Sources of farm power
Farm work can be done with human power (hand hoes, machetes), animal power (oxen for ploughs and carts) or mechanical power (tractors and engines). Mechanisation is the use of machines to do farm work. It raises the speed of work, lets farmers cultivate more land, and lowers labour costs.
| Tool or machine | Use |
|---|---|
| Hand hoe | Digging, weeding, ridging |
| Ox-plough | Ploughing with animal power |
| Tractor with plough | Primary cultivation |
| Harrow | Breaks clods, makes a fine seedbed |
| Planter / seed drill | Sows seed at an even spacing |
| Sprayer | Applies pesticides and herbicides |
| Combine harvester | Cuts and threshes cereals |
| Water pump | Irrigation |
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Fast; work done on time | High cost of buying and repairs |
| Large areas can be farmed | Needs fuel, spare parts and skilled operators |
| Reduces drudgery | Causes unemployment on large farms |
| Even planting and harvesting | Can compact the soil and cause erosion |
Care and maintenance of tools and machines
Clean after use; oil and grease moving parts; sharpen blades; paint or oil metal against rust; replace worn parts; check fuel, oil and water; keep in a dry store; fill the log book. Follow safety rules: wear protective clothing, switch off the engine before repairs, and keep children away.
Work rate of a machine
Try itHow long will it take?
Choose the width of the implement, the speed and the area to cultivate.
Key terms
- Mechanisation
- The use of machines in farming.
- Implement
- A tool pulled by a tractor or animals.
- Draught animal
- An animal used to pull loads or implements.
- Maintenance
- Care to keep machines in good order.
Summary
- Farm power comes from people, animals and machines.
- Mechanisation speeds up work but costs money.
- Clean, oil and store tools properly.
- Work rate = width × speed ÷ 10 × efficiency.