Vibration operator exposure during olive harvesting

The paper reports the results of some experimental tests aimed at measuring the vibrations transmitted to the hand-harm system by electric portable harvesters for olives. One flap-type harvesting head was applied to three bars, different for diameter (35 and 40 mm), length (2010 and 2210 mm) and material (aluminium and carbon fibre), so assembling three harvesters. The vibrations were measured in two points, next to the hand-grips. Measurements were carried out both in laboratory, during idle running, and in field, during the harvesting of “Nocellara Etnea” olive variety, under ordinary working conditions. The results of the laboratory tests showed that the bar material had the greatest influence in reducing the vibration level: the average RMS value was about 12 m/s^2 for the carbon fibre bar and about 21 m/s^2 for the aluminium ones, without significant differences between the two diameters. The in field tests proved that the tree canopy had a negative effect on the vibrations transmitted to the hand-arm system: in fact, the average RMS value increased from 16 (laboratory) up to 20 m/s^2 (in field). The greatest difference between laboratory and in field tests was observed when using the 35-mm aluminium bar.