Citation

Murphy D. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2001; 12(3): 41-42.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The rubber-wheeled, row-crop tricycle tractors of the 1930s revolutionized production agriculture. The tractor had the speed, power, flexibility, adaptability, and handling ease that helped move farming from the horsepower era into the machine-powered era. Later additions of hydraulics, the 3-point hitch, direct engine-driven power take-off, and variable shift transmissions firmly established the tractor as the primary machine in modern farming. However, no other farm machine is also so identified with the hazards of production agriculture as the tractor. This article looks at tractor safety concerns, focusing on overturn hazards. Topics discussed include center of gravity, centrifugal force, rear-axle torque, drawbar leverage, and rollover protective structures and seat belts.