1. 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

2. Fundamental Hypothesis
Operators can learn to avoid tractor overturn
Safety training
On-line sensors and display
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

3. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Fundamental Goals
Display
Stability information
Safe operation
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

4. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Past Efforts
1/8 scale overturn tractor and terrain board
Farm safety presentations across the Northeast
Scientific publications
Full-size umbilical agricultural tractor
Annual presentations at PA Ag Progress Days exposition
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

5. Full-size Umbilical Tractor
Ford 2080, 3580 lbm, 36 HP, rear wheel drive, 300+ overturns
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

6. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Current Efforts
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

7. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
FY1 Accomplishments
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
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

8. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Full-size R/C Tractor
New Holland TN65, 5300 lbm, 47 HP, four wheel drive, 30+ overturns
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

9. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Full-size R/C Tractor
New Holland TN65, 5300 lbm, 47 HP, four wheel drive, 30+ overturns
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

10. Ag Progress Days 08/20/02 (MPG)
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

11. Side Overturn (On-board MPG)
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

12. Near Miss (On-board MPG)
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

13. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Sensor Validation
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

14. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
FY2/FY3 Plans
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

15. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Future Plans
Sensor/display interface standards
Overturn tests with other implements
Display
Ergonomics
Cognition
Psychology
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop

16. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Major Resources
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

17. NIOSH Tractor Workshop
Questions?
Sommer - 02/13/03
NIOSH Tractor Workshop