10 Farming Equipment You Should Know

Farming equipment are the tools and machinery that are essential to the tilling, cultivating and harvesting processes of crops.

The farming pieces of equipment aid the farming processes and include numerous devices, spanning various kinds,that range from manual tools (used in ancient times) to the mechanized implements of today’s agricultural system. Over time, the agricultural equipment evolved into a far cry from manual tools that require excessive labour and manpower.More capable machines have been manufactured to carry the burden of the farm work, thereby making the processes easier and faster. They are, more or less,improvements upon the tools for, and existing modes of going about, farming.

This article discusses some equipment (10 of them)that are essential to the farmer, designed to suit the type of farming activity and the size of farm involved—small scale or industrial or mid-size.

There are many types of equipment beyond these 10, of course, and they all have roles they perform no matter how little. Because the available types of equipment are numerous, knowing which to purchase may be confusing, but the 10 types of equipment the article will consider can serve as a guide.

The 10 farm types of equipment are discussed below:

• TRACTOR:

This farm equipment is a very large category that is highly valued in the world of farming. It is manufactured in different sizes to suit whatever farm process it is needed for.

Mainly, the tractor’s job is to drag farm implements. However, modern ones can be joined with some attachments for a particular need on the farm. The attachments that the tractor makes room for are numerous according to the needed activity.This is why every farmer of whatever scale should consider having a tractor in their possession, as it is a worthy investment.

There are different types of tractors according to make and function like the wheeled tractor, orchard tractor, compact tractor, track tractor and so on.

• HARVESTER /COMBINE:

This equipment, mostly needed by grain farmers (whether small or large scale), helps in the efficient harvesting of crops. For small-scale farmers, a combine helps in the harvesting process, having a wide range of attachments to meet the farm’s needs. The equipment serves three main processes which are: reaping, threshing, and winnowing.

• ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (FOUR-WHEELERS) OR UTILITY VEHICLES—ATV/UTV:

These vehicles have become very widespread in recent times for easy movement across farms with unfavourable terrains. The vehicles are smaller and more efficient in comparison to many road motor vehicles, and are considerably faster than tractors.

More so, attachments like movers, little trailers, spreaders, and so on will function well with these equipment.

• PLOUGHS:

A plough is an attachment to a big tractor. The equipment drags behind and uses its blades to slash furrows in the ground. The plough thus helps to slacken and turn the soil and also eradicates any unwanted plants on the surface. Ploughing is an important initial step in preparation for planting. Three common types of ploughs are the disc plough, mouldboard plough, and chisel plough, made to suit the type of crop/soil and the condition of the soil.A farmer will do well to purchase a plough he/she can afford.

• HARROWS:

The harrow goes a step further in soil preparation for a farmer. It is also an attachment to a large tractor or ATVs.

The harrow dissects soil clumps, levels the ground, and reallocates the remnant weeds and crops so that fresh plants can sprout up.

These  are also useful following the distribution of manure for even allocation and division of clumps.

Spring harrow, disc harrow, chain harrow, and roller harrow are all common kinds of harrows.

• FERTILIZER SPREADERS:

These distribute fertilizer over the farm. Though some of these spreaders can function independently, several farm activities need fertilizer spreaders that are operated with tractors for fast and efficient distribution. According to fertilizer type in use, some common fertilizer spreaders are slurry fertilizer spreader, broadcast fertilizer spreader, and manure fertilizer spreader.

This equipment varies in cost and mass and so requires careful thought before a selection is made.

• SEEDERS:

These are made to spread seeds over large expanses of land rapidly and properly.

While small-scale farms can make do with manual seeders or seeding by human hand, large farms of today use seeders pulled by tractors.

Some of the seeding machine types used today are air seeders, broadcast seeders, planters, box drill seeders, and so on.

• BALERS & RAKES

Balers are tractor attachments, useful for the collection of straw, stalks, and so on, on the farm. The equipment wraps what has been collected into bales that are more convenient. The types of balers available are large square balers, round balers, and square balers.

On the other hand, rakes, as farm equipment, are used mainly in putting hay together. It can be a valuable attachment to a tractor as a pull-behind. Some of such attachment rakes are rotary rake, wheel rake, belt rake, and parallel-bar rake.

• MOWERS:

These are also tractor attachments that are important for large land spaces. The different kinds of mowers can meet diverse farm needs ranging from the management of grass to the harvesting of crops. The mower chosen for purchase is dependent on the land you have.

• CULTIVATORS:

This equipment is another tractor attachment that is used for the cultivation of soil, especially in controlling the growth of weeds. These machines are usually useful in small-scale farm activities and shallow tillage of the soil.

In conclusion, successful farming cannot be done without the help of farm equipment. They are the necessities to be purchased for the smooth agricultural operation that every farmer desires.

Though the equipment may seem expensive to purchase, especially the novel mechanized ones, they provide value for the amount they cost in the long run.

Do not hesitate to acquire pieces of equipment needed for your farm; they are always worth it.

Recall that this article did not exhaust the large variety of equipment that innovation and technology have made available to aid farmers. Hence, a farmer or intending one should not hesitate to seek additional knowledge and give deep thought to the kind of equipment needed to suit the particular need.