Our July issue gave a general assessment of the 12 tractor cabs selected for our comparative test. In this issue we continue the analysis of the various platforms’ individual strengths and weaknesses in greater detail. Climb aboard to find out more
It’s amazing what a tractor driver’s body will put up with – and, in some cases, has had to put up with over a number of years. Noise, dust, haphazard lever location, and seating more likely to induce pain than nullify it, have all been part of the past tractor driver’s lot. Even today there is still considerable variation in the level of cab comfort on the market.
All makers have their own individual and subtle nuances – a tweak here and an alternative switch design there, aimed at creating that all-important driver feel-good factor. This is what the experts term ‘ergonomics’.
Here are some examples of what we mean: If a tractor driver has to overstretch when winding the steering wheel around on to full lock, he will eventually suffer from back problems;and if the clutch pedal requires prop forward-proportioned thighs to operate, then his knees will probably fail – ask anybody who’s spent long days shunting up and down a silage clamp. So there you have it. Cab ergonomics is not an easy science to quantify, yet there have been many tractor deals won on the back of it. In short, never underestimate the importance of cab comfort.
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