How to Maintain Agri-Equipment Good

Introduction

Agri-equipment or Farming equipment can be 1. mobile (tractors, harvesters, and plows) or 2. fixed in place (conveyor belts, mixers, pasteurizers). Farmers need to maintain agri-equipment on regular basis to make sure it is available on time and operates reliably. Readers may also like to go through my earlier blog.

All the agri-equipment mostly operate in unfriendly environment. Rough terrain, heat and rain and cold, sometimes working at max capacity for long hours – all these take toll on the machines and equipment. Consistent maintenance keeps them going for their full life cycle and even beyond.

This blog is a general guideline on how and what to maintain agri-equipment. It would certainly help a farmer for that objective. Let it be said that equipment electronics and wireless is not included in this blog.

Agri-Equipment farmer require to maintain

• Tractors
• Seed drills
• Planters
• Balers
• Plows
• Manure spreaders
• Cultivators
• Harvesters
• Irrigation systems
• Storehouses
• Silos
• Sprayers
• Conveyor systems
• Mixers
• Fume washers
• Dispensers
• Refrigeration/temperature control systems

The list could be little different, that would depend on farm size and farmer’s choice.

Why maintain agri-equipment

That is question someone may well ask. Incidents like when bolts of the equipment came out, or the bearings ran dry, or someone forgot to fill up the lubes! Exactly. The role of maintain agri-equipment program?  Get your agri-equipment ready for work at time of your requirement. Farmers must kept safe, clean, and structurally sound ancillary facilities meant to process and store foodstuffs in order to keep farm’s product safe for consumption.

Who will maintain agri-equipment?

Most times it is the farmers themselves. At times trained labor would carry out repair and maintenance.  It needs to be stressed that farmers must also be trained in working and maintenance. This prevents accidents and injuries when proper steps are not followed.

What can be done in routine maintenance by farmer and/or his assistant(s)?

Summarized Guide to Maintain Agri-equipment:

Repair and maintenance of tillage and soil farming agri-equipment

1. Adjustments of plough, horizontal, vertical and draft.
2. Check for loose nuts and bolts and replace as required.
3. Clean MB plough. Apply used oil for rust prevention if left unused for long time.
4. Check the bearings. Tighten castle nut.
5. Clean and change grease nipples as necessary.
6. Lubricate bearings.
7. Clean and wash the equipment after use.

Maintenance of seed drills and planters

1. Empty seed and fertilizer cups, clean same.
2. Wash the rollers and boxes with diesel. This is to avoid rusting. Lubricate rolling parts.
3. Ensure alignments.

Maintenance of plant protection equipment like sprayers.

1. Clean tank, nozzles and filters.
2. Maintenance of pump assembly, pressure regulator.
3. Follow safety and precaution protocols while handling chemicals as it will prevent mishaps.

Repair and maintenance of Harvesting, Threshing and Post-Harvest machinery/agri-equipment.

1. Power Reapers: clean guards, check conveyor belt for damages and replace if required, check tension of belt, lubricate all moving parts, repaint surfaces as required.
2. Power threshers: clear thresher, check for any damage on feeder unit, clean all parts, tighten all bolts and nuts, grease and lubricate.
3. Post-Harvest machines: inspect and clean all parts, lubricate.
4. Carry out adjustments for Reapers, Threshers and Post-Harvest machinery:  adjust tension of reel belt, inspect the binding and tying, inspect the bundle size and adjust as required to feeding roller gap, cutting gap, cleaner feed rate, sieve slop, air flow rate.

Upkeep of any equipment not to be used for some time

• Disconnect batteries or charge them throughout the season.
• Cleaning heavy equipment.
• Draining and cleaning Pesticide Application Equipment.
• Checking antifreeze and hydraulic fluids, and changing them out if necessary.
• Draining the diesel exhaust fluid tank (if needed).
• Oil equipment for storage.
• Making any outstanding repairs.
• Performing other routine preventive maintenance tasks.

Other Routine Upkeep

Cleaning is an important task to be carried out on a regular basis. Simple cleanup tasks can be done daily, while more thorough scouring is often handled weekly or monthly.

Common Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Farm Buildings

Farmers use number of structures for storing or processing foods. Walls and surfaces need to be nontoxic and nonabsorbent to make sure food products are safe. Patch up any cracks or breakages to facilitate regular sanitation.

Make sure that Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are set for right temperature and that any dust, vapors, or fumes are properly siphoned out of the building.

Provide inclination in floors as it will ensure drainage in areas where fluids (milk or water) are handled. Repair damaged floors early

Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris as it will ensure no obstruction to draining of water. Goes a long way in preventing possible flooding and structural damage.

Ensure all lights are in working order. Shatterproof shielding is recommended for all bulbs in storing areas. This keeps broken debris from contaminating foodstuffs.

Property Upkeep

• Mowing, pulling weeds, and general landscaping
• Remove snow in winter months (as applicable)
• General cleaning and janitorial work
• Trash removal

Important use Correct Tools

Using the wrong tool for the job stresses the mechanical parts and result in a severe injury by causing an accident. Make sure the required tools are available in advance for each maintenance task.

Seek Training

It is not a question of any ego. Learning on hand by one self is what is usual. Learning from experts on hand is most desirable.

It is really not possible to make a detailed maintenance manual for all the varied agri-equipment in one short blog. Farmers should seek Maintenance manuals provided by the O.E.Ms as same are of great value. Farmers do need to maintain agri-equipment consistently. This will pay dividend at all times.

About nkp

Hi ; I have had opportunity to travel widely and have keen watched whatever farming practices the local farmers were engaged in. Back home been growing gerberas mostly in polyhouses, but outside in kitchen garden as well. i love these hardy perennials. good for business too if done in a routine orderly scientific manner. Also engaged in farming of wheat and organic vegetables on a small scale for me and family. My service profile has been that of an electronic and telecom engineer and now am engaged in web site creation and blogging.