Ergonomic evaluation of manually operated six-row paddy transplanter was carried out. Human energy is predominantly used in most of the rice farming operations starting from seedbed preparation to threshing. High labour demand during the peak periods adversely affects the timeliness of operation, thereby reducing the crop yield. To offset these problems, mechanical transplanting is the solution. For that farm implements and machinery have been ergonomically designed which minimize drudgery of the labour and increase productivity at reduced expenditure levels which can provide a rational basis for recommendation of methods and improvement in equipment design for more output and operator’s comfort and safety. Three male and female subjects were selected randomly. The parameters used for the study include heart rate and force measurement to get energy cost and rest pause.
The physiological cost was worked out during transplanting operation by manually operated six-row paddy transplanter for male and female subjects, which was found to be 30.70 and 32.58 kJ min-1 respectively. On the basis of the heart rate, the operation by manually operated transplanter was graded as ‘heavy’. Similarly transplanting by hand, the physiological cost was found to be 22.46 and 20.45 kJ min-1 for male and female subjects respectively and accordingly graded as ‘moderately heavy’.
The rest pause for achieving functional effectiveness of the paddy transplanter is 30 minutes of work followed by 14.30 min rest. More force in pulling the transplanter in forward direction by male and female subjects was obtained which was 130.32 and 145.12 N respectively as compare to force required in handle up and handle down position of the transplanter which were 101.93 and 94.61 N for male subject while for female subject, it was 117.08 and 109.34 N respectively. More force is required for female workers as compared to male workers because of males are stronger in pulling the transplanter.
Table of Contents
I INTRODUCTION
II REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Physiological Evaluation
2.2 Rest Pause
2.3 Energy Requirement
2.4 Force Measurement
III MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Selection of Subjects for the Transplanting Operation
3.2 Growing of Seedlings
3.3 Preparation of the Field for Transplanting
3.4 Transplanting of Seedlings
3.5 Manually Operated Six-row Paddy Transplanter
3.6 Ergonomic Evaluation
3.6.1 Heart rate measurement
3.6.2 Energy cost of operation
3.6.3 Rest during work
3.6.4 Force measurement in paddy transplanting operation
IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Selection of Subjects
4.2 Paddy Transplanter
4.3 Physiological Aspects of the Subjects
4.3.1 Heart rate variation
4.3.2 Energy expenditure rate
4.3.3 Rest pause
4.3.4 Transplanting force
V SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Research Objectives & Key Themes
The primary objective of this research is to perform an ergonomic evaluation of a manually operated six-row paddy transplanter to determine its impact on human physiological costs and to compare these requirements with traditional hand transplanting methods. The study aims to identify the workload severity, determine necessary rest pauses for operators, and analyze the forces exerted during different phases of the machine's operation to provide a rational basis for future equipment design and safety improvements.
- Ergonomic assessment of agricultural machinery
- Physiological cost analysis (heart rate and energy expenditure)
- Comparative performance study: machine vs. manual transplanting
- Human-machine interaction and force measurement
- Optimization of work-rest cycles for operators
Excerpt from the Book
3.5 Manually Operated Six-row Paddy Transplanter
The paddy transplanter developed at Department of Soil and Water Engineering, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari is a manually operated six-row paddy transplanter for transplanting of mat type paddy seedlings (12-15 days old) in the rows. Six sets of seedlings mats can be kept on the seedling tray of this machine and the operator pushes the handle to enable the picker to pick the pinch of seedlings with soil in the tray in its downward movement and place the seedlings in the puddle soil. As the handle is lifted back, the picker arm is also taken back from the soil by following the different path thus completing one stroke of operation. The operator walks backward as he pulls forward the transplanter for the next stroke. The distance between two rows is 20 cm and the distance through which the transplanter is moved forward in each stroke of operation decides the distance between two hills within a row. The transplanter is light in weight and can be carried by a single person comfortably. The line diagram and view of the manually operated six-row paddy transplanter is shown in Fig. 3.10 & 3.11. The specification of the paddy transplanter is furnished in Table 3.5. The performance of the paddy transplanter in the puddle field is presented under section 4.2.
Summary of Chapters
I INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of rice cultivation, its importance, and the transition from manual labor to mechanized transplanting in India.
II REVIEW OF LITERATURE: Reviews existing studies on physiological evaluations, energy requirements, and force measurement parameters in agricultural equipment design.
III MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the study design, participant selection, nursery preparation, and the specific ergonomic evaluation procedures for both machine and manual transplanting.
IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents the collected data on anthropometrics, heart rate, energy expenditure, and mechanical forces, comparing the effectiveness of the transplanter against traditional methods.
V SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Recaps the core findings, confirming the workload classification and providing recommendations for operational rest schedules based on the study data.
Keywords
Paddy transplanter, Heart rate, Rest pause, Transplanting, Ergonomics, Physiological cost, Energy expenditure, Human factors, Agricultural engineering, Force measurement, Puddle field, Workload, Operational efficiency, Manual labor, Seedling mat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work focuses on the ergonomic evaluation of a manually operated six-row paddy transplanter to quantify the physiological stress and physical exertion involved in its operation compared to manual transplanting.
What are the main research objectives?
The study aims to determine the physiological cost for operators, establish necessary rest pauses for functional effectiveness, and compare energy requirements between machine-based and hand-transplanting methods.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The methodology involves randomly selecting three male and three female subjects, measuring heart rate during operation with computerized monitors, and calculating energy expenditure and force exertion during field trials.
What parameters define the physiological evaluation?
The primary parameters are heart rate measurements, which are converted into energy expenditure rates, combined with force measurements at different handle positions during the transplanting cycle.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The body covers a review of literature, the description of materials and experimental procedures, and a detailed analysis of results including heart rate variations and force exertion across different test groups.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Paddy transplanter, Heart rate, Rest pause, Ergonomics, and Physiological cost.
How is the workload of the transplanter classified?
Based on the physiological data gathered, the operation of the manually operated six-row paddy transplanter is classified as 'heavy' work.
What is the recommended work-rest cycle?
The study suggests a cyclic system of 30 minutes of work followed by a 14-minute rest period for optimal efficiency and operator comfort.
Why do female workers require more force during operation?
The research concludes that female workers exert higher pulling forces compared to male workers, partly due to physical strength differences and the need for greater adaptation to the machinery.
- Quote paper
- Ph D Dr Rajvir Yadav (Author), Mital Patel (Author), 2005, Ergonomic Evaluation of Manually Operated Six-Row Paddy Transplanter, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/437934
