Farm Machinery for the Small Farm
Alex Brown
Full Sun Farm
fullsunfarm@gmail.com
Managing a farm is like running many other small businesses. Capital inputs and
improvements are required over time if the business is to grow.
Machines should save you TIME above all else. Secondly, they should save your body
from unnecessary hardship. None of us are getting any younger, even if you’re
young now.
When thinking about investing in farm equipment, evaluate your operation in terms
of time efficiency. What projects take a lot of time or many sets of hands? Make a list
of those activities and the machines that you think would do the job faster. Prioritize
that list and start your research.
As a small (organic) farmer there will always be way too many things to do on the
farm. You can either hire workers, empress family members or look for appropriate
equipment to help you do the work. (Most likely, a little of all three options) Do
plenty of research. Talk to other farmers and go see the machine in action, if
possible. There are more and more small diversified farms out there these days, yet
our operations are as diverse as the farmers that run them. We may grow the same
vegetables but we will all go about it a little differently. There are many different
combinations of machines and equipment that will accomplish the same end.
Make sure that all the equipment on your farm works in concert with one another;
i.e., all tractors should have the same wheel spacing. Buy what you need, even it that
means you’re going to pay a little more. Think long term. Machines are expensive,
but if appropriate will save you TIME, and enable your farm to be more profitable.
Make sure the equipment is size appropriate for your tractors. If you have a Cat. I
hitch, don’t buy a machine that takes a Cat. II hitch or is too heavy for your tractor to
lift.
Safety First. Make sure that all those using equipment respect the power of those
machines. Farming is a historically dangerous occupation.
Equipment Maintainance: Do what you feel comfortable doing. Grease all points &
change oil on a regular basis. Follow your owners manuel. Concentrate your time
and mental & physical energy on what you’re good at. My philosophy is to have my
equipment working. If I can fix something that is broken, great, but if I can’t, the
machine goes to someone who can fix it. Find a mechanic who can fix your
equipment.
Resources:
Market Farm Implements: www.marketfarm.com
Ferrari Tractor: www.ferrari-tractors.com
Roeters Farm Equipment: www.roetersfarmequipment.com
Willsie Farm Equipment: www.willsie.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Growing For Market
Slides: TractorsMF 1160 & MF 1546 with loader
Mill Creek Manure Spreader
Drop Spreader
Bulk Spreader
Turning Plow
Disc Harrow
Disc Harrow with Drag
Imants Rotary Spader
1948 Allis Chalmers Model G with 3 row Planet Jr.
Jang Clean Seeder
Drag Setter
Water Wheel Transplanter
AC G with Budding Basket Weeder
Spring Tine Weeder
Budding Basket Weeder
Inter-Row Cultivator
Potato Hiller
Potato Plow
Magli-Checchi SP50 V Potato Digger
Harvest Bins
Bulb Crates
Flower/Harvest Buckets
Farm Truck
Stainless Steel Sink
Old Washing Machine (Salad Spinner)
Falens Bunch Washer
CoolBot Walk-In Cooler
Box Van
Garden Cart
DR Trimmer
Lawn Mower
Valley Oak Wheel Hoe
Flamer
Trailer
Rolls of Drip Tape
PTO Irrigation Pump
Honda Gas Engine/Berkley Pump/Disc Filter
3pt. Tool bar with drip tape layer
Some machines on my “want/need” list:
articulated spader, flail mower, drag harrow, potato washer, golfcart truck