Based on design of the current rice harvester, scientists from the National Institute for Labour Protection have researched innovating and produced successfully safe rice harvester of new model.
Rice harvesters sold in the market currently do not fit up with protection in main parts such as rice input, brake, guard, exhaust pipe, transmision ... Therefore, during installing and working with the machine, workers find it difficult to avoid common accidents.
The most innovation of the machitne is in the front part of rice discharging arm. With the current normal harvesters, farmers must use their hand to push rice, creating· the risk of touching the rolling axis. Installing this part will eliminate this dangerous contact. Besides, the guard of the input door will reduce mostly accidents although it is just a small change. Rice grains separated from their ears will beat the guard and fall down instead of shooting out with high speed and directing to the farmer's eyes. This part also helps minimize occupational accidents, particularly for children.
Moreover, the guard is also designed to defend input compartments, avoiding the case that workers might put their hands into the machine while operation.
Another important part installed is back brake. The harvesters with only front brake might be upturned, weighing down on people when brake lever is deviated during going uphill or downhill. With back brake, operator just needs to slightly pull, harvester will stop.
On the back of harvester, the transmission part is installed with a cover to avoid broken driving belt from casting to the eyes of the operator and prevent hands from touching this part. Next to this, an exhaust pipe is joined to reduce the sonic intensity to the lowest acce ptable limit (maximum is 85 dBA).
In the front of the machine, in the waste discharging door (empty grains, crushed straw ... ) there is a guarding part so that waste does not throw out to the eyes of the operator. The straw discharging door is installed with height adjusting part so that straw falls down to the right position. This door also has a guard to restrain dust.
Even other small parts are also improved, for example good shelf is fit with loading part to minimize human force, the lighting system has more power generating pocket as a light, helping user to move and operate the machine at night time. Particularly, this machine is joined with a part to prevent paddy grains from throwing to eyes with a automatic moving transmission system, which helps close input door during operation.
This innovated machine is sold at VND 12 million, just VND500,000 cheaper than the normal harvester.
After two years of resear ching and pilot manufacturing, the National Institute for Labour Protection has produced some machines which are operating well. The Institute also plans to develop safety standards for harvesters and puts into production of a series of products to meet the increasing need offarmers. Source:
Bureau for Safe Work | 