Analysis of Noise Level Influencing Farm Tractor Operators during Forest Harvesting Operation

Abstract

In Turkey, forest harvesting activities are generally performed by forest villagers or small-size contractors managed by forest villagers. Highly mechanized harvesting equipment are not very common since they are not affordable by forest villagers or contractors. Farm tractors are mostly used in forest harvesting operations because of relatively low hourly equipment cost. In fact, farm tractors have been used in many stages of forest operations including skidding, forwarding, cable yarding, and loading. However, working environment of farm tractors is subject to intensive noise disturbance during forest harvesting activities. Thus, tractor operators often expose excessive noise effect which can result in hearing impairment or permanent hearing loss. In this study, the average and peak noise levels generated by a Türk Fiat 450 model farm tractor during forest harvesting operation were measured. The average and peak noise levels were measured as 84.52 dBA and 105.02 dBA, respectively. To minimize the potential hazard of noise exposed by operator, daily working hours and resting times should be determined based on noise level and the pieces that affect the level of the noise should be maintained and isolated properly.