Results of an extensive acoustical testing program for loaders and dozers Free

In a study performed for the Environmental Protection Agency, the authors tested several dozen different wheeled and tracked tractors (used a loaders and dozers) in order to determine some parameters that could be used to (1) predict equipment noise levels; (2) predict “A‐weighted” sound propagation rates; and (3) help develop a reasonable acoustical test methodology for the machines. Machine sound levels based on SAE J88A acoustical test procedure, machine overhead sound levels and several other parameters of machine noise source measurements were determined. In addition; repeatability of data relative to several variables, methods to determine the average noise levels of various noise control techniques, diagnostics, and work cycle noise levels, were also investigated. This paper presents some of the results of the program. [This work was supported, in part by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Army MERADCOM.]