Ergonomics Application in Design of Workplace of Tractors and Power Tillers

Abstract

The tractor is one of the most crucial farm machines for field operations, transport, and other stationary operations. Its operation necessitates actions, such as the steering of the tractor, looking backwards to observe and control the machine/implement, and applying force to operate the clutch, brake, and hydraulic control levers. The critical parameters of the tractor operator's workplace include the seat and the tractor controls. The critical factors include issues related to vibration and noise, riding comfort, visibility, location of controls, ease of operating controls, and environmental design of the tractor cab. Power tillers (also called as two-wheel tractors) are used in land preparation and other operations. Essential design aspects in power tiller include location and dimensions of handles and other controls. The chapter emphasizes the design of the operator's workplace of tractors and power tillers for the comfort, health, and safety of the operator. Comfort refers to the ergonomic and human factor considerations such as seat dimensions and seat adjustments, cushioning materials, and the perception of the convenience of the operators. Health refers to the long term spinal support, seat ergonomics, and terrain induced vibration attenuation. Safety includes providing ROPS, suspension seat, and other safety features on the tractor. Proper tractor seat design helps in modifying loads on the musculoskeletal structure and reducing the operator's discomfort. The tractor controls covered are brake pedals, clutch pedal, accelerator pedal, differential lock pedal, steering wheel, hydraulic control levers, gear shift lever, speed selection lever, PTO lever, hand throttle lever, parking brake, fuel shut off control knob, seat adjustment lever, hazard switch, plough lamp switch, combination switch (side indicator, horn, and dipper operation lever), multi-position light switch, and starter switch. The power tiller controls include handle, steering clutch, clutch-cum-brake lever, gear shift lever, rotary transmission lever, throttle (accelerator) lever, and tail wheel adjustment lever. The illustrations show the design process of ergonomics principles to arrive at design specifications of machinery for optimal use. The discussion covers permissible exposure limits to different physical stress agents, namely, vibration, noise, dust particulates as well as optimum thermal conditions for cab environment. The tractor is one of the most crucial farm machines for field operations, transport, and other stationary operations. Its operation necessitates actions, such as the steering of the tractor, looking backwards to observe and control the machine/implement, and applying force to operate the clutch, brake, and hydraulic control levers. The critical parameters of the tractor operator's workplace include the seat and the tractor controls. The critical factors include issues related to vibration and noise, riding comfort, visibility, location of controls, ease of operating controls, and environmental design of the tractor cab. Power tillers (also called as two-wheel tractors) are used in land preparation and other operations. Essential design aspects in power tiller include location and dimensions of handles and other controls. The chapter emphasizes the design of the operator's workplace of tractors and power tillers for the comfort, health, and safety of the operator. Comfort refers to the ergonomic and human factor considerations such as seat dimensions and seat adjustments, cushioning materials, and the perception of the convenience of the operators. Health refers to the long term spinal support, seat ergonomics, and terrain induced vibration attenuation. Safety includes providing ROPS, suspension seat, and other safety features on the tractor. Proper tractor seat design helps in modifying loads on the musculoskeletal structure and reducing the operator's discomfort. The tractor controls covered are brake pedals, clutch pedal, accelerator pedal, differential lock pedal, steering wheel, hydraulic control levers, gear shift lever, speed selection lever, PTO lever, hand throttle lever, parking brake, fuel shut off control knob, seat adjustment lever, hazard switch, plough lamp switch, combination switch (side indicator, horn, and dipper operation lever), multi-position light switch, and starter switch. The power tiller controls include handle, steering clutch, clutch-cum-brake lever, gear shift lever, rotary transmission lever, throttle (accelerator) lever, and tail wheel adjustment lever. The illustrations show the design process of ergonomics principles to arrive at design specifications of machinery for optimal use. The discussion covers permissible exposure limits to different physical stress agents, namely, vibration, noise, dust particulates as well as optimum thermal conditions for cab environment.