Tractor noise exposure levels were measured for three different tractors power category I, II, and III. The tests were performed on different ground surfaces of asphalt, concrete (compressed hard soil), and normal crops field. The influence of engine speeds, ground configurations, and gear selections on noise exposure levels were determined. An average increase of 3.76 and 6.8 dBA was measured for engine speed changes from 1200 to 1500 rpm and 1500 to 2000 rpm respectively. The average sound level decreased as the top layer changed from concrete to asphalt and then to normal crops field. Change of gear selection from I to II and from II to III led to increase the average sound levels by 2.9% and 6 % respectively.
Results of the noise exposure measurements indicated the need for using a hearing protection aids specially for those workers accompanying the attached equipment for the tractors under study, since noise exposure levels had exceeded the permissible limit of 90 dBA for 8– hours work day which reached 93.7, 90.2, 90.8, 91.5, 83 dBA at driver seat, the front side, the left side, the right side and rear side respectively for Landini tractor (65.6 kW). While for Nasr tractor (48.5 kW) were 98.4, 93.7, 94, 94 and 92 dBA respectively for the mentioned positions. Also, for the Doedang tractor (26 kW), the noise values were 41.5, 53.8, 55.9, 55.6, 39 dBA respectively for those positions. Tractor's cap should also be used according to the standard specification of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).