Directive 2009/75/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed)Show full title

ANNEX III TEST PROCEDURE

1. HORIZONTAL LOADING AND CRUSHING TESTS

1.1. General provisions for horizontal loading tests

1.1.1. The loads applied to the protection structure shall be distributed by means of a stiff beam, complying with the specifications laid down in point 2.1.2 of Annex II, located normal to the direction of load application; the stiff beam may be equipped with a means of preventing its being displaced sideways. The rate of deflection under loading shall not be greater than 5 mm/s. As the load is applied, the values F and D shall be recorded simultaneously at deflection increments of 15 mm or less, to ensure accuracy. Once the initial application has commenced, the load shall not be reduced until the test has been completed; but it is permitted to cease increasing the load if desired, for example to record measurements.

1.1.2. If the structural member to which the load is to be applied is curved, the specifications laid down in point 2.1.2.5 of Annex II must be complied with. The application of a load must, however, comply with the requirements of point 1.1.1 above and point 2.1.2 of Annex II.

1.1.3. If no structural cross member exists at the point of application, a substitute test beam which does not add strength to the structure may be utilised for the test procedure.

1.1.4. The structure shall be inspected visually when the load is removed after each loading test has been completed. If cracks or tears have occurred during loading, the overload test specified in point 1.4 below shall be carried out before proceeding to the next loading in the sequence given in point 3.1.1.1 of Annex II.

1.2. Longitudinal loading (see figure 2 of Annex IV)

Load application shall be horizontal and parallel to the vertical median plane of the tractor.

For tractors with at least 50 % of their mass, as defined in point 1.3 of Annex II, on the rear wheels, the longitudinal rear load and the lateral load shall be applied on different sides of the median longitudinal plane of the protection structure. For tractors with at least 50 % of their mass on the front wheels, the longitudinal front load shall be on the same side of the median longitudinal plane of the protection structure as the lateral load.

It shall be applied to the uppermost transverse structural member of the protection structure (i.e. the part which would be likely to strike the ground first in an overturning incident).

The point of application of the load shall be located one-sixth of the width of the top of the protection structure inwards from the outside corner. The width of the protection structure shall be taken as the distance between two lines parallel to the vertical median plane of the tractor touching the outside extremities of the protection structure in the horizontal plane touching the top of the uppermost transverse structural members.

The length of the beam shall be not less than one-third of the width of the protection structure (as previously described) and not more than 49 mm greater than this minimum.

The longitudinal loading is applied from the rear or front, as defined in point 3.1.1.1 of Annex II.

The test shall be stopped whenever:

(a)

the strain energy absorbed by the protection structure is equal to or greater than the required energy input E_{il 1} (where E_{il 1} = 1,4 m_t);

(b)

the structure infringes the zone of clearance or leaves the zone of clearance unprotected.

1.3. Loading from the side (see figure 1 of Annex IV)

The loading shall be applied horizontally at 90° to the vertical median plane of the tractor. It shall be applied to the upper extremity of the protection structure at a point 300 mm forward of the seat reference point with the seat in its rearmost position (see point 2.3.1). If the protection structure has any projection on the side which would be certain to contact the ground first during a sideways overturn, the loading shall be applied at that point. In the case of a tractor with a reversible position, the load shall be applied to the upper extremity of the roll-over protection structure half-way between the two seat reference points.

The beam shall be as long as practicable, but no more than 700 mm in length.

The test shall be stopped whenever:

(a)

the strain energy absorbed by the protection structure is equal to or greater than the required energy input E_is (where E_is = 1,75 m_t); or

(b)

the structure infringes the zone of clearance or leaves the zone of clearance unprotected.

1.4. Overload test (see figures 4a, 4b and 4c in Annex IV)

1.4.1. The overload test must be carried out if the force decreases by more than 3 % during the last 5 % of the deflection achieved, where the energy required is absorbed by the structure (see figure 4b).

1.4.2. The overload test involves the gradual increase of the horizontal load by increments of 5 % of the initial energy requirement up to a maximum of 20 % of energy added (see figure 4c).

1.4.2.1. The overload test is satisfactory if, after each increase by 5 %, 10 % or 15 % in the energy required, the force decreases by less than 3 % for a 5 % increment and remains more than 0,8 F_max.

1.4.2.2. The overload test is satisfactory if, after the structure has absorbed 20 % of the added energy, the force exceeds 0,8 F_max.

1.4.2.3. Additional cracks or tears and/or entry into or lack of protection of the zone of clearance due to elastic deformation are permitted during the overload test. However, after the removal of the load, the structure shall not enter the zone of clearance, which shall be completely protected.

1.5. Crushing at the rear

The beam shall be positioned over the rear uppermost structural members and the resultant of crushing forces shall be located in the vertical longitudinal reference plane. A force F_r = 20 m_t shall be applied.

Where the rear part of the protection structure roof will not sustain the full crushing force, the force shall be applied until the roof is deflected to coincide with the plane joining the upper part of the protection structure with that part of the rear of the tractor capable of supporting the vehicle’s mass when overturned. The force shall then be removed, and the tractor or loading force repositioned so that the beam is over that point of the protection structure which would then support the tractor when completely overturned. The force F_r shall then be applied.

The force F_r shall be applied for a minimum of five seconds following the cessation of the visually detectable deflection.

The test shall be stopped if the structure infringes the zone of clearance or leaves the zone of clearance unprotected.

1.6. Crushing at the front

The beam shall be positioned across the front uppermost structural members and the resultant of crushing forces shall be located in the vertical longitudinal reference plane. A force F_f = 20 m_t shall be applied.

Where the front part of the protection structure roof will not sustain the full crushing force, the force shall be applied until the roof is deflected to coincide with the plane joining the upper part of the protection structure with that part of the front of the tractor capable of supporting the vehicle’s mass when overturned. The force shall then be removed, and the tractor or loading force repositioned so that the beam is over that point of the protection structure which would then support the tractor when completely overturned. The force F_f shall then be applied.

The force F_f shall be applied for a minimum of five seconds following the cessation of the visually detectable deflection.

The test shall be stopped if the structure infringes the zone of clearance or leaves the zone of clearance unprotected.

1.7. Second longitudinal loading

Load application shall be horizontal parallel to the vertical median plane of the tractor.

The second longitudinal loading is applied from the rear or front as defined in point 3.1.1.1 of Annex II.

It shall be applied in the opposite direction to and at the corner furthest from the longitudinal loading in point 1.2.

It shall be applied to the uppermost transverse structural member of the protection structure (i.e. that part which would be likely to strike the ground in an overturning incident).

The point of application of the load shall be located one sixth of the width of the top of the protection structure inwards from the outside corner. The width of the protection structure shall be taken as the distance between two lines parallel to the vertical median plane of the tractor touching the outside extremities of the protection structure in the horizontal plane touching the top of the uppermost transverse structural members.

The length of the beam shall be not less than one third of the width of the protection structure (as previously described) and not more than 49 mm more than this minimum.

The test shall be stopped whenever:

(a)

the strain energy absorbed by the structure is equal to or greater than the required energy input E_{il 2} (where E_{il 2} = 0,35 m_t); or

(b)

the structure infringes the zone of clearance or leaves the zone of clearance unprotected.

2. ZONE OF CLEARANCE

2.1. The zone of clearance is illustrated in figure 6 of Annex IV and is defined in relation to a vertical reference plane generally longitudinal to the tractor and passing through a seat reference point, described in point 2.3, and the centre of the steering wheel. The reference plane shall be assumed to move horizontally with the seat and steering wheel during application of the load but to remain perpendicular to the floor of the tractor or of the protection structure if this is resiliently mounted.

Where the steering wheel is adjustable, its position shall be that for normal seated driving.

2.2. The boundaries of the zone shall be taken as:

2.2.1. vertical planes 250 mm on either side of the reference plane extending upwards from the seat reference point for 300 mm;

2.2.2. parallel planes extending from the upper edge of the planes referred to in point 2.2.1 to a maximum height of 900 mm above the seat reference point and inclined in such a way that the upper edge of the plane on the side from which the side loading is applied is at least 100 mm from the reference plane;

2.2.3. a horizontal plane 900 mm above the seat reference point;

2.2.4. an inclined plane perpendicular to the reference plane and including a point 900 mm directly above the seat reference point and the rearmost point of the seat backrest;

2.2.5. a surface, if necessary curved, with a series of straight lines perpendicular to the reference plane extending downwards from the rearmost point of the seat in contact with the seat backrest throughout its length;

2.2.6. a curvilinear surface, perpendicular to the reference plane, with a radius of 120 mm tangential to planes referred to in points 2.2.3 and 2.2.4;

2.2.7. a curvilinear surface, perpendicular to the reference plane, having a radius of 900 mm extending forward for 400 mm from and tangential to the plane referred to in point 2.2.3 at a point 150 mm forward of the seat reference point;

2.2.8. an inclined plane perpendicular to the reference plane, joining surface referred to in point 2.2.7 at its forward edge and passing 40 mm from the steering wheel. In the case of a high steering wheel position this plane is replaced by a tangent plane to the surface referred to in point 2.2.7;

2.2.9. a vertical plane, perpendicular to the reference plane, 40 mm forward of the steering wheel;

2.2.10. a horizontal plane through the seat reference point;

2.2.11. in the case of a tractor with a reversible driving position, the clearance shall be a combination of the two clearances determined for the two positions of the steering wheel and seat;

2.2.12. in the case of a tractor which can be fitted with optional seats, the tests shall be based on the combined seat-reference-point clearance for all available seat options. The roll-over protection structure must not enter the combined clearance around the various seat reference points;

2.2.13. where a new seat option is proposed after the test has taken place, a calculation shall be made to determine whether the clearance around the new seat reference point is located entirely within the clearance previously established. If this is not the case, a new test shall be required.

2.3. Seat location and seat reference point

2.3.1. For the purpose of defining the zone of clearance in point 2.1 the seat shall be at the rearmost point of any horizontal adjustment range. It shall be set at the highest point of the vertical adjustment range where this is independent of adjustment of its horizontal position.

The reference point shall be established using the apparatus illustrated in figures 7 and 8 of Annex IV to simulate loading by a human occupant. The apparatus shall consist of a seat pan board and backrest boards. The lower backrest board shall be jointed in the region of the ischium humps (A) and loin (B), the joint (B) being adjustable in height.

2.3.2. The reference point is defined as the point in the median longitudinal plane of the seat where the tangential plane of the lower backrest and a horizontal plane intersect. This horizontal plane cuts the lower surface of the seat pan board 150 mm in front of the abovementioned tangent.

2.3.3. Where a seat incorporates a free sprung suspension travel, whether or not this can be adjusted for the weight of the driver, the seat shall be set at the mid-point of this travel.

The apparatus shall be positioned on the seat. It shall then be loaded with a force of 550 N at a point 50 mm in front of joint (A), and the two parts of the backrest board shall be lightly pressed tangentially against the backrest.

2.3.4. If it is not possible to determine definite tangents to each area of the backrest (below and above lumbar region) the following shall be done:

2.3.4.1.

where no definite tangent to the lower area is possible, the lower part of the backrest board is pressed against the backrest vertically;

2.3.4.2.

where no definite tangent to the upper area is possible, the joint (B) is fixed at a height which is 230 mm above the seat reference point, if the lower part of the backrest board is vertical. Then the two parts of the backrest board are lightly pressed against the backrest.

3. CONTROLS AND MEASUREMENTS TO BE MADE

3.1. Zone of clearance

During each test the protection structure shall be examined to see whether any part of the protection structure has entered a zone of clearance round the driving seat as defined in point 2.1. In addition, the protection structure shall be examined to determine whether any part of the zone of clearance is outside the protection of the protection structure. For this purpose, it shall be considered to be outside the protection of the protection structure if any part of it would have come into contact with flat ground if the tractor had overturned towards the direction from which the loading was applied. For this purpose, the tyre and track setting shall be assumed to be the smallest specified by the manufacturer.

3.2. Final permanent deflection

After the tests, the final permanent deflection of the protection structure shall be recorded. For this purpose, before the start of the test, the position of the main protection structure members in relation to the seat reference point shall be recorded.