Ergonomic evaluation of spading machine for tillage operation Chandrashekar and Bini Sam

Spading is an important field operation, and a spading machine has been developed based on the principle of a four-bar mechanism. The ergonomic evaluation of the spading machine was conducted using physiological measurement techniques to assess the heart rate, oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure of the subjects. The average heart rate of the subjects during spading operation was 127 beats per minute. The estimated oxygen consumption rate was 0.798 litters per minute, which is 38% of the subject's aerobic capacity (VO₂ max). This value above the acceptable limit of 35% of VO₂ max, indicating that the subjects are working at a high level of exertion. The spading machine has field capacity of 0.096 hectares per hour and a field efficiency of 80% at a forward speed of 2 km/h.