Influence of tyre inflation pressure on whole-body vibrations transmitted to the operator in a cut-to-length timber harvester

The influence of tyre inflation pressure on whole-body vibrations transmitted to the operator during the movement of a cut-to-length timber harvester was evaluated. Vibration measurements were taken in three orthogonal (x, y, z) axes at tyre pressure settings of 138, 345 and 414kPa. Vibration was predominant in the vertical (z) direction with the peak rms acceleration value for the operator seat (0.281ms^-2) occurring at approximately 3.2Hz.The corresponding peak value for the operator cabin chassis was 0.425ms^-2 at 4Hz.At 414kPa, there was potential health risk on the operator for exposures above 8h duration. The vibration total values recorded for the operator seat at the maximum tyre inflation pressure setting were classed as "fairly uncomfortable" (ISO standard 2631-1), and vertical seat vibration transmissibility was highest between 4 and 8Hz at the 345kPa tyre pressure setting. The recorded values of WBV were significantly reduced by a reduction in tyre inflation pressure which may therefore be used to moderate the magnitude of WBV on wheeled timber harvesters.