In France, this year, tractors are involved in 200 accidents, with consequences resulting in 200 deaths and 50 fatalities. (1). And in this case, the victims, the most affected, are mainly the occupants of light vehicles. The increasing size and speed of tractors are aggravating factors. Wider and wider pneumatic supports make it easier for tractors to climb onto vehicle hoods and expose occupants. This observation is not specific to France. The results at European level are in the thousands. In other countries, not in Northern Europe (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden, etc.), there are some problems and we have seen the emergence of bumpers mounted on the lift before tractors. Particularly due to the high population density, the Netherlands is among the countries where these facilities are most democratized. The reason is not linked to regulations, but rather to a financial incentive from certain insurance companies or certain agricultural organizations. As a result, the number of deaths was reduced significantly, as was the severity of injuries. In the event of a frontal impact, due to the presence of the bumpers in front, the entire front of the car may be due to shock absorption. On the tractor side, the results are also positive. “At night, the behavior of automobiles changes with the brakes on the front lift, explains Hans Vercauteren, co-director of Easymass, which built the bumpers for the Dutch company Agribumper and distributes them in France. This equipment often has clearance lights. Thus, the motorist understands the width of the agricultural convoy, compared to a tractor of which only the high beams, close together on the grille, illuminate the front. With a pair of electric shocks, the driver goes faster and faster. »
In France, sales are good and confident and range from 100 to 200 pairs of shoes. “This appeals to certain visitors to the exhibitions, trust Aurélie Formont, marketing manager at Pateer. But the cost is often dissuasive. » The main French customers are agricultural work companies which share millimeters of kilometers with their tractors each year.
However, manufacturers do not lack ingenuity to make these tools interesting. Some models open a storage space to house tools and/or serve as a sledgehammer. In any case, it is a cost (bumper alone) or an additional cost of around 2,000 euros.
Pateer – Bumpy, the bumpers he absorbs
The Dutch company Pateer has a production site in Bruz, south of Rennes. Called Bumpy, these are 2.20 meter wide shock pairs and are built on the basis of a metal structure used to arm a polyethylene shock pair. This high-density polymer allows, depending on the equipment, to absorb energy and cushion shocks. Three ranges are offered. Weighing 200 kg, Bumpy Eco is applied to a simplified steel frame, offering easy and quick assembly on the lifting hooks with the labels. The Bumpy Premium includes a steel structure reinforced with two air cushions for cushioning and a housing for weighting mass (600 or 900 kg concrete mass). The Bumpy-B is applicable to a B Pateer cast iron with a mass of 600 or 900 kg.
As standard, these Bumpys have integrated lighting including LED working lights and position lights on each side of the bumper. As an option, they access the camera, the clearance rods for a better understanding of the width of the equipment, as well as the clearance lights.
A chain evolution includes a range compartment.
Agribumper – A pair of Dutch shocks made in France
If the company is Dutch, Agribumper will ensure manufacturing in Guignicourt (Aisne), at Easymass, which then distributes its products in France. Agribumper can mount its bumpers on tractors without or equipped with a lift. On the latter, the bumper can be fixed either on the lift, upstream of it, or at the base of the lift arms. In the last two cases, the equipment does not require the use of the front linkage and/or the front power take-off.
Agribumper mainly offers two ranges, Base-Line and Weight-Line, respectively 2.20 and 2.50 meters wide and weighing 350 kg and 400 kg. It is then possible to remove weights on the exterior parts and/or on the central part – this can block the use of the power take-off – in order to raise the stage to 1 ton on the Base-Line and 1, 6 Ton on the Weight-Line, while keeping the front linkage free.
Based on the Weight-Line, the Easy-line range combines shock torque with mass. Offered in quantities of 1 to 2.8 tonnes, with two shocks on the three points concerned.
These bumpers feature daytime running lights and marker rods as standard. Optional access to the toolbox and retroreflective devices.
Zuidberg – A variable width bumper
The Dutch Zuidberg offers three models, one called multifunction of 200 kg and two coupled with masses weighing 985 and 1,540 kg. Hitched on the three lifting points or on a quick coupling triangle, the multifunctional model has an integrated towing yoke and support feet, as well as an optional tool box.
All these bumpers receive retro-reflective markings, and, optionally, clearance rods and LED lights at each end. They have two sliding elements mounted on hinges on each side, with multiple positions, allowing the width to vary from 2.20 to 2.95 meters, depending on the size of the tractor.
Euromasse/Lestagri – A bumper with snow plow effect
The bumpers are built on the basis of Euromasse cast iron masses (800 to 2,850 kg) or Lestagri steel (600 to 2,000 kg). From the bottom of the mass, two movable shutters are adjustable in width (sliding elements) and angle. Gilbert Noguès, director of two French companies, advises to position the exterior elements with as much angle as possible, in order to slide the vehicle on the hill in the event of an impact, rather than taking it head-on. He also advises responding fully to both elements in the field, so that they do not interfere with headland maneuvers.
In fact, all these models are equipped with retroreflective devices, LED lights, light templates and stem templates.
Skip – A modular shock pair
Until now, the specialist in power take-offs and front lifts, imported into France by Verzeaux SARL, offered a range of front bumpers mounted on lifts. This is made up of a basic structure of a 250 kg pod, made up of a central element and two external elements mounted on joints allowing the angle and therefore the width of the bumper to be varied by 2 , 30 to 2.70 meters. . Finally, the bumpers have reflective plates, LED position lights and indicator lights visible behind the conduit post. On the central element, it is possible to fix it with 9 90 kg ballast plates, a refillable concrete container (600 kg ballast) or a tool box: the name of the 90 kg ballast plate These values are limited to two. In its case, only three large 250 kg plates can be bolted from the bottom. The maximum total of pods then reaches 2.06 tonnes.
On the occasion of Agritechnica, the Sauter redefines are offered and are available in two versions L and XL, the first sensitively representing the characteristics mentioned above, with the exception of the width limited to 2.50 meters. Reinforced, the XL range offers a width of between 2.50 and 2.70 meters, a towing hook and can be ballasted up to 2.6 tonnes.
(1) Source: accident report from the Ministry of Transport.
