Equipment & Tools for Small Farmers Finis Stribling III Heath D. Nokes Area Extension Specialist Extension Agent UT – TSU Extension Warren County Tennessee State University [email protected] Cooperative Extension (931) 473-8484 [email protected] Equipment Needs Should Reflect Field Size and Actual Needs. Are you large or small scale? Determine the Size of Equipment Needed • Equipment that is smaller than needed can result in additional labor time. • Equipment that is larger than needed can provide for room to grow, but also may lead to compacted soils, wasted fuel and capital that cannot be spent on other needs. Power Units Powered Equipment • Tractors • Rated by Horsepower and Hitch Category • PTO Horsepower and Drawbar Horsepower • Fuel Systems, Gas or Diesel • Two Wheel drive or Four Wheel drive • Rated by use: economy, mid-specification, heavy duty. (ex. John Deere E, M, and R series) Advantages of Four Wheel Drive • Lower horsepower requirements for ground engaging equipment. • More versatile for a wide range of uses. Four Wheel Drive Compact Utility Tractor Two Wheel Drive Tractor Tractor Hitch Ratings • Tractors are Rated by horsepower and hitch size • Hitch Size is classified as “Category” and is related to horsepower • Category I Hitch is generally below 45 Horsepower • Category II Hitch is above 45 Horsepower • Category III Hitch is above 90 Horsepower Walk Behind Equipment Hand Tiller 2 Cycle Tiller/ Cultivator These can be found at any local farm supply or “big box” chain store. Advantages include: affordability, simplicity, and easy to maintain. Disadvantages include light weight (meaning more passes to accomplish same task), will require substantial labor, and might not suit individual soil types. Walk Behind Equipment Grillo BCS Tractor Troy-Bilt grilloagrigarden.co.uk bcsamerica.com troybilt.com Dealers can be located at the websites above. Advantages include: increased horsepower, less physical work, can be used to break new ground, and possibility of using same power source with different attachments. Disadvantages include, size of operation is limited, sometimes parts might be hard to locate, and more expensive (troy-bilt approx. $1,100). Hand Tools Hoe Garden Spade Digging Shovel Trowel Hand Tools Rake Folk 4 tine Cultivator Post Hole Digger Implements • Tillage • Plastic Layers • Transplanters • Seeders Implements Single Bottom Moldboard Plow 3 Point Hitch Disc 3 Point Hitch Tiller -Used to turn soil over at a depth -Used to pass over area -Comes in various lengths, 5 – 7 ft. Used of 6-10 inches. To invert topsoil where moldboard plow to till the soil from 1” to 4” inch depths. and bury crop residue. Useful to was used. Makes soil Most expensive of all implements combat disease and insect more fine. approx. ($2,200). However, recommended problems, as well as make soil to use from 25-50 HP tractor. Must be cautious manageable for new plantings of rocks, tree roots, etc. Plastic Layer This lays plastic to grow melons, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and much more. Purpose is to control weeds, reduce moisture loss, and help ripen warm season fruits and vegetables. Many growers will utilize drip irrigation prior to applying plastic. Plastic Layer This plastic layer lays plastic on a raised bed. T Tape Transplanter Wheel makes holes in plastic Single Row Mechanical Transplanter These are used to transplant most fruit and vegetable crops including Strawberries, onions, lettuce, melons. Can also be used to transplant tobacco, tree seedlings, and flowers. Rain-Flo Water Wheel Transplanter Transplants- plants that are started as a seed in a greenhouse then transplanted into the field. Transplanting Transplanting on bare ground Transplanting into plastic Seeders/Planters • Many options are available, from hand seeders, to push type, to walk behind mounted and of course 3 point hitch. • Selection is based upon many factors, acreage, seed type and size, and power unit available. • Used to plant corn, beans, okra, and any other plant that starts from a seed. Seeder Johnny’s Six-Row Seeder Earthway Seeder Four-Row Pinpoint Seeder - Used for small seed such as -Used for corn, okra, beans, and other garden -Another seeder used for beets, carrots, radish, and spinach vegetables, comes with different size plates to small seeds. Available accommodate different vegetables readily from Johnny’s seeds. johnnyseeds.com Available at garden and hardware stores. Planters Mechanical Two Row Planter Two John Deere Planter Cole One Row Planter Broadcast Spreaders Hand seeder Pull Behind Spreader 3 Point Hitch Spreader Push Spreader Things to Think About • Talk with others who have purchased or tried the same equipment. • Purchase equipment that parts are available for. • Purchase equipment that is essential for needs. • Purchase equipment that fits your size of operation. Finis Stribling III Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program 931-375-5301 [email protected].