Is My Tractor a Low Profile Tractor December

Is My Tractor a “Low Profile Tractor”? December, 2010

This module will cover: • The definition of a “low profile tractor”. • How to take the measurements to determine if your tractor is “low profile”.

Definition of Low Profile Tractor The rules about Rollover Protective Structures for Tractors are in Chapter 296 -307 WAC, Part F, and they define a low profile tractor as: A wheel or track-equipped vehicle with the following 4 characteristics: Front and rear wheel spacing is the same, Bottom of tractor is 18 inches or less above ground, Hood is 60 inches or less high, Operator straddles transmission when seated.

Characteristic 1 The front wheel spacing is equal to the rear wheel spacing, as measured between the centerlines of the wheels. Front Rear

Example of an actual low profile tractor The space between the centerline of the rear wheels measures 43”.

Same example tractor The space between the centerline of the front wheels measures 45”. A one or two inch difference between the front and rear wheel spacing is acceptable.

Characteristic 2 The clearance from the bottom of the tractor chassis to the ground is eighteen inches or less The clearance from the lowest portion of the chassis to the ground measures 10”.

Characteristic 3 The highest point of the hood is sixty inches or less The highest point of the hood on this tractor measures 48”.

Characteristic 4 The tractor is designed so that the operator straddles the transmission when seated. Transmission The operator straddles the transmission of this tractor when seated.

That’s It ! The measurements showed that this tractor is in fact a low -profile tractor. Now you know how to determine if you have a low profile tractor! Hood height Wheel spacing Chassis to ground

For safety – low profile tractors should have foldable roll bars that are used when clearance is not a problem!! Roll bar folded down As it should have been A fatality occurred on this tractor when roll bar was not folded up when operated outside of orchard rows.

Rules and Resources The rules about Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) click here: Chapter 296 -307 WAC, Part F For rules about Farm Field Equipment click here: Chapter 296 -307 WAC, Part E For other on-line safety courses about tractors click here.