Introduction 3.

Pick-mattock is used for digging canals,

Farm tools, implements, and equipment play very important role breaking hard topsoil and for digging up
in agricultural crop production. Their availability makes the work stones and tree stumps.
much easier and faster. However, even if one may have the most
sophisticated tools and implements, but does not know how to use
them, they are useless. In order to do crop production operations
successfully, one must have a good working knowledge of the tools,
implements and equipment before using them.

Hand Tools
4. Grab-hoe is used for breaking hard
Hand tools are objects usually light and are used without the Topsoil,pulverizing soil and hilling up.
help of animals or machines. They are being used in performing farm
activities which involve small areas like school garden and home
garden.

Examples are:

1. Bolo is used for cutting of grasses and

weeds, loosening and pulverizing the
soil, digging small holes for planting and
posts, and breaking the topsoil in 5. Spade is used for removing trash or
preparing garden plots if no other tools soil, digging canals or ditches and
are available. mixing soil media.

2. Crowbar is used for digging big holes

and for digging out big stones and 6. Shovel is used in removing trash,
stumps. digging loose soil, moving soil
from one place to another and
for mixing soil media.
7. Rake is used for cleaning the
ground and leveling the topsoil. 12. Hand fork is for inter row cultivation.

8. Spading fork is used for loosening

the soil, digging out root crops and 13. Pruning shears is for cutting
turning over the materials in a branches of planting materials and
compost heap. unnecessary branches of plants.

9. Light hoe is used for loosening and

leveling soil and digging out furrows for
14. Axe is for cutting bigger size post.
planting.

10. Hand trowel is used for loosening the

soil around the growing plants and
putting small amount of manure in the 15. Knife is for cutting planting materials
soil. and for performing other operations in
horticulture.

11. Hand cultivator is used for 16. Water pail - for hauling water,
cultivating the garden plot by loosening manure and fertilizers.
the soil and removing young weeds
around the plant.
17.Sprinklers – for watering seedlings and
young plants.

22. Dibbler or Dibble - a tool to help you

dig a hole in the soil to plant your seeds or
starter plants.

18. Wheel barrow – for hauling trash,

manures, fertilizers, planting materials and
other equipment.

Care of Garden Tools

Garden tools are gardener’s best friends. They help make his work
19. Sprayers – it is for spraying insecticides, foliar fertilizers, fungicides easier and faster. It is impossible for him to work with his bare hands
and herbicides. alone. For this reason, the gardener should take good care of his tools.
He should avoid losing them. He should likewise protect them from
breakage.careful use and proper safekeeping of garden tools will add
many more years to their life.

Do’s and don’ts with regards to use of tools:

Trigger sprayer Pressure sprayer Knapsack sprayer  Choose the right tool that will serve your purpose.
 Carry your tools properly
 Use tools as working aids, not as toys.
20. Sickle and Scythe - a hand-held agricultural tool with a variously  Clean the tools after using them.
curved blade typically used for cutting weeds.  Always observe safety precautions in handling tools.

Routine check-up and hand tool maintenance

 All tools require regular maintenance to work properly.

 Clean all tools after each use with water and treat with
penetrating oil to prevent rust.
 Tools that require a sharp edge must be sharpened regularly as
sharp tools are safer and most efficient to use.
Sickle Scythe
 Various sharpening tools are used depending upon the tool.
It is important to become familiar with the methods
21. Post hole digger - used for digging relevant to the tools you use.
holes from small to moderately sized hole  Check tools regularly for loose nuts and screws and
especially in orchard production. tighten as needed.
 Sand rough handles and repair cracks as soon as they are
noticed to prevent injury.
 Store tools in a dry area.
Reporting Problems and defective tools: 2. Power Sprayer ideal for spraying
agricultural chemicals and fertilizers on
Broken or damaged problems tools can cause injury or accidents in farms, greenhouses and orchards.
the workplace. The quicker problems are reported, the quicker the tool
can be fixed or replaced and the less risk or injury.
Broken or wornout tools must not be used but put in a place for it is
to be repaired. This will prevent injury and enhance the life of tool.
Persons with proper training and skill should repair tools. Preventive
maintenance like fastening loose nuts or shafts will greatly reduce the
need for larger-scale repairs. 3. Earth Auger - used to drill soil by
Importance of routine maintenance making a hole.
Tools have always been indespensable services but tools also give to
uncountable damages when used improperly.

Tips on routine maintenance:

1. Use the correct tool for the job.

2. Keep tools in good condition.
3. Cutting tools should be sharpened if it needs sharpening. 4. Grass Cutter – used to trim large area
4. Remove plug and store tools after use. of grass/lawn
5. Wedges and punches should be free from “mushroom heads”.
6. Use and maintain power tools acording to operator’s manual.
7. Make sure that power tools are properly grounded or are double
insulated.
8. Power tools shoud be unplug before changing blades or servicing
or repairing.
9. Guards and shield should be kept in place.
10.Keep power tools locked up to prevent unauthorized use.

Equipment

These are machineries used in horticultural operations,

especially in vegetable production.

Examples are:

1. Water pumps - are used to draw

irrigation water from a source.