Agricultural Engineering Today
Year : 2000, Volume : 24, Issue : 6
First page : ( 49) Last page : ( 59)
Print ISSN : 0970-2962.

Physiological cost evaluation of a 10.5 kw rotary type power tiller with and without seating attachment

Tiwari P.S., Scientist (SS), Gite L.P., Senior Scientist

Agricultural Mechanization Division, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal-462038.

Abstract

Measurement of physiological responses of the operator during work is necessary to assess the drudgery involved in the operation of power tiller. Therefore, a study was carried out at CIAE. Bhopal to measure heart rate and oxygen consumption rate of three operators during rotatilling operations by a 10.5 kW rotaly type power tiller. Physiological responses during operation of power tiller with and without seating attachment were measured using an ambulatory metabolic measurement system, KB1-C/Aerosport INC). Tests were conducted at six levels of forward speeds viz. 1.04, 1.39. 1.89, 2.54. 3.06 and 4.14 km/h with seating attachment and 1.06, 1.42, 1.92, 2.58, 3.09 and 4.16 km/h without seating attachment. Mean heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption rates (VO₂) varied froom 85.1 to 90.2 beats/min and 0.32 to 0.43 l/min with the increase in forward speed from 1.04 to 4.14 km/h with seating attachment. Without seating attachment the heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumtion rate (VO₂) varied from 90.3 to 134.0 beats/min and 0.42 to 0.77 1/min, with the increase in forward speed from 1.06 to 4.16 km/It. Overall discomfort ratings on a 10-point visual analogue discomlort scale varied from 1.0 to 3.5 with seating attachment and from 2.0 to 5.0 without seating attachment for an operating duration of 20 minutes. The study indicated that rotatilling with power tiller with seating attachment requires more human energy to the tune of 31 to 80% in comparison to power tiller with seating attachmenl without any signtficant increase in field capacity or reduction in fuel consumption.

Top