Farm Machinery, Tools and Structures
What you must understand
Know the hand tools and their correct use: hoe, cutlass/machete, fork, rake, watering can, knapsack sprayer, secateurs, dibber, wheelbarrow. Know the main implements - plough, harrow, ridger, planter, cultivator, trailer - and what each does to soil. Understand tractor parts and controls: engine, clutch, gearbox, differential, PTO, three-point linkage, hydraulic lift, and the difference between two-wheel and four-wheel tractors. Learn daily and periodic maintenance: cleaning after use, oiling, sharpening blades, checking tyre pressure, air filters and coolant. Understand farm structures - store, barn, poultry house, piggery, nursery shed, silo, fence, dip - and their design requirements: ventilation, drainage, security, and protection from sun and rain. Safety around machinery is part of this domain.
Traps in questions
- Confusing the plough (primary tillage, inverts soil) with the harrow (secondary tillage, breaks clods and levels).
- Thinking the PTO drives the wheels; it drives implements such as rotary tillers.
- Forgetting to disengage the PTO or lower implements before maintenance.
- Assuming a store needs to be airtight; it needs to be dry, ventilated, pest-proof and secure.
- Neglecting sharpening: a blunt cutlass or hoe needs more force and causes accidents.
Worked example
A knapsack sprayer holds 15 L. The label rate is 200 mL product per 100 L water. For 15 L you need 200 × (15 ÷ 100) = 30 mL of product. Rule of thumb: always calculate the dose for the actual tank volume, then add water to the mark - never guess.