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Farm Machinery1
Richard P. Cromwell2Tractors
Initial Cost
A diesel engine powered farm tractor in the 30 horsepower range costs about $325 per horsepower and decreases to about $300 per horsepower in tractors from 70 horsepower and larger.Total Tractor Costs
Total costs include fixed costs and operating costs. The fixed costs are: 1) depreciation, 2) taxes, 3) housing, 4) interest, and 5) insurance. The operating costs are: 1) fuel and lubrication, 2) maintenance, and 3) labor when an operator is hired.Fixed Costs
A figure used for estimating annual fixed costs is 16% of the initial purchase price.Fuel and Lubrication Costs
Lubrication costs are usually considered to be about 15% of the fuel costs. Table 1 can be used to determine fuel consumption and its cost.Table 1. Fuel Consumption for Tractors Doing Rated Work (Gal/Hr)
Fuel Maximum Rated Drawbar Horsepower
Type
30
60
90
120
150
Diesel
2.3
4.6
6.9
9.2
11.5
Gasoline
3.2
6.3
-
-
-
LP-Gas
4.7
9.2
-
-
-
Farm tractors doing routine farm work are often doing considerably lighter work than the rated work and the fuel consumption for farm tractors doing average farm type work are given in Table 2 .
Table 2. Fuel Consumption For Tractors Doing Average Work (Gal/Hr)
Fuel Maximum Rated Drawbar Horsepower
Type
30
60
90
120
150
Diesel
1.5
3.1
4.6
6.2
7.5
Gasoline
2.4
4.7
-
-
-
LP-Gas
3.5
6.9
-
-
-
To determine the annual fuel costs for a tractor doing average farm work use the following formula:
Fuel Costs =Fuel Consumption (Gal/Hr) x Annual Use (Hrs) x Price ($/Gal)
Example: A diesel tractor rated at 90 HP is used for 700 hours annually. Determine annual fuel costs when diesel sells for $ .80 per gallon.
Fuel Costs =4.6 Gal/Hr x 700 Hrs x .80 $/Gal = $2576
Maintenance Costs
This cost is often estimated as about 5% of the initial cost per year on an average over the lifespan of the tractor.Total Cost for the 90 HP tractor considered in the fuel cost example would be determined as shown below:
Initial Cost
$300/horsepower x 90 horsepower = $27,000
Fixed Costs
.16 x $27,000 = $ 4,320
Fuel Costs
(for 700 hrs use as before) = $ 2,576
Lubrication Costs
.15 x $2,576 = $ 386
Maintenance Cost
.05 x $27,000 = $ 1,350
TOTAL Annual Cost = $ 8,632
Ways to Reduce Tractor Costs
Much of the work performed by a large farm tractor is "light load work". It is estimated that a farmer having an annual fuel bill of $2000 could save $400 per year by shifting up and reducing engine speed when doing light work.Match implements and tractor so that the tractor is operating at its full rated load.
Follow the recommendations outlined in the operators manual furnished by the manufacturer.
Rules for Safe Tractor Operation
a. Be sure the gear shift lever is in neutral before cranking the engine.
b. Always engage the clutch gently, especially when going uphill or pulling out of a ditch.
c. When driving on highways, or to-and-from fields, be sure that the brake pedals are locked together for safe emergency stops.
d. Always ride on seat or stand on platform of tractor.
e. When tractor is hitched to a stump or heavy load, always hitch to drawbar and never take up slack of chain with a jerk.
f. Be extra careful when working on hillsides. Watch out for holes or ditches into which a wheel may drop and cause tractor to overturn.
g. When going down steep hills or grades, always keep the tractor in gear.
h. Always drive tractor at speeds slow enough to insure safety, especially over rough ground or near ditches.
i. Reduce speed before making a turn or applying brakes. The hazard of overturning the tractor increases four times when speed is doubled.
j. Always stop power take-off before dismounting from tractor.
k. Never dismount from tractor when it is in motion. Wait until it stops.
l. Never permit persons other than the driver to ride on tractor when it is in operation.
m. Never stand between tractor and drawn implement when hitching. Use an iron hook to handle drawbar.
n. Should engine overheat, be careful when refilling radiator.
o. Never refuel tractor while engine is running or extremely hot.
p. When tractor is attached to a power implement, be sure that all power line shielding is in place.
q. Remember a careful operator always is the best insurance against an accident!Land Preparation
Adjusting plows and harrows -To do a good job, plows and harrows must be properly hitched and leveled. Because the technique of doing this varies with the type of plow or harrow and the manufacturer, it is important that the Operator's Manual for the implement be followed carefully when making adjustments. Do not attempt adjustments without referring to the Operator's Manual.Planters and Grain Drills
Air-planters
This type of planter is offered by a number of the farm equipment manufacturers. The advantage of air planters is that the grower can use seed that has a greater size variation which is usually cheaper. There are two air-planter concepts offered:
a. Common Hopper Type - The planter has a seed hopper to supply seed to all of the rows of the planter. The seed is conveyed to the individual rows through a plastic tube. The pressurized air is supplied to a drum common to all of the rows by a hydraulically driven fan. The tractor PTO drives the hydraulic pump which drives the fans motor.
Since the PTO shaft drives the fan, it cannot power pumps for applying planting time pesticide treatments. Growers, wishing to apply pesticides while planting with this type of planter, often will use a hydraulically driven pump which is driven by the tractor's remote hydraulic system.
The single large seed hopper used by this type of air planter is a desirable feature since the refilling process is so fast.
b. Row Hopper Type - The planter has a seed hopper for each individual row like on standard plate planters. A 12 volt electric fan supplies air to the seed drums on each row unit. There are planters of this type which have a fan for each row or a fan to supply air to several rows.
Since the fans are powered by the tractor's battery, the PTO shaft is free to power a pump for applying planting time pesticide treatments.Recommendations for Maintaining and Servicing Grain Drills
a. Clean out the seed box and grain feeds at the end of the drilling season or whenever the machine remains unused for several weeks. Grain and trash in the box and feeds absorb moisture, and eventually cause rust, corrosion, and stuck parts.
b. See that all feeds operate freely and put out an equal amount of seed.
c. Use good, highseed which is free of trash, sand and other foreign matter and which shows a high germination percentage.
d. Don't take it for granted that the drill always puts out the amount of seed for which it is set. Make frequent check by dividing the amount of acres covered into the amount of seed sown.
e. Set the furrow openers to give correct drilling depth and adjust pressure springs to obtain proper penetration and uniform drilling depth.
f. Make frequent checks for loose parts and for wear in drive gears, axle bearings and disk bearings. Replace badly worn parts without delay.
g. Never put out commercial fertilizer with a plain grain drill by running it through the grain feed. Such practice produces undue strain and wear on the feeds and often seriously impairs the machine for future use as a grain drill.
h. The fertilizer feeds of a fertilizer attachment should always be cleaned thoroughly after use. If allowed to stand, the fertilizer creates rapid corrosion of the parts and will inevitably cause excessive wear and possibly breakage later on.
i. Keep the drill under cover and protected from rain and direct sunlight when not in use. A thorough cleaning once a year and a coat of paint applied every three or four years will greatly prolong the life of a grain drill or any other farm machine.
j. Keep the owners manual handy and follow the directions carefully.How to Check the Rate of Drilling
If the drill is not calibrated for the seed to be used, it can easily be estimated as follows:
a. Measure the circumference of the wheel, multiply by the width of the strip the drill sows and divide the number of square feet in an acre (43,560) by this number, to get the number of wheel revolutions necessary to sow an acre.
b. Measure the amount of seed the drill drops in making enough revolutions to cover 1/10 acre, and multiply by 10. By adjusting the feeders, the exact amount to be sown per acre can be determined.Pesticide Application Equipment
Table 3. Equipment Classification and Uses
Classification
Primary Use
Air-Blast Sprayer Tree Crop Spraying Boom Sprayer
Overlapping Broadcast, Band and Multi-nozzle Row Crop Spraying Boomless Sprayer Broadcast Spraying Aircraft (helicopter and airplane)
Tree Crop Spraying Row Crop Spraying
Granular Applicator Fertilizer Application Waterway Weed Control
Banding Herbicides
Equipment Calibration
Citrus Air-Blast Sprayer Calibration
(1) Determine the gallons per acre being applied.
(a) Fill the sprayer to an easily recognized level.
(b) Spray 25 trees at the speed and spray system pressure decided on.
(c) Refill the sprayer to the initial level with the sprayer located at the exact position as it was for the initial filling with a graduated container in order to determine the gallons applied to the trees sprayed.
(d) Determine the gallons per acre being applied by the following formula:
Where the spacings are measured in feet.
(2) Divide the gallons per acre (GPA) determined in IV above into the amount of spray being mixed to determine the acreage that can be treated with the spray volume.
(3) Consult the pesticide label to determine the recommended rate per acre and add the correct amount of pesticide to the sprayer.
Example Problem: A grower sprays 25 trees and restores the initial pre-spraying level with 88 gallons of water. The trees are spaced 20 feet apart and the row spacing is 25 feet. If the pesticide label calls for 6 quarts per acre, how much pesticide should be added to 500 gallons of spray mixture.
Acreage covered by the amount of spray mixed
Pesticide required is calculated by
Acreage covered x Amount per acre
1.63 acres x 6 quarts/acre = 9.78 qts.Nozzling a Citrus Sprayer in Order to Have it Apply a Given GPA
(1) The formula for determining gallons per acre is:
When the desired GPA is known, the GPM needed to deliver the desired GPA can be determined from the formula below:The sprayer would be nozzled so that 4.05 gal/min were delivered by the nozzles used on each side of the sprayer at the pressure being used.
GPM = GPA x Acres/min
(2) The acres per minute being treated by the sprayer depends on the forward speed of the sprayer and the tree row spacing (It is assumed that the sprayer is delivering spray from manifolds on both sides).
Example Problem: A grower wants to nozzle a sprayer so it will apply 100 GPA when travelling at the speed he normally uses while spraying. How many GPM must be delivered by the sprayers nozzles to achieve the 100 GPA.
GPM = GPA x Acres/min = 100 x Acres/min
Assume: tree spacing = 15 feet
row spacing = 20 feet
Time required to spray 10 trees is clocked in the field and is 0.85 minutes.
GPM = 100 x Acres/min = 100 x 0.081
= 8.1 gal/min
It is desirable to nozzle the sprayer so that 70% of the spray is directed into the upper one half of the tree and 30% into the lower one half. In this example 0.70 x 4.05 = 2.83 gal/min would be delivered by the nozzles directed into the upper one half of the tree and 0.30 x 4.05 = 1.21 would be delivered by nozzles directed into the lower one half on each side of the sprayer.Nozzle manufacturers provide performance tables that give the gal/min at various pressures. A grower can choose what nozzles would give the desired GPM from these tables. There are numerous combinations of nozzles that will give the desired GPM because a large number of small nozzles will deliver the same amount as a small number of large nozzles. Small nozzles clog easily and large ones do not atomize the spray enough to provide thorough coverage. A grower has to strike a compromise between small and large nozzles that will give satisfactory results. After nozzling the sprayer with the nozzles that the manufacturer's performance charts dictate, the grower must conduct a calibration check in the field to verify his nozzle choices. The field verification is needed because the nozzle charts consider that the nozzles are new, that the pressure is the true pressure immediately behind the nozzle orifice, and that the liquid sprayed is water. These conditions often vary considerably from the "real world" conditions. The nozzle orifices often are enlarged due to wear, the pressure at the nozzle orifice is less than the value read on the gauge due to friction loss, and the spray mixture's flow rate can be different from water due to different physical characteristics.Boom Sprayer Calibration
Broadcast Spraying - Initial calibration of a sprayer may be accomplished as follows:
(a) Adjust nozzles, spraying pressure and ground speed as they are to be operated in the field.
(b) Fill sprayer tank completely with water.
(c) Determine amount of water required to refill tank to replace that sprayed over the measured course. (Make sure tank is in same position as in first filling, to minimize errors).
(d) Calculate area sprayed: treated swath width, in feet, times distance traveled, in feet.
(e) Using the formula below, calculate quantity of water applied per acre:
(f) Rate of application per acre can be decreased by smaller nozzle tips, lower pressure or greater speed.Multi-Nozzle Row Crop Spraying - For determination of GPA applied:
(g) Rate of application per acre can be increased by larger nozzle tips, greater pressure or slower speed.
Example: A sprayer covers a swath 20 ft. wide. When driven over 870 ft. it sprays 20 gallons of water:
(h) Knowing gallons per acres, determine the acres covered by a tank of spray.
(i) Knowing the acres covered per tank, add the recommended amount of pesticide per tank in compliance with the label.
(j) Keep a running check on calibration by occasional testing and by records of amount of pesticide used to treat each block.
Where :
GPA = gallons per acre applied
495 = a constant
GPM = capacity of each nozzle
nn = number nozzles per row
rs = row spacing (feet)
v = speed (mph)
Example: Applying a fungicide on sweet corn spaced on 3-foot rows, using a speed of 4 mph, 6 nozzles per row and a nozzle capacity of 0.3 gpm, what is the gallonage applied per acre?
This same formula can be used to find any other unknown variables. For example, if we know the recommended gallonage per acre, the number of nozzles per row, the speed we want to spray at, and the row spacing, we can use this same formula to find the nozzle capacity in gpm.
Band Spraying - Table 4 will help determine sprayer output in gallons per acre on a band-sprayed basis. Band width is governed by the angle of nozzle pattern and height of nozzle.
To use: Have sprayer equipped with proper nozzle tips and have nozzles, ground speed and spraying pressure adjusted as they will be operated in the field. Check the flow rate from each nozzle and change if it varies from +10% of the average amount. Then drive the unit in the field and collect spray liquid discharged by the nozzle tip that delivers the amount nearest to the average of all of the nozzles over a distance of 300 feet.
Measure the liquid sprayed in ounces. Locate this figure in left column of table and read directly the gallons per acre rate under the band-width column which applies to the unit.
Example: One nozzle per row; a sprayer is set up with one tip spraying 12 inch bands on the row. When run down the field at operating speed and pressure, a nozzle tip discharges 26 ounces of solution in 300 feet. The gallons per acre rate is found in the 12 inch column opposite 26 ounces: 29.5 gpa.
Table 4. Calibration Table for Band-Spraying of Liquid Pesticides.
Volume of spray delivered by 1 tip in 300 ft. Gallons per Acre applied at band width of:
9"
12"
15"
18"
1/2 pt. or 8 oz. 12.1
----
----
----
10 oz. 15.1
11.3
----
----
12 oz. 18.1
13.6
10.9
----
14 oz. 21.2
15.9
12.7
10.6
1 pt. or 16 oz. 24.2
18.2
14.5
12.1
18 oz. 27.2
20.5
16.3
13.6
20 oz. 30.2
22.7
18.2
15.1
22 oz. 33.3
25.0
20.0
16.6
24 oz. 36.3
27.2
21.8
18.2
26 oz. 39.3
29.5
23.6
19.7
28 oz. ----
31.8
25.4
21.2
30 oz. ----
34.0
27.2
22.7
1 qt. or 32 oz. ----
36.3
29.0
24.2
Boomless Sprayer Calibration - For calibration of a boomless type sprayer, determine: (1) the gallons discharged in the time it takes to drive 660 feet, and (2) the width of the swath covered by the spray pattern. Note: the "effective" swath of a boomless sprayer is usually considered to be 1/2 of the maximum swath.
To determine the gallons discharged in 660 feet, run the sprayer in a stationary position for the time it takes to go 660 feet at the speed chosen. The gallons sprayed can be determined either by catching the spray or by filling the tank back to its original level. Use the engine speed and pressure setting that will be used in actual spraying during this test.
Table 5. Boomless Sprayer Calibration Table
Gallons per
660 feet
Width of Swath (in feet)
20'
25'
30'
35'
40'
45'
50'
55'
60'
65'
70'
Gallons Per Acre
2 6.6
5.3
4.4
3.8
3.3
2.9
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.9
2 1/2
8.3
6.6
5.5
4.7
4.1
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.5
2.3
3 9.9
7.9
6.6
5.7
4.9
4.4
3.9
3.6
3.3
3.0
2.8
3 1/2
10.8
9.2
7.7
6.6
5.8
5.1
4.6
4.2
3.9
3.5
3.3
4 13.2
10.6
8.8
7.6
6.6
5.9
5.3
4.8
4.4
4.0
3.8
4 1/2
14.8
10.9
9.9
8.5
7.4
6.6
5.9
5.4
4.9
4.5
4.2
5 16.5
13.2
11.1
9.5
8.3
7.3
6.6
6.0
5.5
5.1
4.7
5 1/2
18.2
14.6
12.2
10.4
9.1
8.1
7.3
6.6
6.0
5.6
5.2
6 19.8
15.8
13.2
11.4
9.9
8.8
7.9
7.2
6.6
6.1
5.7
6 1/2
21.4
17.2
14.3
12.3
10.7
9.6
8.6
7.8
7.1
6.6
6.1
7 23.1
18.5
15.4
13.2
11.6
10.3
9.3
8.4
7.7
7.1
6.6
7 1/2
24.7
19.8
16.5
14.2
12.4
11.0
9.9
9.0
8.3
7.6
7.1
8 26.4
21.2
17.6
15.1
13.2
11.8
10.6
9.6
8.8
8.1
7.5
8 1/2
28.1
22.5
18.7
16.1
14.1
12.5
11.2
10.2
9.4
8.6
8.0
9 29.6
23.8
19.8
17.0
14.9
13.2
11.9
10.8
9.9
9.1
8.5
9 1/2
3.14
25.1
20.8
17.9
15.7
14.0
12.6
11.4
10.4
9.6
9.0
10 33.0
26.4
22.0
18.9
16.5
14.7
13.2
12.0
11.0
10.1
9.4
10 1/2
34.6
27.8
23.2
19.8
17.3
15.4
13.9
12.6
11.5
10.7
9.9
11 36.2
29.0
24.2
20.8
18.2
16.2
14.6
13.2
12.1
11.2
10.4
11 1/2
38.0
30.5
25.4
21.7
19.0
16.9
15.2
13.8
12.6
11.7
10.8
12 39.5
31.7
26.5
22.7
19.8
17.6
15.8
14.4
13.2
12.2
11.3
Gallons per acre can be read directly from Table 5 after determining swath width and gallons discharged in 660 feet.
Granular Applicator Calibration
Most granular applicators deliver granules through an adjustable outlet in the distributor bottom. The two principal types of spreaders are drop-type and centrifugal-type. The width of the treated zone or swath is approximately the width of the spreader for the drop-type units and the RPM of the spinner and the height above the treated surface determines the swath width of the centrifugal spreaders.
(1) The formula for determining the pounds per acre applied is:
(2) Pounds per minute delivered by the spreader can be determined by filling the spreader, operating for a measured time period, determining the weight of granules required to restore the level of granules in the spreader hopper, and dividing the granule weight in pounds by the time in minutes.
Another method that is often used for determining pounds per minute delivered by centrifugal spreaders is to place a plastic or cloth bag around the spreader and catch the granules delivered for a period of time. The bag and granules are weighed and the bag weight subtracted to determine the granule weight. The granule weight is then divided by the time period in minutes.
(3) Acres per minute covered by the spreader is determined by the formula below:
The swath of the drop spreader is easily measured and is usually close to the physical width of the spreader. The effective swath of the centrifugal spreader is more difficult to determine because the rate per unit of area diminishes near the edge of the pattern. The effective swath probably wouldn't exceed 75% of the greatest distance between granules. If the greatest distance between where granules landed to each side of the spreader was 60 feet, the effective swath should be in the 0.75 x 60 = 45 feet range.
(4) The recommended rate in pounds per acre can be achieved by opening the outlet in the spreader bottom or slowing down the speed to increase the application rate and closing the opening or going faster to reduce the rate.The 1/128th of an Acre Method of Calibrating a Sprayer
(See AE-5 Fact Sheet for more details)
(1) If course equal to 1/128th of an acre is sprayed with a given nozzle, the ounces caught from the nozzle during the test will be equal to the application rate in gallons per acre because there are 128 ounces in a gallon.
(2) The course length will vary because the swath being treated by a nozzle varies. The table below gives the length of a course that equals 1/128th of an acre for varying widths treated by each nozzle.
(3) This method can be used when applying broadcast, banding, and spraying row crops with a multi-nozzle arrangement. When spraying a row crop with two or more nozzles, each nozzle is assumed to treat an equal portion of the row and the nozzles must be of the same size for this method to work.
(a) Determine the average width treated by each nozzle when 3 nozzles are directed at a crop spaced on 36 inch rows.
(b) The length of course to spray, so that the ounces caught from each nozzle will be equal to the application rate in gallons per acre, is 340 feet as per the table.
Note:
The grower should catch the flow from every nozzle on the sprayer in a graduated cylinder that is tall relative to its diameter for about 15 seconds. Nozzles +10% from the average should be replaced. This flow uniformity check is necessary for any type of calibration method. It is not just required for the 1/128th of an acre method.
(c) Using the same gear and RPM to be used in the field the grower determines the time it takes to travel the course length.
(d) With the pressure set at the level used in the field, catch the spray from the nozzle closest to the average of all the nozzles in a container graduated in ounces. The ounces caught equals the gallons per acre rate being applied.
Cultivation
Reasons for Cultivation
There are five main reasons given for cultivation. Some authorities give more, some less. These reasons are:
a. Controlling weeds
b. Aerating soil
c. Facilitating water penetration
d. Improving physical condition of soils
e. Controlling erosionPoints to Check in Order to Maintain Good Cultivator Performance
Follow directions of owners manual when one is supplied. If no manual is available, check the following points:
Condition of shovels or sweeps - If points are blunt, either sharpen or renew.
Setting of shovels or sweeps - Adjust for uniform depth penetration and get as close to the crop as possible without pruning roots.
Frame - Check for general conditions. Tighten loose and replace missing bolts.
Harvesting Equipment
Combines
The amount and character of the tailings give good clues as to the quality of work a combine is doing.
a. Too much chaff and short straw in the tailings return may be due to (following are listed in suggested order for treatment) improper speed of cleaning unit, chaffer openings clogged, wind not properly distributed on chaffer and sieve, insufficient wind, over-threshing at the cylinder which may result in overloading of the chaffer, chaffer too wide open, or a combination of misadjustments.
b. Too much loose grain in the tailings return system may be due to clogged shoe sieve, shoe sieve closed too much, overloaded sieve or a combination of the suggested troubles.
c. Points to remember.
(1) The crop must be in a threshable condition.
(2) The combine must be adjusted to suit the particular crop being threshed.
(3) Constant speed of the cylinder, fan, straw rack and cleaning shoe is necessary.
(4) Run the cylinder just fast enough and close enough to the concave to remove the seed from the seed pod or hull.
(5) An appreciable amount of the threshed grain will not pass out with the straw over the straw rack unless one of the following conditions is present: Machine is being overfed by too fast ground travel; cutting is too low in tall grain; flattened grain makes it necessary to handle an excessive amount of straw; tractor hitch is too high or too low; combine is operating on steep hillsides.Corn Pickers
General Operating Instructions
Refer to instruction book frequently.
(1) Avoid excessive travel speed.
(2) Operator should follow rows.
(3) Picker should travel in same direction corn was last cultivated.
(4) Listen for slipping clutches - stop and correct cause. Do not tighten clutches until close inspection shows parts are not binding or clogged.
(5) When crossing ends of field, raise gatherer points by tilting machine.
(6) Do not throw power take-off in or out of gear while in motion.
(7) Stop tractor before trying to clean out picker.
(8) Never adjust picker while in motion. Stop tractor engine.
(9) Do not overload wagon.
(10) Provide reasonably good storage facilities.Safety
The corn picker is one of the most dangerous of farm machines. This is chiefly due to a lack of caution on the part of the operator. Too often he tries to clean or adjust the machine while it is running and gets caught in the moving parts, especially the snapping and husking rolls. The power take-off must always have the safety shield in place before the machine is used, and failure to observe this point has been the cause of many deaths.
(1) Do not adjust or work around a picker while it is in motion. Throw the power take-off out of gear before working around the picker.
(2) If the tractor has a hand clutch, don't work on the picker until the tractor is thrown out of gear.
(3) Never use an ear of corn or stick to clean the rolls while they are in motion.
(4) Keep hands and feet away from the machine while in motion.
(5) Do not operate the corn picker unless the power take-off shield and other safety shields are in place.
(6) If the picker is mounted on a tractor, keep all trash from accumulating on the exhaust manifold.
(7) Do not allow riders on either the tractor or corn picker.Factors to Consider in Operating Corn Pickers
(1) Picker adjustments vary with the condition of the crop, its moisture content and traction. The operator must determine the necessary adjustments for each condition.
(2) Drive at a speed that will allow the picker to do its best work.
(3) Keep the picker centered on the rows and use metal shields on the tractor and picker wheels if the corn is down.
(4) When the snapping rolls become smooth, new pegs should be put in and the shoulders on the rolls can be built up with a welding outfit.
(5) For small corn and tough damp corn, set the snapping rolls close together, but not touching each other.
(6) For heavy corn and dry corn, when the ears come off easy, set the snapping rolls farther apart, but not far enough to cause shelling.
(7) Check the revolutions per minute (speed) of the power take-off. Too slow or too fast a speed causes loss of grain.
(8) Operate the engine at full governed speed in order to insure the correct speed of the picker parts.
(9) When the corn is down, keep the gathering points close to the ground and, if possible, adjust them to bring the gathering chains as close to the ground as possible.
(10) The picker parts work at high speed for long hours, and the picker must be checked frequently for loose or worn parts.Hay Equipment
Mowers
Sickle bar - Many improvements have been made in this type of mower that have improved its reliability, but the recommended maintenance procedures given in the owners manual should be followed closely.Rotary - Some hay producers use rotary mowers modified with a "Hay Kit", but this practice is not very common.
Heavy duty flail - This type of mower chops up the grass and makes for relatively fast drying. The hay producer needs to experiment with different ground speeds because the grass can get chopped too fine and become difficult to pick up.
Paired counter-rotating drum - this type of mower has been introduced from Europe and appears to have one thing in its favor for certain, it can cut at relatively high field speeds in the 8 mph range. It tends to windrow the grass between the drums, and this effect might cause slow drying which Florida hay producers can ill afford.
Disk - this type of mower is another mower developed in Europe. The mower has an enclosed gear box that extends across the width of the mower. The gears drive elliptical shaped disks that have cutting blades attached to them. Disk mowers are becoming very popular with hay producers because they are less expensive than many of the other mower types, the maintenance costs are relatively low, and they can be used at relatively high speeds.
Mower Conditioners
These units are available in both self propelled and PTO driven draw behind models. A mower conditioner has conditioning rolls across the full width of the cut swath. Many commercial hay producers use mower conditioners because the conditioning speeds up drying.
Note: Windrowers are a similar machine but they don't have full width conditioning rolls and the outer extremities of the swath are augured into the center portion of the unit, where it is laid out in a windrow. This type of equipment is not used often in Florida.Tedders or Fluffers
This equipment throws windrowed hay, that gets rained on, back into the swath so it will dry faster. Some tedders can be used to make windrows in an effort to eliminate the need of a side delivery rake. Windrow making using a tedder isn't widely practiced. Most tedders are European imports.Side Delivery Rake
The primary means by which windrows are prepared for baling. Some manufacturers are offering a double rake designed for creating a very wide windrow like is desirable for some of the large package hay machines now being used.Hay Packaging Equipment
Large round bale machines form hay rolls that weigh approximately 1200 to 600 pounds. This type of hay baler is probably used to make more hay than the conventional rectanglar baler. Rectangular 55-65 pound bales are still favored by hay producers that sell their product as a cash crop. There is some production of large round bales for sale to other cattlemen and this practice is growing.Hay stackers that utilize a compression canopy to produce a large stack in the 2500 to 12,000 pound size appeared to be headed for a bright future in Florida in the early 1970's until the round balers appeared. Stackers fit the needs of some large cattlemen, but they are not as suitable for most smaller operators as the round baler and have virtually disappeared from the farm scene.
All types of hay packaging equipment should be operated by someone who has thoroughly read and understands the operators manual in order that they might be familiar with the recommended maintenance procedures and also aware of how to safely operate the machine. A relatively large percentage of the recorded farm accidents have involved balers.
Hay Package Handling Equipment
Automatic bale wagons - Self-propelled and PTO driven bale wagons are available for picking up bales in the field, stacking them, and unloading the stack at the hay barn. Some models will also retrieve the stacks from the barn.Round bale handling - the simplest unit for moving round bales is the 3 point lift mounted fork lift arrangement. Equipment is offered that can pick up and unload approximately 4 bales onto a tractor drawn rail type trailer. Four feet wide rolls can be hauled two abreast on a flat bet trailer for long hauls.
Machinery Management
Example - How much is my 8 year old tractor that had a $6500 list price actually worth?
Small tractors (25-35 hp) that are in good condition can actually be worth more than what they cost originally because of the great demand for this type of tractor.
Table 6. Accumulated use to reach minimum average cost per hour
Machine Expected
Mechanical
Life(hours)
Accumulated Use Hours to Reach
Minimum Average
Cost Per Hour
Wheel Tractors
12,000
7,500
Crawlers
16,000
12,000
Combines 2,000
2,000
Cotton Pickers
2,500
2,000
Corn Pickers,
Cotton
Strippers
1,500
1,500
Planters, Grain
Drills
1,000
750
Plows 2,000
1,200
Mowers
1,000
700
Balers 2,000
1,200
Forage Harvesters
1,500
1,500
Discs 2,000
1,800
Cultivators
2,000
1,400
Swathers 1,500
1,500
The data in Table 6 can be used by a farmer to aid him in making decisions about trading machinery.
Example - How many years should a farmer who uses his tractor 750 hours per year figure on keeping his tractor.
The table shows that a tractor reaches its minimum average cost per hour after 7500 hours of use.
Table 7. Remaining Value as Percent of List Price
Beginning
of year
All
Tractors
Combines
Cotton
Pickers
Forage
Harvesters,
Balers
Swathers
All
Others
1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2
62.6
56.8
51.2
49.6
58.1
53.1
3
57.6
50.9
44.8
43.9
51.1
47.0
4
53.0
45.5
39.2
38.8
45.0
41.6
5
48.7
40.7
34.3
34.4
39.6
36.8
6
44.8
36.5
30.0
30.4
34.8
32.6
7
41.2
32.6
26.3
26.9
30.7
28.8
8
37.9
29.2
23.0
23.8
27.0
25.5
9
34.9
26.1
20.1
21.1
23.7
22.6
10
32.1
23.4
17.6
18.6
20.9
20.0
11
29.5
20.9
15.4
16.5
18.4
17.7
12
27.2
18.7
13.5
14.6
16.2
14.7
Table 8. Travel Time - Minutes (1.00 MPH - 3.00 MPH)
Travel Distance (Ft)
Equipment Speed (mph)
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00
50
0.57
0.45
0.39
0.32
0.28
0.25
0.23
0.21
0.19
100
1.14
0.91
0.75
0.65
0.57
0.51
0.45
0.41
0.38
150
1.70
1.36
1.14
0.97
0.85
0.76
0.68
0.62
0.57
200
2.27
1.82
1.52
1.30
1.13
1.01
0.91
0.83
0.76
250
2.84
2.27
1.89
1.62
1.42
1.26
1.14
1.03
0.95
300
3.41
2.73
2.27
1.95
1.70
1.52
1.36
1.24
1.14
350
3.98
3.18
2.65
2.27
1.99
1.77
1.59
1.45
1.33
400
4.55
3.64
3.03
2.60
2.27
2.02
1.82
1.65
1.52
450
5.11
4.09
3.41
2.92
2.56
2.27
2.04
1.86
1.71
500
5.68
4.55
3.79
3.25
2.84
2.53
2.27
2.07
1.89
550
6.25
5.00
4.17
3.57
3.13
2.78
2.50
2.27
2.08
600
6.82
5.45
4.55
3.90
3.40
3.03
2.72
2.48
2.27
650
7.39
5.90
4.17
3.57
3.13
2.78
2.50
2.27
2.08
700
7.95
6.36
5.30
4.55
3.98
3.54
3.18
2.89
2.65
750
8.52
6.82
5.68
4.87
4.26
3.79
3.41
3.10
2.84
800
9.09
7.27
6.06
5.19
4.55
4.04
3.64
3.31
3.03
850
9.66
7.73
6.44
5.52
4.83
4.29
3.86
3.51
3.22
900
10.2
8.18
6.82
5.84
5.11
4.55
4.09
3.72
3.41
950
10.8
8.64
7.20
6.17
5.40
4.80
4.32
3.93
3.60
1000
11.3
9.09
7.58
6.49
5.68
5.05
4.55
4.13
3.79
Table 9. Travel Time - Minutes (3.25 MPH - 5.00 MPH)
Travel Distance (Ft)
Equipment Speed (mph)
3.25
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.25
4.50
4.75
5.00
50
0.17
0.16
0.15
0.14
0.13
0.13
0.12
0.11
100
0.35
0.32
0.30
0.28
0.27
0.25
0.24
0.23
150
0.52
0.49
0.45
0.43
0.40
0.38
0.36
0.34
200
0.70
0.65
0.61
0.57
0.53
0.51
0.47
0.45
250
0.87
0.81
0.76
0.71
0.67
0.63
0.60
0.57
300
1.05
0.97
0.91
0.85
0.80
0.76
0.72
0.68
350
1.22
1.14
1.06
0.99
0.94
0.89
0.84
0.80
400
1.40
1.30
1.21
1.14
1.07
1.01
0.96
0.91
450
1.57
1.46
1.36
1.28
1.20
1.14
1.08
1.02
500
1.75
1.62
1.52
1.42
1.34
1.26
1.20
1.14
550
1.93
1.79
1.67
1.56
1.47
1.39
1.32
1.25
600
2.10
1.95
1.82
1.70
1.60
1.52
1.44
1.36
650
2.27
2.11
1.97
1.85
1.74
1.64
1.56
1.48
700
2.45
2.27
2.12
1.99
1.87
1.77
1.67
1.59
750
2.62
2.44
2.27
2.13
2.01
1.89
1.79
1.70
800
2.80
2.60
2.42
2.27
2.14
2.02
1.91
1.82
850
2.97
2.76
2.58
2.41
2.27
2.15
2.03
1.93
900
3.15
2.92
2.73
2.56
2.41
2.27
2.15
2.05
950
3.32
3.08
2.88
2.70
2.54
2.40
2.27
2.16
1000
3.50
3.25
3.03
2.84
2.67
2.52
2.39
2.27
Footnotes
1. This document is RFAA100, one of a series of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date December, 1992. Reviewed July, 2002. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.