FARM MACHINERY

The farmer needs a wide range of tools and machines - for loosening the soil, getting rid of weeds, planting, mowing and harvesting the crops.

There are specific machines designed for the different crops that are grown on farms. Some are designed for grain crops, while others are designed to plant and harvest potatoes, lentils and other crops.

• TRACTOR - the work horse of the farm; tractors pull farm implements and are used for many tasks.
• CULTIVATOR - has blades or shovels that work up the soil without turning it over; is pulled between rows of plants to kill the weeds.
• DISKER - kills the weeds and smooths the soil; metal plates dig deep into the soil
• HARROW - has iron teeth or spikes; it breaks up clumps and smooths out the soil
• DISK HARROW - a harrow that turns and loosens the soil; has rolling saucer-shaped metal plates that are set on an angle to dig deep into the soil
• DRILL (seeder) - plants seeds ; a shovel cuts a trench in the soil, the seed falls into the trench and loose soil covers the seeds.
• AIR SEEDER - has separate tanks for seeds, fertilizer and herbicides.
• SPRAYER - used for liquid herbicide or insecticide; solution is sprayed through nozzles.
• SWATHER - (windrower) cuts down the crop and lays the plants in a swath on top of the stubble.
• COMBINE - picks up the swath, separates the seeds from the stems and throws the straw back on the field
• AUGER - a long metal tube (on wheels) which carries grain upward and dumps the grain into a granary or truck.
• TRUCKS - used for hauling the grain to the granaries and storage bins, or to the grain elevators.
• MOWER - cuts hay or feed crops
• BALER - picks up hay or straw and forms it into round or square bales for storage.

Tractors, trucks and other farm implements are very expensive. A farmer's investment in land, buildings, machinery and livestock may reach over a million dollars. Seed, fertilizer (plant food), herbicides (weed control ) and pesticides (insect control) must be purchased. Fuel is needed to operate the machinery.

FARMING | SASKATCHEWAN

site with photos of farm machinery

J.Giannetta
2003 (updated July 2011)
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