Farm Machinery And Implements | Functions & Uses

Hi, welcome to this blog on farm machinery and implements, descriptions and their functions/uses and importance.

Table Of Contents

At the end of this article, students should be able to:

1. Define farm machinery
2. Tractor
3. Bulldozer
4. Tree pullers
5. Shellers
6. Dryers
7. Incubator
8. Milking machine
9. Harrows
10. Seeders
11. Sprayers
12. Planters
13. Cultivators
14. Ridgers
15. Haversters.
16. Importance of farm machinery.

Definition of Farm Machinery

Definition: Farm machinery includes various types of machines and implements used in the farm. This include tractors, ploughs, harrows, cultivators, ridgers, planters, harvesters, shellers, dryers, planters, sprayers, incubators. The most important implement or machine in the farm, which is used for operating many Farm implement is the tractor.

See Also

• Uses and maintenance of farm structures and buildings
• Simple Farm tools, functions and thier uses
• Types of fishing tools, description, functions and uses

TYPES OF FARM MACHINERY AND IMPLEMENTS

TRACTORS

The tractor is a powerful and expensive multipurpose motor vehicle used for lifting or pulling Farm implements. It is a quick with governor system. It has power take off shaft used in drawing Farm implement like ploughs harrows, harvesters, planters, etc.

Functions and Uses of tractor

• Transportation of Farm inputs, materials and Farm produce/haulage with trailer attached..
• It operates water pumps for irrigation or order Farm purposes.
• Lifting of coupled implements through the hydraulic system.
• Pulling of Farm implement like plough.
• Tilling the soil with appropriate implement attached.
• Planting seeds when coupled with planters.
• spraying seedlings when coupled with sprayers.
• Harvesting crops when coupled together with appropriate machines.
• It can be stationary power source for equipment like Shellers and grinders.
• Can be used for mowing lawn with mowers.

BULLDOZER

Types of Farm Machinery: Bulldozers are powerful tractors and expensive machines with a broad steel blade or sheet at the front. It has a tract-type metal blade chains, used for it movement. It consists of internal combustion engine which uses diesel or petrol. The bulldozer which has track metal chains move by the aid of driving sprocket, track rollers and idler roller.

Functions and Uses of Bulldozer

• Bulldozer is used for Bush clearing.
• It is used for felling trees and stumps.
• It is used for leveling the ground.
• It is also used to construct rules on the farm and in rural areas.
• It is used for moving and collection of earth.

TREE PULLERS

Types of Farm Machinery: The Tree puller is a machine just like the tractor or bulldozer. It has the ability to move on the soil surface with minimal disturbance on the top soil. It also has a unique features of pulling up trees from their stands with minimal disturbances of the rich top soil. It is recommended for use instead of the Bulldozer.

SHELLERS

Types of Farm Machinery: These are machines operated electrically, mechanically or manually. It is made up of Hopper, bucket, a winder and a drum with rubber or meta spikes. Shellers are of different types, made to suit the types of crops to be shelled. It is a processing machine used to separate dry grains at 10% moisture content from the cob of maize.

Functions And Uses Of Farm Machinery (Shellers)

• Shellers are used mainly to separate the seed from the Hawks or cob. In other words, shellers are used in removing the hard, outer covering of the Nuts, grains (rice, maize, cowpea), etc.

DRYERS

These are farm machines used to reduce moisture content of the commodities such as grains, cocoa, etc. It operates by electricity.

Functions and Uses of farm machinery (Dryers)

• It is used for drying plant materials, e.g. cocoa, beans, groundnut, maize, etc.
• It is also used for drying animal products such as meat.
• It generate heat or distribute heat which dries up or reduces moisture content of stored produce.

INCUBATORS

Incubators are made in varying size and designs. They use different types of fuel, (e.g, oil lamp, electricity, etc, to supply the heat required. Types of incubators include natural draught or table type, and force draught or cabinet type.

Functions and uses of Incubator

• Incubators are machines used for hatching fertilised eggs artificially. It takes 21 days for fertilized eggs of domestic fowl to develop and hatch in incubators.

MILKING MACHINES

Types of Farm Machinery: The milking machine is made up of an electric motor, vacuum pump, source of power, trap pail, vacuum controller, gauge, gap, milk tank and four teat cups.

Functions and uses of milking machines

• Milking machines are used for milking or extracting fresh milk mechanically from the udder of cattle (cow) and other milk producing animals like sheep (ewe) and goat (doe).

Plow

Description: Plow is one of the types of farm machinery and it’s a tool with one or more blades designed to turn over and break up soil.

• Function: Used for deep soil preparation, turning over crop residues, and preparing the land for planting.

Harrow

Description: This another types of farm machinery, A farm implement with spikes, tines, or disks used to break up clods, level the soil, and incorporate fertilizer.

• Function: Smoothes the soil, prepares seedbeds, and enhances soil aeration.

Seeder

Description: Seeder is a machine used to sow seeds uniformly in rows or across a field.

• Function: It Ensures precise and even seed distribution, improving crop yield and efficiency.

Combine Harvester

Description: A machine that reaps, threshes, and winnows grain crops in a single operation.

• Function: Harvests crops like wheat, barley, and oats efficiently, separating the grain from the straw.

Cultivator

Description: A tool or machine with rotating blades or tines used to weed, aerate, and loosen the soil.

• Function: Helps control weeds, break soil crusts, and improve soil structure.

Hay Baler

Description: A machine that compresses and bundles cut hay or straw into manageable bales.

• Function: Hay baler Facilitates hay and straw storage, transportation, and feeding livestock.

Sprayer

Description: Sprayer is one of types of farm machinery, This equipment or piece of tools is designed to apply pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides to crops.

• Function: Sprayer Ensures precise and even application of chemicals to protect crops and promote growth.

Grain Dryer

Description: A machine that dries harvested grains to prevent spoilage and maintain quality.

• Function: Removes excess moisture from grains, ensuring safe storage and marketing.

Manure Spreader

Description: Manure Spreader is one of the types of Farm machinery and it’s a machine that spreads animal manure evenly across fields.

• Function: Manure Spreader Improves soil fertility and nutrient distribution for better crop growth.

Windrower

Description: Equipment used to cut and arrange swaths of hay or grain for easier harvesting.

• Function: Prepares crops for efficient pickup and processing by harvesters.

Thresher

Description: A machine designed to separate grains from the husks and straw.

• Function: Efficiently separates grain from the crop, making it easier to collect and store.

Silage Chopper

Description: Equipment used to cut and chop green forage crops into small pieces for silage production.

• Function: Prepares feed for livestock and facilitates silage fermentation for long-term storage.

Corn Picker

Description: A specialized machine used to harvest maize (corn) by picking the ears from the stalks.

• Function: Efficiently harvests corn, removing ears and leaving the stalks in the field.

General Importance of Farm Machinery

The Importance of farm machinery includes the following:

1. Increased Efficiency: Mechanized equipment performs tasks faster and more efficiently than manual labor, allowing farmers to cover larger areas in less time.
2. Precision Farming: Machinery enables precise control over planting, irrigation, and harvesting, optimizing resource usage and reducing waste.
3. Time Savings: Automation reduces the time required for various farming operations, allowing farmers to focus on other essential aspects of their business.
4. Higher Productivity: High Productivity is another importance of farm machinery, Farm machinery enhances overall productivity by enabling timely planting, efficient cultivation, and timely harvesting, resulting in higher crop yields.
5. Cost Reduction: While initial investment in machinery can be significant, the long-term cost savings in labor and increased productivity often outweigh these expenses.
6. Conservation of Resources: Modern farm equipment helps conserve resources such as water and fuel through optimized irrigation and fuel-efficient machinery.
7. Scale of Operations: Mechanization allows farmers to manage larger land areas, contributing to the scalability and competitiveness of agricultural operations.
8. Weather Independence: Machinery can operate in various weather conditions, reducing dependence on specific weather patterns for manual labor.
9. Improved Crop Quality: Mechanized processes ensure uniformity in planting, cultivation, and harvesting, leading to better quality crops.
10. Technological Advancements: Integration of technology in farm machinery, such as GPS guidance and sensors, enables data-driven decision-making for improved agricultural practices.

Revision Questions

1. What is farm machinery?
2. List 10 Farm machinery and implements in agriculture.
3. What are the functions of bulldozer?
4. Briefly explain the description and functions of a tractor.
5. State uses of milking machine
6. What at the importance of Farm machinery and implements in agriculture?