Vibration analysis during grass harvesting according to ISO vibration standards

This research evaluated the working efficiency and comfort of operation by measuring vibration acceleration of tractors during grass harvesting. A real-time kinematic global positioning system and an inertial measurement unit installed in a tractor normally used by farmers during grass harvesting were used to acquire tractor vibration acceleration data. Analysis of the position and vibration acceleration data of tractors by a Fourier transformation yielded a power spectrum of vibration acceleration at each frequency (1–10 Hz) and position. The root mean square of vibration acceleration at each frequency (1–10 Hz) was calculated with the center frequency of the 1/3 octave bands (1.0, 1.25, 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, 3.15, 4, 5, 6.3, 8, and 10 Hz) based on ISO standards. To evaluate the working efficiency in the grassland, geographical information system maps were generated using the power spectrum of vibration acceleration and the limit on working time for each frequency that negatively affected the tractor driver. The vibration acceleration in the longitudinal (ax) and lateral (ay) directions at the center frequency of the 1/3 octave band below 2.0 Hz exceeded the fatigue-decreased proficiency and reduced the comfort boundaries stipulated in ISO 2631 (1974). In the area where working characteristics are severe, the vibration acceleration in the vertical direction (az) is high. The vibration acceleration in the az direction at the center frequency of the 1/3 octave band (5–10 Hz) clearly indicates discomfort during grass harvesting and a decrease in the work efficiency beyond 1 h. The total vibration acceleration (aν) at the center frequency of 5.0 Hz of the 1/3 octave band served to evaluate comfort in the whole field during grass harvesting—the aν value is higher than that at other frequencies. The area with severe working characteristics showed a higher aν value at the center frequency of 8.0 Hz than that at other frequencies.

► We evaluated working efficiency and comfort with tractor vibration acceleration.
► Precise position data was acquired with tractor vibration acceleration data.
► Fourier transformation yielded the power spectrum of vibration acceleration.
► The calculation was based on the ISO standards of the vibration.
► GIS maps were generated for the evaluation of efficiency and comfort in the field.