Elucidation of the Overturning Mechanism when an Agricultural Tractor Runs off the Road

Abstract

　A static force balance model was developed for a tractor when one front wheel runs off the road at a low speed. The validity of the model was demonstrated using an actual tractor. The conditions for rollover when one front wheel runs off the road are evaluated using the position of the center of gravity, front and rear wheel treads, wheelbase, height of the hinge point connecting the front axle, and rotating angle of the front axle around the center pivot. When one front wheel runs off the road, the center of gravity shifts, increasing the rollover likelihood. A narrower front wheel tread and lower hinge point connecting the front axle both imply a decreased likelihood of rollover.