Anchor mechanism to increase the operator clearance zone on narrow-track wheeled agricultural tractors: Prototype and first tests

This paper introduces a new innovation for narrow-track orchard and vineyard tractors, which enables roll-over protective structures (ROPS) heights, to be reduced whilst providing a better protective mechanism and increasing the operator clearance zone in a lateral direction. The history of the system and the first tests to compare the tractor with and without anchor mechanism are presented. The system utilises an automatically deployable telescopic structure that releases pyrotechnic squibs to initiate the chemical reaction upon trigger. The deployment of the anchors on the sides of the tractor and their latching by the pins is completed before the tractor touches the ground. In laboratory tests, the two anchors consistently deployed in less than 160 ms and latched securely. The system behaviours were determined by means of simulations and field upset tests. The tests were performed with a radio-controlled full-size tractor and video technology was used to validate the deployment time and overturning speeds.