Application of a Tractor Stability Index for Protective Structure Deployment

The reduction of injuries related to tractor rollovers is important to the agriculturalindustry. ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures) and seat belts have been installed onmany tractors, though many are still without this protective equipment. The existinghazard of tractor rollover is still impacting operators and encourages scientists todevelop more effective control technologies and protective equipment. The purpose of this article is to present the application of a stability index model forthe rapid deployment of protective structures during a field upset. A preliminarydeployment model was developed, and mainly consists of a measuring system of astability index, a deployment strategy, and simulated control actuation. Resultsgenerated during upset tests of radio-controlled full-size tractors, equipped with ameasuring system and deployment model, are presented. Video technology was used tovalidate the operation of the preliminary deployment model.