Ready, set, grow: A farm machinery guide
Photo by Craig Cooper on Unsplash
While a farm’s success isn’t exclusively dictated by its tools, the proper machinery and gear can turn a middling farming operation (or one that’s simply getting by) into a phenomenal one.
Picking the right machinery for your land and region will improve output, reduce operational costs, and better the quality of your product — just ask your local farm equipment suppliers, who will absolutely agree. Read on for a brief guide on essential farm machinery and learn how it can improve your operation today.
A tractor
Tractors are emblematic of the quintessential farm. And it makes sense: the tractor has been a crucial piece of farming machinery for over one hundred years, though the technology has somewhat evolved since its first incarnation in 1849.
On the farm, tractors are jack-of-all-trades resources. They help farmers plow, plant, cultivate soil, spread fertilizer, and help with other operations where horsepower is necessary.
Seed tenders and conveyors
Seed tenders greatly improve the process of planting crops. When used in tandem with a seed conveyor, the whole process of bulk planting is streamlined and expedited.
Tillers
A tiller can be an incredibly powerful piece of farm machinery, breaking up compacted soil and preparing it for planting. However, this is only true if the tilling process is done correctly.
Over-tilling or tilling incorrectly can be incredibly detrimental to the soil health, leading to soil erosion. Farmers should always connect with local specialists before investing in and dedicating time to the tilling process.
Augers
Any opportunity for efficiency should be taken, and an auger is a perfect example of this truism. Augers make the method of both loading and unloading bulk amounts of grain easier and much faster.
A combine harvester
The combine harvester is another piece of quintessential farm machinery. Named after its four integrated processes — reaping, gathering, threshing, and sifting — a harvester can gather a whole host of different types of crops safely and in quick time without the farmer needing to leave the machine’s cab.
A grain cart
A grain cart is a piece of machinery used in the field in partnership with a combine harvester. These vessels can improve the efficiency of a combine by up to 25%.
Analyzers
A relatively modern piece of machinery, grain analyzers can help reduce losses and improve the quality of the crop. They give farmers immediate, on-the-spot information about the quality of their crops and how their processing might be hindering growth. Such updates empower farmers with the knowledge to change how they’re managing their crops, letting them pivot and adapt to improve growing conditions and soil fertility should they need to.
This is just a brief insight into the key types of farm machinery and equipment that are used today. Farm machinery will vary significantly based on the size of the farm, its product, and the local environment.
If you’re seeking farm machinery, be sure to connect with a local farm supply store run by professionals who understand the nuances of your land and your operational needs.
