COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

MODULE 9

Selection of Agricultural Machinery

Learning Outcomes:

1. Compare the different types of specific implements and select the most suitable type for various
purposes;
2. Compare the different types of agricultural machine and equipment based on models, maintenance and
power capacity.
3. Describe the differences trade mark and trade name.
4. Justify the rational selection of farm machinery and the economics of farming systems.

Introduction:

The correct selection of agricultural machinery is quite essential for creating efficient products on your
farms. Farmers nowadays have access to almost all types of machinery that are used for the agricultural purpose
from the local manufacturers, dealers and online marketplaces for buying and selling agricultural machinery.

Farming equipment and machines should be selected in a compatible way with all the farming needs of a farmer.
Choosing the right farm machinery offers multiple benefits to the farmers that also allow them to protect on
operational expenses, generating more profit, and growing more crops with lesser efforts.
There is a need to understand some more additional items in the careful selection of agricultural
machinery.

The following are important factors to judge and influence in the selection of agricultural machines:

Trademark

 It is a distinguishing mark, device, or symbol affixed by a manufacturer, merchant, or trader to

his goods in order to identify them as his goods and distinguish them from the goods
manufactures, sold, or dealt in by others.
 Trademark gives statutory protection when they are registered according to law which gives
the owner the exclusive right to use its product.  Trademark provides guarantee of reliability
of the machine since the company will stand behind its product or machine.
Trade Name

 It is the name by which an article is called or the name given by a manufacturers to an article
to distinguish it as one produced by the company. It is also called as brand name.
 Trade or brand name can be registered to have statutory protection in a manner similar to
trademark.
 It can only be found in only one particular machine. It is presently abandon in favor of model
designation.

Models

 It indicate the type, size, improvement, or new design of an old machine, a special purpose or
combination of one or more of machine features.
 Model designation are presented by series of numbers or letters or combination of both.
Example, a combine model SP-12 is a self-propelled combine having a width cut of 12 ft.

Repair

 Before considering a purchase of the machine, it is well to look into the source of repairs.
 Can the repair be made at hand or it need somebody to send from a distance?
 Machine breakdown can cause delay and lost of crops.
 Some manufacturers provide quick service for the machinery they supplied.
 Be sure that repair and supply of machine parts are readily available in the locality.

Technical Manual – It is a booklet provided by manufacturers in which the step-by-step procedure for
repair or disassembly of parts are given.
Operator’s Manual – It is a booklet form provided by manufacturers in which adjustment, care and
maintenance procedure, and safety of the machine are indicated.

Information Needed in Making up for the Order for Repair of Parts

 Name and address of manufacturer

 Brand name, model number, and year made or purchased
 Number of parts wanted
 If the number of the parts cannot be determined, get the numbers of the parts with which it
works

Note:

Keep the pamphlets that are furnished with the machine especially the one containing the
repair part lists. When repair parts are needed, the part numbers and their description will be found in
the lists parts.

Design

 It is the arrangement of the parts to show

the difference of make up in machine of the
same type.
 Gears should run a sealed oil bath.
 Provision of safety devices should be
carefully considered.

Does the machine have finished appearance and style without sacrificing strength and performance?

Ease of Operation

 Many implements that look well are fond to require an unnecessary amount of power and
labor to make them operate successfully.
 A dealer who is a good one will usually take the machine out, have the farmer go along, make
necessary adjustments and see that the machine is running perfectly before turning it over to
the farmer.
Ease of Adjustment

 Careful study should be made on the methods of adjusting the various parts of the machine.
 Devices designed to simplify adjusting the equipment are time and labor savers.
 The owner’s or operator’s manual should be studied thoroughly to understand the method of
adjusting the equipment as planned by the designers and the test engineer.
 Many operators of agricultural machines are not inclined to take sufficient time to make
needed slight adjustments.

Adaptability to Work and Conditions

 There are many implements on the market which are not adaptable to every conditions.
 A machine may work in one locality and be an absolute failure in another because it is
adapted to a certain soil conditions or type of crop grown.

Quick Changes of Units

 The time and labor required to dismount one unit and mount another unit are important
considerations in selecting agricultural equipment.
 Some lines of equipment are built in unit packages and are designed so that changes can be
made in a few minutes from a plow to a planter, from planter to cultivator, or from one unit
to another for all the unit supplied.

Maneuverability

 As a general rule, tractor mounted equipment are provided with power and hydraulic lifts. The
units can be lifted and the tractor manoeuvred almost as though no equipment was attached.
 When trailing equipment is attached to the drawbar of a tractor, turns cannot be made so
sharply as with mounted equipment.

Comfort

 As the operator of power equipment must spend days upon days riding upon it, the comfort
and safety of the seat should be considered.
  A comfortable sea should be supported with shock-absorbing devices. The seat should be
stable and adjustable to suit different-sized individuals.
 Cabs give protection from cold, heat, dust, and excessive noise.

Other Factors

 Power requirements
 Cost of operation
 Initial cost,
 Years of service expected
 Whether the purchase of the equipment is economical in relation to the size of the farm and
work to be performed by the equipment

References

Smith, H. P. and L.H. Wilkes. 1976. Farm Machinery and Equipment. 6th Edition. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing
Company Ltd. New Delhi. 488pp.

Prepared by: ENGR. BONIFACIO A. HONTIVEROS

Course Facilitator