Published on TECA (http://teca.fao.org)

Labour saving technologies and practices: Single axle Tractors

SUMMARY: This file includes the basic features of single axle tractors. Labour saving technologies and practices. FAO 2007

KEYWORDS: Tractors [1]Mechanization [2]technology [3]CATEGORY: Agricultural mechanization [4]Capacity development [5]Crop production [6]DESCRIPTION:

Labour saving technologies and practices: Single axle Tractors

Features

Single axle tractors are commonly used in Asia but not in Africa, due partly due to harsher conditions and less irrigated land in the latter.

They range in power from around 1.5 - 15 kW, controlled by the operator walking behind them.

The draught force they exert is low as it is dependent on the weight on the driving wheels and is usually less than the draught force from a good team of oxen.

Their engine power is most effectively used through a rotovator.

The most suitable environment for using rotovators is under wetland or irrigated agriculture, where the soil moisture content can be controlled to suit the use of rotovators and where there is usually an adequate quantity of organic matter to incorporate into the soil to increase soil aggregation. Otherwise rotovators tend to pulverise the soil, particularly under dry soil conditions, destroying soil aggregates and leaving a high proportion of individual soil particles. This worsens soil structure and leads to a reduced water infiltration rate, higher erosion potential and compaction problems.

Work rates for shallow secondary tillage, such as weeding, similar to draught animals.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Labour saving: less drudgery and labour saving. Reasonably high work rates for tasks such as inter-row weeding.

Livelihood strengthening: allows expansion of cultivated area, improved quality of operations and improved timeliness. Good quality work for seedbed preparation if used under correct moisture conditions. Small size makes them suitable for use on small plot holdings.

Livelihood diversification: opportunity to earn income through hire services. Livelihood: potential damage to pulverise soil, particularly when used under dry soil conditions.

Equipment: relatively complex, usually imported.

Cost: high ownership costs compared to draught animals and hence high risks for owner.

Skills: farmers require training in operation and maintenance.

Risk: if viability is dependent on contractual services but farmers lack cash to pay for such services.

Infrastructure: considerable established infrastructure support is required for their efficient operation although less than that required for four wheeled tractors.

FURTHER READING:

http://teca.fao.org/technology/small-scale-motorised-transport [7]

http://teca.fao.org/technology/motorised-single-axle-mowers-and-reapers-... [8]

http://teca.fao.org/technology/manual-carrying-wheelbarrows-hand-carts-a... [9]

SOURCE(S): Rural Infrastructure and Agro-industries Division (Agricultural Machinery and Infrastructure) AGS in FAO [10]

Country: Italy

Source URL: http://teca.fao.org/technology/labour-saving-technologies-and-practices-single-axle-tractors

Links:[1] http://teca.fao.org/keywords/tractors[2] http://teca.fao.org/keywords/mechanization[3] http://teca.fao.org/keywords/technology[4] http://teca.fao.org/technology-categories/agricultural-mechanization[5] http://teca.fao.org/technology-categories/capacity-development[6] http://teca.fao.org/technology-categories/crop-production[7] http://teca.fao.org/technology/small-scale-motorised-transport

[8] http://teca.fao.org/technology/motorised-single-axle-mowers-and-reapers-harvesting-cereals[9] http://teca.fao.org/technology/manual-carrying-wheelbarrows-hand-carts-and-bicycles[10] http://teca.fao.org/partner/rural-infrastructure-and-agro-industries-division-agricultural-machinery-and-infrastructure