Ergonomic development of tractor technolift clamp

In this study, a technolift clamp mechanism is designed which used in tractors. Structural analyses of the existing clamp mechanisms and newly designed mechanism carried on according to finite element method within the scope of the study. These analyses are consist of static analyses and fatigue analyses. In the scope of the study, for the aim of ergonomic improvement and force reduction of existing models of technolift clamp mechanism, new alternative clamp mechanisms were modeled in the computer and transferred to a software which makes the analyzes according to the finite elements method. As a result of these analyzes newly designed parts manufactured by rapid prototyping and installed on the tractor. And then the forces which applied on the technolift clamp measured by load cell and compared with existing models. According to the analysis results it is shown that newly designed technolift is more durable as mechanically and it is in the safe zone according to fatigue life. And also newly designed technolift can provide the required stroke with less force. According to the survey results, responses from users show that newly designed technolift is more useful than existing models.