IT—Information Technology and the Human Interface: Ergonomics of Tractors Assembled in Nigeria

✍ Scribed by M.G. Yisa

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 302 KB
• Volume: 81
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1537-5110
• DOI: 10.1006/bioe.2001.0050

✦ Synopsis

The Nigerian-assembled tractors (Fiat and Steyr) are foreign manufactured; hence, there is a need to ascertain their suitability for the Nigerian user. Some speci"c features of these tractors were considered for appraisal. These are access to the tractor, seat design, tractor steering design, tractor workspace and control. One model each of the two brands of tractors (Fiat 80-66 and Steyr 8075) and a sample of user population drawn from Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, Minna, Nigeria, were used for the experiments. Measurements of dimensions and locations of di!erent controls from the seat reference point (SRP) were taken. Anthropometric measurements on related body parts of the sample user population were conducted in linear and angular measurements. The 5th and 95th percentile values of the data were calculated. These values were used to appraise the suitability of the tractors for the Nigerian user. Results show that due to lack of footstep in Steyr 8075, operators are over-tasked as they get on the tractor. Furthermore, operators are subjected to strains caused due to steering wheel size and thickness, and pains experienced through body movement while activating controls. Similarly, lack of protection against rainfall and other environmental factors was shown to be a major de"ciency in the tractors. In view of these problems, certain modi"cations are suggested to improve operator safety and comfort. They include (a) provision of footstep for Steyr and hand supports for Fiat, (b) reduction of steering wheel size and thickness for Steyr and (c) provision of a well-ventilated cabin and rollover protective structure (ROPS) for both Fiat and Steyr.