Control of Driver Whole-Body Vibration Ride Comfort in Agricultural Tractor

Abstract

Abstract: For today vehicles, ride comfort and dynamic control, are crucial criteria for customers and also for the selection of an appropriate vehicle. Tractors as vehicles are exposed to random vibrations caused by unevenness of road or soil profile, moving elements within the tractor or implements, while setting on a rigid seat without a backrest.  Whole-body vibration transmission influences comfort, performance, and long-term health of the operator. This current study is to evaluate and controlled an agricultural tractor whole-body vibration comfort efficiency, which constitutes one aspect of the physical environment that can cause discomfort to operators, based on standard mathematical formulae and frequency analyses. A gravel road texture was selected and used. To assess vibrations transmitted to the operator, vibration dose values, kurtosis, international road roughness index and power spectral densities of the tractor (seat and floor) recorded signals were evaluated. Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility values based on the tractor seat pan vibration dose value (controlled and uncontrolled) outputs in the three-direction lateral, longitudinal and vertical) qualify vibration comfort efficiency. Tri-axial accelerometers were usually mounted on the tractor seat pan and floor. Data are frequency weighted in order to model the human response to vibration in that location and direction.