VIBRATION AND NOISE OF A TRACKED FORESTRY VEHICLE

The vibration and noise of a modular rubber tracked forestry vehicle w ere examined. The acceleration experienced at the driver's seat and th e steering-wheel and the noise level at the driver's ear were measured under repeatable test conditions, on a bituminous conglomerate track, with different forward speeds and with the engine at maximum speed. M easurements of vibration and noise were also carried out on a very une ven natural terrain to examine a condition of high risk from vibration transmitted to the driver. The results of the study indicate that the level of vibration on the track test was low and should not compromis e the health of the driver. However, during transport on uneven ground and at high average speed (12 km/h), vibration at the seat (1.7 m/s(2 )) was such that a driver's exposure, prudently, should not exceed 2 h per day, if the most stringent criterion of the International Standar d is followed. Noise levels were high, in all the test conditions [fro m 86 to 91 dB(A)], as a result of the position of the engine in the ca b and the lack of adequate soundproofing measures. (C) 1998 Silsoe Res earch Institute.