Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version. If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options. Evaluating the Protective Capacity of Two-Post ROPS for a Seat-Belted Occupant During a Farm Tractor OverturnPublished by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org Citation: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 17(1): 15-32. (doi: 10.13031/2013.36231) @2011Authors: J. Guan, H. Hsiao, J. V. Zwiener, R. S. Current, T. J. Lutz, D. M. Cantis, J. R. Powers Jr., B. H. Newbraugh, J. S. Spahr Keywords: Agricultural safety, Clearance zone, Injuries, Rollover protective structures, Tractor overturn This study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercial rollover protective structure (ROPS) and size-extended ROPS in protecting a 95th percentile male operator during tractor overturns. Six rear upset tests (commercial ROPS) and ten side upset tests (commercial and size-extended ROPS) were conducted. A 95th percentile instrumented male manikin was used in all tests. Head injury criterion (HIC15), 80 g limit on resultant head acceleration, neck injury criterion (Nij), and peak axial force (extension-compression) were employed to evaluate injury potential. In all rear tests, the manikin's head impact with the ground was within the tolerance limits for head/neck injuries. Based on limited trials in the side tests, the study observed a small to moderate chance of neck injuries under the commercial and size-extended ROPS conditions; the injury risk was not statistically significant between these two test conditions. This study identified a risk of non-fatal injuries for large-size operators in side overturns, although the prevention effectiveness of commercial versus size-extended ROPS cannot be determined without further testing. These findings may have implications for future ROPS designs. (Download PDF) (Export to EndNotes)
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