Method of Evaluation of Forestry Machine Roll-over Protective Structure Efficiency

Abstract

Abstract. Current standards in the field of self-propelled machinery for forestry require equipping tractor cabins with roll-over protective structures (ROPS). It is necessary to reduce the risk of operator's injuries caused by tractor rollovers or falling trees. This study deals with the investigation of forest machine ROPS deflected mode during lateral loading by using mathematical modeling. Finite element method and method of variable parameters of elasticity are taken as a principle of this work. One of regulatory materials requirements is the ability to absorb certain amount of potential energy during ROPS deformation. The estimation of the quantity of absorbed energy was made by the idealized stress-strain curve. The safety compliance assessment included the comparison between the quantity of this energy and its standard value. It can improve protection properties at the design stage. Ways of increasing ROPS efficiency are presented at the last part of the paper.