7 July 2004 - Tractor Safety Cabs: Structural Deterioration Report Published by HSE
Legislation to protect agricultural tractor drivers was introduced in the
UK, which required all new tractors sold after 1 September 1970 to be fitted
with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). The introduction of this
protective cage was aimed at protecting the tractor drivers' from being
crushed if a rollover occurred.
Later, regulations by the Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) Regulations 1974,
coupled with the ROPS, proved to be outstandingly successful in the safety
of tractor drivers.
A new report, issued today, by the HSE, states that greater care and
preventative maintenance is required to prolong the life of the tractor cab.
This report was carried out by the Silsoe Research Institute and looked at
tractor cabs which have been in service for many years and involved a
detailed survey of around 400 used tractors, manufactured between 1970 and
1990.
The survey, commissioned by the HSE, wanted to determine whether or not the
same degree of protection was still prevalent.
Seven tractors were given an intensive examination and were partially
dismantled, in order to assess their structural condition. Five of the Seven
were then selected for a recognised structural testing procedure. This
procedure would provide the capability of the HSE's intended protection in
the case of a rollover incident.
It was found that corrosion varied:
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the extent of corrosion varied due to age, cab type, and use, maintenance and storage history
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four cab structures passed the test, one failed
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three of the five tested were short of mounting bolts or experienced bolt failure during testing
The conclusions of the research were:
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the integrity of tractor safety cabs is weakened by corrosion
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this corrosion is accelerated by lack of care, including a lack of preventative maintenance
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some safety cabs had been repaired: this is prohibited, i.e. the cabs would lose their 'Approved' status
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some cabs had not been correctly re-installed following removal for vehicle maintenance
In order to improve safety cab/ROPS longevity and, ultimately, the protection they provide to the driver in the event of a rollover incident, HSE advises tractor owners and operators that they should:
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regularly check the cab, and cab bracket mounting bolts will combine with moisture torque and condition, especially after instances of cab removal. Remember that most Q-cab mounting brackets bolt both to the cab and to the tractor chassis
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rectify poor cab sealing and water leaks from doors, windows, roof hatches. Also be aware of the risk of water/moisture ingress that can result from roof drainage and air conditioning systems
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keep the cab as clean as possible, especially the interior. Granular fertilisers, slurry or farmyard manure will combine with moisture and cause accelerated corrosion
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remove mud and other moisture-retaining debris from external traps and ledges on the cab
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if surface corrosion develops on the cab treat it sooner rather than later and remember it may be hidden by floor mats or cab cladding
Copies of the full report entitled 'Structural deterioration of tractor safety cabs with age' RR251, price £25, ISBN 0 7176 2873 6 are available from HSE Books
Article by Alexandra Johnston
