Enhancing Tractor Stability Through Active Suspension: A Comparative Study of Actuator Heights

초록

Tractor rollover incidents are a major safety issue in agriculture. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the U.S. reports that between 2003 and 2011, rollover accidents represented the largest share of incidents in this sector, totaling 1,098 cases. This study involved a dynamic simulation to assess the rollover angle of a tractor at various entry angles, ranging from 0° to 360° in 15° increments. The rollover angle was evaluated before and after adjusting the actuator of the suspension system to analyze the differences. The rollover angle was defined as the point at which the contact force between the two wheels and the ground reaches zero. The findings indicated a notable improvement in the rollover angle after actuator control compared to the initial measurements. For instance, at an entry angle of 15°, the rollover angle rose from 31.46° to 36.00°, marking an increase of 4.54° or 14.4% (20cm). At an entry angle of 270°, the rollover angle increased slightly from 29.98° to 30.17°, reflecting a 0.19° rise or 0.63% improvement(20cm). These results demonstrate the potential for enhancing rollover angles by controlling individual actuators, with improvements ranging from 0.63% to a significant 14.4%(20cm). The aim of this research is to use individual actuators to manage the tractor's posture and enhance the rollover angle, thereby lowering the likelihood of rollover accidents. Through simulation-based analysis of tractor rollover angles, this study aims to improve safety and stability in tractor operations. © 2025 ASABE. All rights reserved.

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