FARM EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE TIPS

By Penjani Nzima

IT is very important that farm equipment and machinery are well maintained in order for them to keep on working without giving up easily.

And maintenance of farm equipment is not a choice but a must undertaking for every farmer to put into perspective so that the wheels of production at the particular farm will not grind to a halt leading to serious losses in income, crops and productivity.

And Alipot Phiri an Agriculture Technician and Mechanic based in Lusaka confirms to this reporter saying a lot of farmers ignore the aspect of regular maintenance on their various farm machinery and equipment until they break down and then that’s when they think of doing a service.

He said regular or routine maintenance of farm equipment is the only sure way to give the farmer an assurance of using their machinery or equipment for a very long time without going through unnecessary breakdowns.

Mr. Phiri disclosed that a malfunctioning tractor, combine harvester or another piece of equipment can mean visiting a mechanics work shop for repairs or waiting on a service call, all while getting behind on important farm chores. 

He adds that lubricating of all moving parts on farm machinery reduces friction and enhances the life expectancy of machinery and parts.  

“It is important to use a good quality lubricant and to always clear up dirt and messes found on the machine before adding new lubricant.  Buildups and dirt should be cleared out so your machine parts can run smoothly at all times,” explains Mr. Phiri.

He further said that farmers must master the sound of their machines so that any strange sound or noise on the machine must be a clear indication that something is not right.

“It is important to keep an eye or ear out for these signs so you can get your farm machinery serviced before a major breakdown happens,” he said.

It is also important to do proper cleaning maintenance such as filter cleaning, buildup removal, vacuuming and dusting inside farm machinery so your machinery will look great for a long time to come.

In the next month’s edition look out for more exciting easy to follow maintenance tips on farm equipment.

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