DLG Test Report

MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
Agricultural Mirror 1009 with Auxiliary Mirror
Field of Vision
DLG Test Report 6039 F
Brief Description
The tested product, MEKRA Agricultural Mirror 1009, is a rear-view
mirror specifically designed for use with agricultural vehicles.
This class II mirror is ECE-certified (No. E1-021165) and features an
auxiliary close-proximity mirror.
DLG e.V.
Testzentrum
Technik und Betriebsmittel
Manufacturer and Applicant
MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
Buchheimer Straße 4 – D-91465 Ergersheim
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)9847 989-0
Fax: +49 (0)9847 989-112
www.mekra.de
DLG Test Report 6039F
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Test Results
Class II minimum requirement
Class V minimum requirement
MEKRA
MEKRA auxiliary mirror
Original
Figure 2:
Representation of the various fields of vision
The test was conducted in two
parts. The field of vision of the
main mirror was determined
and then compared to the legal
requirements.
The resulting measurements are
shown in Figure 2.
The dark blue line indicates the
legal requirement for class II
main mirrors and hence represents the minimum required
field of vision as 100%.
The vehicle‘s original mirror
(yellow line in Figure 2) already
provided a larger field of vision
than required. The area captured
by the mirror exceeds the legal
requirement by approximately
50%.
The tested MEKRA Lang mirror
(dark green line in Figure 2) provides double the visibility already at the start of the visible area
and continues to do so across
the entire field of vision. Hence
the visible area exceeds the legal
requirement by 100%.
The tested MEKRA Lang mirror
also features a special add-on.
In addition to the legally required class II mirror, it is equipped
with a small auxiliary mirror for
close-proximity applications.
Figure 3:
Side view from cab
DLG Test Report 6039F
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Its specific task is to capture the
area next to the two rear wheels
which are not directly visible.
As opposed to trucks, farm and
forestry tractors are not legally
required to carry this type of mirror (class V). Therefore the light
blue line in Figure 2 representing
the legal requirement for class V
mirrors is for illustrative purposes only. The light green field of
vision for the small auxiliary mirror shown in Figure 2 does not
completely cover the front area,
but this is not significant for field
tractors, since this area is directly
visible through the lower part of
the doors.
The auxiliary mirror does, however, completely close the visibility gap up to where the legally
required field of vision begins,
which is particularly important
for this type of vehicle, since it is
specifically the area to the side
of the front wheels which cannot
be directly seen from within the
cab. As depicted in Figures 3 and
4, persons and objects next to
the rear wheels can be detected
using the auxiliary mirror.
Summary: The MEKRA Lang
rear-view mirror offers almost
double the legally required field
of vision. The auxiliary mirror is
an excellent enhancement, since
it captures the area directly to
the side of the vehicle. This is
particularly helpful and a safety
advantage when maneuvering in
tight areas and in all areas where
children and other persons may
be present. This was confirmed
by a brief practical experiment.
The larger field of vision provides
significant safety gains. Based
on the above-mentioned results
the use of this mirror is highly
recommended.
Derived fields of vision:
Standard mirror field of vision
Main mirror field of vision
MEKRA modular mirror
Close-proximity field of vision
MEKRA modular mirror
Figure 4:
Enhanced field of vision provided by the MEKRA Lang mirror
DLG Test Report 6039F
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Test Results
The DLG “field of vision” focus
test determines the effect of the
rear-view mirror.
Mirrors are tested in accordance
with the requirements of ECE
Regulation R46 and European Directive 2003/97/EC, respectively.
The above-mentioned regulatory
requirements address various
mirror classses.
The main mirror field of vision is
assessed according to procedures for mirror class II. The small
auxiliary mirror is tested according to procedures for mirror
class V which is dedicated to
close-proximity mirrors. For
testing purposes, the mirror is
attached to a test vehicle and
the field of vision is determined
based on the corresponding
configuration.
The tractor’s driver’s seat represents point zero for measurements along the x-axis. The y-axis
starts at the vehicle’s outer edge.
The visible area starts 4 m behind
the driver’s seat at a width of 1
m and then opens up into a cone
shape towards the back.
Test Station
DLG e.V.,
Testzentrum
Technik und Betriebsmittel
Max-Eyth-Weg 1
64823 Groß-Umstadt
Germany
Reporter
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) O. Thamm
Test Execution
Peter Saal
ENTNAM – European Network for Testing of Agricultural Machines is the network of European testing stations. Its aim is to provide farmers, dealers of agricultural machines and manufacturers across Europe with test results.
For additional information, please visit www.entam.com, or send an email to
info@entam.com
11-642
October 2011
©DLG
DLG e.V.,Testzentrum Technik und Betriebsmittel
Max-Eyth-Weg 1, D-64823 Groß-Umstadt, Germany, Phone: +49 (0)69 24788-600,
Fax: +49 (0)69 24788-690, email: tech@dlg.org, website: www.dlg-test.de
For a free download of all DLG test reports, go to www.dlg-test.de!
DLG Test Report 6039F
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