SIMPLE FARM TOOLS (PART 2)

Axe

Axe consists of a strong wooden or metal handle onto which a solid, flat and heavy metal blade with a sharpened edge is inserted. Larger axes are held in both hands when in use.

Functions/Uses

1. It is used for felling trees.
2. For slicing or splitting wood,
3. For cutting wood,
4. For uprooting stumps.
5. For cutting firewood and logs.

Maintenance Practices

1. It should be sharpened regularly.
2. Store in a dry, cool place.
3. Paint, grease or oil metal parts before being put away for a long time.
4. Clean after use.
5. Keep wooden handle from termite attack.

 

Pick Axe or Digger

Pick axe or digger consists of a long wooden handle and a metal head with double blades. One blade is shaped to form a short and rather narrow hoe while the other side of the head is shaped into a small narrow axe-like blade.

Functions/Uses

1. It is used for the removal of roots of trees, stumping).
2. For tilling of very hard soils.
3. For making ridges.
4. For tilling soil for farm-building erection.

Maintenance Practices

1. Clean or wash after use.
2. Sharpen blade regularly.
3. Keep in cool, dry place.
4. Keep away from rain to avoid rusting.
5. Store in termite-free areas.
6. Paint, grease or oil metal parts.

 

Headpan

Description: Headpan is a metal container with small circumference at the bottom but a larger one at the top. It has two handles which are opposite to each other.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for the collection of harvested crops.
2. It is used for transplanting seedlings.
3. For carrying and mixing manure/fertilizers.
4. For carrying farm inputs and outputs.

Maintenance Practices

1. Wash or clean after use.
2. Paint or oil before being stored for a long time.
3. Keep in a cool, dry place.
4. Keep it away from rain.

 

Watering can

This is a metal or plastic can fitted with a spout which has a perforated metal sheet called rose, over its mouth. The rose is removable after use and replaceable when needed. It also has two handles used for lifting or carrying the can.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for light irrigation, like application of water to crops during the dry season.
2. It is used for the application of liquid fertilizers.
3. Application of water to seedlings in the nursery or vegetable beds.
4. It is used for watering cement blocks used for constructing farm house.

Maintenance practices

1. Wash and keep dry or clean after use to prevent rusting.
2. Store or hang upside down.
3. Keep the nozzles free from blockages.
4. Store / keep in a cool, dry place.
5. Rinse with water if used for liquid fertilizers.

 

Mattock

Mattock consists of a small wooden handle and a double-headed metal head. The mattock is essentially a small axe and hoe combined in one.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for digging and uprooting small stumps.
2. It is used for loosening stones, roots and hard plants in the soil and digging soil.
3. It is used in clearing bush and weeding farms.

Maintenance Practices

1. Clean after use.
2. Store in a cool, dry place.
3. Sharpen metal blade.
4. Paint, grease or oil metal parts before storing for a long time.

 

Pruning Saw

The pruning saw is flat and made of flexible metal. Its handle is wooden. Both edges of the saw have sharp pointed teeth.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for cutting wood or log,
2. For pruning operations.
3. For falling of trees.
4. It is also used for cutting of budded seedlings.

Maintenance Practices

1. Sharpen the teeth regularly.
2. Grease or oil metal parts before storage.
3. Store in a cool, dry place.

 

Sickle

The sickle has a curved blade fitted to a short handle. The inner edge of the metal blade is sharp while the outer edge is blunt.

Functions/Uses

1. It is used for harvesting fruits/cereal crops.
2. For cutting grass pasture for animals.
3. It can also be used for light weeding of vegetable plants.

Maintenance Practices

• Sharpen the inner edge/blade regularly.
• Store in a dry, cool place.
• Paint or oil before storage for a long time.

 

Harvesting knife

Harvesting knife has a very long wooden pole or handle with a small, curved metal blade at one end. It also has a short, strong blade close to. the curved end.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for harvesting some crops,e.g ., cocoa, oil palm, mango, orange and kolanut.
2. It is also used for light pruning.

Maintenance Practices

1. Keep away from rain to avoid rusting.
2. Keep in termite-free area.
3. Sharpen the blade regularly.
4. Oil or grease the metal parts before storage.

 

Root-loading Fork

This tool is similar to the garden fork except that the prongs are usually bent at angle to the wooden handle.

Function / Use

1. It is used mainly to load roots, hays or silage into carts or wheelbarrows.

Maintenance Practices

1. Store in a dry, cool place.
2. Clean after use.
3. Keep away from rain or moist place to avoid rusting.
4. Grease or oil metal parts before storing for a long time.

 

Hay fork

Hay fork has two or three long, round and curved tines (or prongs) with a long wooden handle.

Functions / Uses

1. The tool is used for collecting and removing hay and livestock bedding. The fork is inserted vertically in the middle of the load and the load is carried with the prongs held upwards.

Maintenance Practices

1. Store in a dry, cool place.
2. Clean or wash after use.
3. Grease or oil metal parts before storing for a long time.

 

Manure Drag

This tool has four or five tines, shaped like those of a garden fork but with the pointed ends at right-angles to the handle to facilitate digging.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for digging farm-yard manure.
2. It is also used for unloading farmyard manure.

Maintenance Practices

1. Keep in a dry, cool place.
2. Oil or grease metal parts before storage.
3. Keep away from rain or moist places to avoid rusting.

 

Wheelbarrow

The wheelbarrow is a large metal or wooden container with one wheel at the front, two handles at the rear and below these, are two legs which support the container. It is pushed by raising the rear end slightly so that the main weight is taken up by the front wheel. Tools which can perform the same function as the wheelbarrow include headpan, bucket, tractor – mounted container and container driven by work animals.

Functions / Uses

1. It is used for carrying farm inputs, e.g ., fertilizers and seeds.
2. It is used for carrying farm outputs, e. g ., harvested crops and slaughtered animals.
3. It is used for transplanting seedlings.
4. It is also used for carrying load / materials to market.

Maintenance Practices

1. Clean the tool after use.
2. Replace worn-out parts.
3. Paint the tool if necessary.
4. Store in dry, cool place.
5. Tighten bolts and nuts on wheels properly.

 

Crowbar

This is an iron bar 90-120cm long and bent slightly at one end.

Functions / Uses

1. By inserting the pointed end underneath a load and pushing the long end downwards, the load can be gradually moved.
2. It is also used for digging holes for planting seeds.

Maintenance Practices

1. Keep in a cool, dry place.
2. Grease or oil the metal part before storing for a long time.
3. Keep away from rain to avoid rusting.

 

Bradawl

This is a small tool with a wooden handle. It has a short, round blade with a small, narrow cutting edge.

Function / Use

1. It is used for boring holes in wood.

Maintenance Practices

1. Store in cool, dry place.
2. Keep away from rain and sun.
3. Sharpen the tool regularly.

 

Budding knife

Budding knife is a small knife with a short, wooden handle and a short, metal blade which is sharpened at one edge.

Function / Use

1. Budding knife is used mainly in budding by vegetative propagation in citrus, cocoa, rubber, etc.

How the tool is used

An inverted T-shaped cut is made with a budding knife in the bark of the stock plant, about 20cm above the ground level. The bark on either side of the cut is lifted slightly to admit the bud, which is pushed into position so that the layers of both the scion and the stock are in close contact.

Maintenance Practices

1. Sharpen the metal blade regularly.
2. Store in a cool, dry place.
3. Use for the purpose for which it is meant.