"Calculating field capacities is just part of the overall concept of farm machinery. Successful farm machinery management does not guarantee a profit, but machinery costs are a major expense and they must be monitored and managed"-- Page 1.
This text is intended to provide a basic understanding of selecting, maintaining, and managing farm machinery. The following topics are covered in the individual chapters: dealing with typical problems in farm machinery management; measuring machine capacity; improving field efficiency; matching machine size and capacity; estimating power requirements; estimating fixed costs; estimating fuel and lubricant costs; estimating repair costs; computing total costs for machines and operations; deciding when to trade; considering future capacity needs; calculating custom work costs; comparing ownership, leasing, and rental costs; and starting machinery management. The final chapter, which contains six case studies, deals with recordkeeping, the cost of new machinery, financial analysis, peer pressure, using a budget, and cash flow analysis. A chapter summary and set of quiz questions conclude each chapter. Answers to the questions are also provided. Appendixes include reference tables, calculator and computer sections, and a list of suggested readings. (MN)
The third edition of this book exposes the reader to a wide array of engineering principles and their application to agriculture. It presents an array of more or less independent topics to facilitate daily assessments or quizzes, and aims to enhance the students' problem solving ability. Each chapter contains objectives, worked examples and sample problems are included at the end of each chapter. This book was first published in the late 60's by AVI. It remains relevant for post secondary classes in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Agricultural Mechanics, and secondary agriculture teachers.
Research and development in farm machinery. Implement types, field capacities, and costs. Mechanical power transmission and power-take-off drives. Hydraulic power transmission and implement controls. Soil tillage and dynamics. Moldboard plows. Disk implements. Hitch systems and hitching tillage implements. Chisel-type and multipowered tillage implements. Crop planting. Row-crop cultivation, flaming, and thinning. Applying fertilizers and granular pesticides. Spraying and dusting. Hay harvesting: cutting, conditioning, and windrowing. Packaging and handling hay. Forage chopping and handling. Grain and seed harvesting. Corn picking and shelling. Cotton harvesting. Root crop harvesting. Fruit and vegetable harvesting and handling. Draft, energy, and power requirements. Typical operating speeds for implements. Coefficients of rolling resistance for pneumatic tires. Graphic symbols for fluid power diagrams. SI units, customary units, and conversion factors.
This bulletin provides principles, practices and procedures for testing machines and also determines aspects of a machine's performance that can be evaluated. It is directed towards those involved in the evaluation of machinery, and primarily towards users on small farms. Evaluation of farm equipment may be appropriate at any stage in its development, from first prototype to batch and series production.