Ergo-Design Criteria for Farm Tools and Machinery

Abstract

With superior technology, metallurgy and newer designs, there have been continuing evolution of improved hand tools and machinery for farm operations and allied activities. The science and technology of ergonomics and human factors look into the core issues about man-machine compatibility and better use of farm machinery and tools. Primarily, the emphasis is on productivity, comfort, health, safety, and well being, as regards biological, motivational, and environmental requirements. The socio-economic contexts, user expectations and requirements determine the kind of technology, machinery and methods that come to stay in agriculture. This chapter highlights the criteria utilized in the ergo-design of farm tools and machinery, with due recognition of the issues that go into the user functions in farming activities. As regard to deciding functionality, dimensions of any tool/equipment, and man-machine hardware compatibility, anthropometric and muscle strength parameters are taken into consideration. The limitation exists in the availability of data of farming population from other countries. Generalization of the equipment and workplaces to suit all users is not practically feasible. The design is made to satisfy about 90% of the users, within the range of the 5th and 95th percentile limits. ISO 7250 includes body dimensions of the population of Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, the Netherlands, Thailand, and the United States. Body dimensions and muscle strength parameters of representative Indian farm workers are tabulated for use in farm equipment design. The safe force limits or the isometric strength values vary with gender, age-range and population characteristics. It is apparent to have the country-specific muscle strength data of farmworkers. Use of the hand and leg reach envelopes for the location of controls of tractors is also discussed here. Guidelines on the aerobic capacity and energy requirements for particular operation/equipment use have been given. Permissible/safe exposure limits of stress agents, namely, vibration, noise, dust, exhaust emissions, and recommendations for proper illumination levels and optimum thermal environment, are mentioned. In brief, the chapter describes the criteria required by a researcher or a manufacturer to design farm tools, equipment and workplaces from ergonomics considerations.