Safety Devices For Tractors

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 10

Safety Devices For Tractors

The decision to include j tractor safety in the programme of an Agricultural; Machinery Testing. Research, and Development Institute to be established at Lincoln College is a practical step to reduce the effects of tractor accidents. The inquiry will not begin too soon, for an essential instrument of modern farm equipment has a deplorable record for killing and maiming users. Between January, 1949. and December. 1962, there were 299 fatal tractor accidents on New Zealand farms. Much publicity in the way of lectures, printed advice, and demonstrations has been given, but with little avail, as the 27 deaths in tractor accidents already this year show. The subject came before Parliament recently on consideration of a petition requesting that legislation be passed making it mandatory for owners to fit their tractors with approved safety cab-frame devices. While not doubting the need for concern about the continuing number of tractor accidents, the chairman of the Lands and Agriculture Committee (Mr G. A. Walsh) said that the compulsory fitting of protective equipment was not practical until its efficiency was known. The committee’s thought that research was essential before any attempt at compulsion pos-

sibly inspired the Govern-, ment to sponsor research atj Lincoln College. In his: statement concerning the; testing project, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys) did not exclude the possibility of enforcing legislation if it were found that “ the benefits of a life- “ saving device were not “ being fully used ”. First, however, a satisfactory device must be found. In Parliament, the member for Riccarton, Mr M. A. Connelly (who presented the petition) mentioned the successful Swedish experience with “crash frames”, and these presumably are the frames which a Christchurch firm has been given permission to import. If these frames are suitable for New Zealand conditions, everything possible should be done to make them available in quantity. Mr Taiboys appeared to attach a proviso to the use of overseas equipment when he said farmers would be urged to adopt “ any device which “ seemed satisfactory, and “which could be made in “ New Zealand under li- “ cence ”. On reflection, Mr Taiboys will see that what matters is an efficient safety device. Where it is made has nothing to do with the paramount issue, which is to reduce, if not eliminate, grave hazards in driving tractors in New Zealand.