AMBO UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTEMENT OF
AGRICULTURAL AND BIOPROCESS ENGINEERING

Agricultural Machinery and Implements

(ABPE 5213)
For 4th Year ABPE Students
Instr.: Degaga P. (MSc. )
October 2017

1
 Chapter -1: Concepts of Agricultural mechanization

1.1 Definition of Tools, Implements, Machines and Machinery

 A tool:

 is the simplest physical aid used in agriculture.

 The power source is human labor.
 Eg.; Spade, sickle, hoe, etc

2
 An implement

 is a specific type of tool much related to the power source.

 There is no complicated mechanism in it.
 It applies to any device which is relatively simple for performing a
mechanical or manual operation.
 It performs better job than tool. E.g. the traditional plow set.

3
A machine:
 is a device with a specific mechanism in it to perform a specific
task or tasks with certain mechanical advantage. Or simply it is
a device that gives mechanical advantage, which facilitates the
doing of work.
 In other words a machine is an assembly of parts that are made
of solid bodies but include in some cases fluid bodies or electricity
in conductors and that transmit force, motion and energy one to
another in some predetermined manner and to some desired end
(as hoisting a load, or maintaining an electric current).
 E.g. the row crop planter, thresher, etc.
4
Machinery:
 is the constituent parts of a machine or instrument.
 It is the name for machines collectively, the technology of using
machines and the constituent parts of a machine.
 To be equipped with machinery is called mechanization.

5
 1.2. Agricultural mechanization
 “Agricultural mechanization” generally refers to the application of
tools, implements, and powered machinery as inputs to achieve
agricultural production.

6
 AM .......cont’d
 The term covers the manufacture, distribution, maintenance,
repair, management, and utilization of agricultural tools,
implements, and machines.

 It applies to agricultural land development, crop production,

harvesting, and preparation for storage, on-farm processing and rural
transport.

 Agricultural mechanization is often associated solely with tractors and

sophisticated agricultural machinery – so called “tractorization”.

7
 AM .......cont’d
 In reality, particularly in developing countries, the term covers all levels of
technology from the simplest and most basic (hand tools) to the most
sophisticated and powerful.
 What is very important is that the technology involved meets the real needs
of farmers and can be used efficiently and effectively and is financially
viable.
 Increasing levels of mechanization doesn’t necessarily mean big
investments in tractors and machinery, but involves shifting to an
alternative combination of the use of land, capital and labour, which results
in improved farm incomes either through increased output or through
reduced costs, or through a combination of both.
8
 AM .......cont’d
 Additional other, non-monetary benefits such as a reduction in the
drudgery of farm work must also be considered.
 Although agricultural mechanization is an essential input for
agricultural production, it is difficult to place it alongside other inputs.
 It is not a single input like seed and fertilizer, but rather a series of
production tools which are used in almost all phases of production.

9
 AM .......cont’d
 In almost any agricultural production system, the annual expenditure
on mechanized inputs (tools, implements and machines), greatly
exceeds the individual costs of other single inputs such as
agrochemicals and seeds.
 Cost components of mechanization include labour costs, animal
costs, and running costs of tools and machines (fuel, repairs,
depreciation, and interest).
 Farm machine and tool use, in contrast with other inputs such as seed,
fertilizer, and chemicals, requires an initial capital investment.

10
 AM .......cont’d
 Engine driven machines such as tractors and stationary machinery
require fuel, servicing, and maintenance.
 Animals used for draught (pulling) purposes require fodder and
veterinary services.
 Therefore the use of mechanization can involve many different
stakeholders and include technical, economic, and social aspects.
 Environmental issues also have to be considered.

11
 1.3. Levels of agricultural mechanization
 In the beginning, all crops for human sustenance were produced and
prepared by the power of human muscles.
 Many centuries passed before the power of animal muscles was used
to relieve that of the human being.
 With the discovery of iron, transition from hand farming to this
modern power farming age was at first slow.
 But with the development of steel plow, the internal combustion
engine, the farm tractor and other modern farm machines, the
movement has accelerated beyond the wildest dreams of our
ancestors.
12
 In any case there are three levels of mechanization:
Human power based Mechanization
Animal power based mechanization

Mechanical power based mechanization

Level-1: Human power based Mechanization

 Manual technology (the use of hand tools and manually
powered machines) relies upon human beings as the source of
power (“muscle power”).

13
 There is a very wide array of tools and hand machines used in
agriculture. This includes hand tools such as machetes, hoes, spades,
forks, axes, knives, but also machines such as manually powered
winnowers and seed drills.
 These are technologically simple and can be designed and made
locally in small quantities by artisans (blacksmiths) and small
workshops.
 Hand tools are generally multi-purpose tools and may be used for
several operations related to crop production and agro processing.

14
 Hand tools are relatively easy to manufacture and use, as well as
easy to maintain and to repair.
 They also offer the advantage that they are inexpensive and accepted
socially.
 However, their use demands very high levels of human effort which
limits what can be achieved in production terms.
 In terms of area to be cultivated, the use of hand tools puts a
limitation on the area that can be cultivated by one person (Figure
1.1).

15
 Within this overall limitation, the amount of time it takes to
accomplish various farming operations will nevertheless vary widely
according to considerations such as the crop, soil type, soil moisture,
optimum seeding dates and desired quality of work.
 The amount of work a human can deliver is influenced by nutrition
and health.
 Climatic conditions also play a significant role; in particular high
ambient temperatures and humidity drastically reduce human
work capacity.

16
Figure1.1. Sources of farm power and their effect on productivity

17
Level-2: Animal power based mechanization

 Animals are used extensively as a source of power in agriculture.

 The potential draught power of animals varies greatly according to the
type of animal.
 The main animals used for work purposes are horses, oxen, mules,
donkeys and camels.
 Their size, nutrition, state of health and general condition at the time
of use are key factors determining the amount of work they are
capable of carrying out.

18
 It is strongly recommended that animals which are adapted to
the local conditions be used as they generally exhibit a greater
resistance to local diseases.
 High temperature and humidity greatly reduce the work output
of animals.
 Animals need to be trained for work purposes and it takes about
a year for them to attain maximum performance.

19
 There is considerable evidence to show that by replacing and
augmenting human power with animal traction, the total cultivated
area can be expanded and labour productivity increased (Figure
1.1).
 The rate of work achieved by work animals varies considerably but
can be from 5 to 20 times greater than manual labour.
 The main implements used with animals are the plough and trailer.

20
 More recently, technological advances have led to the development
and manufacture of other types of animal draught equipment such as
seeders and mowers.
 Animal power can also be used for other operations such as
pumping, milling, and road construction.
 The use of animals as a source of power provides economic gains not
only for farmers but also for the local economy.

21
 Another major economic benefit for farmers who switch to using
animal draught is that it releases them and their family to carry out
additional, income generating activities.

 One of the main problems in using draught animals in many

developing countries is the often poor condition of the animals at the
end of the dry season.

 Another problem with using animals for work purposes is the

common perception that their use is archaic and backward. This is
in contrast to tractors and other large machinery which are viewed as
progressive and modern.

22
Animal Power

23
 Level-3: Mechanical power based mechanization
 Engine powered machines represent the highest level of mechanical
technology in agricultural mechanization.
 The sources of energy are usually fossil fuels but may also involve
direct or indirect use of wind or solar resources for generating
electricity for electric motors.
 Generally the use of advanced mechanical technology calls for higher
levels of management and support services in order to optimize
returns on the investment.

24
25
 The introduction of mechanical power into agriculture has normally
brought about increases in both labour and land productivity. Not to
be underestimated is the reduction in drudgery (Figure 1.1) that
generally results from mechanizing operations.
 For example it has been estimated that a mechanized farmer can
provide enough food to feed up to fifty people whereas by using
draught animal power alone a farmer can only feed about six others.

26
 Generally when increasing the level of power inputs and changing
from one source of power to another (human labour to draught animal
power to tractors), emphasis is first placed on utilizing the extra
power available for power intensive operations.
 Operations which directly increase production by being able to
cultivate greater areas and which reduce human power inputs are the
first to be mechanized.

27
 1.4.Objectives of Mechanization
 To increase labor productivity
 There is release of labor for other sectors of the economy,

 The same labor force could cover large area.

 To increase land productivity
 Here mechanization is a complementary input. This is to mean
“producing more from the existing land”.
 To decrease cost of production
 A newly invented or introduced machine may lower production costs
of draft animals or laborers.
 To avoids drudgery and makes rural life attractive.
28
Benefits of Farm Mechanization:-
 Timeliness of operation

 Precision of operation

 Improvement of work environment.

 Enhancement of safety

 Reduction of drudgery of labour

 Reduction of loss of crops and food products

 Increased productivity of land

 Increased economic return to farmer

 Improved dignity of farmer

 Progress and prosperity in rural areas 29

Constraints in Farm Mechanization (Limiting factors in Farm
Mechanization):-
 Small land holdings
 Less investing capacity of farmers
 Adequate availability of draft animals
 Lack of suitable farm machine for different operations
 Lack of repair and servicing facilities for machines
 Lack of trained man power
 Lack of coordination between research organization and
manufacturer
 High cost of machines
 Inadequate quality control of machine 30