Anthropometric Consideration of Agricultural Tractor Seat for Sri Lankan Women

Abstract

Anthropometric data is a basic necessity for proper matching of machine requirements. Tractor driving imposes a lot of physical and mental stress upon the operator. The women in Sri Lanka have high potential to engage with farming activities. There is no data available on Sri Lankan farmers relative to the ergonomic problems of farm machinery. This; Experiment was conducted to get anthropometric data of the Sri Lankan women for quantifying the dimensions for designing the tractor seat ergonomically. Five body measurements (Standing height, Popliteal height sitting, Buttock popliteal length, Hip breadth sitting, and Sitting acromion height) were chosen for the anthropometric survey for the tractor seat design point of view. These anthropometric dimensions of agricultural workers are needed to be taken into consideration for design ' of the seat height, seat pan width, Seat pan length and seat backrest height of a tractor. The seat dimensions recommended for tractor operator’s comfort based on anthropometric data of Sri Lankan female agricultural workers were as follows: seat height of 400 mm, Seat pan width of more than 400-420 mm, Seat pan length of less than 400 mm and Seat backrest height of 340 mm.