UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES

Apokon Road, Tagum City

College of Agriculture and Related Sciences

Fundamentals of
Agricultural
Engineering

Agricultural Engineering
Definition:
It is the area of engineering concerned with
the design, construction and improvement of
farming equipment and machinery. Agricultural
engineers integrate technology with farming.
Significance:
With fundamental knowledge you can apply
information technologies that will promote
efficient and effective work performance and be
able to address issues related to it.

A. Farm Mechanization
Definition
It is the application of animal and
machine power to multiply mans ability
to perform production operations.
It permits man to multiply his
production by the use of animal and
fuel power.

A. Farm Mechanization
History
Spanish Era-1890s machine is first
introduced in the Philippines and used in big
estates of sugar plantations.
1940s Machines introduced are rice thresher
and rice mills, sugarcane mills, water pumps.
There was also mobile application of fourwheel tractors for land preparation.
1980s-90s mechanization slowed down due
to political, social and financial constraints.

A. Farm mechanization
Sources of Farm Power
1. Human Power
-is the oldest sources of power
in the farm but considered as poor
source since it develops only 0.1 hp
working continuously under favorable condition.

2. Animal Power
-Carabao is the major beast of burden
In the Philippines. It can generate 1hp
Walking continuously under favorable
Conditions.

A. Farm mechanization
Sources of Farm Power
3. Electric Motors
-these are electro-mechanical devices
used to convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy

A. Farm mechanization
ADVANTAGES
Human Power

Animal Power

Electric Motor

Low cost labor

Low initial cost

Available in diff hp
sizes ( , , 1, 1 )

can work at any sizes

of farm

Easy to maintain

Compact

Can work in any

topography

Rarely bogs down in

mud

Long life

Can work closer to

levees

Easy to start and

simple to operate

Mobile in most terrain

Quiet operation

Can be reproduced

No exhaust fume

Sources of milk, meat

and fertilizer

Potential for automatic

control

A. Farm mechanization
ADVANTAGES
Human Power

Animal Power

Electric Motor

Limited working period

due to intense heat

Low work capacity

Not adapted to mobile

applications

Working capacity
depends on workers
physical capacity

More labor input and

drudgery

Use only on farms with

existing electric lines

Limited working period

due to intense heat
from the sun

Affected by power
outage

Prone to disability by
disease
Require daily attention
Can cause unsanitary
conditions when in
poor sanitation