Tillage is the mechanical manipulation of soil to provide favorable conditions for crop growth or production. This can be achieved by the use of certain specialized machines or implements.
Tillage machinery or implements are used to till or stir the soil (loosen the soil), making it suitable for the seed, which is normally planted in the soil, to grow well. A conducive environment of soil for crop growth means having the following available:
i. Water
ii. Air
iii. Good soil texture
iv. Good temperature
To achieve these conditions, certain tillage machinery is used. The tillage machines are categorized according to the classification of tillage, which includes:
A. Primary Tillage
Primary tillage is the initial major soil-working operation, which cuts and shatters the soil with relatively deep-penetrating tools and leaves a rough surface texture.
Read Also: Guide on How to Use Cover Crops
Primary Tillage Machinery
For decades, animals have been used to work on farms. They are engaged in all kinds of tillage and in carrying farm products and other goods to and from distant places. They have specialized kinds of tillage implements used for tillage, such as the mouldboard plow with wooden attachments. Tractor-drawn implements include:
1. Mouldboard Plow: This implement is designed to cut, lift, and invert a lump of soil (approximately 36 to 51 centimeters). This action buries the trash and crop residue. The moldboard lifts, twists, and pulverizes the soil.
2. Disk Plow: This plow consists of three or more individually mounted concave disks that are inclined backward to achieve maximum depth. Disk plows are particularly adapted for use in hard, dry, or sticky soil, shrubby or bushy land, or rocky terrain.
These plows are specifically designed for rough ground and heavy trash conditions where complete trash coverage is not desired. Their aggressive action chops and mixes trash into the soil.
3. Chisel Plow: The chisel plow is equipped with narrow, double-ended shovels or chisel points mounted on long shanks. These plows rip through the soil and stir it but do not invert and pulverize it as effectively as the moldboard or disk plow. These plows work best when the soil is firm and dry.
4. The Subsoiler: A subsoiler is a tractor-mounted implement used to loosen and break hardpan soil. It works up to a depth of 12 inches. The subsoiler is a primary tillage tool that improves crop growth by allowing roots to penetrate deeper into the soil.
It helps crops perform well during hot and dry seasons, as roots can reach deeper layers of moisture and nutrients. In wet conditions, water passes more easily through the shattered areas, reducing the possibility of crop drowning.
B. Secondary Tillage Machinery
Secondary tillage tools are grouped into the following types:
i. Disk harrows
ii. Cultivators
iii. Rotary tillers
These implements pulverize, level, and firm the soil to prepare a good seedbed, control weeds, and conserve soil moisture.
1. Disk Harrow: The disk harrow is very effective in penetrating hard soil and in rocky or root- and stump-infested land. It cuts leftover crop residue into pieces and mixes it with the soil.
2. Cultivators: Cultivators are generally used to control weeds in crops. They help stir the soil, aerate it, and improve water intake into the soil.
Read Also: How to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden
Harvesting and Processing Machines
When crops mature in the field, they can be harvested and taken home for storage or further processing, depending on the end use. Some crops are harvested while still maturing. Harvesting machines are used in all these processes.
In Nigeria, most crops are harvested manually using locally made hand tools such as sickles, cutlasses, axes, knives, etc. While these tools make harvesting easier, they take a longer time to complete the task.
However, improved machines have been developed to drastically reduce the hours spent harvesting. With modern machines, harvesting work is made easier, drudgery is minimized, and the task is completed faster, saving time for other productive activities.
After crops are harvested, they are processed either for immediate use or for storage. Processing can be done locally with hand machines or with modern machines. There are various types of equipment available for processing.
Harvesting Equipment for Animal Feed and Crops
Machines for harvesting can be classified based on the types of crops being harvested.
1. Machines for Harvesting Animal Feed
Animal feeds, which are mainly grasses, are harvested in three forms:
i. Fresh grass
ii. Dried grass (hay)
iii. Processed or fermented grass and other crops (silage)
Types of Machines for Harvesting Animal Feed
1. Fresh grass: Fresh grass is harvested by hand using a cutlass or sickle, or by a machine called a mower. Mowers are of two types:
i. Cutterbar mower
ii. Rotary mower
2. Dried grass or hay: Hay is harvested using a machine called a hay baler.
3. Other Crop Harvesting Machines: These are machines designed for harvesting all types of crops produced on the farm. One of the most talked-about machines is the combine harvester.
The combine harvester performs several jobs simultaneously during operation, including cutting the crop, feeding it to the cylinder, threshing the seed from the seed head, separating the seed from the straw, cleaning the seed, and handling the clean seed or grain until it is collected by a truck or trailer for storage.
Types of Combine Harvesters
Several types of combine harvesters are available to meet the needs of agricultural producers. The selection of these machines depends on the crop grown, the farm’s terrain, the number of hectares to be harvested, and the available capital.
These combine harvesters are classified as:
i. Self-propelled combines
ii. Hillside combines
iii. Pull-type combines
iv. Special combines
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Frequently Asked Questions
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