Agriculture is a sector that requires huge investment and time. For this reason, it is essential to have well-maintained machinery to ensure the quality of work. A lot of agricultural activities like farming, harvesting, sowing, etc., require the use of agricultural equipment. Without them, it will be difficult to carry out these activities.

To ensure that your farm is productive and you are making a profit at the end of every season, you need to invest in different kinds of farm equipment like tractors, harvesters, sprayers, etc. 

While there are lots of agricultural equipment for your farm needs, not all can be used for every activity on your farm. In this article, we will be looking at different types of farm equipment and their uses.

Common Types of Farm Equipment and Their Uses

1. Tractors: 

A tractor is an important type of farm equipment that is used for plowing fields and transporting materials. A tractor is a single-axle vehicle with large rear wheels. Tractors are available in different sizes and power levels and can be fitted with attachments to perform different tasks on a farm. Plows, tillers, seed drills, corn planters, cultivators, and harrows are all examples of farm equipment that can be attached to a tractor.

There are several different types of tractors. Some of them are listed below: 

• Compact tractors: 

Compact tractors are small, high-powered machines that can handle all the basic farming tasks on a farm. They’re ideal for maneuvering through tight spaces and can be used for material handling.

• Wheeled tractors:

Another kind of tractor is a wheeled tractor.It is a general-purpose tractor that is powerful enough to handle tough tasks like tilling or material handling around your property.

• Track tractors:

What sets track tractors apart from other farm vehicles is the rubber tracks on which they operate. These tracks are placed in the shape of a belt giving the equipment more power and control than other kinds of tractors. 

• Orchard tractors:

Orchard tractors are designed with features to make them ideal for orchard work. Orchard tractors are small and fit more easily between rows of trees, yet they still have the power necessary to do landscaping and maintenance.

2. Harvester or combine equipment:

A harvester is a type of farm equipment that combines different operations into one machine, thereby performing multiple tasks required during harvesting. For example, a combine harvester is used for three primary functions – reaping, threshing, and winnowing. 

• Reaping:

The header, reel, and cutter bar on the combine are used to reap the crops. The header gathers the crops as the reel propels them toward the cutter bar, which slices them at the base. 

• Threshing:

The process of separating the edible from the non-edible components of a crop is known as threshing. The threshing drum separates the grains from their stalks by pounding the cut crops.

• Winnowing:

The process of separating light chaff from grain is known as winnowing, and it is often done while the grain is still in the threshing drum. Then with the help of sieves, the chaff is separated from the grain. 

3. ATV or UTV:

The ATV, or all-terrain vehicle, is a small off-road machine that has grown in popularity for agricultural use in recent years. The ATV is a four-wheeled machine with a seat for the driver. Farmers are increasingly employing ATVs to perform tasks on farms.

These small machines can handle rough terrain better than most road vehicles, and they can harvest crops faster than traditional tractors. The UTV, or utility vehicle, is similar to an ATV but it has a fully enclosed cab with doors and windows. A UTV has more space for passengers and cargo than an ATV because of its larger size.

4. Farm Machinery Attachments 

Farm machinery attachments add versatility to tractors and other machinery. They are commonly attached to tractors to perform various functions, including soil management and seeding. The more common varieties of farm machinery attachments are listed below: 

• Plows or ploughs:Plows make it easier for farmers to till the land before planting crops. They are used to turn the soil over which buries weeds and crop residue, while also breaking up the soil to create a soft seedbed for crops to grow in. Plows come in various sizes and shapes, depending on what they will be used for on a farm.

• Cultivator: The cultivator is used for the cultivation of soil in agricultural applications, specifically in the area of weed control. These are used for shallow tillage and are often used in smaller farming operations. The main benefit of a cultivator is its ability to create deep, smooth, and even rows. This allows you to cut the grass evenly and eliminate weeds in areas where you don’t want them.

• Harrow: Harrow is an agricultural equipment used to break up and even out the surface of the soil. Once the soil is plowed and ready for use, harrowing can be used to break up clumps and create a smooth surface. It also moves crop residue and spreads fertilizer evenly to help seeds take root and grow quickly. Harrowing can also be used after the soil is manured or fertilized, which helps the fertilizer dissolve more easily in the soil and helps with aeration.

• Fertilizer spreader: Fertilizer spreaders are farm equipment that is used to distribute fertilizers on the soil. This is done before sowing the seeds and helps in better germination and growth of crops. There are different kinds of fertilizer spreaders available in the market, ranging from hand-held ones to tractor-mounted models.

• Seeders: A seeder is a piece of farm equipment that places seeds into the soil at a certain distance, depth, and spacing.  Seeder machines are used by farmers to prepare the soil for planting.

• Balers: Baler is a type of tractor implement that is widely used in farming. It is used to compress crops such as hay, cotton, straw, etc., into tight bales or rolls. These bales are easy to store and handle. They also help in easier transportation of the crop from one place to another. 

• Wagons or trailers: Wagons and trailers are must-haves for farming. They can be used for a variety of tasks including harvesting, material handling, human resource transportation, and equipment transportation.

• Sprayers: A pesticide or fertilizer sprayer is an attachment on the end of a hose. This is a versatile piece of equipment that is often used to apply a variety of substances, such as insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. They’re designed to be used at low pressures and high volumes and can be attached to a wide range of hoses and other nozzles.

• Forklift truck: A forklift truck (also called a lift truck or a stacker truck) is an industrial truck used to lift and move materials for short distances.

• Hay rake: A hay rake is an agricultural rake used to gather cut hay or straw into windrows for later collection (e.g. by a baler or a loader wagon). It is also designed in such a way as to fluff up the hay and turn it over in order to speed up the drying process.

• Mowers: Mowers are used for cutting grasses and other plants in order to make hay. These machines come in many types, such as sickle mowers, rotary mowers, reel mowers, flail mowers, drum mowers, and electric mowers.
• Transplanters: A planter is a piece of farm equipment used to plant seeds into the ground. The seed is planted using a transplanter which pushes the seed into the soil.

Conclusion

There are many types of farm equipment, ranging from farm attachment machinery to heavy equipment. Each type can vary in size and purpose as it is used to perform tasks that affect the comfort and profitability of farmers. Sometimes it is preferred to rent farm equipment than owning them because it will reduce the cost burden where you just need to pay whenever it is required. So, understanding the different kinds of farm equipment can help you decide what is needed for your operation.

Also check: Best Affordable Heavy Equipment Rental in Saudi Arabia