Agriculture (0600) | Farm machinery

IGCSE Agriculture (0600) Study Notes: Farm Machinery

Introduction: The Power of Machines

Hello! This chapter focuses on Farm Machinery—the engines and tools that make modern agriculture fast, efficient, and scalable. Whether you are using a huge tractor or simple animal-drawn implements, understanding their use and care is essential for efficient farming.
We will look at why farmers use machines (the pros and cons of mechanisation) and learn the specific roles and maintenance routines for five crucial pieces of equipment. Let's get started!

1. Farm Mechanisation: The Big Picture (Syllabus 10.5a)

What is Farm Mechanisation?

Farm Mechanisation refers to the process of using machines or mechanical power (like engines or even trained draft animals like oxen or donkeys) to perform farm operations, replacing manual labour. It ranges from using a tractor-drawn plough to using a simple animal-drawn ridger.

Advantages of Farm Mechanisation

Mechanisation brings speed and efficiency, especially for large-scale farming. Think of it as upgrading from walking to driving a car—everything happens faster!

• Increased Efficiency and Speed: Machines can cover vast areas much quicker than manual labour. This means crops can be planted or harvested at the optimal time, leading to better yields.
• Handles Difficult Tasks: Heavy tasks, like deep ploughing or clearing dense vegetation (stumping), become easier or even possible.
• Uniformity and Precision: Implements like planters ensure consistent seed depth and spacing, which is vital for maximum crop yield.
• Labour Reduction: Fewer workers are needed for the same task, reducing labour costs, especially during peak seasons (like harvesting).
• Better Quality of Work: For tasks like soil preparation, machines often achieve a more consistent and fine tilth (soil texture) than hand tools.

Quick Memory Trick: Mechanisation = SQUEL (Speed, Quality, Uniformity, Efficiency, Labour reduction).

Disadvantages of Farm Mechanisation

While powerful, machines also come with significant drawbacks that farmers must consider:

• High Initial Cost: Tractors and large implements are expensive to buy and often require loans.
• Operating Costs: Machines require fuel (which costs money) and spare parts (which must be imported and can be costly).
• Maintenance and Skills: Mechanisation requires skilled operators and mechanics. Repairs can be difficult and expensive if specialized knowledge is not available locally.
• Soil Compaction: Heavy machinery presses down on the soil, destroying the good crumb structure and creating hard layers (soil pans). This reduces drainage and root growth.
• Environmental Impact: The use of fuel contributes to air pollution.

Key Takeaway for Section 1: Mechanisation boosts speed and quality but requires significant investment, skill, and careful management to avoid soil damage like compaction.

2. Key Farm Implements: Use and Maintenance (Syllabus 10.5b)

Farm implements are tools that perform specific tasks. They are typically drawn (pulled) by power sources, whether those are draft animals (oxen, donkeys) or tractors.

General Importance of Maintenance

Good maintenance is not just about keeping the machine running; it’s about safety, saving money, and ensuring the job is done correctly. A well-maintained implement works better and lasts longer.

Memory Aid for Maintenance Steps: The 4 Ls:
1. Lubricate (Grease moving parts)
2. Listen (Check for strange noises during operation)
3. Look (Inspect for wear, damage, or loose bolts)
4. Lodge (Store correctly, away from rain and sun)

2.1. The Mould-Board Plough

Use of the Mould-Board Plough

The mould-board plough is the most common tool for primary tillage (the first, deep cutting of the soil).

• Action: It uses a large, curved metal plate (the mould-board) to cut a slice of soil (the furrow slice), lift it, and completely invert it (turn it over).
• Purpose: This action buries weeds, crop residues, and pests deep into the soil, helping to control them and incorporating organic matter. It loosens the soil deeply.

Maintenance of the Mould-Board Plough

• Check Wear: The share (the cutting edge) wears out quickly. Ensure it is sharp and replaced when necessary.
• Cleanliness: Immediately after use, clean all soil and debris, especially if the soil is sticky. Soil left on the metal causes rust (corrosion).
• Lubrication: Grease all joints and bearings. If storing for a long period, cover the polished metal parts with oil or old grease to prevent rusting.
• Alignment: Ensure the plough is correctly aligned to cut straight and evenly.

2.2. The Cultivator

Use of the Cultivator

The cultivator is used for secondary tillage (preparing the final seedbed after primary ploughing). It is also commonly used for inter-row weed control.

• Action: It has curved metal shanks or tines that rip through the soil but do not invert it completely, leaving some residue on the surface (good for preventing erosion).
• Purpose: It breaks up large clods left by the plough and prepares a fine, level seedbed. It destroys newly germinated weeds without disturbing the deep soil structure too much.

Maintenance of the Cultivator

• Shank Integrity: Check that all the tines (shanks) are straight and not bent. A bent shank won't work the soil evenly.
• Tightness: All nuts and bolts holding the shanks must be tight, as they vibrate intensely during work.
• Cleaning: Remove any tangled roots, crop residue, or weeds from the shanks after operation.

2.3. The Harrow

Use of the Harrow

The harrow often follows the cultivator. It is the final tool used for preparing a smooth, fine seedbed.

• Types: Harrows can be disc harrows (heavy, rolling discs) or tine harrows (springy teeth).
• Purpose: It levels the soil surface and pulverizes (breaks down) any remaining small clods, creating a perfect environment for tiny seeds to germinate.

Maintenance of the Harrow

• Disc Harrows: Check the sharpness and rotation of the discs. Ensure the bearings that allow the discs to spin are properly lubricated.
• Tine Harrows: Check for broken or bent teeth and ensure the frame is not warped.
• Storage: Store harrows off the ground if possible, or place wooden blocks under the frame to prevent the tines/discs from resting in damp soil.

2.4. The Planter (Seeder)

Use of the Planter

Planters are essential for crops requiring precise spacing and depth (e.g., maize, beans).

• Action: It opens a furrow, deposits seeds (and often fertilizer) at precise intervals and depth, and then covers the seeds with soil, all in one pass.
• Importance: Proper planting depth and spacing lead directly to high, uniform yields.

Maintenance of the Planter

• Calibration: This is critical. Regularly check the mechanism that drops the seeds to ensure it is dropping the correct *seed rate* (number of seeds per meter/hectare).
• Cleanliness: Empty and thoroughly clean the seed hopper and fertilizer boxes immediately after use. Fertilizer residue is highly corrosive and will destroy metal parts quickly.
• Moving Parts: Lubricate chains, gears, and drive mechanisms according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Did you know? Planter calibration must be checked every season, especially if the farmer changes the size or type of seed!

2.5. The Ridger

Use of the Ridger

The ridger is used to create raised beds (ridges or banks) in the field.

• Action: It uses two angled mould-boards (sometimes called wings) to push soil inwards and upwards, forming a ridge.
• Purpose: Ridges are necessary for certain crops (like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams) and are important for managing water. They prevent waterlogging in rainy seasons and help funnel irrigation water in dry seasons.

Maintenance of the Ridger

• Symmetry: The two wings must be adjusted to be perfectly symmetrical so that the ridges formed are uniform and straight. Uneven ridges complicate future cultivation (weeding, harvesting).
• Bolts: Ensure the wings are tightly bolted to the frame, as they bear heavy pressure when pushing soil.
• Cleaning: Scrape off compacted soil and store the ridger off the ground.

Key Takeaway for Section 2: Different machines perform specific jobs in soil preparation and planting. Effective maintenance—especially cleaning corrosive materials like fertilizer and lubricating moving parts—is mandatory for long implement life.