Vlado Goglia

Hand-transmitted vibration from the steering wheel to drivers of a small four-wheel drive tractor.

The paper presents research results of the vibration transmitted from the steering wheel of the small tractor with a 4-wheel drive to the drivers hands. The vibration measurements were carried out on the tractor randomly chosen from the producers store-house. Before testing the tractor was examined and adjusted following the producers recommendations. The vibration levels were measured at idling and at full load. The vibration level on the steering wheel was measured and analyzed and the frequency spectra for the chosen working conditions were obtained. The frequency-weighted acceleration, given in m/s(-2), was calculated. The vibration total value was defined as the root-mean-square of the three component values. The obtained values are graphically represented in accordance with ISO/DIS 5349-1979 and ISO5349-1-2001. The vibration exposure for the predicted 10% prevalance of vibration-induced white finger in accordance with Annex C of the same standard was also tested.

Some possibilities for reducing circular saw idling noise

The sound pressure level of differently designed circular saw blades were investigated during idling. Nine blade samples were used: three differently designed blade bodies (without slots, with four radial slots, and with four slots with copper cork), each with three diameters (260,280, and 300 mm). The sound pressure level was measured at different rotational frequencies ranging from 25 to 65 rps in increments of 1 rps. Rubber damping rings 80mm in diameter and 0.3 mm thick were placed between the saw blade and the collars, and the emitted noise was measured. Because of the whistling sound the blades without slots emitted high sound pressure levels. There were no significant changes when rubber damping rings were used. The use of rubber damping rings on the samples with radial slots eliminates the whistling noise. The saws with copper corks did not emit a whistling noise at all, and their aerodynamic noise was 2–3 dB (A) lower than the aerodynamic noise of the saws with radial slots. The relation between sound pressure emitted by the damped idling saw and peripheral velocity can be described by the power function with the exponent value between 4.8 and 5.2.