Display of Stability Data for
Safe Tractor Operation
D.J. Murphy and H.J. Sommer
The Pennsylvania State University
NIOSH Northeast Center for Agricultural
Safety and Health
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Fundamental Hypothesis
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Operators can learn to
avoid tractor overturn
Safety training
 On-line sensors and display
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NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Fundamental Goals
Display
 Stability information
 Safe operation
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NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Past Efforts
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1/8 scale overturn tractor and terrain board
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Farm safety presentations across the Northeast
Scientific publications
Full-size umbilical agricultural tractor
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Annual presentations at PA Ag Progress Days
exposition
Scientific publications
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NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Full-size Umbilical Tractor
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Ford 2080, 3580 lbm, 36 HP, rear wheel drive, 300+ overturns
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NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Current Efforts
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Cost-effective commercial sensors
Validate using full-size tractor
Which implements are most often
involved in tractor overturn ?
Overturn tests with implements
Psychology and ergonomics of display
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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FY1 Accomplishments
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New full-size radio control (R/C) agricultural
tractor
Selected MEMSIC dual axis accelerometer
($15) and Atmel processor ($5)
Temperature compensation for zero shift and
sensitivity
On-line display and on-board camera
Validation tests at Ag Progress Days 8/02
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NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Full-size R/C Tractor
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New Holland TN65, 5300 lbm, 47 HP, four wheel drive, 30+ overturns
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Full-size R/C Tractor
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New Holland TN65, 5300 lbm, 47 HP, four wheel drive, 30+ overturns
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Ag Progress Days 08/20/02 (MPG)
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Side Overturn (On-board MPG)
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Near Miss (On-board MPG)
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Sensor Validation
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FY2/FY3 Plans
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CAN bus for sensor and display
Overturn tests with rear deck mower
Liaison with PA DOT (data logging on
mowers)
Liaison with John Deere (CAN bus)
Review overturn reports involving attached
implements
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Future Plans
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Sensor/display interface standards
Overturn tests with other implements
Display
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Ergonomics
Cognition
Psychology
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Major Resources
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1/8 scale tractor and terrain board
2 acre enclosed overturn test arena
Full-size umbilical tractor
Full-size R/C tractor
Full-size R/C skid steer loader
Sensor/microprocessor/display design
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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Questions?
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http://www.me.psu.edu/sommer/projects/tractor/
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NIOSH Tractor Workshop
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