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A Study of the Lateral Stability of Self-Propelled Fruit Harvesters

Author

Listed:
  • Maurizio Cutini

    (CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processingvia Milano 43, 24047 Treviglio, Italy)

  • Massimo Brambilla

    (CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processingvia Milano 43, 24047 Treviglio, Italy)

  • Carlo Bisaglia

    (CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processingvia Milano 43, 24047 Treviglio, Italy)

  • Stefano Melzi

    (Politecnico di Milano Department of Mechanical Engineering, via La Masa 1, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Edoardo Sabbioni

    (Politecnico di Milano Department of Mechanical Engineering, via La Masa 1, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Michele Vignati

    (Politecnico di Milano Department of Mechanical Engineering, via La Masa 1, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Eugenio Cavallo

    (National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Institute for Agricultural and Earthmoving Machines (IMAMOTER), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135 Torino, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Laurendi

    (INAIL, Dipartimento Innovazioni Tecnologiche e Sicurezza degli Impianti, Prodotti e Insediamenti Antropici (DITSIPIA), P.le Pastore 6, 00144 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Self-propelled fruit harvesters (SPFHs) are agricultural machines designed to facilitate fruit picking and other tasks requiring operators to stay close to the foliage or to the upper part of the canopy. They generally consist of a chassis with a variable height working platform that can be equipped with lateral extending platforms. The positioning of additional masses (operators, fruit bins) and the maximum height of the platform (up to three meters above the ground) strongly affect machine stability. Since there are no specific studies on the lateral stability of SPFHs, this study aimed to develop a specific test procedure to fill this gap. A survey of the Italian market found 20 firms manufacturing 110 different models of vehicles. Observation and monitoring of SPFHs under real operational conditions revealed the variables mostly likely to affect lateral stability: the position and mass of the operators and the fruit bin on the platform. Two SPFHs were tested in the laboratory to determine their centre of gravity and lateral stability in four different settings reproducing operational conditions. The test setting was found to affect the stability angle. Lastly, the study identified two specific settings reproducing real operational conditions most likely to affect the lateral stability of SPFHs: these should be used as standard, reproducible settings to enable a comparison of results.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurizio Cutini & Massimo Brambilla & Carlo Bisaglia & Stefano Melzi & Edoardo Sabbioni & Michele Vignati & Eugenio Cavallo & Vincenzo Laurendi, 2017. "A Study of the Lateral Stability of Self-Propelled Fruit Harvesters," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:7:y:2017:i:11:p:92-:d:117260
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    Cited by:

    1. Radoslav Majdan & Rudolf Abrahám & Katarína Kollárová & Zdenko Tkáč & Eva Matejková & Ľubomír Kubík, 2021. "Alternative Models for Calculation of Static Overturning Angle and Lateral Stability Analysis of Subcompact and Universal Tractors," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-20, September.

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