Abstract
This study sought to assess the feasibility of self-installing rollover protective structures (ROPS) and to identify any patterns of self-installation deficiencies in a sample of New York ROPS Retrofit Rebate Program participants. Inspection engineers looked for/at damage, rust, holes, deteriorated welding, location of attachment, axle housing, the presence of original plates/bolts, and adequate seatbelt installation. Results indicated that only 31 percent of farmers received correct parts and also installed these parts properly. Ten percent of self-installed tractors had installation problems so severe they were referred to a dealer for correction. Issues with seatbelts, torque, and unmarked or defective bolts in ROPS kits were also detected.
Keywords
Agricultural-machinery; Agricultural-workers; Agriculture; Tractors; Motor-vehicle-parts; Motor-vehicles; Protective-equipment; Engineering; Engineering-controls; Equipment-design; Equipment-operators; Equipment-reliability; Farmers; Machine-operation; Safety-belts; Safety-engineering; Injury-prevention; Accident-potential; Accident-prevention; Failure-analysis;
Author Keywords: Fatalities; injury; intervention; machinery inspections; rollover protective structures;
ROPS; ROPS installation; tractors