2. Introduction to Farm
Mechanization
In the beginning, man works on his land to
plant crops for his subsistence by the power of
human muscles
Many centuries passed – used animal muscle
to relieve that of human being
The discoveries of iron; tools were fashioned
that further relieved the labour of human
muscles
Development of steel plow, the internal
combustion engine, the farm tractor and other
farm machines affect farming progress in the
last hundred years
3. The Need for Farm Mechanization
First successful Internal Combustion Tractor
was invented by John Froelich in 1892
powered by a single cylinder 20 hp (15 kW)
engine
Power Equipment Cuts Production Man-hour -
- reduce man hours required to grow and
harvest a hectare of crops planted
With mechanization, rapid increase in output
per man hour of labour on farms. Thus sharp
increases in yields of crops and livestock
because of improved farming practices
4. Equipment must suit the crops and types of farming
-- Row crops eg. corn, potatoes, tobacco
-- Broadcast crops eg. Rice, wheat and small grains
Farm machinery can be profitably used with both systems,
but the more uses to which machinery can be adapted, the
less spending in equipment eg. Combine harvester -
harvest row crops, sorghum, rice, wheat, grains, soybeans
Trend toward tractor mounted, pickup and quick
change units
-- Earlier, all lifting and adjusting was done by hand
levers
-- Later, units could be attached as assembled units and
lifted with mechanical power lifts by means of hydraulic
power
5. Benefits of Farm Mechanization
• Reduce human labour
• Increase farm productivity through higher
yield per unit area
• Distribution of labour for other activities
• Efficiency of field operation and reduction of
labour at peak hour activities
6. Types of Tractors
• Why different type of tractors?
– Varied/ Different crops
– Varied / Different field conditions
7. Two types of Agricultural Tractors
1)Wheeled Tractors
a. Two wheel drive
- Driving wheels are rear wheels
- Use for agricultural work on flat ground
- divided into 4 types
i. Standard tread
ii. Row crop
iii. High clearance
iv. Low profile
8.
9. i. Standard Tread
Fixed tread widths - design for use in larger areas
ii. Row Crop
Provides under tractor clearance
Tractor tread can be adjusted to match row crop spacing
Dual or single wheel and adjustable wide front axle
iii. High Clearance
Adjustable wide front axles with high clearance to cultivate tall crops
eg. sugar cane
Different from row crop is 12 to 14 inches more ground clearance
iv. Low Profile
Design for working in confined areas eg. orchards, feedlots, building
Low ground clearance
10. b. Four wheel drive
- Four wheels for driving wheels
- Good adhesion (cengkaman) and traction
(pegangan)
- Heavy duty work; incline or slippery ground
2)Track Type or Crawler Tractors
