The Transmissibility of Vibration When Performing Excavating Operations

This paper evaluates the acceleration transmissibility in the Z axis, from the floor of the cab to the seat, in a wheeled backhoe loader when performing different tasks. The evaluation consisted of two operators performing four different tasks (i.e., idling, digging, riding with a load, and riding without a load) using the same piece of equipment. The transmissibility was determined by evaluating the ratio of vibration at the floor and the seat in the Z axis. The results showed that the seat was amplifying the vibration levels particularly at the lower frequencies, and may not be sufficient to protect the operator from long-term effects of vibration exposure.