EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON SOME VIBRATION ISOLATIORS DEVELOPED FOR POWERED KNAPSACK SPRAYER

The paper presents the experimental studies on the effectiveness of some vibration isolators developed for reducing transmission of vibration from the powered knapsack sprayer to the back and shoulders of the operator. A test rig was used to conduct detailed experimental studies on the powered knapsack sprayer mounted on it and fitted with different vibration isolators. Structural features of vibration isolators have been presented and their effectiveness of isolating transmission of vibration, from the engine-blower of the sprayer to its main frame and the operator, has been presented and discussed. Vibration measurements and analyses made by using B & K equipment have proved that the vibration isolators are quite effective in reducing the vibration transmission. The operators felt much less discomfort when they used the sprayer fitted with the isolators developed for the purposes, as compared to the existing arrangement.