Skid Steer Unit Provided ergonomics support for the design of a new line of skid-steer-loaders for a major manufacturer. This work addressed such issues as seating, seat placement and adjustability, visibility, control design and function, control locations and operation, displays, entry, and egress.

Articulated Wheel Loader Provided human factors design support for the development of a new line of very large articulated wheel loaders. The issues addressed included controls and displays, seating, visibility, and entry and egress. Competitive machines were operated and evaluated, mockups were reviewed and critiqued, and prototypes were assessed from the perspective of operability and comfort.

Ford 555C Tractor Loader Backhoe Provided comprehensive human factors engineering design specifications for a new line of tractor-loader-backhoe. Industrial tractor operators were interviewed in Europe and the United States, and TLB control and display requirements and designs were identified. A mock-up was evaluated in Denmark. Selected elements of a customer clinic, in which a prototype machine was compared to competitive products, were conducted.

Skid Steer Design Provided workplace specifications for a skid steer unit. The user population was identified and analyzed, competitive equipment was measured and studied, and basic specifications for seating, control placement, and operation were provided. The layout accommodated a significantly larger portion of the population than the layout it replaced.

Landscape Tractor Enhancement Evaluated six proposed changes to seating and workspace layout on a light skip loader and determined their impact on operator comfort and performance. The results demonstrated that the changes were worth their added cost to the manufacturer; the program was subsequently funded and the changes made to the product.