Patent ID: 8651236

Claim:
An operator cage for a machine, the cage comprising a base unit, a control console, a fence assembly that includes a displaceable fence portion comprising a hand rail or support that extends across the front of the control console, wherein the displaceable fence portion is located adjacent the control console to provide a physical barrier between an operator and the control console, a crush sensor that senses an external crush force applied to the displaceable fence portion only when the external crush force exceeds a predetermined value, and a control device that controls or restricts operation of the machine when the crush sensor senses an external crush force, wherein the displaceable fence portion is connected to the control console by a plastic or composite support structure having weakened regions, said weakened regions comprising slots in the support structure, whereby if a sufficient downwards force is applied to the displaceable fence portion by an operator when subjected to an external crush force said displaceable fence portion is displaced downwards to relieve the crush force felt by the operator.