Agricultural & Forestry Machinery: Types and Functions

Posted on Aug 14, 2025 in Technology

Agricultural & Forestry Machinery

Engine Injection Systems

These systems are crucial for engine performance in various machinery.

Lightweight Engine Systems

  • Mechanical Rotary Injection Pump Distributor: A mechanical rotary injection pump distributor.
  • High-Pressure Rotary Injection Pump: Mechanical high-pressure rotary injection pump with common control.
  • Common Rail System: Features an electronic control injector pump.

Heavy-Duty Engine Systems

  • Mechanical Rotary Distributor Injection Pump: A heavy-duty mechanical rotary distributor injection pump.
  • Rotary Injector Pump: Includes a linear plunger pump with an electronic control unit.
  • Mechanical Common-Rail System Pump: A mechanical common-rail system pump.

Moldboard Plows

Moldboard plows are essential for soil preparation in agriculture.

Plow Classification

  • By Body Disposition: Fixed and reversible.
  • By Number of Bodies: Single-furrow (monosurco) and multi-furrow (polisurco).
  • By Flip Mechanism: Fixed or reversible.
  • By Size.

Plow Components

  • Coupling
  • Frame (bed)
  • Bodies (moldboard and landside)
  • Dumping mechanism
  • Regulation mechanism
  • Anti-snag system

Fertilizer Spreading Machines

These machines supply the soil with necessary chemical elements and oligo-elements for plant development.

Centrifugal Fertilizer Spreaders

Designed for solid mineral fertilizers, operating by centrifugal force.

  • Hopper: Where fertilizer is stored.
  • Stirrer: Stirs and chops the fertilizer.
  • Doser: Regulates fertilizer flow.
  • Distributor: Spreads the fertilizer.

Manure Spreader Trailers (D-Type)

These trailers typically have a single bottom. For example, a 2O3 box where chains rotate via rollers located on two axles. At the rear, the distributor mechanism receives power from the PTO (Power Take-Off).

Liquid Fertilizer Tanks

A thermal tank mounted on a reversible trailer. It usually moves by turning, acting as an engine compressor or depressor compressor, from which a pipe enters the tank.

Chainsaw Features & Operation

A portable mechanical saw, typically powered by a gasoline engine, used for felling, limbing, bucking, pruning, cutting firebreaks in wildland fire suppression, and harvesting firewood.

Chainsaw Power Plant

  • Engine: 2-stroke air-cooled engine.
  • Fuel System: Fuel tank and valve system.
  • Starting System: Decompression starting system.
  • Drive Components: Clutch, drive pinion, and drag elements.
  • Security Elements.

Cutting Mechanism

  • Chain
  • Chain guide
  • Lubrication system

Safety Elements

  • Accelerator Blocker: A key that prevents acceleration if not pressed.
  • Hand Protector: For the left hand, to prevent contact with the chain.
  • Chain Protector: An extension of the handle.
  • Support Teeth: To dig into the bark for stability.
  • Anti-Vibration Mounts.

Cold Start Procedure

  1. Tighten the decompression valve.
  2. Lock the brake.
  3. Turn on the switch.
  4. Close the throttle.
  5. Block the accelerator trigger.
  6. Place the machine on the floor, holding it with your left foot.
  7. Hold the front handle and pull the starter rope with your right hand.
  8. Open the throttle.
  9. Pull the rope until it starts.
  10. Open the choke a little if necessary.
  11. Accelerate until it stops.

Shredders & Brush Cutters

Large capacity machines used for selective clearing. They clear brush without breaking it, leaving remains in the soil to enrich it. They attach via a three-point hitch and are PTO-driven. The arm motor is hydraulically driven. At the back, there is a gearbox and gears.

Shredder Types

  • String Shredders: For clearing with strings, horizontal rotation, adjustable cutting height.
  • Blade Shredders: Cutting organ with blades that shred the material.
  • Hammer Shredders.

Skidder: Log Dragging Machine

A 4×4 log dragging machine. It has a powerful engine for log dragging and two low-range motors for turning. It features large displacement, high power, and resistance. It lifts sensitive elements. Known for good traction, good safety, and robust transmission (servo, direct, and hydrostatic).

Skidder Components

  • Winch: Single or double, mounted on the subframe and PTO-driven.
  • Integral Arch: Located behind the winch turret, with a roller on the upper part and two lateral rollers, allowing log lifting.
  • Shield: Rear armor that serves as support for logs.
  • Blade: Used to move and stack logs, also for anchoring.
  • Hydraulic Grapple: Mounted on the subframe, used to lower logs without a cable.

Skidder Working Procedure

  1. Arrive at the work site.
  2. Anchor the blade.
  3. Engage the parking brake.
  4. Release the chokers.
  5. Operate the winch and gather the logs.
  6. Release the machine from its anchor.
  7. Begin extraction.

Hydraulic Cranes for Transport

An accessory for transport work. It can be mounted on trucks (between the cab and the bed or at the end) or on tractor frames. It is hydrostatically driven/pumped via a high-powered PTO.

Crane Types

  • Extended: Mounted over the truck bed.
  • Foldable: Folds into a Z-shape.

Rotator & Load Capacity

The rotator allows continuous rotation, which is indispensable for gripping the load. The grapple has a valve that opens or closes. Load capacity decreases proportionally with arm length.

Spider Excavator (Retroaraña)

A backhoe with a hydrostatic, rotating end. It has two wheels and hydraulic-powered leg cylinders. The front legs are telescopic. It is 4×2, capable of navigating difficult terrain, bridges, and moving through forests by ‘crawling’ with its front legs. These machines are typically used as brush cutters.