EFFECT OF DIFFERENT VIBRATION FREQUENCIES THROUGH TRACTOR ON MUSCLE ACTIVITY OF DRIVERS

In this study vibration transmitted through the steering wheel of the tractor without any trailer were discussed. An
investigation was conducted to determine the transmission of vibration from the steering wheel of the hand tractor
to the wrist and upper arm of the operator under actual field conditions during the ploughing of field. The vibration level on the steering wheel was measured and analyzed and the frequency spectra for the chosen working conditions were obtained. Electromyography (EMG) is use to estimate the muscle activity of different hand muscles of the driver. The results indicate that the maximum transmissibility was observed in the first two frequency interval (in Hz) i.e. 1-20 and 20-40, which may harm the operator. The frequency interval was 1-20 (target-wrist), 1-20 (target-upper arm), 20- 40 (base-steering), 20-40 (base-steering) and frequency zone was 0.022, 0.3974, 0.2066 and 0.1531 respectively. ECR and ECRB muscle was the most affected muscle found in the forearm system, while operating tractor.