Equipment machinery agriculture

Types of agricultural equipment and machinery

Agricultural equipment and machinery are essential for performing various agricultural tasks efficiently. There are two main types of agricultural equipment: fixed and movable.

• Fixed agricultural equipment: Fixed agricultural equipment usually refers to the tools and equipment set up for specific purposes and cannot be moved at will. Such tools are often placed in the farm center for regular use. An example of fixed agricultural equipment is a deep freezer for farm produce. It can also be an irrigation system that provides a fixed plot of farmland with fixed irrigation. The fertility laboratory in a farm location can also be considered fixed agricultural equipment because it works at a specific location within the farm setup.
• Movable agricultural equipment: Movable agricultural equipment refers to tools that can be taken around the farm or moved to different locations. Generally, movable agricultural equipment is used for mobile agricultural practices. Examples of movable agricultural equipment include hand sprinklers, which can be taken to different locations within the farm and hand hoes and rakes that can be moved and taken to different locations depending on where the farmer needs them at a particular point in time.

Various farming equipment and machines, often categorized according to their functions, include:

• Soil cultivation equipment and machinery: It breaks up the soil before planting and works like a plow, harrow, and rototiller.
• Seed planting equipment and machinery: These help sow seeds uniformly and efficiently, including seed drills and planters.
• Irrigation equipment and machinery: It helps water crops, such as sprinkler systems, drip irrigation, and surface irrigation equipment.
• Fertilization and pesticide spraying equipment and machinery: These ensure that crops receive the right nutrients and protection, including spreaders and sprayers.
• Harvesting equipment and machinery: It helps to reap crops, gather fruits, and separate grains, such as combines, harvesters, and specialized farm equipment for fruit collecting.
• General farm equipment and machinery: It includes tractors, tillers, and automated farming equipment and machinery used for specific agricultural purposes, like greenhouses.

Modern agricultural equipment also includes smart farming technologies like GPS-guided tractors, autonomous drones for crop monitoring, and farm management software.

Specification and Maintenance

The following are specifications and special equipment for agricultural machinery used in agriculture and farming:

• Tractors: Tractors' engine power is shown in horsepower (HP) or kilowatts (KW). Generally, it ranges from small models, about 20-50 HP, to large models, which are more than 100 HP. Plus, it can pull heavy trailers for long-distance transportation of harvested crops.
• Plows: There are different types of plows for agriculture with varying sizes. The main sizes are depth and width. Sizes vary according to the type of soil that needs to be worked on and the crop that has been planted.
• Tillage Equipment: The tillage equipment also has types and sizes that vary. The discs usually have an average diameter of 16-20 inches, and the harrows have an average width of 3-10 feet. Additionally, the power take-off (PTO) horsepower requirement for tillage equipment ranges from 10 to 50 HP, depending on the type and size of the equipment.
• Sowers and Seeders: The sowers and seeders can be calibrated to plant at widths that vary between 6 and 36 inches. Also, the planting depth may vary from 0.5 to 4 inches. Additionally, it may be adjusted depending on the type of crop and soil conditions.
• Harvesters: The width at which crops are harvested varies according to the type of harvester. A combine harvester usually has a cutting platform that ranges from 10 to 30 feet. Additionally, the harvesting capacity for a combine can be anything from a small 10-ton model to a large 1,000-ton model or more. The throughput also varies more than 1,500 kilograms per hour to 10,000 kilograms per hour for larger models.
• Sprayers: The area of coverage for a sprayer is indicated in acres or hectares, and it usually ranges from 50 to 200 acres per hour. Additionally, the capacity of the sprayer's tank ranges from 100 to 5,000 liters, depending on the type and model.
• Fertilizer Spreaders: The fertilizer spreader's capacity usually ranges from 100 to 5,000 liters. Spreading can be done up to a maximum width of 1 to 18 meters, depending on the type of spreader.
• Farm Machines: Farm machines' horsepower requirements can vary from 5 to 50 HP, depending on the type and size of the machine. The farm machines may be powered by an engine, electric motor, or hydraulic power.
• Agricultural Attachments: The attachment of agricultural equipment varies in size and capacity, depending on the crop and soil condition. For example, a front loader may have a capacity of 1 to 5 tons, while a tiller may cover a width of 1 to 3 meters.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance of agricultural machinery and equipment is necessary so it lasts longer and works better. Thorough inspections should be done regularly to detect any possible issues early on. Most agricultural machinery requires lubrication for smooth operation and to prevent wear and tear, so used oils must be disposed of properly and in accordance with local regulations.

Clean and dry the equipment thoroughly after use each time. Rinse off all soil, water, and debris, and look for early signs of corrosion, like mold or mildew. Drain all fluids when not used for a long time. Make sure to keep it stored in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Get all the parts calibrated and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications to achieve the best results and avoid undue strain on the equipment.

Always refer to the equipment manuals for the service schedules and develop a maintenance routine based on them. The manuals will specify the lubrication points, the types of lubricants and fluids used, and the specific procedures for cleaning and calibrating the equipment.

Purchasing used or new agricultural equipment is a big investment for any business, and they must be maintained properly. Frequent repairs are needed, and high costs can result if the equipment is not looked after.

Scenarios of equipment machinery agriculture

• Farming machinery

  Agricultural equipment for professional use. Harvesters are massive farming machines, sometimes called self-propelled, that help cut, thresh, and collect grains while they move along the field.

• Planting equipment

  Seed drills are vital farming machines. Agricultural seed drills are one of the machines that help accurately place various seeds at the right depths and spacing to ensure optimal growth. Besides neatly and evenly putting the seeds into the soil, modern drills can also fertilize and lime the fields, making more efficient use of time and labor. The equipment can be animal-powered, but generally, it is tractor-powered or used with tractors.

• Post-harvest processing and storage equipment

  Farming equipment after harvest. Grain dryer is one such specialized piece of agricultural machinery. It is used to reduce the moisture content of harvested grains like rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, and sunflower seeds, among other crops.

• Livestock machinery

  Machinery used in the agriculture industry to rear and tend domestic animals. Milking equipment refers to the specialized machinery that farmers use to extract milk from dairy animals, primarily cows and goats. Milking machinery consists of a series of tubes, suction cups, and pumps that comfortably and efficiently attach to the animal's udders. The equipment sucks the milk out, and electronic controls adjust the suction and release to imitate the natural action of an animal's baby while breastfeeding. Automating the milking process has many benefits. It helps milk farmers collect more milk daily, reduce the strain on farmworkers, and improve the breed's overall health by reducing the daily manual milking process.

How to choose equipment machinery agriculture

For buyers, choosing the right equipment for their farms will depend on many factors ranging from the nature and size of the farm, the type of crops, economic considerations, etc. When choosing the proper agricultural equipment, buyers should assess their annual output carefully and determine their hourly and daily needs.

Understand the nature of the farm and the type of crops also. What is more, the soil conditions, climate, and other factors affecting crop yield and quality also have a say in the type of equipment to be used. For instance, in hilly areas, farm owners may use terrace tractors for their farm, but those in plain land may use large tractors. Also, those who grow root crops like potatoes and carrots may need different harvesting equipment from those who farm grains or fruits.

Buyers should also consider the level of farm labor and expertise. Mechanized farms with ample trained workers can use more complicated and costly equipment than small farms that may outsource their farming work to untrained labor. The economic aspect is important, too, as the initial cost offsets, maintenance expenses, and resale value of the farm equipment will factor in it. Consider whether the farm equipment can be easily moved and adjusted to farm needs and if it is compatible with existing farming tools.

Finally, buyer reviews and feedback about farm equipment can go a long way in smoothing the buying process and helping to make a well-informed decision. Before finalizing the order, buyers should source their farm equipment from suppliers that offer quality after-sales service and spare parts supply.

Agriculture equipment machinery FAQ

Q1: What is the purpose of agricultural machinery?

A1: The purpose of agricultural machinery is to make farming tasks more efficient, save time, reduce manual labor, and improve the quality and quantity of agricultural products.

Q2: How does agricultural machinery benefit farming?

A2: Agriculture equipment machinery helps in various ways, such as streamlining farming processes, increasing productivity, lowering labor requirements, enhancing precision in tasks like planting and harvesting, and ultimately contributing to higher crop yields.

Q3: What are some recent trends in agricultural machinery?

A3: Recent trends in agriculture machinery include automation and robotics, precision farming, smart machinery with IoT connectivity, sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, and the integration of AI and machine learning for data-driven farming practices.

Q4: What factors should someone consider when buying agricultural machinery?

A4: When buying agricultural equipment for farms, people should think about what they're buying it for, the size of the farm, how easy it is to use, if it will last a long time, if local help is available, how cost-effective and efficient it is, and if it has modern features and technology.