Power Cutter for Woody Plants:
Problem: |
One Solution: |
Thick woody plants are difficult to cut with
small propagation shears. Repetitive gripping
can contribute to chronic problems in
the hand, wrist, and arm. |
Use a bench-mounted power cutter to relieve
repetitive gripping and speed the work. |
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Nursery workers use hand shears to make
cuttings from plants for future propagation.
Some plants, such as juniper, have thick
and woody stems. |
Reduces need for repetitive and forceful
gripping. |
Highly repetitive hand work can contribute
to chronic injury of the hand, wrist, and arm
(such as tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome).
When workers have to squeeze
forcefully, the risk of injury is increased
even more. |
Reduces need for handling of cuttings. |
Repetition leads to fatigue of small muscles
and to increased wear on tools. |
Can improve productivity. |
Besides the injury factor, woody plants can
be prickly and difficult to handle. |
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Power Cutter
How Does the Cutter Work?
The cutter uses air pressure to power a pneumatic
cylinder that closes and opens a set of mounted
hand shears, which have been modified for
this purpose. Each cycle is activated by a light
touch of the plant material against the trigger
lever of an air micro-switch.
How Does the Cutter Affect
Cutting Quality?
The cutting quality is unchanged, because the
blades are identical to those of current hand
shears. Workers new to the powered cutter will
need one to two hours of practice before they can
use it as well as the hand shears.
How Does the Cutter Affect
Productivity?
Reducing fatigue may increase productivity over
the course of the day. Also, workers with physical
limitations may be able to use the machine much
more easily than the hand shears, and thus be
more productive.
Where Can I Get a Power Cutter?
Contact:
MG Enterprises
Rocky Canyon Road
Creston, CA 93432
Prices will likely run about $1,000 for a smaller
cutter and $1,250 for a larger one.
Contact Information:
This Tip Sheet was produced by the University of
California Agricultural Ergonomics Research
Center under a grant from the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health.
UC Ag Ergonomics Research Center, Bio & Ag
Engineering, UC Davis, One Shields Avenue,
Davis, CA 95616-5294.
Or visit http://ag-ergo.ucdavis.edu.
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