Small Equipment for Farming: Essential Tools for Efficient Operations

Small equipment for farming is a crucial aspect of efficient operations. It can make a huge difference in productivity and profitability.

A well-maintained tractor is essential for farming operations, with a reliable engine and robust transmission system. This ensures that tasks are completed on time and with minimal downtime.

Having the right tools on hand can save a lot of time and effort. For example, a good quality cultivator can prepare the soil in a fraction of the time it would take to do it manually.

Using small equipment like a planter or seeder can also increase crop yields by ensuring accurate spacing and depth of planting. This is especially important for crops like corn and soybeans.

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CAT-0 implements are a good option for small farm tractors with horsepower ratings in the teens and 20s, but they can be hard to find and are light duty.

Standard CAT-1 implements are readily available on the used market and are compatible with a CAT-1 hitch, making them a great choice if you want to get a good deal on attachments later on.

You can also add bio-discs to your wheel hoe, like Terrateck's, to make weeding between and on the rows possible, but the wheel hoe itself is sold separately.

CAT-1 implements are a great choice if you want to buy attachments on the used market, as they're compatible with a Cat-1 hitch and widely available.

Standard implements are a good option if you're looking for a cost-effective solution, as they use a 7/8” lower arm pin and are common on small farm tractors across many brands.

Front-end loaders are incredibly useful on small-scale farms, allowing you to dig, move bulky items, lift heavy equipment, and even perform land-grading tasks.

If you're looking to tackle your lawn and pastures, you'll need a mower that fits the job. A push-behind mower is a good choice for smaller areas.

For larger areas or wild areas, brush mowers, batwing mowers, or flail mowers are right for the task. They're designed to handle thick vegetation and rough terrain.

A riding mower is a great option if you have a lot of ground to cover, but if you're working in tight spaces, a zero-turn mower or a pull-behind mower implement might be more suitable.

If you make hay, you'll want to consider a sickle-bar mower, a drum mower, or a disc (also called a rotary) mower for the job.

Kubota is well-known for prioritizing user comfort and ergonomic placement of controls. Their tractors have a long-standing reputation among top manufacturers in the world.

Kubota's lineup includes machines with horsepower ranging from 18 to 168. If you're looking for a tractor with a high horsepower, Kubota has got you covered.

As the leading distributor of tractors under 40 hp, Kubota has a wide range of options for smaller farms and operations.

CAT-1 Implements are readily available on the used market, making it a great option if you want to get a good deal on attachments later on.

They use a 7/8” lower arm pin and are common on small farm tractors across many brands.

Standard implements are compatible with a Cat-1 hitch, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.

You can find a variety of CAT-1 Implements on the market, but keep in mind you won't have as many options with Cat-0 implements.

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You can purchase the various components to build a vertical electric fence at most agricultural cooperatives.

Polytapes or several 1/10 inch diameter, 12.5 AWG wires can be connected on poles spaced at intervals of 33 feet.

The wire must be attached to the pole with plastic insulation.

The electrical current that flows must have a voltage of at least 4000 volts.

Increased voltage is even better: 8000 volts will prevent deer from knocking down the fence at night.

Polypropylene mesh specifically designed to protect against deer, raccoons, hares and other wildlife entering the farm is sold by Dubois Agrinovation.

If you have a large property, an ATV or UTV is a great option for getting around. They're fun, handy, and can haul your harvest or equipment.

ATVs and UTVs can tow small trailers and have attachments available for many models. This makes them perfect for tasks like hauling heavy loads or towing equipment.

A farm truck is also a must-have for many farmers. It's not just about hauling equipment, but also about transporting animals safely. Consider whether you need to pull a trailer or make long trips when choosing a truck.

ATV/UTV are great for hauling your harvest or equipment, and they can tow small trailers.

You can get attachments for many models, making them super versatile and handy for your farm.

All-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles are perfect for large properties where walking everywhere just isn't feasible.

ATVs and UTVs are great for hauling equipment, but they can also be used to haul your harvest, making them a valuable asset on your farm.

They're really fun to use too, and can make farming a lot more enjoyable.

The two-wheel walking tractor is a compact and powerful tool that's perfect for small-scale farming. It's the only mechanized equipment you'll need on your farm, and it can perform a variety of tasks.

This tool has multiple attachments that can cultivate the soil surface, mow crops, or ridge beds. The most common two-wheeled tractor model in North America is manufactured by the Italian company BCS. We recommend the 853 model, as most 30 in attachments can be mounted on it.

It's also a great tool for handling flail mowers and other heavier attachments. The BCS America website is a great resource for learning about the variety of attachments available and finding local suppliers. One of our favorites is the rotary plow, which is perfect for shaping permanent raised beds.

The R2 Rinaldi rotary harrow is another attachment tool we like to use. It works the soil more gently than a rototiller and limits the formation of a hardpan. It's also less heavy than some other models.

The Kubota BX23S is the No. 1 selling sub-compact tractor in the USA.

Its front-loader implement can be disconnected in just 60 seconds, making it incredibly convenient to switch between tasks.

Cultivators are used for soil cultivation, weed control, and preparing a seed bed. They can be used in a garden bed or crop field after plants are growing to remove weeds from around the plants.

The Kelly Tillage Equipment Model 6218 is equipped with twin drawbar cylinders, load-sharing axles, and the option of outer wing dual wheels, ensuring remarkable durability. It has higher module clearance for rolling over soil banks.

Most durable diamond harrow Kelly 12X features sealed bearings and a robust steel frame, making it perfect for tasks such as gentle soil leveling and effective weed control.

Cultipackers are pulled behind tractors to firm seedbeds before seeding, setting up good seed-to-soil contact.

Moldboard plows are most often used on land that has not been in crop production before or has been fallow for a long time. They cut into and turn over all of the soil in an area.

Harrows are pulled behind a tractor or ATV to level the soil surface, redistribute crop residue, and disturb weed germination.

A small rototiller, also known as a tilther, is a 15 in wide rototiller that primarily works 1 or 2 inches into the soil surface.

Here's a list of tillage and cultivation tools mentioned in this section:

* ToolDescriptionCultivatorsUsed for soil cultivation, weed control, and preparing a seed bed.Kelly Tillage Equipment Model 6218Equipped with twin drawbar cylinders, load-sharing axles, and the option of outer wing dual wheels.Most durable diamond harrow Kelly 12XFeatures sealed bearings and a robust steel frame.CultipackersPulled behind tractors to firm seedbeds before seeding.Moldboard plowsUsed on land that has not been in crop production before or has been fallow for a long time.HarrowsPulled behind a tractor or ATV to level the soil surface, redistribute crop residue, and disturb weed germination.Small rototiller (Tilther)A 15 in wide rototiller that primarily works 1 or 2 inches into the soil surface.

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Seed drills are tractor attachments that insert seeds into the ground with minimal soil disturbance, making them ideal for row crops, cover crops, and grasses or forage.

For small-scale farms, precision seeders like the Jang Seeder are a game-changer. Its price may be higher, but its performance justifies the investment.

Broadcast seeders, also known as rotary spreaders or seeders, are perfect for planting cover crops, grasses, and forages. They come in various sizes, from small handheld models to industrial-sized seeders.

Seeders play a crucial role in assisting farmers by accurately placing seeds at the desired depth while maintaining the desired spacing between rows and distances between rows.

The Jang 5-row seeder is a versatile tool that can undertake almost any type of direct seeding on a small-scale farm, even in difficult conditions like heavy soils or debris on the beds.

Johnny's Selected Seeds sells a high-quality vacuum seeder that is well worth its price tag and is a must-have tool on a small-scale farm.

A combine or harvester is the most efficient means of getting crops out of the field, even for small-scale farms with just an acre of grain crop.

For small vegetable farms, a greens harvester like the Quick Cut Harvester can be a game-changer. It can harvest more than 100 lbs of greens per week in just 45 minutes, compared to 2 people taking 4 hours to do the same job.

This is an incredible advantage during harvesting, making it a must-have tool for farms that produce a high volume of greens.

A combine or harvester is a must-have for grain farmers, even if you only have an acre of grain crop. It's the most efficient way to get your crop out of the field.

For small-scale farms, it's difficult to determine exactly what equipment you need. But using a list like this can help you start making your agricultural machinery wish list.

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A combine is a significant investment, but it's worth it for the time and labor it saves. I've seen farmers spend hours harvesting grain by hand, only to have a combine do the job in a fraction of the time.

If you're harvesting more than 100 lbs of greens per week, a greens harvester like the Quick Cut Harvester is a must-have tool. It can do the job of two people in 4 hours in just 45 minutes alone.

A harvesting knife is an essential tool to have with you at all times, especially when harvesting zucchini, frisée, leeks, lettuce, and greens.

The French knife, Opinel, is a high-quality tool that we really like. Our favorite is the #10, which is light and comfortably fits in your hand.

You can also consider the special edition of the #10 knife with a ruler for measuring crops, created by Opinel and Growers & Co.

A sharp knife is crucial for efficient harvesting, which is why we sharpen our harvesting knives daily.

Harvesting Bins are a crucial investment for any farm or garden. Consider buying bins that can be stacked on top of each other for efficient storage.

Uniform bins are essential for making the right choice. Buying bins that match in size and material ensures a smooth harvesting process.

We recommend sturdy and durable plastic bins for greens. These bins are ideal for delicate produce that requires extra care.

Perforated bins are also a great option for certain crops. They allow for airflow and moisture regulation, which is perfect for a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Available at Dubois Agrinovation, these bins are a great starting point for any harvesting operation.