CLASSIC FORESTRY | TRACTOR PROTECTION
WORKING
UNDER COVER
Integrated cabs, offering a plush and safe environment for the operator, are a feature of almost every modern tractor. However, back in the 1960s when Valmet introduced the concept on its new 900 tractor, a cab was still thought of as a novelty rather than the norm, reports Stuart Gibbard
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IMAGES AGCO/ROYAL SWEDISH ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY (KSLA)/STUART GIBBARD
n the 1960s, a cab was still thought of as no more than a means of protection from the elements – something to keep the rain off your head. Most of the weather cabs on the market were noisy and draughty structures that restricted vision and vibrated incessantly – they were regarded as a frivolous option rather than a necessity. However, increased concerns about overturning accidents led to a growing awareness, particularly in certain markets of the world, that cabs could also be developed to save lives. Most countries were working towards some type of compulsory regulations for rollover protection, but it was a slow process. In the UK, for example, during the 1950s, between 30 and 40 farm workers were killed each year through tractors overturning. Despite these frightening statistics, little interest was shown in protective structures.
Greater emphasis was put on safety campaigns, vigorously organised by both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, to educate drivers with advice on how to avoid overturning accidents.
SAFETY FRAMES
Above: A safety frame was an option on the Valmet 565 tractor, launched in 1965, as the Nordic countries brought in compulsory ROPS regulations
“IN THE UK DURING THE 1950S, BETWEEN 30 AND 40 FARM WORKERS WERE KILLED EACH YEAR THROUGH TRACTORS OVERTURNING”
As the number of deaths from rollover accidents continued to rise, peaking at 50 in 1966, it became obvious that something needed to be done to prevent further fatalities. The NIAE was already testing safety frames, and its investigations led to the draft Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) Regulations being put before parliament by Lord Walston in 1967. The bill, when eventually passed, made the fitment of safety cabs or frames mandatory from 1 September 1970. The USA began investigating the use of rollover protective structures (ROPS) in
The Valmet 900 was a very capable machine, a number of which were supplied to the forestry industry FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2020
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