International Conference on Global Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICGTETM-2016)
Experimental Analysis for Vibration Reduction of Steering
Wheel Assembly of Agricultural Tractor – Review Paper
Prashant Raut1, Dr. S.P. Shekhawat2
1
P.G.Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SSBTCOET-Jalgaon, India
2
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SSBTCOET-Jalgaon, India
Abstract:-Steering wheel vibration is one of the major
factor that effect the operator comfort in the
agricultural tractor i.e. the Operators hands subjected
to the Hand Arm vibration syndrome effect and about
10 percent of the operators are affect due to this effect
and in order the increase the operator comfort and
reduce the Hand Arm Vibration syndrome effect it is
necessary to study the vibrations in agricultural
tractor and also necessary to reduce it.The main
objective of this work is to reduce the vibrations
produce in the steering wheel of the agricultural
tractor and also find out the main source of vibration
in agricultural tractor and reduce it also study the
ambient excitation produce in agricultural tractor.The
methodology adopted in this work to measure the
vibration level in the agricultural tractor with and
without providing the isolation material i.e. by
providing damper by experimental way and also the
analysis by using the software and computation of
results .The main benefits of this work is by using the
isolation material dampers the amplitude of vibration
may be reduce also by providing the isolation material
the Hand arm vibration syndrome effect also reduce
and increase the operator comfort as the tractor has
to work in adverse enviorment so in this work it is
necessary to study the vibrations in the steering wheel
assembly of Agricultural tractor.
Keywords: Steering wheel, Vibration, dampers,
frequency, resonance, amplitude
I. INTRODUCTION
Passenger comfort is a vital criterion in the present
day vehicle design. Until recent times, tractors were
considered as performance machines and the operator
comfort was not given much importance. Now the
scenario has changed and tractor owners also want to
have an equal level of comfort, if not more than the
passenger vehicles. Tractors generally operate in
adverse
environmental
conditions
and
an
ergonomically inferior tractor could make things
worse for the driver. Operator comfort in tractor
means many factors like space available for occupant,
reach of controls, visibility, noise and vibration,
temperature, etc. Out of these vibration is one factor
which not only makes the operator uncomfortable, but
also leads to failure of various parts of the tractor.
Tractor operators are exposed to two types of
vibration: whole body vibration transmitted via seat,
floor and foot pedal controls and hand transmitted
vibration via steering wheel and hand control
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knobs .There are two widely followed strategies for
preventing the adverse effects of vibration. They are:
•
Vibration control at excitation source itself
•
Vibration isolation by taking appropriate
action in the transmission path
While it is obvious that controlling the vibration at
source is the best possible option,
Fig 1. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome effect (HAVS)
Many a times, the vibration reduction objective also
comes with other constraints of product design like
packaging, design simplicity, product cost, product
development lead time, etc. Hence appropriate
strategy has to be chosen considering the constraints
of product design .Excessive exposure to hand
transmitted vibration can induce disturbances in blood
flow in the fingers and neurological functions of the
hand and arm. The term “Hand-arm vibration
syndrome” (HAVS) is commonly used to refer such
disorders like circulatory disorders, bone disorders,
neurological disorders, muscle disorders and central
nervous system disorders. Higher vibration of tractor
steering wheel may lead to this problem and hence
this subject assumes great importance. ISO 53491:2001 standard outlines the methodology to correlate
the measured vibration from steering wheel to hand
arm vibration syndrome through two parameters
namely,
•
8-hour energy equivalent frequency weighted
vibration total value and
•
Number of years in which 10% of the
operators exposed to vibration may develop hand
arm vibration syndrome
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International Conference on Global Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICGTETM-2016)
This ISO standard has indicated guideline values on
vibration.
The
European
Council
directive
2002/44/EC on the minimum health and safety
requirements regarding the exposure of workers who
are likely to be exposed to risks from mechanical
vibration during their work recommends daily
exposure limit value (ELV) of 5 m/s2 and daily
exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s2 for handarm vibration. Vibration values specified in this
standard are taken as guidelines in this work. In recent
developments, tractor manufacturers have been asked
to measure and disclose the vibration levels at steering
wheel, seat, floor, etc.
III. OBJECTIVES
[1] To find different sources of vibrations in
tractors using
References
[2] To study literatures related to tractor vibrations.
[3] Understanding the mechanism of tractor
steering
Fig. 2 various locations for vibration measurements
IV. LITERATURE SURVEY
Steering wheel vibration is one of the major factors in
determining the operator comfort in agricultural
tractors. Main sources of steering wheel vibration are
engine imbalance, resonance of steering system, lesser
damping, road / field induced vibration. Upon detailed
analysis on that particular tractor, it was found that the
resonance of steering system with engine excitation is
the root cause for excessive vibration. Various
methods to reduce vibration due to resonance were
considered, such as shifting the natural frequency
away from the second order engine frequency and
increasing damping coefficient to reduce the vibration
amplitude at resonance.
The objective of this work is to study the steering
wheel vibration in detail and to reduce the same to
protect the operator from adverse hand-arm vibration
syndrome, developed mathematical model for steering
wheel vibration and to verify the mathematical model
with experimental results, so that it will form a base
for vibration prediction in future. A detailed literature
survey was conducted to understand the work carried
out so far in related fields. Sugita and as explained an
experimental method for the reduction of steering
wheel vibration. Mechanical impedance methods were
applied to predict the resonant frequency of the
steering system. Tiwari and Prasad presented a 3 DOF
analytical model for tractor seat suspension system.
Even though this is not directly relevant to the present
work, the assumptions in the model development are
inherited in the present work as both steering wheel
and seat are excited primarily by the engine vibration.
Dewangan and Tewari explained that the discomfort
and pain due to hand transmitted vibration leads to
fatigue. As a cascading effect, operators take rest too
overcome fatigue which reduces work output and
duration of actual work. They have presented the
results of vibration transmitted from the handle of a
6.7 kW hand tractor. Gowri Shankar, et al.
demonstrated a systematic approach towards reducing
the steering wheel vibration of an agricultural tractor.
However there was not much work doneon the
evaluation of vibration parameters as per commonly
used ISO 5349:2001 standard and mathematical
modelling.
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II. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Vibration analysis and reduction of vibrations in
steering wheel of agricultural tractor to increase
human comfort and to reduce adverse health effect.
Ananth Sakthivel; Sethuraman Sriramanand Rakesh B
Verma [1]
This paper deals with the study of the different aspects
of vibration produced in the
Steering vibration study was conducted on various
tractor models (40 - 50 kW range) and one tractor was
identified for Improvement upon detailed analysis on
that particular tractor, it was found that the resonance
of steering system with engine excitation is the root
cause for excessive vibration. Various methods to
reduce vibration due to resonance were considered,
such as shifting the natural frequency away from the
second order engine frequency and increasing
damping coefficient to reduce the vibration amplitude
at resonance. Six different concepts were generated
and analysed using the design assessment matrix. Two
concepts were selected, namely radial damper and
axial damper concepts for further processing. These
concepts were tested and a significant reduction in
vibration levels was achieved. Axial damper concept
offers higher vibration reduction when compared to
radial damper concept.
Kandavel Gowri Shankar, ShrikantSamant, Nrusingh
Mishra andMokashi Rajshekar [2]
In this paper, the author demonstrates the systematic
approach in reducing the steering wheel vibration
through Design for Six Sigma (DFSS). The issue was
specific on excess vibration levels in the steering
wheel “Main Operator Interface” which was found
unacceptable during the Customer Interaction and
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International Conference on Global Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICGTETM-2016)
documented as Voice of Customer (VOC). The
benchmarking evaluation was done with selected
tractor models qualitatively; to assess the difference in
vibration level perception for customers, for
understanding the extent of the vibration issue and
developing a scale for setting up a target for
achievement. From the Qualitative evaluation data, it
was clear that the concerned baseline “X” tractor had
unacceptable vibration levels and the cause and effect
for the issue was predicted to be the enhanced features
of the tractor compared to the Domestic “X” (Power
Steering).
Goglia, Z. Gospodari, S. Kossuti, D. Filipovi [3]
The paper presents research results of the vibration
transmitted from the steering wheel of the small
tractor with a 4-wheel drive to the driver’s hands. The
vibration measurements were carried out on the tractor
randomly chosen from the producer’s store-house.
Before testing the tractor was examined and adjusted
following the producer’s recommendations. The
vibration levels were measured at idling and at full
load. The vibration level on the steering wheel was
measured and analysed 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 ISO5349-12001. The vibration exposure for the predicted 10%
prevalence of vibration-induced white finger in
accordance with Annex C of the same standard was
also tested.
V.K. Tewari; K.N. Dewangan; Subrata Karmakar [4]
And tractor was modified to enable operation in a
seated position. The physiological effects of the new
seated position were compared with the effects of the
standard design where the operator must walk behind
the machine. The study was conducted in three
operations, namely, transportation on a tarmacadam
road, rototilling and rota-puddling of the hand tractor
under different field conditions. Parameters such as
vibration intensity in root mean square (rs)
acceleration, heart rate, oxygen consumption rate and
work-related body pain of operators were evaluated to
study the fatigue on the operators, the experiments
were statistically designed and replicated. The results
indicate that vibration intensity in rs acceleration in all
the gear settings and all the conditions was minimum
in the range of 1750–1850 min_1. The vibration
intensity in rms acceleration was observed maximum
as 45ms_2 without the seat whereas this value was
20ms_2 with the seating arrangement. The operators
of the hand tractors are exposed to a high level of
vibration arising from the dynamic interactions
between the tool and work piece. The vibration from
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the hand tractor is transmitted from the handle to the
hands, arms and shoulders
Eugene I. Rivin [6]
The paper illustrates, using case stories, high
effectiveness of robust vibration and noise control
devices, especially by using system resources and by
using TRIZ methodology. Very radical improvements
of noise and vibration characteristics have been
achieved without extensive analytical efforts and
without significant hardware modifications. One
section of the paper relates to radical reduction of
steering column shake, another to reduction of pass-by
noise, the third to vibration isolation, and the forth to
enhancing tire damping. NVH improvement by using
conceptual approaches for vibration and noise control
without in depth study of mechanisms generating
objectionable noise and vibration effects in a
particular component or Subsystem is often
considered as an inferior approach and is used only in
critical launch and warranty situations. Development
of such vibration and/or noise control “patches” is
often relegated to suppliers this paper addresses this
situation using some basics of TRIZ methodology
(TRIZ is the Russian acronym for the Theory of
Inventive Problem Solving) and illustrates this
analysis by real-life case stories.
Ping Lee; Ali Rahbar [9]
In recent years, the Noise & Vibration (N&V)
engineers have been exacerbated by the trend towards
lighter, and more fuel-efficient vehicles such as
Displacement-On-Demand (DOD) vehicles. This
paper discusses how the active tuned absorber (ATA)
technology can reduce vibrations caused by engines in
Displacement-On-Demand vehicles. Because the
higher combustion pressure per cylinder and the
halved basic engine order of a V6 engine powered
vehicle in the three-cylinder operation cause the
vibration amplitude increased. The passive engine
mounts cannot adequately address the excessive
vibration. This work investigates the potential of using
an active vibration control algorithm with ATA
technology to reduce the unwanted vibration. The rear
bank of the cylinders in the V6 engine from the
development vehicle is disabled for this study. Several
actuator configurations are investigated and feed
forward control algorithm is used for the investigation.
Test results show the ATA technology can
significantly reduce the vibration during threecylinder drive.
Craig Lewitzke and Ping Lee [10]
The purpose of this paper is to assist engineers in
obtaining a basic understanding of elastomeric
components. Topics covered in this paper include
fundamentals of vibration isolation and rubber
technology, design considerations of various types of
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International Conference on Global Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICGTETM-2016)
chassis, body, and powertrain mounting components,
static and dynamic testing methods, and existing SAE
standards and guidelines for elastomeric components.
An understanding of elastomeric material properties
and the methods used to characterize elastomeric
component Behavior is necessary to achieve desired
performance. Typical design criteria and functional
objectives for various isolator applications, including
powertrain mounts, suspension control arm bushings,
shock absorber bushings, exhaust hangers, flexible
couplings, cradle mounts, body mounts and vibration
dampers are also discussed.
Thomas A. McKenzie, William J. Hicks andRichard L.
Conaway [8]
A new concept in conventional truck cab vibration
isolation has been developed by Holland Neway
International. The system provides a significant
improvement in ride comfort for the truck cab
occupants in the truck of the twenty-first century. The
single point isolator incorporates inclined sleeve type
air springs to achieve a very low natural frequency,
typically 0.9 – 1.1 hertz. A unique variable geometry
damping system is used in conjunction with the sleeve
springs to allow the configuration to achieve
significant improvements in vibration isolation. The
passive variable geometry control operates essentially
undamped until large displacement disturbances are
encountered allowing maximum possible isolation
performance. The physical hardware has been
developed to be compatible with the majority of the
large sleeper cabs in the industry today, especially for
the low damage tolerant aluminium and composite cab
structures.
V. OUTCOMES OF THE LITERATURE
need to find an alternative technology when
active engine mount technology is not being
effective.
8. In case of Rota-tilling, the vibration intensity in
root mean square (rms) acceleration is highest for
all the directions, without a seat. Longitudinal
vibration is more than that of lateral vibration. In
the puddling operation, vibration intensity in rms
acceleration was found to be minimal. If we are
not satisfied with the ride comfort obtain, we
don’t go to manufacture it, rather the values of
stiffness are varied to get optimum ride comfort
[11].
REFRENCES
1.
Ananth Sakthivel, Sethuraman Sriraman and Rakesh B
Verma, Study of Vibration from Steering Wheel of an
Agricultural Tractor, SAE International ,(2012)-011908
2.
Kandavel Gowri Shankar, Shrikant Samant, Nrusingh
Mishra and Mokashi Rajshekar, “Steering Wheel
Vibration Reduction for Agricultural Tractors”, SAE
Paper No. 2009-26-046
3.
V. Gogliaa, Z. Gospodari, S. Kossuti, D. Filipovi,
Hand-transmitted vibration from the steering wheel to
drivers of a small four-wheel drive tractor, Applied
Ergonomics 34 (2003) 45–49
4.
V.K. Tewari; K.N. Dewangan; Subrata Karmakar,
Operator’s Fatigue in Field Operation of Hand Tractors,
Biosystems Engineering (2004) 89 (1), 1–11
5.
K. N. Dewangan, V. K. Tewari , Handle grips for
reducing hand-transmitted vibration in hand tractor,
International Agricultural Engineering Journal (2010)
Vol. 19, No. 2
6.
Eugene I. Rivin, Vibration Analysis vs. Vibration
Control, SAE International, (2005)-01-2548
7.
Rajvir Yadav , V.K. Tewari , Tractor operator
workplace design-a review, Journal of Terramechanics
35 (1998) 41-53
8.
Thomas A. McKenzie, William J. Hicks and Richard L.
Conaway, New Generation of Vibration Isolation for
the Conventional Truck Cab ,SAE International (2000)01-3515
9.
Ping Lee, Ali Rahbar “Active Tuned Absorber for
Displacement-On-Demand Vehicles” ,SAE, 2005-012545
10.
Craig Lewitzke and Ping Lee, “Application of
Elastomeric Components for Noise and Vibration
Isolation in the Automotive Industry”, SAE,2001-011447
11.
Shinde Dinesh , Solanki Pradip , Dr. Deshmukh D.S,
Shekhawat S. P., “Application of simulated annealing
algorithm for design optimization of automobile
suspension system” IJIRSET, 2013, 2319-8753.
1. Resonance of the steering system with the engine
second order excitation was the primary cause of this
problem
2. Elastomeric damper was identified as the most
appropriate solution
3. The reduction of vibration depended on the handle
dynamics
4. Not all the handles with rubber mounts were effective
in reducing hand-arm vibration
5. vibration acceleration level transmitted from the
steering wheel to the driver’s hands will produce
finger Blanchingat full load in one one-third-octave
band exceeds the 1 h daily exposure limit.
6. The primary cause of the unacceptable Steering
wheel vibration was due to resonance of the
control support and chassis structure with Engine
excitation frequency
7. In view of increasing demand for developing
Displacement-On-Demand vehicles, there is a
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