Effect of Steering Wheel Vibration on drivers Hands in a Two-Wheel Drivers Hand tractor

Hamid, Ahmed Abd Ali; Abdullah, Mudhfer Kareem; Ali, Ahmed Abdul Hussein; Fahem, Ali Fahad · 2011 · Crossref

DOI: 10.31026/j.eng.2011.06.19

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Summary

This study investigates the magnitude of hand-arm transmitted vibration (HAV) from the steering wheel of a two-wheel drive agricultural tractor to the operator’s hands. The research is motivated by the significant occupational health risks associated with prolonged exposure to vibration, including Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), musculoskeletal disorders, and reduced operational control. While whole-body vibration is well-documented, steering wheel vibration presents a specific, often overlooked hazard for tractor operators. The study aims to quantify this exposure under realistic field conditions to assess compliance with international safety standards. The experimental design utilized a Massy Ferguson MF285 tractor equipped with a moldboard plow, selected from the College of Agriculture at Baghdad University. The tractor was adjusted according to manufacturer recommendations, using standard tires without additional ballast. Vibration measurements were conducted during tillage operations under two distinct conditions: idling and full load. The field conditions were controlled, with soil moisture maintained between 17–20% and a plowing depth of 17 cm. Ambient temperature was 15°C with 27% humidity. Acceleration data were collected simultaneously along three orthogonal axes (X, Y, Z) using a calibrated VB-8201HA vibration meter. The data were processed to calculate frequency-weighted root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration values in accordance with ISO 5349-1:2001 standards. The study also calculated the daily vibration exposure, assuming a typical workday consisting of 1.5 hours of idling and 5 hours of full-load operation. The results demonstrated that vibration levels were significantly higher during full-load operation compared to idling, and increased with higher tractor speeds (comparing gear L1 to L3). For instance, the weighted acceleration sum (WAS) at full load in gear L3 reached 33.7 m/s², whereas idling in the same gear yielded 19.1 m/s². The calculated 8-hour energy-equivalent daily vibration exposure values were 20.875 m/s² for gear L1 and 27.896 m/s² for gear L3. These values exceed the limits recommended by ISO 5349-1:2001, indicating hazardous exposure levels. The vertical axis (Z) consistently recorded the highest acceleration values across all conditions. The study concludes that steering wheel vibration in two-wheel drive tractors poses a serious health risk, potentially causing finger blanching, fatigue, and impaired control. The authors recommend that occupational health authorities implement preventive measures, such as scheduling vibration-free rest periods every 2–4 hours and modifying equipment to include hydraulic steering systems or rubber dampening materials to reduce vibration transmission. The findings underscore the need for stricter adherence to ergonomic standards in agricultural mechanization to mitigate long-term health consequences for operators.

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