Continuing Education and
Communication Services
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8/29/01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Department of Agronomy, (515) 294-1923, malkaisi@iastate.edu
Mark Hanna, Ag and Biosystems Engineering, (515) 294-0468, hmhanna@iastate.edu
Del Marks, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-9807,
delmarks@iastate.edu
Check Equipment before Heading to the Field
AMES, Iowa -- An Iowa State University agricultural engineer and an agronomist are encouraging farmers to run a thorough check on equipment this fall before heading to the field. They say that improperly functioning equipment can translate into bothersome issues such as inefficient use of time and fuel or unsatisfactory tillage results, as well as posing unsafe conditions to the operator.
Mark Hanna, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering, says farmers should be diligent about the quality of their equipment and the work performed. "Going the extra mile may mean taking a few extra minutes, but it pays off in the long run in terms of efficient use of time, reduced soil erosion, operator safety, and maybe even a better yield from more uniform tillage operations," Hanna says.
Things to check before heading to the field include regular maintenance and the overall status of the equipment. Check the condition of the equipment's frame -- look for sprung or broken welds and repair them before doing anything else. Also check for worn or broken tillage components, e.g., sweeps, chisel points, and disc blades.
Make sure that the ballasting, front-to-rear axle weight splits and the condition of the tractor are setup for efficient drawbar pull. Your tractor's manual or the local equipment dealer can quickly confirm the best set up for each piece of tillage equipment.
After hooking up, test the equipment and check for leveling of frame, which may involve hitch and frame transport wheel adjustments. Also consider using a depth gauging chain, which can be hung from the frame of the implement.
Al-Kaisi says once the equipment checks out in the shed, it's time to check it out in the field. "Travel through the field on a test run and observe the function of components that engage the soil -- the sweeps, chisel points, and disc blades. Are they working as intended? Are they leaving an even distribution of soil and residue? Are they penetrating at an even depth? Do the down-pressure springs need adjustment for even penetration? Look at everything and make sure the implement is functioning as intended."
-30-
ml: isufarm
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.