A Study on Rotary Weeding Blade Installation Angle for Reduction of Hand Vibration in Working Type Cultivator

Abstract

Purpose: Walking type cultivator used for weeding generated excessive handle vibration as well as bouncing motion depending on the weeding speed. This research was conducted to define a design factor of the rotary weeding blades for reducing soil reaction forces as well as hand vibration. Methods: The motion and forces acting on the rotary blades were reviewed to find out the most influencing parameter on hand vibration. The installation angle (IA) of the blade was selected and analyzed to determine the condition of no reaction force less. For removing the unnecessary upward soil reaction, the design factor theory of weeding blade was suggested based on geometrics and dynamics. For evaluation of design factor theory, the experiment in situ was performed base on ISO 5349:1. The vibration <TEX>$a_{hv}$</TEX> and theoretical value <TEX>$X_{MF}$</TEX> were compared with two groups that one was positive group (<TEX>$X_{MF}$</TEX> > 0) and the other was negative group (<TEX>$X_{MF}$</TEX> < 0). Results: <TEX>$X_{MF}$</TEX> was derived from rotational velocity, forward velocity, disk diameter, weeding depth, blade's width and IA of blade. Two groups had significant difference (p < 0.05). In aspect of the group mean total exposure duration, positive group was 17.53% bigger than negative group. When disk radius 100, 150 and 200 mm, minimum IAs were <TEX>$4{\sim}27^{\circ}$</TEX>, <TEX>$3{\sim}15^{\circ}$</TEX> and <TEX>$2{\sim}10^{\circ}$</TEX>, respectively. A spread sheet program which calculated XMF was developed by Excel 2013. Conclusions: According to this result, minimum IA of weeding blade for soil reaction reduction could be obtained. For reduction hand-arm vibration and power consumption, minimum IA is needed.