Introduction to Ag Power

1. Introduction to Ag Power Holton Ag Ed Department Advanced Ag Mechanics and Technology

2. The 3 Main Objectives of Farm Mechanization • To reduce the drudgery of farm work • To increase the productivity of farm workers • To increase the timeliness and quality of farm work

3. What if ? • Imagine life on today’s farms without tractors or power equipment.

4. History of Farm Mechanization • 1600’s Hoe, axe, scythe are the basic farm tools • 1769 James Watt invents the steam engine • 1834 Cyrus McCormick refines the mechanical reaper • 1840’s J.I. Case refines the mechanical thresher • 1850 John Deere invents the moldboard plow • 1859 First oil well drilled by Edwin Drake. November in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

5. History of Farm Mechanization • 1861 Dr. Nikolaus Otto invents the 4 stroke cycle. Most people thought it was inefficient and tried to refine the 2 stroke cycle. • 1869 Steam Tractors are put into use. • 1870 Mechanical clutches and gears are invented to move the tractors under their own power • 1892 Dr. Rudolph Diesel ( a German engineer) patents combustion by compression • 1908-1912 Draft animals and the steam engine can’t compete with the efficient gas engine.

6. History of Farm Mechanization • 1910 Winnipeg Tractor Trials start where the public can compare gas Vs. steam power. • 1911 4,000 Tractors in Service • 1919 Nebraska Tractor Tests begin • Neb law requires the testing of all tractors sold in the state because of inferior tractors being sold • Provide a uniquely independent source of test data for studying tractor performance

7. History of Farm Mechanization • 1925 Power Take Off (PTO) is Invented • 1930 Over 1,000,000 tractors in use • 3 point hitch invented • Pneumatic tires replace steel wheels • Single bottom plows replaced with 4 bottom • Combine united both reaping and harvesting • 1940 1.6 million tractors in use • 1960’s 4.7 million tractors in use • Tractors are faster, more powerful, and easier to use • 6 and 8 row planters replace 1 and 3 row machines

8. History of Farm Mechanization • 1960’s continued • Self propelled grain combines, corn pickers/shellers, and cotton pickers are becoming common place • Hydrostat, alternators, and turbochargers are put into use

9. History of Farm Mechanization • 1963 Average Tractor size is 35 horsepower • 1970’s Tractor numbers level off, but tractors keep getting bigger • 1980 Average tractor size is over 55 horsepower • 1980’s Front Wheel Assist becomes more common Sensors, monitors, and electronics make tractors more efficient • 1990 Horsepower of 120+ are common • 1990’s Computers and precision farming are the new frontier of farming

10. Types of Engine Fuel • Steam • Wood and Coal • Spark • Kerosene, Gasoline, Liquid Petroleum Gas, and Ethanol • Compression • Diesel, Soybean oil, Sunflower oil, and other vegetable oils

11. The Future?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! What will the tractors of the future be like?

12. The Future?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! • What if the oil reserves are depleted?

13. The Future?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! • Will we have more efficient engines because of ceramic engines?

14. The Future?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! • Will every machine have a computer and talk to a satellite?

15. The Future?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! • Will computers allow for automatic steering?

16. The Future?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!