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Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families

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Spring 2008, Vol. 8, No. 3

Table of Contents at bottom PDF Version

Assistive Technology – Seating and Positioning

Review of Seating and Positioning Resources

Tom Holm’s back problems started a long time ago with a bicycle accident.  However, Tom has persevered through surgeries and therapies to continue farming, despite the long work hours during spring planting and fall harvest that continue to aggravate Tom’s back condition.

Back pain or injury is the leading cause of disability for farmers and ranchers served by AgrAbility each year.  Looking at seating and positioning issues in agriculture, whether the farmer or rancher is driving a tractor, combine, pick up truck, or utility vehicle, the basic concepts of proper seating and positioning do not change.  A great deal of information already exists on the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) website to assist AgrAbility staff working with a farmer or rancher with back issues. Therefore, it might be beneficial to provide a general review of the seating and positioning information that is currently available on the website.

Information about seating and positioning and related issues can be found in two locations on the NAP website; either on the Assistive Technology (AT) web page, or on the Archive web page.  The AT web page includes articles related to seating and positioning, back pain/injuries, ergonomics, adapted controls, and even replacement seat sources. The Archive web page, under “Events,” has links to the last seven National Training Workshops (NTW).  The 2004, 2005, and 2007 NTWs had excellent presentations pertaining to seating and positioning issues and are available for review from the Archive page.

Before reviewing the available resources, it is important to understand that reading and reviewing material (or other books, internet information, etc.) related to seating and positioning will not make someone an expert. Licensed therapists or engineers, such as occupational and physical therapists or rehabilitation engineers, specifically trained in seating and positioning issues, are generally the experts.  AgrAbility staff makes every effort to understand the complex issues surrounding seating and positioning, so they will be more comfortable with the topic and know when to call in an expert. Having a good basic understanding of seating and positioning issues can prove invaluable when acting as the go-between with the farmer and the seating and positioning expert. It is important to work within the area of expertise and seek outside professionals when necessary.

Assistive Technology (AT) web page⁸
                           
On the AT web page, you will find the following articles on seating and positioning, ergonomics, back pain/injury, tractor controls, as well as where you might look for replacement tractor seats.  Proper ergonomics and positioning of operator controls all play an important role in the total seating and positioning solution package and prevention of secondary back injuries.   

• Proper Seating and Positioning for Tractor Operators Affected by Spinal Cord Injuries
  Good general overview of the concepts related to spinal cord injuries (SCI), seating and positioning, and pressure relief.

• A Review of the Current Seat Technologies in Agricultural Tractors
  An excellent design overview for some of the different types of seats and seat vibration dampening systems used in today’s tractors.

• An Ergonomic Analysis of the Controls Present in a Tractor Workstation
  An overview examining how well the ergonomic guidelines for tractor controls are actually being followed in newer tractors compiled from published literature. You may look at tractor or combine controls differently after reviewing this article.

• An Ergonomics Case Study: Accommodating Farmers on a John Deere Family Farm
  Interesting, hands-on approach compiled by a young farmer concerned with the comfort and safety of farm tractors.

• Ergonomics of Back Pain in Farmers. Descriptive Reference Manual
  From the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, WI. This manual is designed to be a “descriptive reference for clinicians and therapists” as they encounter farmers and ranchers suffering from back pain.

• Safety Tips for Farming with a Back Injury or Back Problem
  This is a short article including an outline of eleven safety tips shared by various farmers who have experienced a back injury.

• Adaptive Controls for Tractors and Machinery
  Detailed review of the types of controls that can be designed and developed as demonstrated on a partial tractor frame mounted on a skid.  Video of this teaching tool is also available.

• K & M Manufacturing manufactures replacement tractor seats, suspensions, steps, mirrors, floor mats, cab foam kits, warning light systems, tool boxes, weight / rock boxes and many more products for Allis Chalmers, Case IH, David Brown, Ford, International Harvester, John Deere, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, Minneapolis Moline, New Holland, Oliver White, Steiger and Versatile tractors and riding mowers.

Archive web page⁹

On the Archive web page, you will find archived workshop presentations discussing the topics of seating and positioning, ergonomics, back pain/injury, and tractor seating. Archived presentations may include PowerPoint slides, handouts (text documents or PDFs), and a few videos.

• 2004 NTW:  Presentation by C. Kerry Jones titled “Head or Tails, Strategies and Solutions for Seating and Wheeled Mobility.” This three-hour session has extensive power point presentation information, online printable PDFs of basic seating terminology, anthropometric measurements, and is also available on video.
• 2005 NTW:  Presentation by Dr. Therese Willkomm titled “Tractor Seating.”  This three-hour session reviews the 2004 session (see above), and expands the seating concepts to those issues more commonly found in on-the-farm seating.  Presentation PowerPoint is available.
• 2006 NTW:  Presentation facilitated by Dr. Therese Willkomm titled “Wheelchairs and Farming.”  Representatives from five or six companies that manufacture and sell “off-road” capable wheelchairs took turns showing off their products.  The second half of the session allowed audience participants to ride-and-drive the wheelchairs.  Raw (unedited) video of the ride-and-drive was captured and is available.
• 2007 NTW:  Presentation by James Hubbard titled “Off Road Vehicle Seating.”  This three-hour session first focused on various seating issues the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute has encountered.  The second part of the presentation focused on learning how to use pressure mapping equipment, while also allowing the audience to get hands on experience.