Stability and Ergonomic Design Features of Tractor Mounted Hydraulic Elevator for Coconut Harvesting

Abstract

Problem statement: The most important design criterion of mechanized device was safety; safety comprises both the safety of operator and safety of maintenance personnel. Failures and safety of harvesting platform of Tractor Mounted Hydraulic Elevator (TMHE) powered by tractor PTO was tested by finite element method for the mechanical harvesting of coconut orchards using digital ergonomic hart rate meter. The objective of this study was to study the stability of the THME by finite element method, operational safety and power requirement for the use of this elevator for coconut harvesting. Provide sufficient adjustment and space to account for variation in body sizes, ensure controls were situated within suitable reach and were properly marked. Approach: The modal analysis was carried out for the whole assembly of tractor mounted hydraulic elevator by using Ansis software. The digital polar hart rate meter RS400TM having infrared connectivity sensor was used for recording the hart rates. The research stusy was conducted at, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli. The harvesting of coconuts was performed by manual climbing labor and by tractor mounted hydraulic elevator. The technical assessments included the use of biomechanical models, vibration testing equipment, ODR, BPDS. The ergonomical evaluation results of the above study were correlates to decide the feasibility, safety and efficiency of Tractor mounted hydraulic elevator for coconut harvesting. The PTO rpm influence for the lifting and lowering of the harvesting platform was studied experimentally by using digital tachometer. Results: The better stability results with the controlled vibrations and frequency of the lifting platform and welded joints were recorded by keeping constrained boundary conditions. Ergonomically operational safe and controlled heart rates were recorded. Hence the labors can continuously do the coconut harvesting work by using the tractor mounted hydraulic elevator. The minimum PTO power was required for the coconut harvesting by using tractor mounted hydraulic elevator. Conclusion/Recommendation: The tractor mounted hydraulic elevator is suitable, safe, less hazardous and economical as compared to manual climbing for coconut harvesting. Hence it is recommended to use tractor mounted hydraulic elevator for harvesting, cleaning and breeding of coconut orchards upto 14 m height.