AGR 101 2018/2019

AGR 101: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE (I)

FARM IMPLEMENTS AND AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION

INTRODUCTION
Farming as an enterprise, is concerned with the production of food as well as raw materials
for agro-allied industries. The process of farming involves cultural practices as land
preparation, planting, weeding, fertilizer and agricultural chemical application, harvesting,
transportation, storage of the harvested etc.

Recently, there is what can be called revolution in the agricultural sector which entails the
mechanization of the farming activities.

However, in Africa, the mechanized farming is only employed by some few rich farmers,
government agencies, cooperative societies and some institutions within the continent. The
local farmers are still using the simple farm implements for crop cultivation.

FARM IMPLEMENTS

The peasant farmers who produce the bulk of the food and raw materials, including the
large scale farmers based on their abilities make various uses of implements and
machinery for carrying out their farming activities.

These implements can be grouped into three (3). Viz;

1. Hand Tools
2. Hand and Animal Drawn Implements
3. Farm Machines.

1. Hand Tools
These are tools or devices that are primarily used in performing those jobs or
activities that do not require the use of a machine. They are handed and powered by
the person using them.
In general, the operations performed in the production of most crops are the same.
These operations are grouped into three (pre-planting, planting and post-planting
operations). The crops grown by farmers are either cultivated on flat land or slightly
raised beds, while others are planted on ridges (e.g. yam). In vegetable and fruit
crop cultivation, the preparation of Nursery beds for raising seedlings prior to
transplanting is required. All the aforementioned cultivation requires the use of
various tools. Hence, farmers in this regard can be grouped as either Small Scale
Farmers (poor) or Large Scale Farmers.
The Small Scale Farmers are in most cases rural dwellers and are relatively poor and
do not have access to modern Agricultural Machinery. They own relatively few tools

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since their purchasing power is fairly limited. They mostly make use of hand
implements, which are manufactured locally.
The hand tools required for farm operations comprises of; Hoes, cutlasses, Mattocks,
Axes, Spades, Shovels, Garden/Digging Forks, Trowel, Rake, Wheel barrow,
Watering Can, Garden Shears, Secateurs etc.
a) Hoe
The hoe is an ancient and a well known hand tool used in moving or breaking up
the soil in the preparation of land for planting. The hoe can either be long or
short handled hoe.
The long handled hoes are used for loosening and breaking up the soil in the
land preparation stage of crop cultivation. They are operated using both hands
for they are raised above the shoulder height before being driven into the soil.
The operation requires a tremendous amount of energy especially when the soil
is hard and dry. The hoe is mainly of two types; the spade and the pronged
type. The spade type is also known as West Indian hoe or Dutch hoe. It has a
heavy, wide and a slightly curved blade in most cases. On the other hand, the
pronged type which is also known as Khodali hoe has metal pronges that are
useful in breaking up heavy soils. Both the two types have strong wooden
handles of varying lengths that are at least 1m long.
The short handled hoes are hoes with handles that are rarely more than 60cm
long. The size and shape of the blade varies considerably according to the local
customs, traditions and the field operation for which they are used. The blade of
this type of hoe is more reduced than that of the long handled hoe and may be
narrower.
The short handled hoe is used for operations such as weeding, raising up
mounds/ridges and for transplanting. The hoes are used in bending position and
are most suitable for operation that requires accurate control of the blade.
b) Cutlass
The cutlass is basically a blade of hardened steel, mounted in a wooden or
sometimes synthetic rubber handle. The blade size and shape varies
considerably; it can be straight or slightly curved. The slightly curved blade is
used for heavy cuttings while the straight blade can be used for light cutting.
Cutlasses are usually sharpened to give a good cutting edge.
Uses include;
- Cutting of matured weeds,
- Harvesting of root crops such as yam, cassava etc,
- Preparing sticks for supporting the climbing of crops and also for making of
stakes that supports vines, fences and hedges.

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- Smaller cutlasses can be used to prepare holes for seed sowing and even
loosening of the soil surfaces in some cases.
c) Pick Axe
This is also called a digger. It is a hand tool that is fairly heavy which requires
some skills for effective operation. It has a slightly curve metal head, into which
it is inserted, a strong wooden handle. The head is attached perpendicular to the
handle. One side of the head is pointed and the other is flattened. The depth of
penetration into the soil depends on the energy employed by the user.
Use;
- For breaking up heavy soils, digging trenches, tree stumps and roots.
d) Mattock
This is a modified pick axe, with a flattened hoe-like blade replacing the pointed
end of the pick axe, the other end of the iron head is a narrow axe-like blade. It is
used to shape, split and cut woods, to harvest timber and to dig and chop tree
stumps (using the flattened hoe).
e) Spade
A spade is an implement with a rectangular metal blade with a long wooden
shaft, fitted with a handle at the top.
The spade is used for;
- Preparation of small plots on which vegetables are planted.
- Burying weeds.
- Digging trenches and holes for planting fruit trees.
f) Shovel
The shovel looks like a spade; the only exception is that the blade of the shovel is
curved at the edges. The shovel’s blade is often broader than that of a spade. The
tool is used more conveniently for moving soil and other materials like compost
on the farm.
g) Garden Fork
The implement is also known as the digging fork. The tool resembles a shovel or
spade. The major difference is that the fork has four prongs or tines in place of
the metal blades of spade/shovel. The edges of the prongs are sharp and thinner
to ease the penetration of the implement into the soil.
h) Hand Fork
The hand fork is a reduced form of the garden/digging fork. It consists of a short
wooden handle which is attached to four prongs.
Uses;
- The implement is used intensively for garden operations such as:
- loosening of soil surfaces after rains,
- weeding and

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- mixing small quantities of organic manures with soils.

i) Trowel
This is an implement having a pointed and scooped metal blade and a handle
attached. In most cases, the handle is made up of smoothened wood.
Uses;
- It is the best to for transplanting seedlings from nursery to the field.
- It is also used for transferring small plants from seedling boxes to beds or
vice versa.
- It can also be used to dig small holes in the garden.
j) Rake
Rake is a tool with a long wooden or metal handle attached to a pronged metal
bar. The tool is used in land clearing or for breaking up soil lumps/clods. It is
also the suitable tool for removing stones and litters from the garden or farm.
k) Wheel Barrow
A wheel Barrow is a small one wheel cart with two handles. In rrare cases, the
wheel barrow can be two wheeled. The handles are placed on the two ends of
the implement. The cart is usually constructed with a metal. The wheel is usually
made up of a rubber wheel but sometimes it can be the solid type. It is pushed by
two hands which extend from the rear of the frame. The tool is mainly used for
transporting produce or other farm inputs.
l) Watering Can
This is a water container mainly used in the nursery for watering seedlings
raised in seed beds, seed boxes and newly planted crops. The shape and size of
the implement vary. It has a spout on which can be fitted a sprinkler which could
be changed to give either a light or a heavy spray. It usually has a handle with
which it is carried. The implement can be made from plastic materials but larger
cans are usually made up of galvanized material, which make the can more
durable and more conducive for carrying a large volume of water.
Uses are;
- The Can is used for supplying water to young seedlings in seed beds and
nursery.
- It is also used for irrigating flowers, sprinkling of foliar fertilizer, spraying of
chemicals in some cases.
m) Garden Shears
This implement resembles a large pair of scissors, with a moderate wooden or
metal handles.
Uses include;
- It is used for clipping hedges of plants and trimming of small shrubs.

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- The implement is also used for cutting branches not thicker than 5mm in
diameter.
n) Secateurs or Tree Pruner
The secateurs is a type of scissors for use with plant. It is strong enough to prune
hard branches of trees and shrubs sometimes up to two (2) cm thick. It has a
short sharp blade and a long metal handle.
There are three blade designs of secateurs; Anvil, Bypass and Parrot – Beak.
Anvil: It has only one blade which closes onto a flat surface. They tend to crush
the stem, but remain reliable when slightly blunt. It is useful in cutting thick
branches.
Bypass: This implement usually work exactly like a pair of scissors, with two
blades passing each other to make the cut, at least one of the blades will be
curved. It is used to cut hard branches or shrubs up to 2cm thick.
Parrot Beak: It consist of two concave passing blades which trap the stem
between them to make the cut. They are suitable only for narrower stems.
o) Pruning Saw
This is a slightly curved knife with the inner side serrated. It is used for cutting
larger branches which the secateurs cannot cut.
p) Pruning Knife
This is the same as pruning saw except that it is not serrated. It is used for light
cutting and preparation of woody stem cuttings.
q) Budding Knife
It is a thick short pocket knife used for budding, grafting and soft wood cutting.
r) Garden Line
It is a string made of metal or fibre. It is used marking out straight lines when
sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings and in landscaping.
s) Head Pans
The head pan is constructed of metal and has sides handles. It is used for
transportation of small quantities of soil, compost or seedlings to other
locations.
t) Seed Boxes
These are boxes made up of wooden material in tray forms. It is used forraising
seedlings in the nursery.
u) Dibber
A dibber is a pointed wooden stick for making holes in the ground, so that seeds,
seedlings or small bulbs can be planted. Dibbers come in a variety of designs
which includes straight dibber, T-handled dibber, trowel dibber and L-shaped
dibber. The implement is used for sowing holes especially when large seeds are
used. It is also used in transplanting small seedlings.

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v) Harvesting Knife
This implement is also known as “go-to-hell”. It is made up of two parts, a long
wooden handle, which is inserted into a small curved metal blade that is
usually short and strong. The implement is used in harvesting permanent crops
like cocoa, kola and oil palm. The tool is also ideal for pruning tall trees.
w) Sickle
A sickle is a hand-held implement with a curved blade typically used for
harvesting herbaceous cereals or for cutting grasses. The concave side of the
curved metal is sharp for the user to draw or swing the blade against the base of
the crop thereby slicing it.
x) Auger
An auger is a tool used for collecting soil samples. The tool is designed to collect
samples on the surface of the soil or samples not too deep. It bored into the
ground for the desired samples to be collected. Types include Dutch Auger or
Bucket Auger. It is made up of high carbon steel and has a metal tip that has a
fine cutting edge.
Uses;
- It is used in removing hard and wet soil.
- The tool is also used to cut through heavy rooted soils for sample collection.
y) Ranging Pole
This a wooden pole used for marking positions when survey is being carried out.
It consists of straight rod, painted in bands of alternate red/black and white
coloration. Each pole is about 2m long. Sometimes a metal ring is attached to the
end of the pole to facilitate handling. The tool is also used in marking straight
line over long distance.
z) Measuring
This is a flexible ruler. It can be of ribbon cloth, plastic, fibre or metal strip. It
comes in various lengths. It the tool used in measuring distances on the farm.
2. Hand and Animal Drawn Implements
These are implements attached to animals to pull or drag. Some are drawn by hand.
Animals are very important in carrying out farm operations. On average, about 80%
of the draft power used around the globe on the farm originated from animals.
Animals like bulls, buffalos, camels, horses, donkeys etc. Around the Indian sub-
continents, even elephants are used in some operations.
The hand and animal drawn implements reduced a great deal of energy to be
utilized when simple hand tools are used. Operations with these implements are
faster and easier. The subsistent farmers can increase their production with the
animal drawn implements and at the same time reduce their cost of production in

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terms labour cost and machinery hire. Although, animal implements are not
complicated, some skills are very essential to enable effective usage on the farm.
Conditions Necessary for Effective Use of Animal Drawn Implements
a) Animal power is best utilized in places free of tse-tse fly (= a vector transmitting
trypanosomiasis in large animals).
b) The animal drawn implements are efficiently used in areas where the soil is
relatively light and the land has no undulating slopes.
c) The efficiency of an ox - drawn implements can be significantly reduced with the
presence of secondary vegetation, woody weeds and heavy crop cover.
d) The use of animal drawn equipments also requires skilled operators and training
facilities for proper operation.
e) The provision of sufficient land and pasture for grazing these animals should be of
prime consideration when ox-drawn implements are being used.

Types of Hand/Animal Drawn Implements

a) Ploughs
Ploughs is an implements used in tilling the soil in preparation for sowing /planting.
The main purpose of ploughing is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing
up some essential nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds and the remains of
some plants to fasten their decomposition. The operation also enhaces proper
aeration of the soil and it also improve moisture retention.
b) Ridgers
This implement is used in making ridges for crops that need a little elevation for
planting. The ox-drawn ridger basically consist of two mould board plough fitted
together so that the two units have one common point. Dual purpose ridgers are
now available which allows for breaking down of hard soil surfaces and making
ridges at the same time.
c) Planters
Planters are implements that can either be ox/hand drawn or a tractor mounted
implement. They are used in sowing row crops and can equally be used for applying
fertilizers at the time of sowing. Thus, it is a dual-purpose implement with fertilizer
attachments alongside the seeding mechanisms.
d) Weeders
When crops are grown in rows, certain animal drawn implements can be used to
remove weeds on the farm. These implements are known as the weeders. The
implements consist of up to five curved metal tines which are bolted onto a simple
supporting frame. The weight of the implement is partly carried by a small wheel at
the front and a hand lever is used to adjust the depth of the penetration of the tines.
e) Carts

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Carts are implements used for transporting loads. Various designs and types are
available depending on the materials available, customs of the farmers, nature of the
produce to be transported etc.
3. Farm Machines
Recently, the use of self powered machines in carrying out farm operations
increases the output/yield. Farm machines form part of the important source of
power on the farm. The self-powered machine reduces drastically, the number of
men /animals needed for a given operation.
The farm machine have inbuilt petrol or diesel engines for power generation.
Examples of farm machines include tractors, harvesters, combined harvesters,
automated sprayers etc.
The tractors have provisions for mounting and trailing Farm implements. Other
farm machineries are very complex in design. They have the ability of carrying out
multiple operations concurrently. Example of such complex machine is the
combined harvester.
Some benefits derived from using farm machines include the following:
i. With machines, very large size of land can be cultivated.
ii. Time needed for certain operations are reduced.
iii. Yield of crops are also increased with machines.
iv. Drudgery and tiredness are reduced.
v. Difficult and unpleasant operations are done with ease.
vi. Degraded lands can be reclaimed over a reasonable period when machines
are used.
vii. Labour costs are minimized.
viii. More qualitative produce are obtained. E.g., harvesting rice with combined
harvester.

Some demerits of these machines are;

i. Small scale farmers who produce the bulk of the food and raw materials do
not have access to farm machineries in most cases.
ii. The farm machines can pose a great challenge to the soil as they can cause
compaction and other forms of land degradation.
iii. Technical knowledge of operating the machines can also hinders its use.
3.1. Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high pulling effort at slow
speeds for the purpose of hauling trailers or machineries used in agriculture.
The tractor is a self propelled power unit having wheels or tracks for operating
agricultural implements and machines including trailers. Tractor engine is
usually a prime mover for active tools and stationary farm machinery through

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power-take off (PTO) or belt pulley. Tractor ploughing requires a flat to nearly
flat land with a relatively deep soil free from stones and stumps.
Large petrol or Diesel powered tractors can draw a wide range of implements;
many of the implements can be attached to the tractors, by a three point
hydraulic linkage which enables the implements to operate at a constant depth.
This linkage which is operated by the hydraulic mechanism of the tractor also
allows for the rapid attachment of a wide range of equipment which can be lifted
or lowered while the machine is in operation.
Implements which can be attached to a hydraulic linkage are referred to as
Tractor Mounted Implements. Other implements are drawn behind the
tractor; they are attached to the drawbar and are referred to as the Trailed
Implements.
3.1.1. Tractor Development

The present day tractor is the result of gradual development of machine in

different stages. History of tractor development is summarized in the following
lines;

1890 – The word tractor appeared first on record in a patent issued on a

tractor or traction engine invented by George H. Harris of Chicago.

1906 – Successful gasoline tractor was introduced by Charles W. Hart and

Charles H. Parr of Charles City, Iowa (USA)

1911 – First tractor demonstration was held at Omaha (Nebraska - USA)

1915-1919 – Power-Take-Off was introduced

1936-1937 – Diesel engine was used u-in tractor and pneumatic tires were
introduced.

1950-1960 – Manufacturing of diesel tractors on extensive basis throughout

the world was taken up.

3.1.2. Classification of Tractor

Tractors can be classified into three classes based on their structural design.

1. Wheel Tractor.
2. Crawler Tractor.
3. Walking Tractor.
1. Wheel Tractor: The wheel tractor has three or four pneumatic
wheels/tires. It is the tractor type that is common everywhere. The wheel

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tractors are further classified into three on the basis of their functions.
Namely;
a) General Purpose Tractor
b) Row Crop Tractor
c) Special Purpose Tractor

The General Purpose tractor is used for major farm operations such as
ploughing, sowing, harvesting and transporting farm produce. The general
purpose tractors have low ground clearance, increased engine power, good
adhesion and wide tyres.

The Row Crop Tractor is used for row crop cultivation. Such tractor is
provided with replaceable driving wheels of different tread widths. it has
high ground clearance to save damage of crops. Wide wheel track can be
adjusted to suit inter row distance.

The Special Purpose Tractor is used for definite jobs like cotton fields,
marshy lands, hill sides, garden etc. Special designs are there for special
purpose tractor. E.g. Tractor with winch unit, multi-drive tractor, tractor for
golf grounds etc.

2. Crawler Tractor:

A crawler tractor (also known as: track-type tractor, tractor crawler, or

track-laying vehicle) is a vehicle that runs on continuous tracks instead of
wheels. In agriculture, they are used for land clearing and leveling works. The
principal advantages of crawler tractor over wheeled are that, they are in
contact with a larger surface area than the wheeled tractor, and as a result
exert a much lower force per unit area on the ground than a conventional
wheeled tractor of the same weight. This makes them suitable for use on soft,
low friction and uneven ground such as mud, ice and snow. The principal
disadvantage is that tracks are more complex mechanisms than a wheel, and
relatively prone to failure modes such as snapped or derailed tracks.

Crawler Tractor has the following characteristics;

 It is designed to secure good adhesion and transmit high drawbar pull in

difficult field conditions, where wheel tractors fail to secure adequate grip on
the soil.
 It provides large area of contact with the ground.
 It is useful at places where adhesion is difficult and rolling resistance is high.

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 It is most suited for heavy work, especially earth moving works and
reclamation works.
 It is used for all types of agricultural works with heavy implements.
3. Walking Tractor:

Also known as power tiller, the walking tractor is a prime mover in which the
direction ntrol for field operation is performed by the operator walking behind it. It
is also known as Hand tractor or walking type tractor. The concept of power tiller
came in the world in the year 1920. Japan was the first country to use power tiller
on a large scale. In Japan, the first Successful model of power tiller was designed in
the year 1947. In agriculture, the power tillers are used for ploughing, sowing
spraying, harvesting and transporting works. It is the most suitable machine for
operations on rice fields. The machine has an engine, clutch, transmission gears,
brakes and rotary unit.

Uses;

 For puddling operation in paddy fields – using rotary tines.

 For cutting and pulverizing the soil in dry lands and in garden lands.
 For sowing and inter-cultivation works.
 For spraying of orchard trees.
 For transplanting purposes.

Criteria for Selection of Tractor:

Selection of tractor depends on the following factors;

1. Land holding: under a single cropping pattern, it is recommended to consider 1 hp
for every 2 hectare of land. In other words, one tractor of 20 – 25 hp is suitable for
40 hectares of land.
2. Soil condition: A tractor with less wheel base, higher ground clearance and low
overall weight may work successfully in lighter soils but will not be able to give
sufficient depth in black cotton soils.
3. Climatic condition: For very hot zone and desert area, air cooled engines are
preferred over water cooled engines. Similarly, for higher altitude zones, air cooled
engines are preferred because water cooled engines are laible to be frozen at the
high altitudes.
4. Running cost: Tractors with less specific fuel consumption should be preferred
over others so that the running cost may be less.
5. Initial cost and resale value
6. Cropping pattern etc.

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IMPORTANT TERMS CONNECTED WITH TRACTOR

1. Wheel Base: wheel base is the horizontal distance between the front and the rear
wheels of a tractor.
2. Ground Clearance: this is the height of the lowest point of the tractor from the
ground surface, the tractor being loaded to its permissible weight.
3. Track: Track is the distance between the two wheels on the same axle.
4. Turning Space: This is the diameter of the smallest circle, described by the outer
most point of the tractor, while moving at a speed not exceeding 3 km/hr with the
steering wheels in full lock.
5. Cage wheels: Cage wheel is an attachment to a wheel with spaced cross bars for
improving traction of the tractor in wet field. It is generally used in paddy field.

Tractor Drawn Implements:

Tractor drawn implements are either trailed or mounted on the tractor via the three point
linkage. These implements are used for various farm operations. Some of these implements
are discussed below;

a) Ploughs: this is the main implement used for primary tillage. Ploughing essentially
consists of opening the upper crust of the soil, breaking the clods and making the
soil suitable for sowing seeds. The purpose of ploughing can be summarized as
follows;
- To obtain a deep seed bed of good texture.
- To increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
- To improve soil aeration.
- To destroy weeds and grasses.
- To destroy insects and pests.
- To prevent soil erosion and
- To add fertility to the soil by covering vegetation.

Classification of Ploughs According to the Power Source.

 Bullock drawn ploughs.

 Walking type
o Short beam.
o Long beam.
 Riding type
o Tractor drawn ploughs.
o Mounted type.
o Semi-mounted type.

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The riding type ploughs are grouped into;

i) General purpose mould board plough: Mould board plough is one of the
oldest of all agricultural implements and is generally considered to be the
important tillage implement. Ploughing accounts for more traction energy than
any other field operation. Mould board ploughs are available for animals, power
tiller and tractor operation. Plough inverts the top soil in slices, burying weeds
and previous crop residues and stumps and leaving a section of the soil exposed.
The exposed surface is referred to as furrow slice. While working, the mould
board plough does four jobs, i.e., i) cutting the furrow slice, ii) lifting the furrow
slice iii) inverting the furrow slice and iv) pulverizing the furrow slice. The
plough is used on a moist soil.
ii) Disc ploughs: These ploughs have some concave discs arranged on a beam. The
plough is widely used for primary tillage and is suitable for dry soils. They break
up the soil surfaces well but do not bury the surface crop residue and the weeds
completely.
iii) Chisel Ploughs: This implement consist of heavy cultivator tines which are fixed
to a straight rigid body. The tines are pulled through the soil at a greater depth. A
large tractor (say 50 – 70 HP) is required for drawing this implement. Chisel
plough breaks the lower layers of the soil without bringing the sub-soil to the
surface. The implement is constructed to withstand a considerable force applied
when working on compacted, heavy or dried soils. The implement is not suitable
for coarse textured soils. The plough is used to reduce the effect of concretions
below the surface layer of a given soil.
b) Harrows
A harrow is a secondary tillage implement used for a variety of jobs in crop
cultivation. Some of the uses of harrows are;
- They are used before ploughing to cut vegetable matter such as corn stock,
cotton stalk, and weeds and mix with soil for soil conservation.
- Used after ploughing to pulverize the soil and put it in better tilth for the
reception of the seed.
- Used to cover the seeds after sowing.

Types of Harrows

There are many types of harrows these include;

i) Disc Harrows: This is a form of harrow which performs harrowing
operations by means of a set of rotating discs, each set being mounted on a
common shaft. Disc harrow is found to be very suitable for hard ground full
of stalks and grasses. It cuts the lumps of soil, clods and roots. Discs are
mounted on one, two or more axles which may be set at a variable angle to

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the line of motion. As the harrow is pulled ahead, the discs rotate on the
ground. Depending upon the disc arrangements, disc harrows are divided
into two. These are;
 Single Action Disc Harrow which is a harrow with two gangs placed
end to end with an angle greater than 90o. The discs are arranged in
opposite direction on both gangs so that the right side gangs throw
the soil towards the right and the left side gang throws the soil
towards left.
 Double Action Disc Harrow which a disc harrow often referred to as
tandem harrow because of a set of two gangs following the front
gangs and is arranged in a such a way that the discs on the front gangs
throw the soil in one direction (usually outward), and the discs on the
rear gangs throw the soil in the opposite direction (outward). Thus,
the entire field is worked twice in each trip.
Other types of harrows are;
ii) Spike tooth harrows.
iii) Spring tooth harrows.
iv) Rotary cross-harrow.
v) Soil surgeon.
vi) Triangular harrow.
vii) Acme harrow.
viii) Blade harrow.
ix) Reciprocating harrow etc.
c) Rigid Tine Cultivators
These are implements that are solidly constructed with the heavy duty rigid tines
bolted onto a strong frame. They are either mounted or trailed. The tines are drawn
through the soil at the required depth, breaking up the large soil clods and exposing
the buried roots and stumps to the surface where they dried by the sun. The
implement is ideal for farmlands infested by weeds with deep roots.
d) Spring Tine Cultivators
The tines in this implement are c-shaped and are constructed with tempered steel.
The tines have replaceable points or tips and are usually mounted on a frame
similar to that used for cultivators. Smaller models can be bolted onto a harrow
frames. The angle of the curved tines can be adjusted and locked at the required
position. The vibrating movement of the tine facilitates the breaking down of the
larger clods as the implement is dragged through the soil.

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e) Ridgers
The ridgers are basically of two types; the disc ridger and the mould board ridger.
The mould board ridger has a concave or convex boards or blades. The convex
blades push the soil to form the side of the ridge while the concave blade almost
inverts the soil and build up the ridge by moving the soil sideways.
The disc ridger is constructed by attaching two disc-ploughs side by side, with the
concave surface facing outwards. The discs are then bolted to a solid tool bar. They
form rough but large ridgers suitable for planting root crop such as cassava, sweet
potato and yam.
f) Sub-soiler
A sub-soiler is a tractor mounted implement used to loosen and break up soils at a
depth below the penetration levels of traditional disc harrow or ploughs. A sub-
soiler can break and loose compacted soils below the depth of 12”. The implement
has some thin blades with sharpened tips.
g) Land Rollers or Pulverizers
Land rolers or pulverizers are implements used for further preparation of seed bed.
The implement is used to finish preparing the seed bed by thoroughly pulverizing
and firming the loose soil so that there will not be any air space or pockets. It
presses the upper soil down against the sub-soil, making a continuous seedbed in
which moisture is conserved and given to the roots of the plants as it is needed.
h) Levelers
Land leveling is a permanent improvement done on agricultural lands. It is carried
out to smoothen the contours of land to achieve certain desirable objectives for
efficient agricultural production. Land leveling helps for i) efficient application of
irrigation water, ii) improved surface drainage, iii) minimizing soil erosion, iv)
conservation of rain water in dry lands. The animal drawn levelers consist of a
wooden leveling board with a handle. In the front portion of the board, two hooks
are provided for connecting it to the yoke of the animals. On the other hand, the
tractor drawn leveler is mounted controlled by tractor hydraulics and three-point
linkage. It consists of hitch system, replaceable cutting blade with sharp edge, and a
curved plate with side wings, which form a bucket. During operation, the blades dig
into the soil and extra soil is collected in the bucket, which is released in the
depressions of the field. The angle and pitch of leveler is adjustable. The leveler can
also be angled left or right, or reversed for back filling.
i) Soil Scoop
Soil Scoops are implements used for excavating ditches, clearing drains and doing
cut and fill jobs in land leveling.

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j) Puddlers
Puddler is an implement used for churning the soil with standing water while
preparing fields for paddy (rice) transplanting. It is used after completing an initial
ploughing with iron plough. It breaks the clods and churns the soil. The main
purpose of puddling is to reduce percolation and leaching losses of water, to kill
weeds by decomposition and to facilitate transplanting of paddy seedlings by
making the soil softer.
k) Seed Drill
Seed drill is a machine used for placing the seeds for placing the seeds in a
continuous stream in furrows at uniform rate at controlled depth with an
arrangement of covering the seeds with soil. The seed drills i) carry the seeds, ii)
open furrows at uniform depths, iii) deposit the seeds in furrows at an acceptable
pattern and iv) cover the seeds and compact the soil around the seed.
l) Planter
Planter is sowing equipment used for sowing those seeds which are larger in size
and cannot be handled by seed drills. Both inter and intra row spacing is maintained
in planters.

Further Readings;
1. Harvesting Machineries
a) Combine Harvester.
b) Mowers.
c) Citrus Harvesters.
d) Potato Digger.
2. Sprayers.
3. Crop Dusters.

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