Republic of the Philippines

Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

AENGR 1105 LAB

Crop Protection Machinery

LAB EXERCISE 4

Submitted by:
VELUZ, ALLEYAH AUBREY C.
BSA-CPPath 3

Submitted to:
ENGR. NICASIO C. SALVADOR
Instructor
I. INTRODUCTION
Pests and disease incidents on the crops are to be overcome by the application of
poisonous chemicals. As the technology advances and newer crop varieties are introduced
newer insects, pests and diseases are also growing up and methods are devised to control
them. Many chemicals used for plant protection cannot be handled by human operators
directly. Also, that needs to be applied in fine particles. This necessitates the use of suitable
machines.
Because of advances in agricultural sciences, more fields remain under crop cover
for more extended periods due to multiple cropping, intensive farming, and improved
irrigation facilities. As a result, there has been a significant increase in plant pests and
diseases. As a result, pesticides and fungicides must now be used to control pests and
diseases. The chemicals are sprayed and sprinkled on the plants. Crop protection machinery
is used to apply insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides to crops to protect them from insects,
pests, and plant diseases. Sprayers, dusters, and weeders are the most commonly used pieces
of equipment.

II. OBJECTIVES
After performing the exercise, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the different crop protection machinery;
2. Determine the components of the crop protection machinery based on the Philippine
Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES);
3. Explain the principle of operation of the identified machines/equipment; and,
4. Discuss the maintenance procedures that should be done on the different
machines/equipment to obtain optimum performance.

III. DISCUSSION
Current level of mechanization regarding crop protection in the Philippines
In the Philippines, mechanization in crop protection is advancing through initiatives
like the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program. This
program aims to enhance productivity by providing machinery grants to farmers, reducing
production costs, and minimizing postharvest losses. Despite these efforts, challenges remain,
including limited access to credit and underdeveloped machinery service markets, which
hinder widespread adoption. The government continues to invest in agricultural infrastructure
and support services to bolster mechanization and improve food security.

CROP PROTECTION MACHINERY

These tools enhance efficiency and effectiveness in pest management.
a.) SPRAYERS - is a machine that applies liquid chemicals on plants in the form of droplets.
Sprayer is used for the following purpose:
● Application of insecticides to control insect pests.
 ● Application of micronutrients on the plants.
● Application of herbicides to remove weeds.
● Application of fungicides to minimize fungus diseases.
Components of a sprayer includes:
a) Pump, b) Chemical tank, c) Agitator, d) Air chamber, e) Pressure gauge, f) Pressure
regulator, g) Valves, h) Strainer, i) Suction line, j) Delivery line, k) Nozzles
Pump: A pump is a
device used to
transport fluids or
liquids from one
location to another.
Chemical tank: The
chemical tank serves
as a storage container
for the liquid solution
or chemical to be
sprayed.
Agitator: An agitator
is a device used to stir
or mix the contents
inside the chemical
tank. It helps to
ensure that the liquid
solution is well-
mixed and distributed
thoroughly before
entering the pump.
Air chamber: The air
chamber in a sprayer
is a component that
helps regulate the
pressure within the
system. It serves as a buffer between the pump and the discharge (nozzle), helping to smooth
out and stabilize the pressure fluctuations.
Pressure gauge: A pressure gauge is a device used to measure the pressure within the
sprayer system. It provides information about the pressure level in the system, such as the
pressure within the chemical tank or the pressure in the delivery line.
Pressure regulator: The pressure regulator is a valve that allows the operator to control the
level of pressure in the system. It is used to adjust or set the desired pressure for the spraying
operation, ensuring consistent and accurate spray application.
Valves: Valves in a sprayer serve as control elements that allow for the direction and flow of
the liquid solution. They can be used to control the distribution of liquid to different sections
of the system, such as to the nozzles for spraying.
Strainer: A strainer in a sprayer is a mesh or filter element that is used to remove impurities
or debris from the liquid solution before it enters the pump. It helps to prevent blockage or
damage to the pump and other parts of the system by filtering out any solid particles or
contaminants in the liquid.
Suction line: The suction line is a component that serves as a conduit for the liquid solution
to be drawn from the chemical tank into the pump. It connects the chemical tank to the pump,
allowing the pump to draw the liquid solution from the tank when needed.
Delivery line: The delivery line is a component that serves as the conduit for the liquid
solution to be delivered from the pump to the nozzles for spraying.
Nozzles: The nozzles are the final components in the sprayer system that are directly
responsible for the application of the spray. They come in various types and sizes, and are
designed to deliver the liquid solution in a specific spray pattern and droplet size.

b.) WEEDERS - Equipment that uproots weeds to reduce competition for nutrients. Weeders
Implement used to remove/destroy the weeds from agricultural land.

CLASSIFICATION OF WEEDERS

Rotary weeders - A rotary weeder is a

type of weeding tool that uses a rotating
disc or wheel to cut through weeds. It is
typically attached to a cultivator or tine
tractor and is designed to cut weeds at
the soil level, leaving the crop
unaffected. Rotary weeders can be
adjusted to work at different depths,
allowing for control over the depth of
weeding and minimizing damage to
desirable plants.

Tine blade - similar to rotary weeders,

they are attached to a cultivator or tine
tractor. Instead of a rotating disc or
wheel, a tine blade weeder uses a set of
spring-loaded or rigid tynes that vibrate
or oscillate as they pass through the
soil. The tynes can be adjusted in depth
and spacing, allowing for control over
the depth and precision of weeding.
They are designed to break up clods,
control weeds, and leave the crop
unaffected.
 Blade type - it uses a simple blade to
cut through weeds. They are typically
manually operated and are designed to
remove weeds by slicing through them
at the ground level. Blade type
weeders can have various shapes and
sizes, and may be attached to a handle
or pole to reach weeds in different
areas of the crop. They are simple to
use and can be effective at removing
weeds without damaging the crop.

c.) MOUNTED CULTIVATOR - a piece of agricultural equipment designed to till and

loosen the soil, remove weeds, and prepare a seedbed for planting. It is mounted on a tractor
or other power unit, allowing it to be easily towed and maneuvered across the field. Mounted
cultivators typically have a rotating gang of blades or tines that dig into the soil, breaking it
up and bringing buried weeds to the surface. The cultivator can be set at varying depths to
work the soil to the desired depth. After cultivation, the land should be raked to create a
smoother, more uniform seedbed.
Depending upon the type of soil and crop, shovels are chosen for use on the cultivators.
Usually, tractor-drawn cultivators are of two types, depending upon the flexibility and
rigidity of tynes, these are:

Cultivator with rigid tynes - A

cultivator with rigid tynes is a
type of agricultural implement
used for soil preparation. It
consists of a set of long, spiked
metal tines mounted on a frame,
which is attached to a tractor.
The cultivator is designed to
loosen and mix the soil, break
up clods, and control weeds by
cutting and dislodging the
plants. The rigid tines are fixed
in a single position and do not
allow for adjustable depth or
flexibility.
Cultivator with spring-loaded tynes - A cultivator with spring-loaded tynes is a type of
agricultural implement used for soil preparation. It is similar in design to a cultivator with
rigid tynes, but the tines are mounted on a frame with a spring mechanism. The cultivator is
attached to a tractor and is pulled through the soil to loosen and mix it, break up clods, and
control weeds. The advantage of a cultivator with spring-loaded tynes is that the tines can
flex and react to soil conditions, which allows for greater flexibility and depth control.

Maintenance Procedures optimum performance of the different crop protection

machinery
To maintain the optimum performance of crop protection machinery, several maintenance
procedures should be performed on a regular basis. This includes the following:
i.) Cleaning - Regular cleaning of the machinery should be performed to remove any dirt,
dust, or debris that may have accumulated during use.
ii.) Inspections - Regular inspections should be carried out to look for any signs of wear and
tear or damage to the machinery.
iii.) Lubrication - The machinery should be regularly lubricated as stated in the operator’s
manual to ensure smooth operation and minimize wear.

IV. CONCLUSION
Using crop protection machinery such as sprayers, weeders, and mechanical cultivators
can greatly improve crop management and boost productivity in farming. Sprayers are used
for applying pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, allowing for more efficient and targeted
application of these materials. Weeders, whether operated manually or mechanically, help
control and eliminate weeds, which can compete with crops for nutrients and water.
Mechanical cultivators, on the other hand, help prepare the soil for planting and cultivation,
enabling farmers to achieve a uniform and suitable seedbed for their crops. Using these
machines can help farmers achieve better crop yields and reduce labor costs.

V. REFERENCES
Zheng, H., Ma, W., & Rahut, D. (2024). Mechanization driving the future of agriculture in
Asia. Asia Pathways. [Link]
driving-the-future-of-agriculture-in-asia/
Wang, S., Xu, T., & Li, X. (2022). Development status and perspectives of crop protection
machinery and techniques for vegetables. 8(2), 166.
[Link]
Kalogiannidis, S., Kalfas, D., Chatzitheodoridis, F., & Papaevangelou, O. (2022). Role of
crop-protection technologies in sustainable agricultural productivity and management.
Land, 11(10), 1680. [Link]