A bull bar (also roo bar or nudge bar in Australia) is a device fitted to the front of a vehicle to protect the vehicle (and its passengers) from damage in a collision with an animal. They vary considerably in size and form but are usually made out of welded steel or aluminium tubing and more recently polycarbonate materials.
A sporty Bull Bar of a Tata TL 207 DI PickUp, India
A sporty Bull Bar of a Tata TL 207 DI PickUp, India
The bull in the name refers to cattle which in rural areas can roam onto roads and highways, although other animals such as sheep and horses also pose hazards. In Australia, kangaroos are the primary hazard in many areas, hence the name roo bar.
In Australia the term roo bar refers to a generally lighter weight bull bar, more suited for sedan vehicles, although both terms are somewhat interchangeable. In northern areas where cattle are more prominent and where larger four wheel drive vehicles are used, larger bull bars may predominate and are exclusively of heavy steel fabrication.
Nudge bars are generally fitted to sedans and small SUV's, and consist of light aluminium or polycarbonate tubing which protects only the radiator grille and areas without replacing the bumper bar. Roo bars and bull bars typically replace the front bumper or fender of the vehicle and most thus require the installation of indicator light housings.
Ideally a bull bar does not hinder the entry angle of a four wheel drive vehicle, and are thus often specially designed to improve such facets of off-road performance.
Bull bars are the most effective platform for mounting electric recovery winches and spotlights. They are also often used to mount radio antennas for communications equipment such as CB radios, even though mounting above the roof provides better performance. The design of bullbars generally provides protection for the accessories mounted to them.
Fully integrated roo bar fitted to a Holden Rodeo ute operated by the Western Australian Police Service
Fully integrated roo bar fitted to a Holden Rodeo ute operated by the Western Australian Police Service
Traditional bull bars have limited use as a safety feature since they are built to lessen the damage to the vehicle, which contradicts modern safety thinking where controlled deformation of the vehicle is considered to be the most effective way of absorbing the kinetic energy during collision.
Some designs can also cause more severe injuries to pedestrians who are hit by cars with them fitted, particularly children. Because of this, some countries have made bull bars illegal on vehicles that weigh less than several tons.
Modern design of bull bars and roo bars, however, has advanced so that some vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket companies now offer impact bars which integrate with the vehicle safety system, such as activation of airbags after collision with the bull bar. In recent times they have become popular also as a cosmetic accessory, particularly on 4x4s and SUVs.
Plastic bull bars made from materials such as polyethylene are designed to deflect such that the vehicle might be damaged but still driveable after striking an animal. These designs are more pedestrian friendly than the same vehicle without any bull bar.[1] [2]
