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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp1 (2025): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - II

Study of whole body and hand-arm vibration in a small tractor with implements

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.7342
Submitted
21 January 2025
Published
06-10-2025

Abstract

Mechanization is the main solution to increase work output and also to improve the timeliness of operations. In this regard, tractors are the major prime movers in Indian farms. The sale of tractors in the country was 894112 units in 2023, with exports of 97745 units. The vibration studies have been conducted for tractors of higher horsepower and power tillers, which showed that continuous operation may result in health problems to the operator. Labour shortage has triggered the use of machinery and a safe and comfortable workstation is necessary to improve and increase productivity. Hence, the study on the vibration level of small tractors will aid in reducing the risk of health hazards and in designing safety measures for the tractor operator. The whole body and hand harm vibration studies were conducted at selected speed levels using cultivator and rotavator with 20.13 kW Force tractor and 17.89 kW Kubota tractor. Instruments used to measure whole body and hand-arm vibration were B & K portable four-channel PULSE Multi-analyser 3560 C, Biometrics Data LOG (MWX8) and Accelerometer S2A-16G-MF. The whole body vibration was exceeding the exposure action value of 0.5 ms-2 and Exposure Limit Value of 1.15 ms-2 while operating the cultivator, but within the limits when operating the rotavator. The hand-arm vibration was within the Exposure Action Value of 2.5 ms-2 and Exposure Limit Value of 5 ms-2 for the force tractor. Similar results were obtained for the Kubota tractor; however, the vibration was less than that of the force tractor.

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