DEFINATION OF TERMS

Farm Tools in
Horticultural
Operation
Farm tools, implements, and equipment play very
important role in horticultural operations. Their
availability makes the work much easier and
faster. However, even if one may have the most
sophisticated tools and implements, but does not
know how to use them, they are useless. In order
to do horticultural operations successfully, one
must have a good working knowledge of the tools,
implements and equipment before using them.
Farm Implements

 ​Theseare accessories which are being pulled by

working animals or mounted to machineries (hand
tractor, tractor) which are usually used in
preparation of land. These are usually made of
special kind of metal
Learning Outcome 2
Select and Operate
Farm Equipment
 Common Farm Equipment

 Theseare machineries used in horticultural

operations especially in vegetable production.
They are used in land preparation and in
transporting farm inputs and products. This
equipment needs a highly skilled operator to use.
Hand tractor is
used to pull a plow
and harrow in
preparing a large
area of land.
 Fourwheel tractor is used
to pull disc plow and disc
harrow in preparing much
bigger area of land .
 Water pumps are
used to draw
irrigation water
from a source.
Learning Outcome 3
Perform preventive
maintenance
PRE-OPERATIVE CHECK UP OF
FARM TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS AND
EQUIPMENTS
 Imagine that the long, hot summer vacation has finally come to an end
and it‘s the beginning of the school year and you are ready to start
working your vegetable gardens. But before that let us check first our
tools, implements and equipment you are going to use. Armed with
your working clothes and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Proceed to the shop to retrieve your tools so that you can start
clearing away the last remnants of summer and begin breaking the soil
for a new year. Imagine your frustration as you start pulling out all of
your tools to see that they are covered with rust and dirt that has
hardened and crusty globs of oil that have collected dust last vacation.
It seems that you are going to spend more time cleaning and repairing
tools on this nice day than you will actually use them.
 ​How to Clean Your Garden Tools:
 Let‘s start with the basics. Your shovel, spade, hoe, or even the blades
on a hedge trimmer will be a lot easier to use if you take a few minutes
to knock some of the rust off the blade. Not only will this extend the
life of the tool, but also it will cut through the soil better, and thus
require less effort to use, if it has a nice sharp blade. It is a good idea
to keep a large whetstone in your shop. A whetstone is an ideal tool to
use to keep all of the cutting edges of your garden tools honed. It will
work well on your shovel, as well as many other common garden
tools.
• The best way to use the stone is to find a way to stabilize the tool that
you want to work on. A bench vise is ideal. You will be able to clamp the
tool into place at an angle, so you can work on it. Clamping the garden
tool into place with a vise frees both of your hands to use the whetstone
and gives you more control over what you are doing.
• The best way to use the stone is to find a way to stabilize the tool that you want to
work on. A bench vise is ideal. You will be able to clamp the tool into place at an
angle, so you can work on it. Clamping the garden tool into place with a vise frees
both of your hands to use the whetstone and gives you more control over what
you
• In are doing.
instances where the moving parts of your garden tools (such as with of any new
pruners, shears, and loppers) have frozen in place, like springs and pivot joints, you
should disassemble them first carefully break free any rust or dirt that may keep the tool
from functioning properly. Clean accumulated rust and dirt off all metal surfaces with a
wire brush. Remove stubborn rust from small tools with fine steel wool. Using an old
toothbrush with some lightweight lubricating oil is a great way to work fresh oil into the
joints of most garden tools. Not only will this fresh oil helps your tool to work as it was
intended, but it will also prevent the formation of rust. Use medium-grit sandpaper to
remove rust on larger tools such as shovels, spades, and hoes.
• Once your tools are cleaned, they're ready to be sharpened. When sharpening, try to
maintain the original factory bevel or angle. For pruners, use a whetstone because it
produces a very sharp cutting edge. Depending on the type of whetstone, apply a few
drops of oil or water to the stone. With the beveled side of the blade against the stone, rub
the sharp edge of the blade toward the stone in a curved motion, as if you were trying to
shave off a thin slice from the stone.
 • When working with a file, stabilize the blades in a vise or against a solid
surface such as a work bench to avoid injury and ensure an even stroke.
Always push the file across the blade in a motion away from your body.
Move the file diagonally, so that its cutting teeth are biting into the metal
on the tool. When sharpening with a file, do not use oil; metal filings will
accumulate and clog the file's serrations.
• Farm implements like ordinary plow and wooden harrow should be
checked thoroughly before use. Loosened bolts and nuts should be
tightened firmly. Disc plow and harrow should also be lubricated on their
moving parts like bearings. Tractors should be tuned-up very well by and
skilled operator. Checking on their oil, lubricant, fuel and cooling system.

• Tools that are worn out should be separated and

be fixed immediately to avoid accident.
Farm Equipment
There are many essential pieces of equipment
that are important on the farm. In this post I am
going to give you a farm equipment list that will
give you the equipment that you need on a farm.
There are some things that aren’t on the list
because every farmer has different needs, so for
most people this list will suffice.
Tractor
 you use on the farm. Its primary function is to
pull farming equipment, but you can use it for
many things.
 An example of a different type of tractor is a
front loader tractor. You can use this type of
tractor for a number of things such as loading
manure into a manure spreader. A compact
tractor is a small tractor that you use on
smaller farms and small jobs. Many people
have a small compact tractor at their house.
This is a common tractor that you will see in
town.
 The main categories of tractors are two-wheel
drive, two-wheel drive with front assist or a full
four-wheel drive tractor. Four-wheel drive
tractors can have articulating middles or
tracks. They are very expensive and have a
very particular purposes.
 Plow or Plough
 The plow is where it all begins.
You need this piece of farm
equipment to prepare your field
for your crops.
 This is the farm implement that
you will use to break up the land
for the very first time. Generally,
plows turn the soil over to kill off
the surface vegetation such as
weeds.
 Plowing is primary tillage. That
means that you will start with this
then go to secondary tillage like a
harrow.
Types Of Plows
 Mold Board Plows
Mold Board Plows
 You use this plow cleanly cut through
the soil and turn it over. Because this
type of plow is meant to turn over the
soil, it is shaped like a wing. The idea
behind this type of plow is to make
sure that no soil is left unturned.
 In most cases, you are breaking up
a fallow field, or a field that was hay.
 There are many variations of this
type of plow. One common variation
is a plow, which can rotate to keep
furrows going in the same direction.
 Chisel Plow
 This type of plow is for
breaking up the soil.
Typically, we use chisel
plows for deep
tillage. Chisel plows
disturb the soil below the
surface, and try to reduce
the amount of top layers
disturbed.
 Ridge plows

 We use these types of

plows to create ridges for
particular crops. For
example, this type of plow
would work well for
potatoes. Typically, they
are double winged to
raise the soil into a furrow.
 Disc Plow
 Disc plows cuts in terms soil by using discs
instead of a wedge-shaped blade. The idea
behind using a disk instead of something like a
mold board plow is to help reduce friction.
 Sometimes people choose to use a disc plow
because the moldboard plow isn’t enough. A
moldbold plow might not be sufficient in cases
where you have sticky soil or rocky soil. The
chances of you breaking a disc plow or can it be
slimmer than a mold board plow.
 One reason farmers tend not to use disc plows
is that they don’t do a very good job of covering
weeds, so if you’re trying to turn over the weeds
in moldboard plow is a better choice.
 This type of plow is heavier because they need
to be pushed down into the soil.
 Harrows
 Harrows are secondary tillage. You use them
after a plow in most cases. The idea behind a
harrow is to break up the clods of soil to make
it easier for plants to grow.
 Harrows disturb all the soil on the surface in a
field.
 There are many different types of harrows
that we use today. In most cases, the
advanced harrows that you use combine
different harrows in a single implement.
 Here is a list of the types of harrows you
might find: disc harrows, chain harrow, roller
harrow, and spring harrows.
 Seeders
 You use a seeder to plant the seeds in the ground.
There are many types of seeders today. They range
from small simple seeders on small farms all the way
up to huge air seeders.
 The most common seeder type you will see is a
broadcast seeder. You can see broadcast seeders
seeding grass in residential areas. Also, in Canada
you will see a broadcast seeder used for spreading
salt.
 Some of the types of seeders you will see are: box
drill seeder, air seeder, and planters. Some seeders
can plant spread seed and fertilizer at the same
time..
 The newer seeders are more accurate than the old
ones, and tend to produce better yield from crops.
Types Of Seeders
 Broadcast seeders
 Broadcast seeders are one of the most versatile seeders available out there.
There are many different types of broadcast seeders. They range from
carried seeders to ones on the back of tractors.
 The most common use for this type of seeder is with grass seed. Many
people use this method to spread grass seed on their lawn in the
spring. Also, sometimes broadcast seeders distribute salt up here in
Canada.
 For most farm work, this type of seeder isn’t used very much because it
isn’t as accurate as you would want. This is particularly true when you
consider the price of the seed you are putting in.
 Advantages and Dis Advantages in
Broadcast Seeders
Advantages of Broadcast Disadvantages of broadcast
Seeders seeders
1. Easy to use. 1. There is more waste.
2. Get seeds out quickly over a
2. Not accurate.
large area.
3. Relatively cheap
 Air Seeders

 Airseeders tend work best with smaller seeds because the

way they operate. Air seeders aren’t as multi-purpose as
others seeders can be. Air seeders need to be used with
round and small seeds.
 Many air seeders can deliver seeds and fertilizer.
 One thing to consider is how big air seeders are. On average
they are larger than other seeders.
 Advantages and Dis Advantages of air
Seeders
Advantages of air
Seeders
1.Cover a large area before you
need more seed.
2.Fertilize at the same time as
seeding.
3.Reduce field operations.
4.Easy to hook up the equipment,
and also makes transporting
easier.
5.Less maintenance because
Disadvantages of air
seeders
1.Some of the older air seeders
may have trouble controlling
population.
2.Lines can get clogged.
3.Ground coverage is bad
depending on your seeder.
4.Limited to seeds that will work
properly with the seeder.
5.Typically bigger.
 Box Drill Seeders
Box drills tend are the go to seeder.
They are the ones that you use for
most seeds. That
doesn’t necessarily mean that they it
well.
Many small farms use box drills
because they are multi-purpose.
 Advantages and Dis Advantages
Box Drills Seeders
Advantages of box drills Disadvantages of box drills
1. Low horsepower needed. 1.Bad at population control.
2. Wider variety of seed 2.Can be slower to do job.
usage depending on metering. 3.Mostly small grains.
Planters
3. Easy to use.
4. Low maintenance.
5. Better for smaller farms.
 Planters
 Plantersare the most accurate type of seeder
available, and they are the most expensive ones.
 You use planters primarily for corn and soybeans in
Canada. I have heard some people try to use them
for canola, but they aren’t as effective for small
grains.
 Advantages and Dis
Advantages in Planters
Advantages of planters Disadvantages of planters
1. They are very expensive.
1. Very precise metering.
2. Availability. In some places they
2. Uniform seed depth. are hard to find parts for.
3. Only for larger seeds.
 Fertilizer spreader
 A fertilizer spreader is a farm implement that
spreads out fertilizer. You can do this
different ways. One of the most common
spreader is a broadcast spreader. This is
very similar to a broadcast seeder. In many
cases, people use them interchangeably.
 Another common fertilizer spreader is a
manure spreader. Manure spreaders use
solid manure from livestock. There are also
liquid manure spreaders as well, which are
slurry spreaders.
 Spreading fertilizer helps improve the yield
of your crop.
 Combine
 Combines are usually the most expensive piece of
equipment that farmers buy.It is the most important piece
of farm equipment as well. It is the piece of equipment
that you use to reap the benefits of your hard work.
 You use a combine to harvest your crop. Combines do
three functions reaping (cut the plant) the crop, threshing
(separates edible from non-edible parts) the crop and
winnowing (separates light chaff from grain).Newer
combines give you yield data which shows you where you
field did well and not well.
 The leftovers from the combine thrown out the back as
straw can be baled for livestock bedding.
 Depending on what you want to harvest, a combine will
need a specific head for the job. You use a standard grain
head for wheat, rye, canola and soybeans. You use a
corn head, which looks like it has teeth on it for corn.
 Baler
 You use a baler to collect hay, straw or corn stalks, and
put them into either a round bale or a square one. You
use hay as feed for your livestock, so it is very important
to have your equipment tuned properly. You use straw as
bedding for your livestock to keep them dry and warm.
Bedding helps the animals not get sick. You can use
corn stalks for bedding, but some animals will eat them
as well.
 The main types of balers are square balers and round
balers. They come in various sizes. From small squares
up to huge squares. It all depends on what type of
operation you are running.
 You can wrap the bales with just twine, or you can wrap
them up with plastic, which allows them to ferment into
silage.
Apply Safety Measure And Farm
Operation
Occupational Safety and
Health
 Definition of Terms
 Safety - the physical or environmental conditions of work which comply with
the prescribed Occupational Health Safety (OHS) standards and which allow
the workers to perform their job without or within acceptable exposure to
hazards.
 Occupational safety- the practices related to production and work process.
 Health- a sound state of the body and mind of the worker that enables him
or her to perform the job normally.
 Sharpening- the process of thinning the edge of the tools like knife, pruning
shears, hedge shears, etc. Cleaning- the act or process of removing dirt from
tools, containers and farm facilities.
 Disinfection chemicals- refers to the chemical used in cleaning which has
the ability to kill microorganisms especially pathogens.
 LEARNING OUTCOME 1

Apply appropriate safety

measures while working in the
farm
 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. Safety measures are applied based on work requirement
and farm procedures. Tools and materials are utilized
in accordance with specification and procedures.
2. Outfit is worn in accordance with farm requirements.
3. Shelf life and or expiration of materials are effectively
checked against manufacturer‘s specifications.
4. Hazards in the workplace are identified and reported in
line with farm guidelines
5. Emergency and accidents are responded to and
prevented
 APPLY APPROPRIATE SAFETY
MEASURES WHILE WORKING IN FARM
 INTRODUCTION:
Many hazards are present in the farm. If the farmers
are not aware of these hazards these may cause injury to their
body or may cause diseases and even death. Farmer should
always apply appropriate safety measures while working in
the farm. In this lesson the students with the guidance and
supervision of their teacher should identify farm works that
involve the use of chemicals and hazardous tools and
equipment; determine the uses of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) and determine farm emergency procedures
regarding safety working environment.
 HAZARD, RISK AND EXPOSURE IN
THE FARM
Agricultural crop production deal with a lot of
activities to be done in the different workplace.
While performing these activities we expose
ourselves to a lot of risk. Workplace hazard is a
major cause of accident, injury, or harm to a worker
who performs such task. These hazards should be
the major concern of all who are involved in a
certain job or work.
 It is important to distinguish hazard, risk
and exposure when undertaking risk
1.management.
Hazard is the potential for harm, or adverse effect
on an employee‘s health. Anything which may cause
injury or ill health to anyone at or near a workplace
is a hazard.
2. Risk is the likelihood that a hazard will cause injury
or ill health to anyone at or near a workplace. The
level of risk increases with the severity of the
hazard and the duration and frequency of exposure.
3. Exposure occurs when a person comes into contact
Classes of Hazard
 Psychosoci
al
Physical environmen
t

Classes Of
Hazards

Mechanical Chemical Biological

and/or
Electrical
Hazards are classified into five different
types. They are:
1. Physical - includes floors, stairs, work
platforms, steps, ladders, fire, falling
objects, slippery surfaces, manual
handling (lifting, pushing, pulling),
excessively loud and prolonged noise,
vibration, heat and cold, radiation, poor
lighting, ventilation, air quality.
 2. Mechanical and/or electrical
- includes electricity, machinery,
equipment, pressure vessels,
dangerous goods, fork lifts, cranes,
hoists.
 3. Chemical - includes chemical
substances such as acids or poisons
and those that could lead to fire or
explosion, like pesticides, herbicides,
cleaning agents, dusts and fumes from
various processes such as welding.
 4. Biological - includes
bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew,
insects, vermin, animals
 5. Psychosocial environment -
includes workplace stressors
arising from a variety of sources.
 F​ arm emergency
procedures regarding
safety working
environment
1. Identify the potential emergencies. The
emergencies that may occur on a crop production
farm could include:

Fire Flood
Typhoon Machinery
entrapment
Electrical Snake/Spider
shock bite
Chemical exposure Farm injuries
 Farm Farm accidents
illness
 2. Provide emergency facilities appropriate for the sorts of
emergencies that might occur on the farm (e.g. deluge showers, eye
washes, firefighting equipment, first aid kits).
3. Make sure that the correct equipment is available to contain and
handle any chemical or other dangerous materials spills that might
4. To help minimize the risk ofhappen.
personal injury or property damage in
the event of an emergency, people working on and visiting the farm
need to know and understand the emergency procedures and their
nstruct everyone working onresponsibilities.
the farm in the emergency response
procedures.
6. Everyone should know the location of fire alarms, fire
extinguishers and first aid kits; how and where to contact emergency
services; and where to safely assemble in the event of an
emergency.
 The following factors may increase risk
of injury or illness for farm workers:
1.Age – Injury rates are highest among children
age 15 and under and adults over 65.
2. Equipment and Machinery – Most farm
accidents and
fatalities involve machinery. Proper machine
guarding and doing equipment maintenance
according to manufacturers‘ recommendations
can help prevent accidents.
​FARM WORKS THAT INVOLVE USING
CHEMICALS AND HAZARDOUS TOOLS
AND
1. EQUIPMENT
Spraying Chemicals
Many different chemicals are used on a farm including pesticides.
These chemicals are used to fertilize and control pests such as
insects, weeds, mollusk, etc. Most of these chemicals are applied
by spraying
Examples of chemical hazards:
•Spraying in a strong wind and the spray drifting over a dam or the
farm house.
•Washing spray equipment and the water running into open drains,
collecting in puddles, or running into stockyards or dams.
•Containers or chemicals left lying around. Empty containers lying
in a heap.
Some ways you can reduce the risk of hazards from
chemicals are:
• Use personal protective equipment such as
respirators, waterproof clothes, rubber gloves, and
waterproof footwear.
• Make sure chemicals are safely stored and cupboards
locked.
• Never spray chemicals on days when there is a high
wind.
• Know first aid procedures.
• Keep a list of all hazardous substances used on the
Safe use of chemicals
• Consider if a chemical substance is really
needed.
• Eliminate a hazardous substance, or if that is
not possible, substitute it with less hazardous
one.
• Safe work practices or personal protective
equipment should be used.
• Keep records of farm chemicals.
2. Land Preparation Using Tractor
• Victims fall off or are thrown from the tractor
• Run over by either the tractor or an implement being towed, or
both.
•Causes
Overturn
of run over accidents:
• Sudden stops
• Driving over holes, stumps and debris, or a sharp turn.
How to prevent runover:
• Never allow riders on tractors.
• Discuss with family members and farm workers the potential risks of
riding tractor.
• It's also helpful to post 'no riders' decals on all tractors to remind others
about the policy.
• Use or provide other vehicles that allow passengers, such as trucks or
cars, when transportation is needed to fields or remote work sites.
3.Cutting Trees Using Chainsaws
​A chainsaw makes light work of felling and cutting up trees but
treat it with respect! A chainsaw can easily slice through muscle
or bone if it kicks back towards you. It's essential to get training
from a qualified person before you use a chainsaw.
Examples of chainsaw hazards:
•Chainsaw kickback, caused when the upper part of the bar nose
contacts a solid object or is pinched. This throws the guide bar
back towards you and can cause serious injury.
•Using a small saw and bar to fell a big tree.
•Felling large shelterbelt trees, or trees with a heavy lean or on
steep slopes.
•Felling trees with stem rot or a species prone to splitting.
Some ways you can reduce the risk of hazards from chainsaws
are:
• Know your saw and how to use the safety devices.
• Wear and use the correct personal safety equipment. You
need: FOOTWEAR - boots with steel toe caps.LEG
PROTECTION - chainsaw operator's safety trousers or chaps.
SAFETY HELMET. EARMUFFS rated Grade 4 EYE
PROTECTION - goggles in dusty conditions or a helmet visor
if there's a danger of flying debris.
• Check the work area for hazards such as branches or tree
tops that could fall.
• Check that your saw is in good order and adjusted to the
manufacturer's specifications.
• Do not over-reach or cut above shoulder height