Quantifying the impact of load characteristics on the static stability of agricultural all-terrain vehicles

• The study evaluated the effects of load type, location, and amount on ATV stability. • Liquid loads cause larger CG shifts and greater losses in stability angle. • Load amount and location strongly affect ATV rollover-proneness. Agricultural All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are prone to rollover crashes due to several factors, including the vehicle’s design characteristics, uneven terrain, and attachments. While previous studies have highlighted the impact of attachment characteristics (e.g., amount, location, and type) on the vehicle’s stability, there is limited quantitative research on how attachment characteristics influence ATV static stability. This study applies an engineering approach to analyze the impact of attachment properties, including load amount, type, and placement, on ATV stability angles and center of gravity position. Static stability tests were conducted to determine lateral and longitudinal stability angles of different ATV models under various loading conditions, by using a tilt table, a digital inclinometer, four heavy-duty scales, and a microcomputer. The effect of the attachment's characteristics on the vehicles’ stability angles was evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests, followed by a multiple-range Tukey test. The attachment's characteristics significantly influenced the ATV stability angles. The amount of load affected stability angles in 87% of the tests, with increased payloads consistently reducing stability. Load type influenced stability angles in 60% of cases, with liquid attachments causing greater CG elevation and up to a 29.2% reduction in stability. Additionally, safety specialists’ load recommendations, generally higher than those of manufacturers, led to increased CG height and rearward displacement, further reducing vehicle stability. The findings underscore the need for manufacturer guidelines and safety training to account for the destabilizing effects of liquid loads.