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Human Energy Expenditure in Manually- Operated Rice Transplanter

Md. Abdul Baqui
Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, G.P.O. Box 91 1, Ramma Dacca, Bangladesh

Reynaldo M. Lantin
Dean
lnstitute of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of the Philippines at Los Banos College, Laguna, Philippines

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) to determine the human energy expenditure in rice transplanting using the IRRI manual rice transplanter (model TRI) and the traditional hand transplanting method. Energy expenditure was determined by indirect calorimetry. The maximum energy expenditures were 3.79 and 3.09 kcal/min in machine and hand transplanting, respectively. However, the energy expenditure per plant was much lower in machine (0.019 kcal) than in hand transplanting (0.069 kcal).

Keywords: Human energy expenditure, Manually- operated rice transplanter, Physical work load

Location: BRRI, Gazipur

Start Date: 00-10-1980

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Transplanter

Objectives:

To assess and compare the physical work load on the operators based on physical parameters such as energy expenditure.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in October, 1980 at the BRRI experimental farm with clay loam soil. The range of penetrometer readings varied from 6 to 15 cm. This range of value was considered normal for puddled soils. Four male farm workers of approximately the same age, weight and work experience were assigned to this experiment. The workers were physically examined by a physician. Two weeks prior to this experiment, the workers (operators) transplanted about two ha of land using both the traditional and machine methods. Thus extra energy cost due to non-familiarity with the task was minimized. Energy expenditure was determined by indirect calorimetry. A portable open circuit respiration apparatus coupled to a dry gas meter manufactured by Parkinson and Cowan Measurement, Manchester, England (Fig.2) was tightly fitted unto the operator's face to measure the expired air volume. The effect of the mask on the respiration of the operators was determined from the pulse-rate reading taken 5 min before and 5 min after fitting the mask on operator's face. Then the actual gas samples were collected. A preliminary experiment determined the resting energy of the operators. The operators had their supper and a restful night. In the following morning expired air samples were collected 30 minutes after their arrival in the laboratory. Five l-min readings of the discharged gas volume were recorded for energy calculation. The temperature of effused air was registered by a thermometer inserted into the delivery hose of the apparatus. Samples of the expired air were taken in a polyethylene bag for determining its oxygen and carbon dioxide contents in the laboratory using a Uoyd modification of the Haldane gas analysis apparatus.. On every test day the operators worked from 0700 to 1300h with I h break from 0800 to 0900 h for their breakfast. In order to study the effect of the environmental stress, climatic data were recorded from the instruments installed at about 20 m away from the test field . The following data were recorded at hourly interval during the experiment: l. Pulse rate (beats/min) 2. Transplanting rate (hills/min) 3. Temperature of expired air during the measurement of volume ("c) 4. CO₂and 0₂ contents in the expired air (Vo) 5. Oral temperature of operator cc) From the data collected the energy expenditure was calculated.

Source of Information: AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN ASIA, AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA 1982 SPRING

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Although the energy expenditure for operating the manual rice transplanter was higher than for hand transplanting, the energy expenditure per plant in machine transplanting was much lower than in hand transplanting. The IRRI manual rice transplanter increases the planting capability of a person without expending excess energy outside the human tolerable limits. However, even light work done with repetition may entail fatigue which can only be gauged from individual reactions on the machine use over a long period of time. By getting used to the operation, a person may also find the work not so tiring. Only with prolonged use will this be confirmed. Hence, it is recommended that extensive tests of acceptability be further done.

Knowledge Management: Journal