Farming has evolved significantly over the years, and modern agriculture relies heavily on various types of machinery to increase efficiency and productivity. These machines come in a range of shapes and sizes and serve different purposes, ranging from generalized to very specific. In this post, we will go over some of the most commonly used pieces of farm equipment and their applications.
Tractors
Tractors are like the multi-tool of the farming world. They come in many sizes and can be tracked or wheeled. Primarily used to pull other farm equipment, tractors can also be outfitted with a range of attachments to accomplish many different tasks. Some of the most commonly used attachments on tractors are:
Plows - Used to break up the soil, turning it over to bury crop residues and weeds, and to aerate the soil, making it more suitable for planting.
Harrows - Harrows are used to more finely break down soil after it's been plowed and also serve to level and smooth the surface of the soil. They can also be used to even out layers of fertilizer and manure.
Seeders and Planters - These machines are used to quickly plant seeds at the correct depth and spacing, ensuring uniform crop growth.
Sprayers & Spreaders - Sprayers and spreaders are used to distribute pesticides and herbicides to protect crops, as well as fertilizers evenly across the fields to protect crops and promote growth.
Wagons & Trailers - These attachments are used to transport harvested materials, feed, fertilizer, other farm equipment and much more around the farm.
Balers - Balers are used to compress cut and raked crops like hay, straw, or silage into compact bales that are easy to handle, transport, and store.
These are just few of the types of attachments that can be used with a tractor. There are multiple kinds of each of the above attachments, each suited for different applications. As always, there is a right tool for the job.
Combine Harvesters
Combine harvesters are used to efficiently harvest a variety of crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, barley, and more. They combine three operations—reaping, threshing, and winnowing (gathering)—into a single process. This saves a significant amount of time and allows for exponentially greater output. These machines now come with significant technological advancements, such as yield data, GPS, cameras, and hillside leveling hydraulic systems.
Farm Truck
A heavy-duty truck can serve many purposes on a farm: hauling harvested goods, transporting equipment, picking up fuel, carrying animals, and much more. The utility and reliability of a heavy-duty truck in conjunction with the need for high-capacity hauling makes them perfectly at home on a farm.
Loader
Whether it's an attachment for a tractor, a dedicated front-end loader, or a backhoe, a loader is an extremely practical and flexible tool to have on a farm. A loader equipped with a bucket can be used to move dirt, feed, manure, and much more. Swap the bucket for forks to move hay and other smaller equipment around the farm.
ATV/UTV
ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and UTVs (utility task vehicles) are smaller and more nimble choices for navigating large property. They can be used to haul equipment or small loads, as some come with dump beds, allowing you to hydraulically dump whatever you're hauling. ATVs (4-wheelers) are practical choices for one or two people and can tow small trailers, while UTVs can seat more people and carry larger loads.
Farm Equipment Parts at Iron Wing
There are many more machines that can be found on farms across the world, these are just a few of the most common machines that help farmers save time and increase their yield. As with all other equipment, proper maintenance can help keep your equipment running efficiently, extend its lifespan, and minimize costly downtime.
At Iron Wing, we carry a massive inventory of OEM and Aftermarket parts for a variety of equipment and industries. Check out our inventory of Agriculture & Forestry parts, Heavy-Duty Truck parts, Lift Equipment parts, and ATV/UTV parts. We have parts from major manufacturers such as John Deere, Bush Hog, Massey Ferguson, and more.
Easily search our inventory by part #, manufacturer, or description to find the parts you're looking for! We add new parts every day, so be sure to keep us in mind for all of your parts needs!