Overview
ISO 17101-1:2012 - "Agricultural machinery - Thrown-object test and acceptance criteria - Part 1: Rotary mowers" specifies test methods and acceptance criteria for thrown-object hazards from rotary mowers used in agriculture. The standard defines test set‑up, target construction, test material, run conditions, reporting and acceptance criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of protective devices and mower designs in limiting projection of stones and debris. It explicitly excludes flail mowers, articulated‑arm mowers, vertical‑axis mulchers, pedestrian-controlled motor mowers, lawn mowers, inter‑row units and machines intended solely for highway/road maintenance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test scope and applicability: Applies to agricultural rotary mowers; complementary tests (e.g., ISO 17101-2 for flail mowers, ISO 4254-13 for very large tip circles) may be relevant.
- Testing conditions: Tests are conducted on firm, horizontal hard ground (e.g., concrete, asphalt). The mower is tested in its defined working positions and with/removeable conditioning devices as applicable.
- Cutting height: Typical test cutting height is 50 mm (or as near as equipment allows).
- Target construction and materials: Targets use framed panels covered with Kraft paper of specified quality - ~120 g/m2 ±10 g/m2 grammage, minimum bursting strength 500 kPa, and minimum tearing resistance 1 200 mN (machine direction). Panels and reference lines define lower/middle/upper zones to record impacts.
- Panel layout and dimensions: The standard prescribes locations and sizes for multiple panels (operator zone and side/rear panels) to capture projections depending on mower configuration (in‑line, offset, rear three‑point linkage).
- Test procedure & reporting: Defines runs, impacts (holes in Kraft paper), how to document results and the acceptance criteria for pass/fail evaluations.
- Normative references: Includes paper test methods (ISO 536, ISO 2758, ISO 1974) and relevant tractor/machinery testing standards.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it: Agricultural machinery manufacturers, safety engineers, test laboratories, certification bodies, and farm safety officers.
- Why it matters:
- Ensures rotary mower designs and protective devices effectively limit thrown-object risks to operators, bystanders and property.
- Provides a repeatable laboratory/field test method for product development, compliance checks and safety declarations.
- Supports risk assessment and helps manufacturers meet regulatory or customer safety expectations.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 17101-1:2012, thrown-object test, rotary mowers, agricultural machinery, acceptance criteria, mower safety, target panels, Kraft paper.
Open preview (PDF)Agricultural machinery — Thrown-object test and acceptance criteria — Part 1: Rotary mowers