Characterization of noise emitted by a power tiller through geostatistics

Abstract

Noise is one of the harmful and stressful physical agents present in the workplace. Research performed with geostatistics to adjust the semivariogram of tractor noise were performed using the Gaussian and spherical model. In this way, the aim was to map the spatial variability of the noise emitted by a power tiller through the sine wave model, besides testing other fitting methods, in order to identify health zones for the workers. The experiment was performed with an agricultural power tiller (10.3 kW) placed in a working regime (1500 rpm), coupled to a brushcutter, and a digital sound level meter to collect noises in points distributed along a regular grid sampling of 2.0 × 2.0 m around the tractor. The spatial dependence of noise was analyzed through semivariogram fitting by different methods and by the wave model to obtain the spatial distribution map interpolated by kriging. It was possible to characterize the structure and the magnitude of the spatial dependence of the noise levels emitted by the tractor, as well as to map the spatial distribution. A maximum noise level of 96.5 dB was observed close to the tractor engine, a value above the limit of 85.0 dB for 8 h of daily exposure (NR-15). Thus, the use of ear protectors is recommended for both the tractor driver and the professionals who support agricultural operation within a radius of 6 m from the emitting source under the conditions studied.

A CABINE DOS Can the tractor's cabin allow the noise at the operator's station?PODE ATENUAR O RUÍDO NO POSTO DO OPERADOR?

“…Oliveira et al (2020) obtained significant noise reduction rates as a function of the distance from the machine, however, the authors worked with a larger displacement scale. Gonçalves et al (2019) stated that there is spatial dependence in the distribution of noise in the agricultural environment and indicated that up to 6 meters away, in the surroundings of a pigtail tractor, professionals must use ear protectors.…”

“…The operator of agricultural machines and tractors can be affected by unhealthy working conditions (Poje et al, 2016), being subject to the direct influence of sunlight, dust particles, machine vibration and high noise levels (Gonçalves et al, 2019). Among the factors that harm the health of tractor operators, noise is classified as one of the main ones (Baesso et al, 2017;Menezes and Paulino, 2004;Veiga et al, 2021), as it provides constant exposure from the moment of machine activation, at the beginning of the journey, until the end of the working day (Silva et al, 2018).…”

Spatial Variability of Noise Generated by a Self-Propelled Coffee Harvester in an Open Area

“…Veiga et al (2021) found a similar situation when analyzing noise distribution near agricultural and forestry machines. Likewise, Gonçalves et al (2019) evaluated noise emitted by a cutting tractor through geostatistics, finding values of 7 m in front, 7 m on the right side, 5 m on the left side, and 3 m at the rear of the evaluated equipment.…”