• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate ride vibrations experienced by tractor operators during plowing, rotovating, and transporting operations in Korea. Field data of ride vibrations were taken at the operator-seat interface from 49 tractors and analyzed on the basis of ISO 2631-1 and EU Directive 2002/44. Of the measured ride vibrations 15.4% in the plowing and 12.5% in farm road transport exceeded the 8-hour fatigue decreased proficiency boundary in the fore and aft directions at frequencies from 1 to 5 Hz. 93.9% exceeded the 8-hour potential health risk of ISO 2631-1. The ride vibrations exceeding the 8-hour exposure limit were 38.5% in plowing, 31.6% in rotovating, 100% in farm road transport and 88.9% in concrete road transport. Although most tractor operators were not exposed to ride vibrations greater than the 8-hour exposure limit value (ELV) of EU Directive 2002/44, 7.7% of the operators in the plowing experienced greater vibrations than the ELV in the fore-aft direction. Farm road transport produced greater vibrations than any other operations. Concrete road transport, plowing and rotovating operations followed next. Limit criteria for ride vibration exposure differ depending upon the guidelines. Exposure limit of the health guidance caution zone of ISO 2631-1 is lowest among its kinds.