Directive 2009/75/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed)Show full title

ANNEX II Conditions for testing the strength of the protection structures and of their attachment to tractors

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. Test purposes

Tests made using special rigs are intended to simulate such loads as are imposed on a protection structure, when the tractor overturns. These tests, described in Annex III, enable observations to be made on the strength of the protection structure and any brackets attaching it to the tractor and any parts of the tractor which transmit the test force.

1.2. Preparation for test

1.2.1. The protection structure must conform to the series production specifications. It shall be attached in accordance with the manufacturer’s declared method of attachment to one of the tractors for which it is designed. A complete tractor is not required for the test; however, the protection structure and parts of the tractor on which it is attached for the tests shall represent an operating installation, hereinafter referred to as ‘the assembly’.

1.2.2. The assembly shall be secured to the bedplate so that the members connecting the assembly and the bedplate do not deflect significantly in relation to the protection structure under loading. The method of attachment of the assembly to the bedplate must not of itself modify the strength of the assembly.

1.2.3. The assembly must be supported and secured or modified so that all the test energy is absorbed by the protection structure and its attachment to the rigid components of the tractor.

1.2.3.1. To comply with the requirements of point 1.2.3, the modification shall lock any tractor ride suspension system so as to ensure that it does not absorb any of the test energy.

1.2.4. For the tests the tractor must be fitted with all structural components of the series production which may influence the strength of the protection structure or which may be necessary for the strength test.

Components which may create a hazard in the zone of clearance must also be fitted so that they may be examined to see whether the requirements of point 4 have been fulfilled.

All components that the driver could himself remove shall be removed for the tests. If it is possible to keep the doors and windows open or to remove them when the tractor is in use, they must be kept open or removed during the tests, so as not to increase the strength of the roll-over protection structure. If, in this position, they constitute a danger for the driver should the tractor roll over, the test report must refer to this fact.

1.3. Tractor mass

The reference mass m_t, used in the formulae (see Annex III) to calculate the energies and the crushing force, shall be at least that defined in point 2.1.1 of Annex I to Directive 2003/37/EC (i.e. excluding optional accessories but including coolant, oils, fuel, tools and driver) plus the protection structure and less 75 kg.

Not included are optional front or rear weights, tyre ballast, mounted implements, mounted equipment or any specialised components.

2. APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT

2.1. Horizontal loading tests (side and longitudinal)

2.1.1. Material, equipment and tie-down means adequate to ensure that the assembly is firmly fixed to the bedplate, independently of tyres if present.

2.1.2. Means of applying a horizontal force on the protection structure by a stiff beam as shown in figures 1 and 2 of Annex IV.

2.1.2.1. The stiff beam shall have a vertical face dimension of 150 mm.

2.1.2.2. Provision must be made so that the load can be uniformly distributed normal to the direction of loading and along a beam having a length of one of the exact multiples of 50 between 250 and 700 mm.

2.1.2.3. The edges of the beam in contact with the protection structure shall be curved with a maximum radius of 50 mm.

2.1.2.4. Universal joints — or the equivalent — shall be incorporated to ensure that the loading device does not constrain the structure in rotation or translation in any direction other than the direction of loading.

2.1.2.5. Where the horizontal length of the protection structure to which the load is to be applied does not constitute a straight line normal to the direction of application of the load, the space shall be packed so as to distribute the load over this length.

2.1.3. Equipment for measuring as far as is technically possible the energy absorbed by the protection structure and the rigid parts of the tractor to which it is attached, for example by measuring the force applied along its direction of application and the corresponding deflection relative to a point on the tractor chassis.

2.1.4. Means for proving that the zone of clearance has not been entered during the test. A rig according to figures 6a, 6b and 6c of Annex IV can be used.

2.2. Crushing tests (rear and front)

2.2.1. Material, equipment and tie-down means adequate to ensure that the tractor is firmly fixed to the bedplate, independently of tyres.

2.2.2. Means for applying a vertical force on the protection structure, such as shown in figure 3 of Annex IV, including a stiff crushing beam with a width of 250 mm.

2.2.3. Equipment for measuring the total vertical force applied.

2.2.4. Means for proving that the zone of clearance has not been entered during the test. A rig according to figures 6a, 6b and 6c of Annex IV can be used.

2.3. Measurement tolerances

2.3.1. Dimensions: ± 3 mm.

2.3.2. Deflection: ± 3 mm.

2.3.3. Tractor mass: ± 20 kg.

2.3.4. Loads and forces: ± 2 %.

2.3.5. Direction of loading: deviation from horizontal and vertical directions specified in Annex III:

• at start of test, under zero load: ± 2°,

• during test, under load: 10° above and 20° below the horizontal. These variations shall as far as possible be kept to a minimum.

3. TESTS

3.1. General requirements

3.1.1. Sequence of tests

3.1.1.1. The sequence of tests shall be as follows:

3.1.1.1.1.

Longitudinal loading (Annex III, point 1.2)

For tractors with at least 50 % of the mass as defined in point 1.3 on the rear wheels the longitudinal loading shall be applied from the rear (case 1). For other tractors the longitudinal loading shall be applied from the front (case 2).

3.1.1.1.2.

First crushing test

The first crushing test shall be applied at the same end of the protection structure as the longitudinal loading, i.e.:

• at the rear in case 1 (Annex III, point 1.5), or

• at the front in case 2 (Annex III, point 1.6).

3.1.1.1.3.

Loading from the side (Annex III, point 1.3)

3.1.1.1.4.

Second crushing test

The second crushing test shall be applied at the opposite end of the protection structure to the longitudinal loading, i.e.:

• at the front in case 1 (Annex III, point 1.6), or

• at the rear in case 2 (Annex III, point 1.5).

3.1.1.1.5.

Second longitudinal loading (Annex III, point 1.7)

A second longitudinal loading shall be applied to tractors fitted with a protection structure designed to be tilted when the direction of application of the longitudinal loading (see point 3.1.1.1.1) would not have tilted the protection structure.

3.1.1.2. If, during the test, any part of the restraining equipment breaks or moves, the test shall be re-started.

3.1.1.3. No repairs or adjustments to the tractor or protection structure may be carried out during the tests.

3.1.2. Wheel track width

The wheels shall be removed or set at a track width setting which ensures that no interference can occur with the protection structure during the tests.

3.1.3. Removal of non-hazard creating components

All components of the tractor and protection structure which, as complete units, constitute protection for the driver — including weather protection — shall be supplied complete on a tractor for inspection.

The protection structure to be tested need not be fitted with front, side or rear windows of safety glass or similar material, or with any detachable panels, fittings and accessories, which have no function of structural strength and which cannot create a hazard in the event of overturning.

3.1.4. Instrumentation

The protection structure shall be instrumented with the necessary equipment to obtain the data required to draw the force-deflection diagram (see figure 4 of Annex IV). Total and permanent protection structure deflection shall be measured and noted for each stage of the test (see figure 5 of Annex IV).

3.1.5. Direction of loading

In the case of a tractor whose seat is not on the median plane of the tractor and/or non-symmetrical strength of the structure, the side loading shall be on the side most likely to lead to infringement of the zone of clearance during the tests (see also Annex III, point 1.3).

4. ACCEPTANCE CONDITIONS

4.1. A protection structure submitted for EC component type-approval shall be considered as having satisfied the strength requirements if after the tests it fulfils the following conditions:

4.1.1.

No part of the zone of clearance as described in point 3.2 of Annex III has been entered by, or has been outside the protection of, the protection structure during the tests specified in points 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and, where appropriate, point 1.7 of Annex III.

If an overload test has been carried out, the force applied when the specified energy is absorbed shall be greater than 0,8 of the maximum force occurring during both the main test and the overload test concerned (see figures 4b and 4c of Annex IV).

4.1.2.

During the tests the protection structure must not impose any constraint on the seat structure.

4.1.3.

At the point when the required energy level is attained in each of the specified horizontal loading tests, the force shall exceed 0,8 F_max.

4.2. In addition there shall be no other feature presenting a particular hazard to the driver, for example insufficient padding inside the roof or anywhere else where the driver’s head may strike.

5. TEST REPORT

5.1. The test report shall be attached to the EC component type-approval certificate referred to in Annex VII. The presentation of the report shall be as shown in Annex V. It shall include:

5.1.1.

A general description of the protection structure’s shape and construction (see Annex V for the obligatory dimensions), including the provisions for normal entry, exit and escape; the provisions for the heating and ventilation system, and other accessories where these are available and where they could affect the zone of clearance or might create a hazard.

5.1.2.

Details of any special features such as devices to prevent the continuous rolling of the tractor.

5.1.3.

A brief description of any interior padding.

5.1.4.

A statement of the type of windscreen and glazing fitted and of any EC or other approval marking incorporated.

5.2. If EC component type-approval is being extended for other tractor types, the report must include the exact reference of the report of the original EC component type-approval as well as precise indications regarding the requirements laid down in point 3.4 of Annex I.

5.3. The report must identify clearly the tractor type (make, type and commercial description, etc.) used for testing and the types for which the protection structure is intended.

6. SYMBOLS

m_t

=

reference tractor mass (kg), as defined in point 1.3.

D

=

deflection (mm) of structure at the point of and in line with the load application.

D’

=

deflection (mm) of structure for the calculated energy required.

F

=

static load force (N) (newtons).

F_max

=

maximum static load force occurring during loading, (N) with the exception of the overload.

F’

=

force for the calculated energy required.

F-D

=

force/deflection curve.

E_is

=

energy input to be absorbed during side loading (J) (joules).

E_{il 1}

=

energy input to be absorbed during longitudinal loading (J).

E_{il 2}

=

energy input to be absorbed during application of the second longitudinal load (J).

F_r

=

applied force at rear in the crushing test (N).

F_f

=

applied force at front in the crushing test (N).