Tractors are the most common agricultural machine, and they are used with a wide range of implements to perform many tasks. While driving the tractor, the operator has to be aware of and attend to many potentially dangerous situations. One of these dangers is the evaluation of the the steepness of slopes the tractor may be travelling across. The drivers’ accuraccy at estimating angles is one important component in avoiding side overturns, one of the most common and dangerous types of tractor accidents.
This study investigated the tractor operators’ estimates of tilt angles and their level of comfortableness
when operating at different lateral tilt angles, and the effects of age, gender, tractor driving experience, and frequency of tractor use on estimations of angles. Because of the small sample size and convenience sampling method, major conclusions cannot be drawn from this data. Data from 82 participants were used in the study. The vast majority of the participants were male; 40% of them were under 20 years old, whereas 29% were 50 or older. Approximately 80% had more than 2 years of experience in tractor driving, and were considered experienced drivers. Eighty percent of the participants operated
tractors of 100 HP or less power, and participants reported using tractors mostly (60%) for
brush or grass mowing. The majority of participants (69%) were not frequent users, as they reported that they used tractors no more than a few times a month. The measured (actual) uncomfortable and would not drive angles were not significantly related to frequency of tractor usage (daily, weekly, etc.). A large majority of participants (71%) indicated that they learned how to operate a tractor from their parents, whereas less than 5% indicated they learned to drive a tractor through 4-H or Vo-Ag Safe Tractor Operator Certification Program. This confirms the need to broaden injury prevention initiatives in the agricultural sector, as suggested by Hagel et al.22 Participant’s age, experience operating a tractor, and gender were significantly related to the measured angle for uncomfortable and would not drive: