Analytical study of strength parameters of Indian farm workers and its implication in equipment design
Abstract
Rajvir Yadav1, Sahastrarashmi Pund2, N. C. Patel3, L. P. Gite4
(1. Department of Farm Machinery & Power, College of Agril. Engg. & Tech., JAU Junagadh 362001 India;
2. R&D Center, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Nashik, India;
3. Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh 362001 India;
4. CIAE, Nabi Baug Bhopal, India)
Abstract: Among the recent trends in development of agricultural mechanization there are an increase in power and energy capacity of tractors, agricultural machines and equipments, an increase in their reliability and decrease in exploitation expenses and labour consumption. Reliability of agricultural equipments is greatly enhanced provided it is designed with due consideration to the strength parameters of target users / operators. Therefore, strength parameters of 105 agricultural workers (75 male and 30 female) were measured on “strength measurement setup” comprising load cell with digital indicator. The average push strength for male and female workers (with both hands in standing posture) was found to be 248.2 and 171.0 N respectively whereas the pull strength in standing posture was 232.3 and 141.7 N respectively. These strength parameters were found to play a significant role in design of manually operated push-pull type equipment. The right hand push and pull strength for male and female agricultural workers are within the range of 49.7 to 96.5 N which prominently assist in the design of joystick, gear shift lever and handle lever. The mean value of maximum right leg strength in sitting posture for male and female workers are 394.2 and 280.5 N respectively which are found useful in the design of clutch pedal, brake pedal, accelerator pedal, pedal operated thresher and other foot operated controls. Average torque strength of both hands in standing posture for male and female workers are found to be 209.93 and 117.72 N-m respectively which can be used in the design of manually operated equipment like chaff cutter, sugarcane crusher, slicer, threshers etc. Torque strength of preferred hand in sitting posture and hand grip torque worked out in this study for both male and female workers are found very much useful in design of hand controls such as steering, knobs, etc. These strength parameters are found to play a significant role in design/ modification of hand controls and foot controls on different workplaces of machines. The machine workplaces designed on strength parameter data are found to greatly enhance the operator’s comfort, safety and efficiency as well.
Keywords: strength and torque parameters, ergonomics, safety, agricultural equipment
Citation: Rajvir Yadav, Sahastrarashmi Pund, N. C. Patel and L. P. Gite. Analytical study of strength parameters of Indian farm workers and its implication in equipment design. Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(2): 49-54.
