Combine Anti-crush Safety System

Abstract

Combine manufacturers attempt to prevent header crushing injuries or deaths by providing mechanical lockouts on the header lift rams. These mechanical lockouts are effective only if the operator remembers to engage them before crawling under the header. People continue to be crushed under combine headers, indicating that the lockouts are not being always engaged. In the research reported herein, a system was constructed and evaluated that automatically stops a descending header when it encounters an object beneath it.

Full article can be found in: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health
Access this publication at: ASABE Technical Library