IJSEA Volume 5 Issue 5

Assessment of Tractor Maintenance Practices of Tractor Operators at Ejura, Ghana

K. A. Aikins, J. K. Afriyie, I. N. Amanor,S. M. Ackah,E. Y. H. Bobobee,
10.7753/IJSEA0505.1005
keywords : Tractor, tractor operators, operation, maintenance, daily checks

PDF
Tractors are very expensive and complex machines, hence they need to be well operated and maintained so as to preserve their service life and maximise their profitability. A survey involving 101 tractor operators was conducted at Ejura in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana to assess their expertise in tractor operation and maintenance and their attitudes towards recommended maintenance practices. It was revealed that 62% of the operators have no formal training in tractor operation while 60% of them have had some sort of training in tractor maintenance. Tillage operations, which are the most strenuous operations, are the major operations carried out with tractors at Ejura as they represent 97% of the responses. Generally, the operators are mindful of lubrication practices such as oil change and greasing, and the general cleanliness of their tractors and their components. However, about 78% of them do not have their hour metres in working condition and therefore it cannot be guaranteed that their frequency of oil change and greasing are according to manufacturer?s recommendations. Also, 97% of them store their tractors in the open space which exposes them to environmental conditions that cause metal parts to rust. Only about 25% of the operators are in possession of manufacturer?s maintenance instructions out of which 80% adhere to the instructions in maintaining their tractors. As majority of them do not have their hour metres and thermostats operational, it could be said that operators? attitudes toward recommended maintenance operations are not appropriate.
@artical{k552016ijsea05051005,
Title = "Assessment of Tractor Maintenance Practices of Tractor Operators at Ejura, Ghana",
Journal ="International Journal of Science and Engineering Applications (IJSEA)",
Volume = "5",
Issue ="5",
Pages ="257 - 267",
Year = "2016",
Authors ="K. A. Aikins, J. K. Afriyie, I. N. Amanor,S. M. Ackah,E. Y. H. Bobobee, "}