ANSWERS

CROP PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

1. Draw and label the parts of a knapsack sprayer

2. What is calibration?
Calibration means testing your spray equipment with water and measuring how much it can
apply on a given area.
3. Name the factors that determine spray volume?
 Walking speed
 Spray pressure
 Opening of the nozzle orifice
 Swath
4. State three sources of error encountered in the calibration of a knapsack sprayer

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  Height of the nozzle above the crop
 Wind drift
 Spray pressure
 Air temperature
 Walking speed
5. What quantities does calibration help to measure?
 How much water is needed!
 How much chemical is needed!
 How many sprayer-full tanks will be needed!
 How much chemical to add per full tank!
6. What are the benefits of calibration?
 Pesticides are increasingly expensive.
 Improve the efficacy of the pesticide applied (better pest control). K
 Reduce the chance for pest resistance development by applying the correct rate.
 Reduce off-target spray deposition (drift, run-off).
 Protect the environment and workers.
 Save time and money by reducing unnecessary spray.

7. If a nozzle discharge is 0.4 l/min, the area sprayed in a minute is 20m 2/min; calculate the
volume of spray per 4000 m2 (0.4ha).
2
0.4 l/min × 4000 m
2
=80 l of spray liquid
20 m /min
8. Calculate the application rate (l/ha)
Volume discharged=5l
Swath width=4m
Distance covered=40m
Area sprayed=4m×40m
5l
Applicationrate= =313 l/ha
0.016 ha
9. Calculate the application rate (l/ha)
Surface area=100m2
Vol of water used=4l
4l 2
Spray volume= 2
× 10000 m /ha=400l/ha
100 m

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HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
1. Name the parts of a combine harvester and state their functions from the diagram below.

 Reel (1): Pushes the standing crops towards the cutting unit.
 Cutter bar (2): Cuts the stalks of the crop.
 Header auger (3): Gathers the straw for delivery to the threshing unit
 Conveyor (4): Feeds the straw to the threshing unit where the threshing takes place.
 Stone trap (5): Collects any stone found in the straw
 Threshing drum (6): Beats or hammers the straw to remove the grains
 Concave (7): Prevents the straw from escaping the threshing drum as hammering takes
place
 Straw walker (8): Separates the grains from the threshed material
 Grain pan (9): Collects the grains as the threshing takes place
 Fan (10): Cleans the grains as it blows away the straw residues (chaffs)
 Top Adjustable sieve (11): Separates course particles of dirt from the grains.
 Bottom sieve (12): Separates finer particles of dirt from the grains.
 Tailing conveyor (13): Carries unthreshed grains back to the threshing unit for re-
threshing
 Re-threshing of tailings (14): See diagram
 Grain auger (15): Conveys the clean grains to the hopper
 Grain tank or hopper (16): Collects the clean grains
 Straw chopper (17): Chops the straw into smaller pieces

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  Driver’s cab (18): Protects the driver from adverse weather conditions and potential
accidents.
 Engine (19): Provides the power required to carry out the various operations.
 Unloading auger (20): Empties the grain tank into a nearby lorry
 Impeller (21): Drives the straw from the threshing unit to the straw walker
2. Name a few problems that can occur when using the combine harvester.
a) Lost of maize kernels due to blowers that are set incorrectly.
b) Thresher that breaks the kernels.
c) Too many foreign particles.
d) Mechanical problems.
e) Cannot use harvester when it has rained.

TILLAGE EQUIPMENT
1. Name the three factors that have an influence on the depth control system of a tractor.
a) Ploughing depth.
b) Soil resistance.
c) Forward speed of the tractor.
2. While ploughing the field the tractor got stuck because of the wet soil. Name TWO drive
systems on the tractor that can be used to free the tractor.
 Differential lock.
 Four-wheel drive
3. Name THREE reasons why you would prefer to use this machine above animal power to
plough a land?
a) Time saving.
b) Labour saving.
c) More powerful.
d) No risk on animal safety
4. What are the functions of the following parts on a moldboard plough?
i. Coulter
ii. Moldboard
iii. Share
Coulter: Its role is to slice vertically the band of earth that has to be turned over.
Moldboard: It permits to turn over the band of earth previously cut out by the plough
share.

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 Share: It is the first part of the plough to enter the soil and cut a furrow slice. Its role is to
cut horizontally the band of the earth and start its overturning.
5. What are the functions of the following parts on a disc plough?
i. Scraper
ii. Rear wheel
The scrapers: help to cover crop residues and prevent soil build-up on the discs in sticky
soils.
The rear wheel: Its role is to minimize the tendency of the plough to deviate from the
ploughing.
6. Differentiate between primary and secondary tillage. For each type, give four examples of
equipment
Primary tillage is carried out to initiate the breaking process of soil layer(s). It is the
stage at which soil is ploughed deep sometimes beyond the arable layer to bury plant
residues, remove plant roots or even break embryonic hardpans.
On the other hand, secondary tillage is carried out to crumble the clods of soil formed
during primary tillage and improve on soil texture before planting. It is a shallow
operation which is limited to the arable soil layer.
Primary tillage: Mouldboard plough, Disc plough, Chisel plough, Subsoiler.
Secondary tillage: Disc harrow, spike-tooth harrow, chain harrow, Rigid-tine
cultivator, Spring-tine cultivator.

FARM TRACTOR, IMPLEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

1. What is the function of the final drive?
a) Further reduction in speed.
b) More torque.
2. What happens to an engine when it overheats?
a) Pistons expand and seize inside the cylinders.
b) Expanded piston causes extra wear.
c) Engine oil loses its lubrication properties.
d) Oil is broken up and damaging substances are formed.
e) Fuel mixture ignites before sparkplug can deliver a spark. (Pre ignition)
f) High pre-ignition shocks can damage the engine severely.
3. What happens to the engine when it is over cooled?
a) Engine works less efficiently.

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 b) Higher fuel consumption.
c) Incomplete ignition because of the fuel mixture that does not fully evaporate.
d) Fuel tends to run down the cylinder walls mixing with the engine oil in the
crankcase and diluting it so that it loses its lubrication properties, resulting in damage
to bearings and cylinders.
e) Fuel running down the cylinder walls washes oil down causing excessive wear.
4. List ten causes of overheating in an engine.
a) Abnormal heavy loads pulled for long distances.
b) Loosely adjusted fan belt.
c) Faulty water pump.
d) Lime in radiator.
e) Dust blocking the radiator.
f) Too lean fuel mixture.
g) Incorrect ignition timing.
h) Collapsed water hoses.
i) Incorrect radiator screens.
j) Insufficient water in cooling system.
5. What are the advantages of air-cooled engines over water-cooled engines?
a) An air-cooled engine is simpler in construction and lighter than water-cooled
engines as they are without water jackets, water pump, radiator and water pipe
connections.
b) An air-cooled engine does not freeze up during very cold winter nights.
c) It is not necessary to check the cooling system for water levels.

6. Name the factors that have to be considered before buying a new tractor.
a) Driving power.
b) Local availability of parts and service.
c) Rigidity of construction.
d) Simplicity of control mechanisms.
e) Driver comfort.
f) Versatility.
g) Proven reliability and durability.
7. Which information should be gained from the seller if the tractor’s price appears to be
reasonable?

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 a) The reason why the tractor is being sold.
b) The kind of work for which the tractor was primarily used.
c) The year of manufacture and the model.
d) The real number of hours the tractor has worked.
e) What repairs, if any, have been done to the tractor.
f) Who was its driver?
8. Name the two types of tractor expenses and give examples of each.
Fixed expenses.
a) Depreciation.
b) Interest on invested capital.
c) Incidental expenses.
d) Financing cost.
Running expenses.
a) Repairs.
b) Oil.
c) Grease.
d) Labor.
e) Supervising expenses.

9. What is the name of this mechanism?

Three-point mechanism.
10. Name the parts labelled from B to E.

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 B. Top link.
C. Lifting arm.
D. Sensitivity element.
E. Lift control lever.
11. Describe the function of A.
To adjust the cross-angle of the implement in relation to the tractor.
12. Explain what will happen to the implement if the part labelled as B is removed.
The back of the implement will not lift if the plough is lifted up.
13. What is the function of D?
Lowers the implement so that the ploughing depth stays constant while ploughing.

14. Name the implement that is attached to the tractor.

Rotovator or cultivator.
15. Is this implement used for primary or secondary cultivation? Give a reason for your
answer.
Secondary cultivation.
The cultivator is meant for shallow tillage.
16. Describe shortly how this implement is coupled to the tractor by analysing the information
given in the sketch.
 Implement is coupled to the three-point mechanism of the tractor.

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  This consists of a top link and two lifting arms for lowering or lifting.
17. What is the device called that is used to supply secondary drive to the implement?
Power Take Off (P.T.O) shaft

18. Identify and label the parts of a Seeder below.

 Wheel suppression (1)

 Armrest (2)
 Seedbox (3)
 Introduction tube (4)
 Dibbling machine (5)

19. International combustion engines are of two types. Name and give five differences
between them.
Diesel engine Petrol engine
No carburetor, ignition coil and spark plug Has a carburetor, ignition coil and spark plug
Uses diesel oil as fuel Uses petrol as fuel
Only air is sucked in the cylinder during the Mixture of air and fuel is sucked in the cylinder
suction stroke during the suction stroke
Has got fuel injection pump and injector Has got no fuel injection pump and injector. But
has got a carburetor and ignition coil
Heat is induced by compressed air Heat is induced by an electric spark

20. Describe the role of the following tractor systems

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 i. Transmission
ii. hydraulic
Transmission system: Transmits power from the engine to the moving parts of a tractor
Hydraulic system: Provides the hydraulic pressure required to bear loads e.g lifting
21. Match the following elements to the tractor systems they below to:
Clutch, three-point linkage, differential, water jackets, crankshaft, ignition coil, exhaust
manifold, radiator, gear box, PTO shaft, sump, piston cylinder, fuel injector, air filter, fan, oil
pump, alternator, carburetor, intake valves, spark plug, wheels.
 Transmission (clutch, differential, crankshaft, gear box, PTO shaft, wheels, piston
cylinder)
 Hydraulic (sump or oil reservoir, three-point linkage)
 Cooling (water jackets, radiator, fan)
 Electrical (ignition coil, spark plug, alternator)
 Combustion (fuel injector, intake valves, exhaust manifold, air filter)
 Lubricating (oil pump)
22. List the three ways in which power is supplied by a tractor
 Rotational power
 Traction power
 Lifting power
23. Name the three parts of a tractor through which power is supplied
 Draw bar
 Power Take Off (PTO) shaft
 Three-point linkage
24. Identify the equipment below and describe its functional mechanism

 The drive mechanism is initiated by movement of the equipment

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  The mechanism increases the speed transmitted from the gear wheel to the distribution
system
 The shutters project the manure out of the hopper as a result of the rotations

25. Identify the diagram below, label it and state the function of three parts

Handle (1), Engine (2), Cage or lugged wheel (3), Belt conveyor (4), Crop row divider
(5), Star wheels (6).

IRRIGATION
1. Explain why surface irrigation is considered less efficient than drip irrigation.
 Water supplied on vegetative part of the plant is lost through evaporation
 Some of the water evaporates as it is sprinkled in the air
 Excess of water is lost by deep percolation
2. Why do you think further filtration of water is necessary in drip irrigation system?
 Each crop should receive approximately the same amount of water depending on
irrigation requirements.
 Avoid blockage of the emitters.

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