Comparison of jumping process between small-sized and large-sized tractors

Abstract

Fatal farm accidents are a serious problem in agriculture. In particular, tractor-related accidents are frequent. Overturning brackets and rollover protection structures have been developed for reducing the fatal tractor-related accidents. However, the mechanism by which tractors overturn has not yet been completely clarified. Tractors, especially small-sized ones commonly used in paddy fields in Japan, jump under certain conditions. This jumping is considered to lead to abnormal behaviors and could cause fatal accidents. Jumping process has been studied in small-sized tractors. However, it is controversial as to whether the jumping process can occur in large-sized tractors which are used in Germany. In the present study, we demonstrate how tractor size effects jumping. Based on the modeling of the jumping process, we conducted simulations for a small-sized tractor typical of those used in Japan and a large-sized tractor typical of those used in Germany. The results of simulations indicate that jumping process is a serious safety issue even for large-sized tractors.