Influence of Tractor Brake-Pedal Position on Right Lower Leg Load

Abstract

In this study we investigated the influence of tractor brake-pedal position on the right lower leg load for tractor-riding beginners by use of a tractor mock-up. In this experiment, seven healthy male subjects were asked to press the tractor brake pedal under the following twelve conditions of tractor-pedal position with 100 N pressure : (3 conditions (vertical direction from seat index point)×4 conditions (fourth direction from seat index point)). During the experiment, we measured right lower leg muscle activities with an electromyogram (EMG). We also estimated the maximum torque ratio of the right lower leg joints by two-dimensional static biomechanical analysis. Subjective assessment of the right lower leg load was recorded. Right lower leg load was evaluated on the basis of these estimated values. The results showed that right lower leg load decreased except in the case of the front, fourth and under brake-pedal positions.