Simplified overturn stability monitoring of agricultural tractors. 2005

C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. cin103@psu.edu

Agricultural tractors are the most common source of farm work fatalities in the U.S., with overturns the most common type of incident. For the year 2001, there were 15 tractor-related fatalities in Pennsylvania, 9 of which were due to tractor rollover. A new device using low-cost sensors and microcomputers was developed around a simplified mathematical model of an agricultural tractor to inform the operator of potential tractor instability. This device communicates the current rollover potential, along with a recent history of rollover potential, to the operator of the tractor via a simple bar-graph display. The device uses a single-chip accelerometer to sense the current rollover potential and a small microprocessor to analyze the accelerometer data, compensate for variations due to temperature, and then send this information to a visual display. The use of these low-cost "off the shelf" components enabled the fabrication of a very inexpensive sensor system. Because agricultural tractors have a long service life, it was important to make the device low cost and flexible. This could enable it to be sold as an aftermarket add-on for a variety of tractor models. The device is also capable of interfacing with newer on-board tractor systems via a CAN bus to make it more attractive to tractor manufacturers who may want to incorporate this device into new models. Work is continuing on the development of an improved display to inform the tractor operator of possible instability, including display ergonomic studies, investigation of threshold levels for alerting an operator of potential instability, and investigation into audible warning signals.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011482 Protective Devices Devices designed to provide protection against injury. Safety Devices,Device, Protective,Device, Safety,Devices, Protective,Devices, Safety,Protective Device,Safety Device
D004868 Equipment Failure Failure of equipment to perform to standard. The failure may be due to defects or improper use. Defects, Equipment,Device Failure,Failure, Equipment,Malfunction, Equipment,Medical Device Failure,Misuse, Equipment,Device Failure, Medical,Device Failures, Medical,Failure, Medical Device,Failures, Medical Device,Defect, Equipment,Device Failures,Equipment Defect,Equipment Defects,Equipment Failures,Equipment Malfunction,Equipment Malfunctions,Equipment Misuse,Equipment Misuses,Failure, Device,Failures, Device,Failures, Equipment,Malfunctions, Equipment,Misuses, Equipment
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000056 Accident Prevention Efforts and designs to reduce the incidence of unexpected undesirable events in various environments and situations. Prevention, Accident,Accident Preventions,Preventions, Accident
D000062 Accidents, Occupational Unforeseen occurrences, especially injuries in the course of work-related activities. Accidents, Industrial,Industrial Accidents,Occupational Accidents,Accident, Industrial,Accident, Occupational,Industrial Accident,Occupational Accident
D000383 Agriculture The science, art or practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock. Agronomy,Agricultural Development,Farming,Agronomies,Development, Agricultural
D012449 Safety Freedom from exposure to danger and protection from the occurrence or risk of injury or loss. It suggests optimal precautions in the workplace, on the street, in the home, etc., and includes personal safety as well as the safety of property. Safeties
D015541 Off-Road Motor Vehicles Motorized, recreational vehicles used on non-public roads. They include all-terrain vehicles, dirt-bikes, minibikes, motorbikes, trailbikes, and snowmobiles. Excludes MOTORCYCLES, which are considered public road vehicles. All Terrain Vehicle,All-Terrain Vehicles,Dirt Bike,Dirt-Bike,Dirt-Bikes,Minibike,Minibikes,Motor Vehicles, Off-Road,Motorbike,Motorbikes,Off-Road Motor Vehicle,Snowmobile,Snowmobiles,Three-Wheeled Vehicle,Three-Wheeled Vehicles,Three-Wheeler Vehicle,Three-Wheeler Vehicles,All Terrain Vehicles,All-Terrain Vehicle,Bike, Dirt,Bikes, Dirt,Dirt Bikes,Motor Vehicle, Off-Road,Motor Vehicles, Off Road,Off Road Motor Vehicle,Off Road Motor Vehicles,Terrain Vehicle, All,Terrain Vehicles, All,Three Wheeled Vehicle,Three Wheeled Vehicles,Three Wheeler Vehicle,Three Wheeler Vehicles,Vehicle, All Terrain,Vehicle, All-Terrain,Vehicle, Three-Wheeled,Vehicle, Three-Wheeler,Vehicles, All Terrain,Vehicles, All-Terrain,Vehicles, Three-Wheeled,Vehicles, Three-Wheeler

Related Publications

C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
January 2009, Journal of safety research,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
January 2013, Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
April 1971, La Medicina del lavoro,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
June 2023, Data in brief,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
March 2010, Applied ergonomics,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
January 1966, Hefte zur Unfallheilkunde,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
January 2020, Journal of agricultural safety and health,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
July 2010, American journal of industrial medicine,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
May 2002, Journal of agricultural safety and health,
C I Nichol, and H J Sommer, and D J Murphy
October 2008, Journal of agricultural safety and health,
Copied contents to your clipboard!