Investigating the Physiological Responses of Farm Tractor Operators during Ronnie Baugh Tractor (Oggun II) Operation in a Controlled Static Environment

Rural areas in the Philippines rely on agriculture as one of the main sources of employment. The use of the traditional 4-wheel tractor is expensive; hence Ronnie Baugh Tractor (RBT) aims to address this concern. RBT is an open-system tractor with lighter and more economical features than the traditional tractor. Being newly introduced, safety evaluations are vital to ensure its suitability for short- and long-term usage. This study determines reference values of vibration and physiological responses during static RBT operation. Fourteen experienced tractor operators were recruited and instructed to perform thirteen tasks common in tractor operation. Muscle activities and vibrations were measured and recorded. Subjective discomfort and comfort ratings were assessed. RBT vibration on various locations exceeded the safe values because the engine only had metal support without dampeners. Forearm muscle activation was significantly higher than the upper arm and leg during the performance of most tasks. Leg muscle also exhibited mild to moderate exertion in some tasks. Left upper limb had a significantly higher activation than the right side. Overall, the observed muscle reactions were associated with the general design and with the level of RBT vibration across various parts. Finally, recommendations including design improvements were suggested.