MODULE 1

Select and Use Farm Tools and

Equipment

This module is designed to help you master the basic knowledge of Crop
Production (Agricultural Crops Production NC I, Agricultural Crops Production NC II
and Horticulture). The scope of this module can be used in many different learning
and daily life situations. The used language recognizes the diverse vocabulary level
of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.

This module consists of Selecting and Using Farm Tools and Equipment.

After going through this module, you should be able to:

1. identify farm tools and equipment according to use;
2. conduct pre-operation check-up in line with the manufacturer’s manual; and
3. use appropriate tools or equipment for the job requirement according to
manufacturer’s specifications and instructions.

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 Lesson
Selecting and Using Farm Tools and
1 Equipment

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

FARM TOOLS, FARM IMPLEMENTS AND FARM EQUIPMENT

Hand Tools
Hand tools are usually light and are used without the help of animals or
machines. They are being used in performing farm activities which involve small areas
like school garden and home garden.

Table 1: Classification of hand tools and their corresponding functions

Hand Tools Functions Illustration

1. Digging Tools
⚫ Pick mattock • Used for digging canals
• Used for removing stumps
and stones

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⚫ Crowbar • Used for digging up big
stones and tree stumps
• Used for digging big holes

• Spade • Used for digging canals

and ditches
• Used for removing trash
and mixing soil media

• Shovel • Used for digging loose

soil, removing trash,
moving soil from one
place to another, and for
mixing soil media

• Grab hoe • Used for breaking hard topsoil

and pulverizing soil

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 • Spading fork • Used or loosening the soil,
digging out root crops,
and turning over the
materials in a compost
heap

• Light hoe • Used for loosening and leveling soil

and digging out furrows for planting

• Dull Bolo • Used mainly for digging roots

and weeding gardens,
approximating the functions of
a garden hoe
• Smallest type of bolo

2. Cutting/Harvesting • Used for cutting planting

Tools materials and for
• Knife performing other
operations in horticulture

• Sickle • Used for harvesting of

crops, grass and cutting
of other vegetable matters

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• Pruning shears • Used for pruning
unnecessary branches
and cutting planting
materials

• Bolo • Used for cutting tall

grasses and weeds and
chopping branches of
trees

• Axe • Used for cutting

bigger posts

• Scythe • Used for mowing grass or

reaping crops

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3. Measuring tools • Used for measuring the
• Meter stick height of plants.
• Used to measure planting
distance

• Ruler • Used for measuring the

height of plants
• Used to measure planting
distance
• pH meter • Used to measure the
hydrogen-ion
concentration (or pH)
indicating its acidity or
alkalinity of the soil
• Weighing scale • Used for weighing
vegetable produce

4. Cultivating tools • Used for balling

• Hand trowel seedlings.
• Used for cultivating soil
around the plants

• Hand cultivator • Used for cultivating

garden plot by loosening
the soil and removing
young weeds around the
plants

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 • Hand fork • Used for inter-row
cultivation

5. Other horticultural • Used for cleaning the

tools
ground and levelling the
• Rake
topsoil

• Sprinkler • Used for watering

seedlings and young
plants

• Water pail • Used for hauling water,

manure and fertilizers

• Wheel barrow • Used for hauling trash,

manures, fertilizers,
planting materials and
other equipment

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 • Knapsack • Used for spraying
sprayer pesticides and liquid
fertilizers in wide areas

• Hand Sprayer • Used for spraying in small

areas

• Water hose • Used for watering

Farm Implements
Farm Implements are accessories which are being pulled by working animals
or mounted to machineries (hand tractor, tractor) which are usually used in the
preparation of land. These are usually made of a special kind of metals.

Table 2: Farm Implements and their corresponding function

Implement Function Illustration
• Disc Plow • used for tilling large
areas, making furrows
and inter row
cultivation

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 • Native Harrow • used for tilling and
pulverizing the soil

• Rotavator • used for tilling and

pulverizing the soil

• Trailer • commonly used for

the transport of goods
and materials

Farm Equipment
Farm equipment are machineries used in crop production. They are used in
land preparation and in transporting farm inputs and products. These equipment need
a highly skilled operator to use.

Table 3: Farm Equipment and their corresponding function

Equipment Function Illustration
• Hand Tractor • used to pull a plow
and harrow in
preparing a large area
of land

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 • Four Wheel • used to pull disc plow
Tractor and disc harrow in
preparing much bigger
area of land

• Water Pump • used to draw irrigation

water from a source

• Grass Cutter • used to keep the grass

trim

• Rice Harvester • used for harvesting

rice grain, wheat grain
and flour

Pre-operative Check-up of Tools, Implements and Equipment

Pre-operational inspection of tools, implements and equipment prior to every
use will reduce the chance of operating in an unsafe manner. This makes it easier to
spot and deal with maintenance issues early before they turn into a problem causing
down time, damage or expensive repairs. Unsafe tool, implement and equipment can
also cause injury to the operator or other workers and damage to facilities or product.

1. Checking of Farm Implements

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 Farm implements like ordinary plow and wooden harrow should be checked
thoroughly before use. Loosened bolts and nuts should be tightened firmly.
For implements mounted on machineries, take into consideration the
following:
❖ Fit attachments according to the manufacturer's instructions.

❖ Never alter, modify or raise the height of the draw bar unless provided for
by the manufacturer.
❖ Regularly check safety pins on towed lift-wing implements, to ensure they
are not worn.

❖ Ensure all guards on towed implements are in place before operating.

❖ Never hitch above the centerline of the rear axle, around the axle housing
or to the top link pin.

❖ Never adjust or work on implements while they are in motion.

❖ When parking, always lower the three-point linkage and towed

implement.

❖ Disc plow, and harrow, should also be lubricated on their moving parts
like bearings.

2. Pre-Operational Checks for Tractors

Whether you have been farming for 50 years or 50 days, you should
start your work day with a pre-operational check of your tractors before
heading out to the field. By checking your tractor before using it, you could
prevent costly repairs, down time and aggravation. Before even starting the
tractor, go through the following checklist items.
• Fuel level - Make sure you have sufficient fuel in the tank.
• Check your battery - Make sure that the battery terminals are not
corroded.
• Check your tires - Not only should you check the air pressure but also
make sure that the lug nuts are tight. Look at the condition (e.g., tread) of
the tires. If you notice that you have low tire pressure, look for air leakage
from around the valve stem.

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 • Loose or defective parts - Take time to really examine the tractor to look
for loose or defective parts such as a frayed or worn fan belt. Replace,
tighten or make necessary repairs before heading out to the field.
• SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle) Emblem - If your SMV emblem is faded or
distorted in color or shape, it is time to replace it with a new SMV emblem
to increase your visibility to others.
• Fluid leaks - Look for any fluid leaks on the ground beneath the tractor.
Also check fluid levels for coolant, engine oil, and hydraulic oil levels as
well. You can do some very serious damage to your tractor if you run out
of these fluids.
• Operator's platform area - You may spend much of your day on the
operator platform so check the steps to make sure you can get safely on
and off of the tractor. Examine the area around the seat to make sure it is
clear of debris or tools that could cause you to trip. You should have a
rollover protection structure (ROPS) on your tractor so always make sure
your seat belt is operable and that you buckle it.
• Fire extinguisher - Check your fire extinguisher to make sure it is charged.
• Lighting/flashers - Check headlights and warning lights/flashers to make
sure all of the lights are working and replace bulbs if necessary.
• Visibility from operator's seat - Clean any dirty cab windows to provide
the best visibility for you from the operator's seat.

You may think this will take too much time, but it is better to take the time
rather than to have a break down in the middle of the road or to cause serious
damage (e.g., engine seizes) to your equipment.

Manufacturer’s Manual
A manufacturer’s manual is also called an instruction manual or a user guide. It
is an instructional book or booklet that is supplied with almost all technologically
advanced consumer products. It is always advisable to follow manufacturer’s
instructions to understand the operations of a piece of tool, implement and
equipment.

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SAMPLE MANUFACTURER’S MANUAL

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SAMPLE MANUFACTURER’S MANUAL

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 MODULE 2

Perform Preventive Maintenance

This module is designed to help you master the basic knowledge of Crop
Production (Agricultural Crops Production NC I, Agricultural Crops Production NC II
and Horticulture). The scope of this module can be used in many different learning and
daily life situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But
the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you
are now using.

This module consists of lessons and activities about preventing maintenance of

tools and equipment.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Clean tools and equipment after use in line with farm procedures;
2. Perform routine check-up and maintenance;
3. Perform preventive maintenance by following the procedures in
sharpening and oiling farm tools and equipment; and
4. Store tools and equipment in designated areas in line with farm
procedures.

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is the systematic care and protection of tools and

equipment in order to keep them in a safe, usable condition that limits downtime and
extends productivity.

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 A poorly maintained piece of equipment can result to unsafe work environment
and increase risk of injury or loss of life.

Why do you have to maintain farm tools and equipment?

1. They last longer when maintained.
2. It makes work more efficient.
3. When you keep tools and equipment in good shape, you reduce the risk of injury
to the worker.
4. Properly maintained tools and equipment reduce cost of maintenance.

How to Effectively Maintain Farm Tools and Equipment

1. Sharpen tool before and after use.
When you sharpen tools, it reduces the amount of force you need to
apply to accomplish the task. Blunt tools may break when being used.
2. Oil or grease metal parts.
This will prevent rusts of metal parts of tools and equipment. Oiling the
movable parts makes the tools easy to use.
3. Wooden handles should be strong.
Make sure tools with wooden handles are strong and durable. If there is any
defect, replace them.
4. Hang your garden tools.
Keep your tools hanged. Leaving them on the floor can cause rusts as they
may come in contact with moisture. It may also damage or break the tool,
causing them to be unusable for work. And also, it may cause injury to a person
who could step on them.
5. Store tools in their original cases.
Some tools and equipment come in their special cases to keep them
protected from damage. Make sure to keep it clean before storing to their
original cases.
6. Dry tools after using. After using tools or equipment, make sure they are
completely dry before storing them to prevent rust of tools and equipment. For
some tools and equipment, use silica gel in keeping tools dry in their cases.

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Equipment Maintenance Tips

1. Follow the preventive maintenance program

Preventive Maintenance (PM) helps anticipate change, and wear and tear.
Corrective actions are taken continuously to ensure reliability and performance.
PM involves regular systematic inspections, modification and replacement of
components as well as performance testing and analysis.

2. Identify major causes of machinery breakdown

Part of an effective PM program is identifying potential causes of machinery

breakdown. By identifying potential causes of failure before they occur, can save
hundreds or thousands of money and maintain consistent work flows.

3. Get to know your equipment inside and out

Taking the time to read and understand the manufacturer’s manual should be
a core principle in a PM plan. Manuals will prescribe the recommended service
intervals for each component in the equipment, what servicing products to use and
what acceptable operating conditions to perform.

Manufacturer’s manual is also a great source of troubleshooting information. It

prescribes maintenance steps and techniques as well as they have checklists or
flow charts of what to do during malfunctions.

4. Train your employees in effective machinery operation

Knowledgeable machinery operators are more productive and cause less wear
on machinery than untrained workers. Properly trained operators will be more
respectful of their equipment and more likely to look after it before, during and after
use. It would save money in repairs and replacement.

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5. Follow factory-recommended maintenance intervals

Factory-recommended maintenance intervals are a minimal standard and are

based on normal operating conditions. This may vary depending on local climate
and specific site environmental concerns like dust, mud, humidity, and excessive
temperature fluctuations.

6. Document equipment’s service history

Keeping detailed service records is an important component in your preventive

maintenance plan. It helps you to keep track of what type of servicing has been
done, when maintenance was done and when it needs to be done again on the
equipment.

7. Pay close attention to what your equipment’s fluids are saying

Another important thing to check is the equipment’s fluid level. Analyzing

engine oil, fuel, coolant and hydraulic fluid describes the health of your equipment.

8. Monitor your equipment’s overall condition

Owning and operating equipment requires large amount of money. Condition

monitoring should be an overall part of your preventive maintenance plan to prevent
breakdown and avoid unnecessary repair costs.

Pointers to follow in storing tools and equipment

1. Have a designated place for each kind of tools.
2. Label the storage cabinet for immediate finding.
3. Wash and dry properly before storing.
4. Properly store cutting tools with sharp edge down.
5. Place tools into conveniently accessible locations.
6. Make sure the areas where you are storing the equipment are clean, dry and not
overcrowded.

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 MODULE 3

Perform Estimation or Basic

Calculation in the Workplace

Welcome to the Technology and Livelihood Education 7 Alternative Delivery

Mode (ADM) Module on Crop Production - Perform Estimation or Basic Calculation
in the Workplace.

It is cool to be in Agriculture! And it is even cooler to be an agripreneur.

Someone who is into an agricultural business is called an agripreneur. It is a
combination of words “agriculture and entrepreneur”.

Agriculture is said to be the backbone of an economy. Moreover, success in

agricultural sector of a country greatly contributes to a better economy.

In the Philippines, several programs have been launched by the government to

extend assistance to the farmers. The integration of agriculture in your curriculum this
school year aims to equip you with the basic knowledge and capabilities you need in
order for you to contribute to our society through venturing into farming.

Further, there are two (2) important elements that need to be considered in
farming: time and money. These two are basically anchored in Mathematics.
Mathematics has enabled farming to be more economically efficient and increase
productivity and harvest. It has been the system of organization to effectively utilize
farmer’s time and manage their money. Farmers live in number everyday to complete
variety of task - from measuring, weighing, land marking, and projecting.

May this module will serve you as your burning fuel to be successful in farming
endeavor if not help your family and peers to put your knowledge to good use.

Success in the farm is greatly attributed to the sound estimation and basic
calculation that farmers do.

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 Your success in this exploratory course in Crop Production - Perform
Estimation or Basic Calculation in the Workplace is shown in your ability to come
up with the performance standards set for this lesson.

After going through this module, you should be able to:

1. follow procedures in reporting to appropriate persons the estimate of

materials and resources;

2. perform estimations or calculations to be done according to the job

requirement; and

3. employ different techniques in checking the accuracy of result.

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 Lesson PERFORM ESTIMATION OR BASIC
CALCULATION IN THE
1 WORKPLACE

Calculation and estimation relating to agriculture is sometimes difficult if we lack

knowledge on the basic arithmetic. Before we compute surface area of the farms,
proportions of insecticides, and other complex computations, let us first tackle the
basic.

FRACTION
A fraction simply tells us how many parts of a whole we have. It can be
recognize by the slash called mark of division between two (2) numbers. The upper
number is called the numerator and the lower number is called denominator.

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Example:

A farmer wants “Okra”, “Kalabasa”, “Talong”, and “Sitaw” to be equally

planted in his one (1) hectare of land. How much of a hectare shall be planted with
Okra?

1 1
4 4

1 1
4 4

In other words, one (1) hectare is divided equally into four (4) parts. So, each
shall occupy 1/4 of a hectare.

PERCENTAGES
In mathematics, a percentage is a number or ratio expressed as fraction of
100. It is usually recognized using the percent sign “ ％”. “Percent” also mean “per
100”.

One percent (1%) means 1 per 100.

1% of this line is shaded green: it is very small isn't it?

25% means 50% means

25 per 100 50 per 100
(25% of this (50% of this
box is green) box is green)

We can also compute the percentage by multiplication.

20% of 80 = ?
20% = 20/100 (as stated above, percent is per 100)
And, 20/100 x 80 = 16
So, 20% of 80 = 16

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Example:

As agreed, the farmer should give 50% of his harvest to the owner of the land
he tilled. If the farmer harvested 20 sacks of corn, how many sacks of corn should he
give to the owner?

50% = 50/100

50/100 x 20 = 10

Hence, 50% of 20 = 10

Therefore, the farmer should give 10 sacks of the harvested corn to the land
owner.

RATIO
A Ratio compares values. It says how much of one thing there is compared to
another thing.

There are 3 blue squares to 1 yellow square

Ratio can be written in different ways:

1. Use “:” to separate values
Example: 3:1
2. Use the word “to”
Example: 3 to 1
3. Write it like fraction
Example: 3/1

Application:

According to the package instruction, the 1 L of the pesticide should be mixed

with 10 L of water before application to the crops.

So, the ratio of pesticide to water is 1:10. Or, we can say that 10 L of water is to
1 L of pesticide.

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 MEASUREMENT

Measurement is one of the most useful processes ever developed. Almost

everything you use everyday is measured - from the clothes you wear, the gadgets
used, to the food you eat. The shoes that you are wearing have sizes so that you will
know what size to choose in buying. Building materials and machine parts have precise
measurements so that it will fit perfectly as intended.

It is a process of comparing unknown quantity to a standard known quantity. Its

many practical applications show how Mathematics is relevant and useful in our lives.

Standard Base Units of Measure

The official standard system of measure in the Philippines is the Metric System.
This is used to describe how long, how heavy, or how big something is. Now let us
discover the different metric units and their application in agriculture.

Standard Units

Quantity Unit Symbol

length meter m
Mass/weight kilogram kg
capacity liter L
volume cubic meter m3
area square meter m2
temperature degree Celsius o
C
time second s
angle degree o

Derived Quantities
Quantity Unit Symbol
area square meter m2
volume cubic centimeter m3
speed kilometer per hour kph

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 Commonly Used Instruments for Measuring the Different Quantities

Quantity Measuring Tools

length Ruler, meterstick, tape measure
weight Weighing scale
volume Medicine dropper, cup, ruler, meterstick
area Ruler, meterstick, tape measure
temperature thermometer
time Clock, watch, calendar

Hmmmm?
Which is heavier, a Cotton floats
and even A kilogram
kilogram of in our or
cotton daily lives. while nail sink.
of nail is
a kilogram of nail?
heavier!

?!

In the above scenario, a 1 kg of nail has the same weight of 1 kg of cotton

because kilogram, as a unit of measure provides standard measurement of mass.

Here are some conventions to be observed when writing in the metric and
decimal system:

1. When writing the unit there is a space and no “s” or period.

Correct Wrong
50 mL 10ml
10 mLs
10 mL.

2. A space is used as period separator instead of a comma.

Correct Wrong
5 000 5,000

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3. A zero is placed before the decimal point.
Correct Wrong
0.75 .75

Fundamental Quantities and their Units and Conversion

LENGTH

It is a physical quantity and is a measure of distance.

The basic unit is meter (m).
Ruler, meterstick, and tape measure are often used to measure the length of an
object.
Conversion Table of Length
Quantity Name of Unit Symbol Value
Length millimetre mm 10 mm = 1 cm
centimetre cm 100 cm = 1 m
metre m 1 000 m = 1 km
kilometre km

Let’s convert:
How many meters (m) is 215 centimeters (cm)?
Solution:
Based on the table above, 100 cm = 1 m

215 cm x 1 m_ = 2.15 m
100 cm

MASS/WEIGHT
Mass refers to the amount of matter contained in an object. Thus, it remains the
same regardless of the location.
Weight relates to the gravitational pull of the earth upon a mass. Thus, a
person’s weight on the Moon varies his weight on Earth.
Just remember, mass and weight can be interchanged in our everyday activity.
The basic unit is kilogram (kg).
Weighing Scale is the common instrument used in measurement.

Conversion Table of Mass

Quantity Name of Unit Symbol Value

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 Mass milligram mg
gram g 1 000 mg = 1 g
kilogram kg 1 000 g = 1 kg
tonne t 1 000 kg = 1 t
Let’s convert:
How many tonne (t) is 35 700 kilogram (kg)?
Solution:
Based on the table above, 1 000 kg = 1 tonne

35,700 kg x __1_t___ = 35.7 t

1 000 kg

TIME
The basic unit of time is second(s).
Clocks and calendars are the instrument used in measurement.
Conversion Table of Time
Quantity Name of Unit Symbol Value
Time second s
minute min 60 s = 1 min
hour h 60 min = 1 h
day day 24 h = 1 day

Other conversion factors that are used in time measurement.

Unit Conversion Factors
1 century 100 years
1 score 20 years
1 decade 10 years
1 year 12 months or 365 1/4 days
1 week 7 days

Let’s convert:
How many seconds in one day?
Solution:
7 days x 60 min x 60 s = 252 000 s

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 Derived Quantities and Their Units

SURFACE AREA
Calculation of surface areas is one of the most important part in
farming. Measurement of farm inputs and labor will need to determine the
size of your farm. Hence, it is essential that you know how to compute
surface areas starting with the most common ones. This discussion has
been simplified for you to fully understand the concept.

Area is the surface included within a particular set of dimensions.

The basic unit of area is square meter (m2 or sq m).

1m It is also expressed as meters x meters, which is written as m 2.

1m

Farms with Regular Shapes

SQUARES AND RECTANGLES

width
width
length
length
width

square rectangle

- the lengths of opposite side

- all four (4) sides are equal. are equal
-all four angles are right
angles

The formula for surface area (A) of square or a rectangle:

A = length (l) x width (w)

In agriculture, hectare (ha) is the most common unit used. One (1) hectare is
equivalent to 10,000 square meter.
Conversion Table of Area
Quantity Name of Unit Symbol Value
Area Square millimetre mm2
Square centimetre cm2 1 cm2 = 100 mm2
Square metre m2 1 m2 = 10 000 cm2
Hectare ha 1 ha = 10 000 m2

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Application:

Find the area of the farm:

200 m

200 m

100 m

250 m

Finding the area of the RECTANGLE:

Identify 1st the following:

Shape: rectangle
Length: 100 meters (m)
Width: 250 meters (m)
Solution:
A= w x l
= 250 m x 100 m
= 25 000 m2

Finding the area of the SQUARE:

Identify 1st the following:

Shape: Square
Width: 200 meters (m)
Length:200 meters (m)
Solution:
A= l x w
= 200 m x 200 m
= 40 000 m2

Now, let us convert the surface area in m2 to hectare.

Surface area in hectare = surface area in square meters

10 000 sq meter

Then, 40 000 m2 = ____ hectares

So, 40 000 m2
10 000 m2

Hence: 4 hectares = 40 000 square meters

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VOLUME

Volume (V) is the content of a body or object.

An example is a block.

Height (h)

Width (w)

Length (l)

Volume is length by width by height, and the basic unit of volume is cubic
meter or m3.

A cube that is 1 meter on each side is also equal to 1,000 liters.

1 m3 = 1 000 L

Conversion Table of Volume

Quantity Name of Unit Symbol Value
Volume Cubic millimetre mm3
Cubic centimetre cm3 1 cm3 = 1 000 mm3
Cubic metre m3 1 m3 = 1 000 000 cm3
Liter L 1 000 L = 1 m3

Application:

Calculate the volume of the block crate to be used in storing fruits.

Given:
Length (l) = 3 meters
Width (w) = 5 meters
Height (h)= 9 meters

Formula:
Volume = l x w x h
=3mx5mx9m
= 135 m3

Now, let us convert the volume into the basic unit of measure of are which is the liter
(L). 1 m3 = 1 000 L,

Volume in Liters (L) = volume in m3 x 1 000

Then, L = 135 m3 x 1 000

= 135,000 L

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REFERENCES:

Gladys S. Nivera, Grade 7 Mathematics - Patterns and Practicalities, (

Salesiana Books by Don Bosco Press Inc., 2014), 128-171

Natasha Glydon, “Math on the farm”, Math Central, June 13, 2020
http://centraledesmaths.uregina.ca/RR/database/RR.09.05/glydon1.html

Bart Gietema, “Basic Calculation in Agriculture, Irrigation, and Animal

Production (Digirafi, Wageniye, The Netherlands, 2006) 7-15
http://www.ruralfinanceandinvestment.org/sites/default/files/1163528668803_
Basic_calculations_en.pdf

http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/mcaonline/units/measure/meauni.html

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