Abstract
This study was conducted to identify the characteristics of PTO rattle noise of a direct engine-PTO driveline for agricultural tractors. In order to reduce production costs of agricultural tractors, a direct engine-PTO driveline was recently introduced to the tractors produced in Korea. This simplified drive line reduced a number of gears and counter shafts in previous one. However, it caused a severe rattle noise under an idle condition, which was perceived as intolerable by many tractor operators. PTO rattle noise was measured at two locations: one 3 em apart radially from the centerline of the PTO shaft and another 100 em apart backward from the PTO end and 160 em high from the ground. Characteristics of the rattle was analyzed using the data measured near the PTO shaft. It was found that the period of rattle noise was same as the explosion stroke of engine and its peak level was about 123 dB (A) with PTO engaged at an idle engine speed of 880 rpm. As the engine speed increased, the rattle noise decreased. The frequency band of the rattle was 0.5-2.0 kHz and the frequency of peak sound pressure was 1.4 kHz. When compared the rattle noise between the locally produced and imported tractors of the same type of PTO driveline, the former generated louder rattle noise than the imported one by 7 dB (A). It was suggested that the rattle noise of local tractors must be reduced at least by 7 dB (A) to meet the international level.
