Influence of pump pressure and engine speed on ergonomic parameters of forwarder operators

Abstract

Reducing engine speed and pressure of forest machine hydraulic pumps may be a strategy to achieve a reduction in fuel costs. However, this approach can positively or negatively affect the ergonomic parameters of the operators, in particular, the whole-body vibration and repetitive movements of the operators. The objective of this research was to evaluate the acceleration force resulting from normalized exposure (Aren) and the Real Occupancy Rate and Maximum Occupancy Rate considering Repetitive Activities (ROR-MORCRA) of forwarder operating at different pump pressures, engine speed, and volume of trees. The research was carried out in forest stands with an individual average volume of 0.10, 0.14, and 0.29 m³ tree-1. For each volume, the machine was configured to operate at hydraulic pump pressures of 240, 235, and 230 bar and engine speed of 1550, 1475, and 1400 rpm, totaling 9 combinations. The values were measured in the 9 combinations and also in each phase of the machine operational cycle, using a triaxial accelerometer of the 01dB brand, model Vib 008. To determine ROR, percentage of rest due to regular breaks, percentage of time with low demand activities, percentage of usual irregular breaks, and percentage of very short breaks were calculated. To estimate MORCRA, the repetition, strength, and static effort factors were calculated. In volumes of 0.10, 0.14, and 0.29 m³ tree-1, the highest Aren values were 0.82, 0.88, and 0.99 m s-2, respectively, being obtained at the 1550 rpm engine speed. The forwarder logging operation is characterized as an ergonomic risk, which can cause discomfort, fatigue, and injuries to operators.