PROTECTIVE FRAME FOR A NARROW-WIDTH TRACTOR
The paper presents the strength test results of the protective frame of a tractor driver used on narrow-width tractors in the Republic of Serbia. The studies were conducted in the accredited laboratory of power machines and tractors of the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Novi Sad in accordance with official OECD requirements for testing the protective structures of narrow-width wheeled tractors for agriculture and forestry (Serbia). It has been found that when a maximum longitudinal load of 5.7...5.8 kN was applied to the back of the protective frame, the deflection of its elements was about 200 mm. The largest deflection of the elements in the front part of the frame was about 80 mm (with the maximum applied load of 14.2...14.3 kN). With a lateral load of 26 kN, the deflection of the structure was 74 mm. During the tests, no cracks or breaks of the protective frame elements were observed. Using the example of the narrow-width tractor PRIMA TT 830S, the authors demonstrate that its equipping with a protective frame will significantly reduce the risk of injury to the driver (including fatal injuries) when the tractor overturns. The developed protective frame can be installed on tractors of a similar class manufactured by other companies.