Vibration and noise characteristics of hook type olive harvesters

The objective of this study was to obtain and evaluate the vibration and noise characteristics of portable hook type mechanical olive harvesters. Experiments included five hook type olive harvesters. In this study, the vibration and sound pressure levels of different harvesters were measured at idling and full load condition. The vibration levels on the handle grip of harvesters were measured and analyzed for both operator's right and left hand, respectively. The sound pressure level was measured at ear level of the operator. The frequency weighting acceleration was calculated. The vibration total value was expressed as the root-mean-square (rms) of three component values. The acceleration values vary between 5.52 and 39.15 ms(-2) for right hand and 4.18 and 61.01 ms(-2) for left hand. The equivalent noise pressure levels of the harvesters were measured between 91 and 103 dB (A) in the full loading conditions and between 67 and 80 dB (A) idling working conditions.