Farms nowadays use highly refined agricultural equipment. In general, working farms are larger than ever before, although there are less of them. The use of task-specific agricultural equipment allows farmers to significantly augment their crop yield even if they reduce the number of employees. Technological and mechanical advancements mean that specialist agricultural equipment has improved dramatically in capability and can carry out all manner of tasks including land tilling and cow milking. The power of modern agricultural equipment is impressive. 40 to 400 horsepower tractors are not unusual on larger farms. Planting, tilling and fertilizing by spread or spray methods can all be automated. While irrigation machinery assists the successful growth of crop. The finalisation of the crop growing process is attended to by the use of harvesting combines, baling machines and swathers. Automated drying equipment puts paid to problems regarding unreliable weather patterns during harvest.

 

 

Proper maintenance of agricultural equipment is vital to ensure the longevity of machinery and the standard of its performance. While general care of agricultural equipment can be carried out by the farmer or his employees, the full servicing of machinery and replacement of parts should be carried out by qualified technicians. In some cases failure to use the services of a recognised technician can result in equipment warrantees becoming void. And as agricultural equipment becomes evermore complex and technologically advanced the need to employ qualified technicians grows greater.

 

Periodic testing, cleaning and adjustment of agricultural equipment are crucial to its durability and smooth running. Pre-booked maintenance appointments are usually carried out at the technician’s workshop. However at planting and harvesting time, technicians are usually prepared to carry out on-site or on-farm repairs, especially in emergency cases where the livelihood of the farm would be affected by machinery being non-operational.

 

Agricultural equipment technicians are certified to carry out servicing and repairs to farm equipment and are licenced to assemble and maintain agricultural equipment and related attachments used in a wide range of farming procedures. Certification varies worldwide but in general apprenticeships following qualification last for around fours years. Physical fitness is an advantage to the agricultureal equipment technician as heavy lifting and some climbing are inevitable in this line of work. A working knowledge of computerized equipment and mechanical systems are important.