Status : Verified
| Personal Name | Punongbayan, John Kenneth P. |
|---|---|
| Resource Title | Multi-Risk Factor Approach to Ergonomic Evaluation of Agricultural Tractors in Dynamic Conditions: The Case of Ronnie Baugh Tractor (RBT) in Plowing Operation |
| Date Issued | 11 June 2026 |
| Abstract | The Philippine agricultural sector has experienced a continuing decline in its contribution to national GDP since 2016, highlighting the need for improved productivity through mechanization and technological innovation. Although four-wheel tractors can enhance farm output, the country remains dependent on imported units that are often not suited to local anthropometry, terrain, and operating conditions, resulting in ergonomic and safety risks such as musculoskeletal disorders and injury. Existing tractor standards largely emphasize mechanical and operational performance while giving limited attention to operator ergonomics. To address this gap, this study developed an ergonomic risk assessment framework integrating vibration, muscle workload, posture, and discomfort ratings to evaluate the Ronnie Baugh Tractor (RBT), a low-cost four-wheel tractor from Cuba being considered for localization and mass production in the Philippines. A total of 20 healthy male tractor drivers performed plowing operations using the RBT under field conditions. Vibration was measured at the base, seat, and engine using tri-axial accelerometers; muscle activation of the sternocleidomastoid, anterior deltoid, flexor carpi ulnaris, and gastrocnemius muscles was assessed through surface electromyography; posture was evaluated using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA); and subjective discomfort was measured using the 10-point Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. A cumulative link mixed model in R showed that subjective discomfort was significantly affected by muscle activation (β = 0.616, p < 0.001), vibration exposure (β = v 0.904, p < 0.001), and anatomical area, with the lower leg (β = 1.415, p < 0.001) and neck (β = 1.096, p = 0.001) exhibiting higher discomfort relative to the reference area. Posture also showed a significant nonlinear cubic effect (β = -0.539, p = 0.014), indicating complex changes in discomfort across operating positions. The lower leg had the strongest association wi |
| Degree Course | Master of Science in Industrial Engineering |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | Whole-body vibration, Surface electromyography, Posture, Operator discomfort Ronnie Baugh Tractor |
| Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages
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Category : P - Author wishes to publish the work personally.
Access Permission : Limited Access