Workload analysis on the operation of a type II pivot trailer on a hand tractor using tire wheels in oil palm plantations

In general, several oil palm fields in Indonesia have different slopes, so that the path on the land is difficult for farmers to pass in the process of transporting palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The slope of the land and the difficult path causes a lot of workload incurred by farmers. The pivot II type trailer which is the development of the pivot type trailer is expected to reduce the workload of farmers in transporting the oil palm FFB. The purpose of the study was to analyze the operator’s workload on the operation of a pivot II type trailer using a hand tractor using tires as a drive in oil palm plantations. Analysis of workload when operating a pivot II trailer using the heart rate method on three subjects with various variations in trajectories, turns and trailer loads. The results of this study indicate that the qualitative workload level of operators O1, O2, and O3 in operating a pivot type II trailer on oil palm land, both on flat land, sloping land 10° and sloping land 30° has a workload level of “Light” category. Meanwhile, the operators’ quantitative total energy cost (TEC)’ workload levels for slope 0°, 10°, and 30°, respectively, are 1.31, 1.48, and 1.67 kcal/kg.hour. The operator’s workload level on the pivot II type trailer is better when compared to the initial pivot type trailer before modification.