Driver exposure and environmental noise emission of Massey Ferguson 285 tractor during operations with different engine speeds and gears

Abstract

Agricultural tractor has led to development of agriculture industry, however, same as other new technologies it produces noise pollution on fields and makes some problems for drivers and farmers as well. This is aimed to investigate the driver's exposure and noise emitted from Massey Ferguson tractor; model 285 during operation by various engine speeds and gears. For field measurements, the Massey Fergusson 285 tractor of agriculture college field was used. The noise levels at the right ear of driver and surroundings were measured in both idle and mobile conditions. Frequency analysis in both idle and mobile conditions has shown that the noise levels at low frequencies were higher compared with high frequencies. Based on the measurements at selected engine speed, noise levels at surrounding conditions were lower than ACGIH standard. Similar results were also observed at driver’s right ear by engine speed of 1000 rpm, while the noise levels for 2000 rpm was higher than standard limit of 85 dB A. The results indicate the high influence of engine speed and low impact of gear ratio on both driver's exposure and environmental noise pollution. Key words: Noise levels,engine speed, gears, surroundings, idle condition, mobile condition.