys and a literature research.  New machines were investigated concerning their compliance with legal regulations and concerning their current rollover prevention equipment.  By interviewing manufacturers of tractors, self-propelled harvesting machinery and material handling machinery, the challenges with implementing safety measures and the opportunities for rollover incident prevention were worked out.  In addition a literature research on rollover prevention measures was done.  All new vehicles analyzed were equipped with a rollover protective structure as standard equipment.  The manufacturer survey showed that all cabins for tractors were ROPS tested and that ROPS requirements were not adequately implemented on self-propelled harvesters.  The technical possibilities to reduce the rollover risk together for tractors, self-propelled harvesting machinery and material handling machinery were the rollover protective structure, the safety belt, the general chassis concept, a weight sensor, driver assistance systems, and rollover warning devices.  New ITC-based technologies like sensor tools for showing the stability condition of the vehicle can prevent a rollover, but the driver’s inhibitions to face more dangerous situations are thereby increased.

Keywords: agricultural machinery, rollover, prevention, manufacturer survey, machine evaluation