A simple safety ring to be fitted around caged wheels of tractors has been designed by a team of agricultural scientists from Bapatla and a Motor Vehicle Inspector to prevent damage to roads.
The safety ring made of iron has come as a solution to the persistent problem often faced by drivers of tractors and other farm vehicles with caged wheels.
Often, the caged wheels used in farm operations such as ploughing cause permanent damage to roads. The drivers are also booked by transport and police officers for trespassing on the National and State highways.
Motor Vehicle Inspector of Bapatla G. Adinarayana hit upon the idea when he witnessed an accident involving a tractor with caged wheels. He discussed the idea with a team of scientists from Bapatla College of Agricultural Engineering, including assistant director Ch.V. Satyanarayana. The team, including assistant professors — Haribabu and Veeraprasad — used inputs provided by research scholars — Krupavathy and Madhusudan — and devised the safety ring that costs just Rs.1,500.
The wheel was fitted to caged wheels of a tractor and tested on 216 National Highway.
They found that the vehicle could move without any difficulty on the tar and cement roads and made further safety improvements such as designing an indicator on the rear side of the tractor.
“We are sending proposals to the government to procure the safety rings across the State. Farm vehicles can be fitted with these rings to ensure a hassle-free ride,” said the MVI.
