AGRICULTURAL

MR GABARONGWE

ENGINEERING
 Agriculture engineering can be
defined as the practice of designing,
utilization of machines, buildings, roads and
equipment to improve agricultural
productivity.
 IMPORTANCE OF AGRIC ENGINEERING

 Results in increased output per unit area of

land
 Work is done faster and more efficient

 Improved quality of products

 Improved methods of pest and disease

control
 Improved water and soil management for

agricultural production
 Increased use of marginal land through

irrigation, drainage and desalinization.

IRRIGATION
IRRIGATION IS THE ARTIFICIAL APPLICATION OF
WATER TO THE LAND OR SOIL. IT IS USED TO
ASSIST IN THE GROWING OF AGRICULTURAL
CROPS, MAINTENANCE OF LANDSCAPES.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON
CROPS (positive)
o Irrigation makes crops grow
during dry seasons
o It extends the rainy season, if
the rainy season is short
o It improves the yield of crops
o It improves the quality of
crops
Negative
 Excessive irrigation can lead to
water log soils and lower crop
yields
 Excessive irrigation can results
in leaching of nutrients
 In hot weather, it can
encourage fungal diseases.
TYPES OF IRRIGATION
Overhead irrigation
Example – sprinklers
Water is pumped under
pressure through pipes laid
across the field
Advantages
 Water can be well distributed
 Amount of water supplied can be
controlled
 Less water lost through drainage

Disadvantages
 The cost of equipment is high
 Fuel has to be bought to run the
pump
 A lot of labour required to move
the pipes
 SUB - SURFACE IRRIGATION
Sub surface irrigation is
defined as a techniques where
water is applied and
distributed over the soil
surface by gravity.
Eg furrow, basin
 Furrow irrigation - water is
guided along the surface of the
ground by making furrows and
dams
 A gentle slope of not more
than 2 or 3% is needed
Advantages
 Cheaper

 Water goes exactly where

needed
 Amount of water applied is
controlled
Disadvantages
o Easy to put too much water

o Unsuitable for steep slopes

o Seepage cause less water at

end of row
 SURFACE IRRIGATION
Flood irrigation
Flood irrigation is an irrigation
technique in which a field is
essentially flooded with water
which is allowed to soak into
the soil to irrigate the plants.
DRAINAGE
 This is the removal excess of water from then
land by artificial means e.g by channels,
underground pipes, ditches.

Advantages of draining waterlogged soil

 Results in increased soil air supply for root

respiration
 Drained soils are easily worked by tillage

 Reduced loss of nitrogen through

denitrification
 Well drained soils are warmer than

waterlogged soils good plant growth

 Disadvantages
 Skill, time and money needed

 Drainage furrows may hinder

cultivation/tillage operations and livestock

movement
 increased risk of soil erosion
EFFECTS OF WATERLOGGED SOIL ON
CROPS
 Restricted root growth of plants
 Reduced growth rate due to low soil temperature
 Limited root respiration due to shortage of
oxygen
 Increased loss of nutrients due to denitrification
and leaching
 Poor seed germination due to low temperature
and limited supply of oxygen
 Death of useful micro-organism due to lack of
oxygen
 Increased occurrence of root diseases
 Death of crops which are intolerant to water-
logging conditions
 Increased growth of aquatic weeds
 METHODS OF DRAINING SOILS
1. Open ditches (furrows)
Broad ditches of 1-2 m deep, spaced 50-100m apart are dug
along the slope, water flows into ditches due to gravity
and is lead to a water way or river.
PIPED DRAINS
Perforated clay/plastic
pipes are laid in
ditches then covered
with concrete and soil
 Water drains away
through the small holes in
clay pipes
 FRENCH DRAINS
 Ditches 60-100cm deep
are dug, filled with stones
and gravel and then
covered with soil

 Water from surrounding area

is drained into the ditches
and then led away to the
waterway

 These ditches do not

interfere with farm
operations
FENCE IT IS AN UPRIGHT STRUCTURE TYPICALLY OF WOOD OR WIRE ENCLOSING AN
AREA OF GROUND TO PREVENT OR CONTROL ACCESS

 Reasons for fencing

 To keep out intruders and
wild animals
 Improve management
through controlled grazing
systems
 Promote effective control of
parasites, pests & diseases
 Easy separation of livestock
according to age and types
 To improve general
management of livestock
 Improve pasture
management through
controlled grazing systems
TYPES OF FENCES AND THEIR USES
TYPE USES
Plain wire fence To calm or
tame animals
that are used to
handling
Barbed wire For large
animals e.g
cattle
Woven For poultry &
wire(chain link) small stock
or wire mesh
Electric wire For strip
fence grazing
Post and rail In constracting
fence yards, kraals
and crushes
TYPE USES
Live fence A boundary
(hedge) fence & as
windbreaks
around
vegetable
gardens
Stones/concrete For small
wall fence enclosures like
stores,
workshops,
farm houses
Wooden fence Farm yards,
kraals
Trench fence Used with
perimeter fence
to prevent
wildlife from
getting into the
farm
 TYPES OF FENCING MATERIALS
NAME OF MATERIAL ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Timber (wood) Cheaper than metal Less resistant to
termites
Metal posts •Resistant to •Expensive to buy
terminates and fungus • rusts easily
•Very durable • less secure in sand
•Easy to erect
•More suited for rocky
areas
Barbed wire • relatively strong • can injure animals
• more effective in • difficult to erect
restraining livestock • more expensive than
• durable if protected plain wire
from rust • tends to break at
• resistant to fire, barbs if overstrained
fungus
Plain wire • cheaper than barbed • less visible to
wire livestock
• easy to erect, stretch
than barbed wire
• resistant to insects &
NAME OF MATERIAL ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Woven wire • effective in confining • more expensive than

poultry & small stock other types of wire
• resistant to fire, • prone to rusting
termites
• easy and quick to
install
•Durable and attractive
Concrete post •Very durable • very expensive
• resistant to fire, rust
& insects
Stone and concrete • very strong and • needs skilled labour
blocks durable to construct
• attractive appearance • very expensive
• forms strong barrier
for livestock
• resistant to fire,
insects and rust
Live posts • Serve as windbreaker • require a lot of labour
• Beautify the for planting and
landscape maintenance
 METHODS OF TREATING FENCING
POSTS
 1.HOT & COLD
TREATMENT
 Wooden posts are placed
in tank or oil drum with
suitable preservative.
 The contents are heated
to nearly boiling
temperature, held for 1
or 2 hours and then
allowed to cool
 Wood cells that have
expanded during heating
now shrink during the
cooling process and
draw up the preservative
 2.COLD TREATMENT/SOAKING
 Posts are placed into a tank or
oil drum containing a suitable
preservative such as cresote.
 The posts are left to soak for
three days, turned upside
down for another three days
 Then the treated posts are
put in an empty drum to drain
excess preservative
3.TREATMENT OF
METAL POSTS
 Treated by painting

or galvanizing
DIAGRAM OF A STANDARD CATTLE WIRE FENCE
CONSTRUCTION OF A STANDARD CATTLE WIRE
FENCE
 Construction of a fence (treated wood post and barbed
wire)
 Clear the land where the fence line is to pass to a

width of about 2 metres

 Put pegs at the corners and where standards are

to go. The sides of the fence should be straight as

round fences are weak.
 Dig holes for the strainers, struts, and standards.

Strainers – 60 - 90 cm deep, Standards 40 - 75 cm

deep. The distance between posts depends on the
function of the fence but for cattle standards
should be around 5 m apart.
 Set strainers and struts in holes, pour concrete and

allow drying.
 Set standards, in holes and fill with concrete or

tightly packed soil.

 Starting with the top wire, tie wire to a strainer

and pull tightly with a wire strainer before fixing

to other posts with fencing staples. 3 or 4 wires
will be needed.
 Attach droppers to wires using short pieces of

gauge wire. Two droppers per 5 meters distance

between standards will be needed for cattle.

THIS IS A WIDE WAY LEADING FROM ONE
PLACE TO ANOTHER ,ESPECIALLY WITH A
PREPARED SURFACE FOR VEHICLES TO
USE.
 FARM ROADS AND BUILDINGS
Importance of farm roads

 Facilitate movement of draught animals

 Allow transportation of farm inputs to farms by
vehicles
 Facilitate transportation of farm produce from the
farm to the market
 Provide access for visiting Agricultural
Demonstrators and Veterinary doctors
 Facilitate movement of machinery and workers
within the farm
 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN SITING FARM
ROADS

 The terrain of the land, whether rolling, hilly or

mountanious
 Soil type and condition: sandy roads are preferred to
clay soils
 Parts of the farm to be linked
 Climatic factors
 Presence of difficult spots such as soft ground, low
lying area, big rocks and steep slope. If possible these
should be avoided
 Nature drainage system of the area
 Mode of transport to be used on the road
 Availability of road construction
 MAINTENANCE OF FARM ROADS
 Clear weeds on side
drains regularly
 Grade road regularly

to maintain shape
 Fill the potholes

 Fill up rutted wheel

tracks with soil.

 FARM WATER STORAGE
An earth dam

• The earth dam is wide at the

bottom and narrow at the
top. This is because water
pressure increases with depth.
• The dam should be constructed
on rock foundations so that it
is able to withstand the force of
flood water.
• It should have concrete slab on
which water falls from spillway
to avoid ersion.
• It should have embankments
(wall or mound of earth) made of
impervious material e.g clay soil
and later with grass to reduce
erosion.
• An overflow pipe (spillway) is
built into the wall, to prevent
erosion of the banks by
overflowing water
AN EARTH DAM
 FARM BUILDINGS

FACTORS TO CONSIDER
WHEN CHOOSING A SITE
FOR A FARM BUILDING

 Security; should be near

the farmer’s house
 Availability of water
 Topography: Should be
on gently slope
 Accessibility
 Natural drainage: has to
be well drained
 Soil type: should be firm
to ensure stability of the
building
 CROP STORE
Qualities of good crop store

 Good ventilation
 Vermin proof
 Rain proof
 Easy to clean
 Loading and off loading
facilities
 MAINTENANCE OF CROP
STORE
 Repair or replace roof as
required to avoid leakages
 Clean and disinfect
 maintain rat guards at all
times
 keep the floor as dry as
possible
FARM WATER SUPPLIES
Sources of water on Water treatment
the farm Process of removing undesirable
impurities to make water fit for
human and livestock
1. Surface water consumption.
 Dams, streams, rivers,
ponds, ditches Reason for treating water
 To kill disease causing pathogens
2. Ground water  To remove bad smell and taste
 Wells, springs,  To remove sediments
boreholes
Methods of treating water
 Chlorination
 Sedimentation
 Boiling
 ANIMAL HANDLING FACILITIES
 CRUSHES
 A farm structure used for
handling animals or holding
yard and a fenced narrow
passage in which animals are
restrained for different
purposes

 TYPES OF CRUSHES
 1. Three post crush : Used for
holding one animal

 2. A crush for holding two

animals
 A crush for holding many
animals
 CONSTRUCTION OF A CRUSH
 Measure & clear an area of
about 2m by 1.2m
 mark positions for holes
 dig out holes to a depth of
about 60cm and 30cm
diameter
 use treated gum poles, 12
cm in diameter and 2.4m
long as uprights. Anchor the
posts in concrete at depth
of about 60cm. Allow
enough time for concrete to
set
 fix rails onto posts using
bolts pushed through drilled
holes at spacing of 25cm
between the rails
 make the floor of the crush
by watering the soil,
compressing it and covering
 Allow enough time for
the floor to set
 loose fencing posts can
be slipped quickly in
front of an animal or
behind it.
 the completed crush is
9m long and the cattle
enter through a funnel
4m long
 OPERATION OF A DIP TANK
 A structure constructed for
tick control
 The animals are totally
immersed in dip wash
(acaricide)
 Most cattle dips have
capacity of 13000-14000
litres of dip wash
 Dip wash for small sheep &
goats are smaller with
capacity of 2000-2500litres
 The base and walls of the
dip tank are made of
concrete to hold the dip
wash
 The concrete surface should
be rough to enable cattle to
get grip with their feet
 The tank should be 5m
long
ADVANTAGES OF USING DIP TANK
 Large volumes of wash
allow thousands of
animals to be dipped in
a single day
 Due to total immersion
of the animal’s body, the
dip wash reaches every
part of the animal
 Requires less technical
skills than a spray race,
especially when
emptying of the dirty
wash can be done by
hand, using buckets
 DISADVANTAGES OF USING DIP TANK
 Risk of leakage at the
bottom and cracks on
the wall
 Certain viral & bacterial
diseases can
accumulate in the dip
wash and spread to
other animals
 Emptying and refilling it
by hand can be
laborious and time
consuming
 Individuals farmers may
not afford the high cost
of construction
DIAGRAM OF A DIP TANK
 SPRAY RACE
o A farm structure
specifically designed for
tick control
o Animals walk through a
confined area (race)
where pipe work with
nozzles at certain
intervals and angles are
fitted
o The nozzles are put at
strategic points on the
sides, floor and
overhead pipes and as
such the animal gets
wetted from all sides
o The wash is drawn from
the sump (reservoir)
through a pump under
pressure and through
 ADVANTAGES OF USING SPRAY RACE
 Quicker and can spray
more animals per hour than
plunge dip
 Even small stock can be
sprayed easily since they
do not have to swim
through as in a dip bath
 Pregnant and sick animals
are easily sprayed
 The wash is often fresh and
a better concentration of
the dip wash since just
enough for the day is made
 Does not require more
labour
DISADAVANTAGES OF SPRAY RACE
Requires technical
skills in
maintenance of the
engine and pump
 In wet weather, the

nozzles tend to clog

with dirt in the wash
 It is only

economical with
very large herd
 FARM TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS AND
MACHINERY
 FARM TOOLS
 These are simple hand
operated devices for
performing various tasks on
the farm. E.g spades, rakes,
watering can e.tc

 FARM IMPLEMENTS
 These are designed to perform
particular tasks and are not
self powered. E.g plough,
harrow, planter

 FARM MACHINERY
 Collective term for machines
used on the farm. They are self
powered. E.g tractor, combine
harvester
KNAPSACK SPRAYER
KNAPSACK SPRAYER
 FARM MACHINERY
Collective term for machines used in the farm,
which include tractors, trucks, water pumps,
combine harvesters e.t.c

COMBUSTION ENGINES

TYPES OF ENGINES
 Petrol engine – uses petrol as fuel

 Diesel engine – uses diesel as fuel

FOUR STROKE PETROL ENGINE
HOW A FOUR STROKE PETROL ENGINE WORKS
 HOW A FOUR STROKE PETROL ENGINE WORKS
 INTAKE/INDUCTION STROKE
• Inlet valve opens up to allow
mixture of air & petrol into the
cylinder
• Exhaust valve remains closed
• Piston moves downwards until
it reaches the bottom dead
centre (BDC) & the inlet valve
closes

o COMPRESION STROKE
• Inlet and exhaust valves remain
closed
• Piston moves upwards
compressing mixture of air and
fuel into a small space at the
top of the cylinder and this
causes a rise in temperature of
the mixture
• Piston reaches the top dead
centre (TDC)
CONTINUED …
 POWER/COMBUSTION STROKE
• When the air & fuel mixture has
been compressed to the maximum.
A spark from the spark plug ignites
the mixture.
• The power pushes the piston
downwards
• Both valves remain closed
• The piston reaches the Bottom
Dead Centre (BDC) again

o EXHAUST STROKE
• The piston moves upwards from
the bottom dead centre
• The inlet valve is still closed while
the exhaust valve opens to expel
the exhaust gases (burnt gases)
through the exhaust valve.
• The piston reaches the Top Dead
Centre (TDC)
 SUMMARY OF PISTON MOVEMENTS &
VALVE STATUS DURING 4 STROKE CYCLE
OF ENGINE
STROKE PISTON VALVE STATUS
Movement of a MOVEMENT
piston from BDC Inlet valve Exhaust valve
to TDC

1.INDUCTION Downwards Open Closed

2.COMPRESSION Upwards Closed Closed

3. POWER Downwards Closed Closed

4.EXHAUST Upwards Closed Open

FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE
HOW A FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE
OPERATES
 HOW A FOUR STROKE DIESEL ENGINE OPERATES
 INTAKE/INDUCTION STROKE
• Inlet valve opens up to allow only
air into the cylinder
• Exhaust valve remains closed
• Piston moves downwards until it
reaches the bottom dead centre
(BDC) & the inlet valve closes

o COMPRESION STROKE
• Inlet and exhaust valves remain
closed
• Piston moves upwards
compressing only air into a small
space at the top of the cylinder and
this causes a rise in temperature of
air up to 379 degree Celsius
• Piston reaches the top dead centre
(TDC)
CONTINUED…
 POWER/COMBUSTION STROKE
• A spray of atomized fuel from the
fuel injector is injected onto the hot
air and it explodes
• The power pushes the piston
downwards
• Both valves remain closed
• The piston reaches the Bottom
Dead Centre (BDC) again

o EXHAUST STROKE
• The piston moves upwards from
the bottom dead centre
• The inlet valve is still closed while
the exhaust valve opens to expel
the exhaust gases (burnt gases)
through the exhaust valve.
• The piston reaches the Top Dead
Centre (TDC)
 SUMMARY OF HOW
DIESL ENGINE DIESEL ENGINE OPERATES
STROKE PISTON VALVE STATUS
MOVEMENT

Inlet valve Exhaust valve

1.INDUCTION Downwards Open Closed

2.COMPRESSION Upwards Closed Closed

3. POWER Downwards Closed Closed

4.EXHAUST Upwards Closed Open

 MAJOR DIFERENCE BETWEEN PETROL &
DIESEL ENGINES
PETROL ENGINE DIESEL ENGINE
Uses petrol as fuel Uses diesel as fuel
Has a spark plug Has an injector pump
An electric spark ignites fuel-air Heat resulting from compression
mixture ignites fuel
Air and fuel first mix in the Air and fuel first meet in the
carburetor cylinder
Mixture of air & fuel compressed Only Air compressed during
during compression stroke compression stroke
Less economical in fuel More economical in fuel
consumption consumption
Has lower power output Has a higher power output
Produces little smoke Produces a lot of smoke
Produces less noise Produces a lot of noise
LIQUID/WATER COOLING SYSTEM
 HOW COOLING SYSTEM
OPERATES
1. Cool water is sucked from
the bottom of the tank of the
radiator by the
impeller/water pump through
bottom hose
2. Water/coolant is pushed
through water jackets &
circulates within the engine
block & the cylinder head
3. When the water gets hot,
the thermostat opens thus
allowing hot water to move
back to the radiator through
the Upper hose
4. Hot water/coolant from the
upper hose passes down the
radiator fins & is cooled by
air drawn by the Fan
5. Cool water is sucked back to the
engine through bottom hose.
LUBRICATION SYSTEM; USED TO REDUCE FRICTION BETWEEN
MOVING PARTS & INCREASE EFFICIENCY OF THE ENGINE &
REDUCE RATE OF WEAR AND TEAR
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
 PARTS AND THEIR
LUBRICATION SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

1. Oil sump: A reservoir for oil,

collects oil after it has gone
through the engine
2. Oil pump: Sucks oil from the
sump & pumps it around the
engine through oil ways
3. Oil filter: Cleans oil of dirt as
it leaves the oil pump
4. Oil ways/galleries: Passages
in the cylinder block, pistons,
valves, main bearings,
crankshaft, camshaft that
carry oil to all bearings
5. Lubricants: Substances used
to reduce friction e.g oil,
grease
6. Dipstick: Indicates how much
oil is in the sump
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS AND FUNCTIONS

1. Battery: Stores electrical

energy for starting the
engine & for lights
2. Alternator/Generator:
Provides an electrical charge
for the battery & generates
an electric current for the
ignition coil
3. Ignition coil: Changes the
low voltage from the battery
to High voltage needed by
the spark plug
4. Condenser: Stores electric
current for a short while
before passing it to the
distributor
5. Distributor: Distributes the
High voltage current to the
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS AND FUNCTIONS

6. Spark plug: Produces

electric sparks that ignite
fuel mixture in the cylinder
7. Starter motor: It is
electrically operated and
turns the engine over to
start it
8. Voltage control box: Adjusts
the charge from the
generator/alternator to
battery & disconnects when
the engine is stoped
9. The Lights: Powered from
the generator or battery
 NECESSARY ROUTINE CHECKS BEFORE
AND DURING OPERATION OF A TRACTOR
 Keep the radiator fins
free of dirt
 Repair leakages in the
cooling system
 Check the engine oil level
in the sump by use of a
dipstick daily. Top up the
oil if necessary
 Change the oil filters
regularly
 Keep the battery
terminals clean and
greased
 Top up battery cells with
distilled water
 Keep the battery fully
charged at all times