Data di Pubblicazione:
2008
Citazione:
An assistive technology application for narrow tractors ROPS / D. Pessina - In: International Conference "Innovation Technology to Empower Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food System", Book of Abstracts / [a cura di] Sabina Failla. - Ragusa : ElleDue, 2008 Sep. - ISBN 9788890315114. - pp. 59-60 (( convegno Innovation Technology to Empower Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food System tenutosi a Ragusa, Italy nel 2008.
Abstract:
Assistive Technology (AT) is nowadays commonly used not only referring to
rehabilitative devices, but also for those able-bodied find useful. Technology is so often
created without regard to people with disabilities.
On narrow track tractors, typically used in orchards and vineyards, a simple two-pillars
front mounted roll bar is frequently fitted for safety reasons, being it tiltable in order to
allow travelling the machine between rows without damaging the low branches.
Its correct operation requires the operator takes an active role in making sure the ROPS
is properly adjusted when not in a low clearance situation; that is a task some operators
may not consistently perform, and the result is a permanent arrangement of the roll bar
in its horizontal position, so that the protection provided in case of an overturn is
completely wasted.
Some solutions were recently found in order to avoid operator’s intervention to perform
the described operation, with two different automation levels:
1) an aided execution, carried out through specific devices, electrically, hydraulically
or pneumatically driven;
2) a completely automatic execution, using the above specified devices, but activated
only if an overturning occurs.
Relevant to this last possibility, some devices were recently proposed. In the USA,
NIOSH has developed the AutoROPS, a safety frame passively controlled, staying in a
lowered position until a rollover condition is determined, at which time it deploys to a
fully extended and locked position.
In Turkey, Tam Test developed a device including automatically deployable bars
welded at the top of a two pillars front mounted roll bar for narrow tractors, able to stop
the continuous rollover thanks to its penetration into the soil.
On the other hand, the tilting operations of the roll bar could be usefully carried out with
a simple device, consisting in a hydraulic cylinder welded on one of the two pillars at an
extremity, and to the relevant mounting of the ROPS at the opposite one. If a new fitting
is provided, the cylinder could be driven via a dedicated circuit, while in case of
retrofitting one the connectors of the tractor hydraulic circuit should be considered.
Some experimental samples in retrofitting applications were arranged and positively
tested on narrow track tractors, as in view to verify their functionality, as in order to
define the best ROPS tilting speed.
Tipologia IRIS:
03 - Contributo in volume
Keywords:
ROPS
Elenco autori:
D. Pessina
Link alla scheda completa:
Titolo del libro:
International Conference "Innovation Technology to Empower Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food System", Book of Abstracts