NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT
OF
Crop and Soil Sciences

FPY/SIWES PRACTICAL GUIDE

AGM401
FARM MECHANIZATION

Writer: Dr. Keswet Andrew

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INTRODUCTION - - - - - - - - -1

BASIC MACHINES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL

MECHANIZATION - - - - - - - -1

WORKSHOP TOOLS - - - - - - - - -10

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (ICE) - - -21

FARM MACHINERY USE FOR TILLAGE - - - - - -27

FARM MACHINERY USE FOR TILLAGE - - - - - -33

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INTRODUCTION

The development of the machines used in modern agriculture has brought new demands on farmers,
ranchers and other agricultural workers. They must be familiar with energy and mechanical forces
and have mechanical skills. It is important that they be able to select machines for specific jobs and
know how to safely operate, maintain and repair them. This practical guide will help assist towards
achieving this goal. It is a practical guide meant for students in a university setting who are in 300
level and are taking the course “Introduction to Agricultural Mechanization” this course introduces
students to the importance use and care of machines in agriculture.

The practical in this booklet are necessary to familiarize students with the working principles of
themachines used in agriculture

BASIC MACHINES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL

MECHANIZATION

Agricultural mechanization is a dynamic trade that involve the use of force to accomplish work. To
make agricultural work easier, the use of machines become very important. To start with, let us look
at the types of simple machines that are often applicable to most agricultural mechanization works
.science has developed these machines to simplify the various work use in agricultural mechanization
.There are:

1. The wheel and axle

2. The lever
3. The inclined plane
4. The pulley
5. The screw and
6. The wedge

To accomplished work, force must move certain distance force acting on an object in the direction of
motion. This a machine makes work easier to perform byaccomplishing are or more of the following
functions.

a. Transferring a force from one place to another

b. Changing the direction of a force
c. Increasing the magnitude of a force
d. Increasing the distance or speed of a force

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Simple machines are devices with no, or very few moving parts that make work easier. These
machines may look simple, but they provide us with the means to do many things that we could never
do without them.

1. The Wheel and Axle

This is one of the most significant inventions in the world. Before then humans were limited
in how muchand how far they could transport goods over land. “Wheeled carts facilitate
agriculture and commerce by enabling the transportation of goods to and from markets and
easing the burden of travelling long distances. The wheel greatly reduces the friction
encountered when an object is moved over a surface.
The other five machines all help humans increase and or redirect the force applied to an
object. “machines provide mechanical advantage” to assist in moving an object. Thus to
accomplished work force must move a certain distance. Mathematically; Work =

For example: to lift object we must do work to overcome the force of gravity and move the
object to a certain distance.

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Thus the main benefit of machines is that they allow us to do the same amount of work by applying a
smaller amount of force over a greater distance.
The mechanical advantage of the wheel and axle can be calculated as the diameter swept by
the handle divided by the diameter of the axle or load divided by the force applied:
M. A = Load/effort
M. A =W/F

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2. The Lever
This consists of a long beam and a fulcrum, or point. The mechanical advantage of the lever
depends on the ratio of the lengths of the beam on either side of the fulcrum. Thus,
mechanical advantage can be calculated as
M. A = Load/Effort(force)

=W/F

Class One Lever

In this class, the Fulcrum is between the Effort and the Load.
The mechanical advantage is more if the Load is closer to
the fulcrum. Examples of Class One Levers include seesaws,
boat oars and crowbar.

Class Two Lever

In this class, the Load is between the Effort and the Fulcrum.
The mechanical advantage is more if the load is closer to the
fulcrum. Examples of Class Two Levers include
wheelbarrows. TRY THIS SIMPLE EXPERIMENT

Class Three Lever

In this class, the Effort is between the Load and the
Fulcrum. The mechanical advantage is more if the
effort is closer to the load. An example of Class

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 Three Lever is a garden shovel.

The inclined Plane

This is simply a flat surface raised at an angle like a ramp. Thus, an inclined plane is a way of lifting
a load that would be too heavy to lift straight up. The angle (steepness of the inclined plane)
determines how much effort is required to raise the weight or load. The mechanical advantage of the
inclined plane is calculated by dividing the length by its weight

M. A = L/W
L(m)
W(kg)
The velocity ratio of the inclined plane can be calculated as:
V. R = Distance moved by effort /Distance moved by load
V. R = F/W
L (M)

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In the illustration below, the man uses a piece of metal as a ramp to move the hand-truck into the
van.

3. The Pulley

These are used for moving heavy load. Pulleys are nothing but gears without teeth and instead of
running together directly, they are made to drive one another by cords, ropes, cables or belts. In a
pulley, instead of an axle, a wheel could also rotate a rope, cord or belt. In a pulley, a cord wraps
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around a wheel. As the wheel rotates the cord moves in either direction. Attach a hook to the code
and you can use the wheel rotation to raise and lower objects, making work easier

The mechanical advantage of the pulley is calculated thus

M. A = Load/ Effort

M. A = W/F

M(kg)

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 4. A Screw
This is essentially a long inclined plane wrapped around a shaft, so its mechanical advantage
can be approached in the same way as the inclined plane.

Mechanical advantage: Distance moved by effort divided by distance moved by load.

M. A = F/W
F(kg)
W(m)

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 5. The Wedge
These is like a moving inclined plane that is driven under load to lift or into a load to split or
separate. The main function of a wedge is to change the direction of the input force.Belloware
examples of a wedge.

A wedge can be used in many ways:

- To cut (knife)
- To split (axe)
- To tighten and to hold back (doorstopper)
- To hold together (nail)
- To scrape (blades on the snowplough or farm grader)
- Wedges work by changing direction and force applied to it. Here is an illustration:Diagram of
change
-

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 -

From the above, you will notice that the force applied to the thick end of the wedge overcomes the
resistance of the wood. The force is directed downwards, but the wedge directs the force sideways as
it drives into the wood.

A wedge may be a single wedge or double wedge. Each does a slightly different job. An axe is a
double wedge (see diagram above) and a chisel is a single wedge.

Summary

A machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. In agricultural
mechanization, the use of machines have become an integral part of all agricultural activities to
achieve much greater work without stress. The six classes of simple machines in used include

 Lever
 Wheel and Axle
 Pulley
 Incline Plane
 Wedge

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

1. Students are to visit a typical agricultural workshop or any workshop and identify the six
types of simple machines.
2. Students should engage each of the machines by trying to carry, lift or move a loadwith the
machines and note how easy they allow work to be accomplished.

WORKSHOP TOOLS

Introduction

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There is an adage that says “anything worth doing is worth doing right”. A corollary to that statement
is the recognition that doing the job right requires the right set of tools.

The tools in your workshop will depend on your areas of specialty, interest and level of experience.

Typical Problems and Concerns of Students

1. Why should a farmer have a home-farm shop?

2. How can a home farm shop be established?
3. What are the essential requirements of a home farm shop?
4. What tools and equipment are needed?
5. How should the equipment be arranged in a shop?
6. How should the shop and equipment be maintained?
6. What safety precaution should be observed?

Why Have a Home-Farm Shop?

One of the objectives of farm mechanics is the establishment of home-farm shops. A farmer should
take pride in maintaining properly the equipment on the farm and in the home and in keeping the
farmstead neat and attractive in appearance. It is very important that a farmer keeps his farm
machinery and other equipment in satisfactory working condition for efficient operation. By being
proficient in the use of tools and having suitable facilities to perform the needed jobs, a farmer can
save time, inconvenience and money.

Why a Home-Farm Shop

For the following reasons:

1. To provide a suitable place for storing and for using tools and equipment.
2. To provide suitable space for working farm equipment.
3. To provide storage space for shop supplies.
4. To provide adequate facilities for performing the shop jobs which can be done on the farm
and in the home?

Requirements of a Farm- Shop

A home-farm shop should:

1. Provide simple space

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 2. Be of desirable construction
3. Have a suitable floor
4. Have a large main entrance
5. Have adequate lighting and ventilation

Objective of Workshop Tools

Workshop tools are necessary pieces of items that are needed in the farmstead. They make minor
repairs easy (except for specialized repairs) they save time, inconveniences and money.

In a typical agricultural engineering workshop, there are two categories of tools commonly found.
These are (1) tools for wood working(carpentry) and (2) tools for metal working.

Find below are some examples of the various tools used in the workshop. Students are encourage to
go to the workshop and familiarize themselves with these Also, figures show the proper
arrangements of tools in the workshop for safe keeping and for easy access anytime a tool is needed.

Wood working Tools

The choice of wood working tools (hand and power) reflects personal choice and activities to be
carried out. Common wood working tools usually found in the farm include:

 Hand tools
 Saw
 Planes
 Grading and sharpening tools

In woodworking and carpentry, hand saws, also known as "panel saws", "fish saws", are used to cut
pieces of wood into different shapes. This is usually done in order to join the pieces together and
carve a wooden object. They usually operate by having a series of sharp points of some substance that
is harder than the wood being cut. The hand saw is a bit like a tenon saw, but with one flat, sharp
edge.

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Importance of Tool Classification

Every student should familiarize himself with the name of the different kinds of tools and their uses.
Much of a farmer’s success in farm mechanics depends on the proper selection of tools and their
proper use.

Importance of Proper Care of Tools

Know how to care for tools is very important because it helps keep the tools last longer.

 Keep tools well cleaned, oiled and free from rust

 Keep tools always in their cabinet when not in use.
 Tools must be properly sharpened for good results

Precaution in the Care of Tools

 Do not drop tools

 Keep tools clean and free from rust
 Keep tools sharp
 Don’t bring cutting edge in contact with metal

Choose the proper tool

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Below are three types of ball pen wood hammers. They are use for driving nails or screws into a
wood

Plane: is a fool for shaping disk plow wood using mosle power to force the cutting blade over the
wood surface.

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Allen Keys: Are used to fasten bolts and screws with hexagonal socket. They are hand tools and
often come in set with a range of sizes.

SCREW

Screw: A screw is a type of fastener sometimes it looks like a bolt. This is used for holding object
together and to position objects. It has a head on one end that allows it to be turn with a screw driver.

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Hack Saw: It is a fine toothed saw originally and mainly made for cutting metal. Most handsaw are
made with a C-shape frame that holds a metal blade.

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Try Square: Is a woodworking or a metalworkingtool used for marking and measuring a piece of

wood. The square refers to the tool's primary use of measuring the accuracy of a right angle (90

degrees)

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PRACTICALASSIGNMENT

1. Students should know the different tools and their uses.

2. Students should be taught practically how to maintain and store tools.
3. Students must visit a typical agricultural engineering workshop and see how tools are
kept/stored.
4. Students must learn to use simple workshop tools by engaging in constructing a simple wood
project.
5. A demonstration of how to plane, cut, nail and chisel a piece of wood is good for a practical.

Summary

Tools for farm mechanization come in handy and varied ranging from hand tools to power tools.
They carry out different functions in the farm and so must be well kept especially in a tool box or
cabinet. Common workshop tools for the repair of agricultural machines and other activities include
wood working and metal working tools, for example wood walking tools such as saws, screwdriver,
planes, trysquare, ruler, nails, drills chisel calipers are common in the farm workshop. Tools must be
kept sharp and handle with care.

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (ICE)

Introduction

Motor and or machines on farms have steadily increased in number and in importance. In fact modern
agriculture depends heavily on the internal combustion engine for most of its activities. The farm
tractor and auxiliary engines for farm machinery are used to till the soil, plant and cultivate crops,
harvest food and fiber and process products for human or livestock use. The work on the farm
dependson the application of power. The power of the machine relieves farmers of much physical
emotion. There are some maintenance jobs, a farmer with little training and practical experience
should be able to do.

Types of Farm Power

 Animal power
 Wind power
 Solar power

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  Water power (Hydro)
 External combustion engine – steam engines
 Internal combustion engine – gas engine

Engine Operation Principles

The internal combustion engines generate power by utilizing the force created by running a mixture
of fuel and air. This force is confined or trapped n a combustion chamber. The expanding gases force
the piston downward in the cylinder. Because the piston is connected to crankshaft by a connecting
rod, this downward motion is changed to a rotating motion. Gasoline, diesel and liquefied petroleum
gas (.LPG) engines use many of the same principles.

Four-stroke Cycle Engine

The four stroke cycle engine is the most common type found on farms. An engine stroke is
commonly thoughtof as the movement of the piston from Top Dead Center (TDC) to Botton Dead
Center (BDC).Top Dead Center(TDC) is reached when the piston is at the end of the inward stroke.
BDC is reached at the end of the outward stroke.

A stroke can be defined as one-half of a revolution of 1800 of crankshaft travel .

An engine cycle is the complete set of movements necessary to generate engine power.

The four stroke in a cycle are intake, compression power and exhaust.

Working Principles of the Internal Combustion Engine.

Intake stroke

With the intake valve opens, the piston moves outward in which draws a mixture of fuel and air into
the cylinder (in a diesel engine, only air is taken in).

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Compression stroke

As the piston reaches BDC and begins its inward motion (toward the cylinder head) both values
intake and outlet are closed and the piston compresses the mixture between the piston and the
cylinder head 9only air is compressed in the dies

Power Stroke

As the piston nears TDC and electric spark ignites the compressed mixture, pushing the piston
downward with great force (in the dieisel engine fuel is injected into highly compressed air, causing
self-ignition).

Exhaust stroke

The exhaust stroke occurs when the piston begins to move upward. The exhaust valve opens,
allowing the piston to force out the burnt gasses; cleaning the cylinder for the start of another cycle.
This is repeated severally until engine stop.

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Two –Stroke Cycle Engine

A two-stroke cycle engine completes its cycle of operations in one revolution of the crankshaft. There
is only a compression stroke and a power stroke between or during these events the intake of fuel and
exhaust of gasses are accomplished, there is a power stroke every revolution

Summary

Most farm engines are of the four-stroke cycle engine. The smaller engines are 2-stroke cycle type.
To get the farm engine work efficiently, proper servicing and maintenance are most important.

Practical Assignment

Students should study the 2-stroke and 4-stroke cycle engines in order to determine differences in
construction and principles of operations.

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 a. Use small one-cycle engine for the study, one 4-stroke cycle engine and one-two-stroke cycle
engine.
b. Study the construction of the two engines.
Note: the location or positioning of:
a. Fuel system
b. Valves and
c. Ports
d. Know the parts of d engine

Find below are the various parts that make up an engine and the working principles as discussed
above.

For any engine that has a piston whether one or more, that piston must go through the events of
intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

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FARM MACHINERY USE FOR TILLAGE.

TRACTOR TYPES AND TRENDS

Introduction

Modern farm tractors have undergone continual changes and improvements to become the up-to-date
and effective agricultural power units today. New developments have helped to make tractors more
efficient, versatile, safe, convenient, and powerful.The agricultural tractor provides a great source of
power which has almost entirely replace the power of the horse or human for the many heavy and
time consuming tasks carried out in the farm.

Current tractors may be classified according to traction, used and size of the
tractors.

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Tractors Types According to Traction Member

Tractors types may be classified cording to wheel or track systems and these include:

1. Wheel tractors
a. Triangle or 3-wheel
b. Four wheel (20 wheel drive)
c. Four wheel drive
2. Track type tractors

The wheel type tractor is by far the most widely used tractors for agricultural purposes. The 4-wheel
type is most common with both front and rear (back) wheel treads adjustable for use in row crops.

Tract – Type Tractors:

They are propelled by heavy metal devices known as tracks not widely used in agriculture but are
well adapted to hilly areas and for earth moving and land clearing.

Tractors Types

Tractors may be classified according to use and/or size as follows:

1. Utility tractors
2. Large field tractors
o 2-wheel drive
o 4-wheel drive
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3. Orchard and vineyard tractors
4. Lawn and garden tractors
5. Industrial tractors

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Summary

The present day farm tractor is a most useful machine, capable of supplying its power to numerous
farm tasks. The most absorbing of these power is usually the basic cultivation or tillage of the land.
The type of tractor on the land depends on the type of work to be done.Tractor types include both
wheel and track-type tractors. Wheel types include utility size tractors, large 2-wheel drive tractors
and four-wheel drive. Four wheel drive tractors are equipped with adjustable wheel treads for row
crop use. Specially designed tractors are available for orchard, vineyards, lawn and garden, industrial
and other specialty uses.

Practical Assignment

a. Field trip to tractor dealership to view and discuss tractor types available.
b. Study a 4-wheel tractor and know the different parts
c. Learn how to drive the tractor
d. Learn the simple maintenance service..

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FARM MACHINERY USE FOR TILLAGE

Introduction

Tillage is a mechanical manipulation of soil to provide favorable conditions for crop growth or
production. This can be achieved by the use of certain specialized machines or implements.

Tillage machinery or implement is therefore use to till or stir the soil (loosen the soil) to make it
suitable for the seed which is normally planted in the soil to grow well. Aconducive environment of a
soil for crop growth means having the following available

1. Water
2. Air
3. Good soil texture and
4. Good temperature

In order to achieve these, there are certain tillage machineryareused. The tillage machines used are
categorized according to the classification of tillage which are:

1. Primary tillage and

2. Secondary tillage

Primary Tillage

Primary tillage is the initial major soil working operation which cuts and shatters the soil with relative
deep penetrating tools and leaving a rough surface texture.

Primary Tillage Machinery

For decades animals have been used to work in the farm. They are engaged in tillage of all kinds and
in carrying farm products and other goods to and from distances places. They have specialized kind
of tillage implements use for tillage. This implement is like the mouldboard plow and has wood
attachments (fig)

The tractor drawn implement include:

 Moldboard plows
 Disk plows and
 Chisel plows

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MOULBOARD PLOW

This is designed to cut, lift and invert a lamp of soil (approximately 36-to-51 centimeters). This
action burries the trash and crop residue. The moldboard lift twins, and pulverizes the soil.

DISK PLOW

It has three or more individually mounted concave disks that are inclined backward to achieve
maximum depth. They are particularly adapted for use in hard dry or sticky, shrubby or bushy land or
on rocky land. Generally these plows are specialty and specifically designed for rough ground and
heavy trash conditions where complete trash coverage is nor desired. There aggressive action chops
and mixes trash into the soil.

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CHISEL PLOW

The chisel plow is equipped with narrow double-ended shovels or chisel points, mounted on long
shanks. These plows rip through the soil and stir it but do not invert and pulverizes as well as the
moldboard and disk plow. These plows work best when the soil is firm and dry

THE SUBSOILER

A subsoiler is a tractor mounted implement used to loosen and break hard pan soil, It works
up to the deapth of 12”() The sub soiler is a because roots penetrateprimary tillage tool which
will improve growthin all crops where soil compaction is a problem. Subsoiler helps crops
perform well during hot and dry seasons because roots penetrate soillayer deeperto reach

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moisture and nutrients. In wet condition, the water passes easier throughthe shattered areas
reducing in wet condition the water passes easierthrough the shattered areas, reducing the
possibility of crop drowning.

SECONDARY TILLAGE MACHINERY

Secondary tillage tools are grouped into the following types:

1. Disk harrows
2. Cultivators and
3. Rotary tillers

These implements pulverizes, level and firm the soil to prepare good seed bed, control weed and
conserve soil moisture.

DISK HARROW:

Disk Harrow: very effective in penetrating hard soil and in rocky or root or stump infested land. It
cuts left over crop residue into pieces and with other trsh mixes them well with the soil.

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CULTIVATORS:

Generally, these implements are used to control weeds in crops. They help stir the soil, aerate and to
improve water intake into the soil.

Practical Assignments

Students should go to any agricultural machinery dealer to see the different types of tillage
implements.

Students should be taught or see a demonstration of how these tillage implements workStudents
should learn the proper maintenance culture of these implements.

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Harvesting and Processing Machines

When crops matured in the field and have reached the stage where they can be harvested and taken
home for storage and latter further processing depending on the end us There are several crops that
are harvested when still maturing in the farm. In all, harvesting machines are used.

In Nigeria most crops are harvested locally either by locally made hand tools e.gsickles, cutlass, axe,
knife etc. This type of harvesting makes the work easier but takes longer time to get the work done.

However, there are improved machines made that help to drastically reduce the hours spend in
harvesting. With the modern machines, the harvesting work is made easier or simpler, drudgery is
reduced to the barest minimum and the work of harvesting is accomplished faster thus saving time
that can be used for other productive activities.

After crops are harvested they have to be processed either to be used immediately or keep in storage
for later use. Processing of crops can be dome locally or with hand machines or modern machines.
The equipment for processing are varied and many.

Harvesting Equipment (Machines)

Machines for harvesting can be classified on the basis of the crops to be harvested

1. Animal feeds
These are majority grasses (dried or wet). There are three forms of grasses feed to animals.
o Fresh grass
o Dried grass (hay)
o Process or fermented grass/and other crops (silage)

Machines for Harvesting Animal Feed

In general, most animal feeds in the field are harvested locally and by modern machines.

Types of Machines for Harvesting Animal Feed

1. Fresh grass: these are harvested by hand using a cutlass or sickle and by a machine call
mower. Mowers are of two types:
o Cutterbar mower and
o Rotary mower
2. Dried Grass or Hay: this is harvested by a machine callcutd Hay baller

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OTHER CROP HARVESTING MACHINES

These are harvesting machines made for all the kinds of crop produced in the farm. The most talked
about is the one called the combine harvester. The combine harvester does the following jobs all at
the same time in the farm during operation.

1. Cuts the crop

2. Feeds the crop to the cylinder
3. Threshes the seed from the seed head
4. Separates the seed from the straw.
5. Cleans the seed
6. Handles the clean seed or grain until it is taken by the truck or trailer for safe storage.

Types of Combine Harvester

Several types of combines are available to meet the various needs of agriculture producers. Selection
of these machines will depend on the crop grown the terrain of the farm, number of hectares of farm
to be harvested and capital available. These combines are classified as:

1. Self-propelled combined
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 2. Hillside combined
3. Pull-type combined
4. Special combined

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

1. Students should visit a modern agricultural and /or a major market or dealer of agricultural
machines to enable. They see these types of harvesting machines.
2. If possible the farmer can demonstrates the use of any of the combined AVAILABLE.

SUMMARY

Most crops are harvested by either a simple locally made harvesting machines or by a more
sophisticated harvester or combine harvester. A combine harvester performs five major functions.

1. Cutting the crop and feeding it to the cylinder

2. Threshing the crop
3. Separating the crop from the straw
4. Cleaning the crop
5. Handling the crop

PROCESSING MACHINES

When crops are process after harvesting they may take various forms or shape. The machines or
equipment to do these changes into forms and shapes are available. They range from locally made to
more complex modern one. These complex ones are mostly found in industries. The local ones are
usually hand mills or hand sieves using such local equipments as pestle and morta, grinding stones,
and the local sieve

Processing involves:

1. Size reduction
2. Threshing
3. Milling
4. Preparing feeds for animals.

PRACTICAL ASSINGMENT

Students are to visit any farm where they can see these machines.

Students may request for the demonstration of these machines

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