Case Study: Composite Material Yoke Versus Wooden Yoke for Bullocks’ Comfort

ABSTRACT

This article addresses the designing of a yoke used to get work output (plowing) from bullocks. The yoke profile was designed in compliance with the profile of the bullock’s body for maximum contact area. Unlike the crude, wooden yoke used in rural India, where modern tilling equipment like a tractor is not affordable, the present yoke was smooth, free from sharp edges, and light in weight. A field study was carried out with bullocks using composite and wooden yokes. The fatigue of bullocks was measured in terms of respiration rate and heart rate. Data revealed that bullocks had less fatigue with composite material yoke than with the wooden yoke. The experimental investigation also showed that at a 30º angle of pull, bullocks feel maximum comfort when they are used for plowing purposes.

KEYWORDS:

• Fatigue
• heart rate
• plow
• respiration rate