By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Mastering these skills will help you work efficiently and safely, keeping both yourself and the machinery in top condition for successful farm operations.
Compiled by: Everlyne Auma
Harvesting is a critical stage in horticultural production where the quality and quantity of the final yield are secured. Efficient operation of harvesting machinery not only improves productivity but also reduces crop losses and labour intensity, which is vital for Kenya’s horticultural farms supplying both local markets and export chains. Understanding the types and operation of harvesting machinery equips horticulture professionals to optimize harvest timing and method, ensuring produce freshness and shelf life. This chapter focuses on equipping students with the knowledge to identify, use, and maintain harvesting machinery specific to horticultural crops.
Harvesting machinery refers to the equipment designed to collect mature crops from the field efficiently. In Kenya’s horticultural sector, the choice of machinery depends on the crop type, farm size, and market requirements. Mechanization of harvesting is increasingly important in large-scale flower farms, vegetable plantations, and fruit orchards to meet high demand and maintain quality standards. This section explores the different types of harvesting machinery used in horticulture and their characteristics.
Harvesting machinery varies according to the crop type and harvesting method. Selecting appropriate machinery reduces damage to delicate horticultural produce and enhances operational efficiency. Below are the main types of harvesting machinery relevant to horticulture in Kenya.
Reapers are machines designed primarily to cut crops close to the ground. They are used mainly for cereal crops but adapted versions are employed in harvesting leafy vegetables like kale or spinach in large farms. Reapers reduce manual labour and speed up harvesting but require careful handling to avoid bruising tender leaves.
Mechanical harvesters are specialized machines that combine cutting, gathering, and sometimes initial cleaning of crops. In horticulture, mechanical tomato harvesters and potato diggers are common. These machines can harvest crops rapidly but are expensive and best suited to large farms with uniform crop planting.
Fruit pickers are tools or machines designed to detach fruits from trees without causing damage to the fruit or the tree. Manual fruit pickers with long poles and baskets are common in small-scale farms, whereas mechanical fruit harvesters use shaking or suction mechanisms to harvest citrus, apples, or mangoes efficiently.
Vegetable harvesters are machines designed to lift or pull root vegetables like carrots, onions, and garlic from the soil. These machines reduce manual digging and pulling, speeding up harvest time and reducing damage to the produce. They often have conveyor belts to transport the vegetables to collection points.
While combine harvesters are traditionally associated with cereal crops, specialized versions adapted for harvesting crops like peas or beans exist. These machines combine reaping, threshing, and winnowing functions, streamlining the harvesting process for certain vegetable legumes.
Create a free account to open more of this chapter.
Free: practical guides, quick cards, workplace scenarios and more.
Create a free accountThis chapter provides a comprehensive overview of harvesting machinery, detailing the various types including balers, mowers, combined harvesters, potato harvesters, and threshers. It explains the specific uses and operational procedures for each type, emphasizing their role in efficient farm harvesting. The chapter also covers essential maintenance practices such as servicing, repair, and proper storage to ensure machinery longevity and optimal performance. Practical guidance is given on how to operate each category of harvesting machinery safely and effectively on the farm. Additionally, the importance of regular maintenance routines is reinforced to prevent breakdowns and maintain productivity. Overall, the chapter equips learners with the knowledge to handle, operate, and care for harvesting machinery crucial for modern agricultural practices.
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Combine harvester model NH CR9060 | Personal Protective Equipment (overall, gloves, gumboots) |
| Maize sheller machine | |
| Sugarcane harvester | |
| Manual sickle | |
| Tape measure | |
| Notebook and pen |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Combine harvester model NH CR9060 | 1 pc per 3 Candidates |
| 2 | Maize sheller machine | 1 pc per 3 Candidates |
| 3 | Sugarcane harvester | 1 pc per 3 Candidates |
| 4 | Manual sickle | 1 pc per Candidate |
| 5 | Tape measure | 1 pc per Candidate |
| 6 | Notebook and pen | 1 set per Candidate |
| 7 | Personal Protective Equipment (overall, gloves, gumboots) | 1 set per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Identification and classification of harvesting machinery | |||
| Wore Personal Protective Equipment (overall, gloves, gumboots) (Award 1 mark for each PPE worn correctly or zero) | 3 | ||
| Collected and assembled the harvesting machinery and tools as per instruction (Award 0.5 mark for each item correctly assembled or zero) | 3 | ||
| Identified combine harvester and described its function and crops harvested (Award 5 marks for correct name, function, and crops or zero) | 5 | ||
| Identified maize sheller and described its function and crops harvested (Award 5 marks for correct name, function, and crops or zero) | 5 | ||
| Identified sugarcane harvester and described its function and crops harvested (Award 5 marks for correct name, function, and crops or zero) | 5 | ||
| Identified manual sickle and described its function and crops harvested (Award 4 marks for correct name, function, and crops or zero) | 4 | ||
| Recorded measurements or relevant specifications of each machine (e.g. header width, capacity) (Award 1 mark for each correct measurement or zero) | 5 | ||
| Sub-Total | 30 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Correct classification of harvesting machinery into mechanical and manual types (Award 5 marks for correct classification or zero) | 5 | ||
| Accurate description of operational features for each harvesting machine (Award up to 10 marks based on accuracy and completeness) | 10 | ||
| Clear identification of crops harvested by each machine (Award 5 marks for correct crop identification or zero) | 5 | ||
| Sub-Total | 20 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 50 | ||
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Square Baler Machine (Model: John Deere 348) | Maize stalks crop residue |
| Tractor (50 HP) | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves |
| Grease gun | Overall/Dustcoat |
| Wrench set | Gumboots |
| Water bucket | |
| Soap |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square Baler Machine (Model: John Deere 348) | 1 pc per Candidate |
| 2 | Tractor (50 HP) for towing baler | 1 pc per 2 Candidates |
| 3 | Maize stalks crop residue area (10m x 20m) | 1 area per Candidate |
| 4 | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves | 1 pair per Candidate |
| 5 | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Overall/Dustcoat | 1 pc per Candidate |
| 6 | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gumboots | 1 pair per Candidate |
| 7 | Grease gun with grease | 1 per 3 Candidates |
| 8 | Wrench set | 1 set per 3 Candidates |
| 9 | Water bucket (10L) | 1 bucket per Candidate |
| 10 | Soap for hand washing | 1 bar per 5 Candidates |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Preparation and PPE | |||
| Wore PPEs: gloves, overall/dustcoat, gumboots (Award 1 mark for each PPE worn) | 3 | ||
| Inspected the baler and tractor for safety and operational readiness (Award 2 marks for thorough inspection or zero) | 2 | ||
| Assembled all required tools and materials before operation (Award 2 marks for complete assembly or zero) | 2 | ||
| Sub-Total | 7 | ||
| TASK 2: Starting and Operating the Baler | |||
| Safely attached the baler to the tractor using the hitch (Award 3 marks for correct and safe attachment or zero) | 3 | ||
| Started the tractor and engaged the baler PTO correctly (Award 3 marks for correct starting procedure or zero) | 3 | ||
| Operated the baler to collect maize stalks efficiently without blockages (Award 5 marks for smooth, continuous operation or zero) | 5 | ||
| Monitored bale formation and adjusted settings to produce uniform bales (Award 3 marks for correct monitoring and adjustment or zero) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 14 | ||
| TASK 3: Stopping and Maintenance | |||
| Stopped the baler and tractor safely after completing the task (Award 3 marks for safe stopping procedure or zero) | 3 | ||
| Released the PTO and disengaged the baler properly (Award 2 marks for correct disengagement or zero) | 2 | ||
| Performed routine greasing and minor maintenance on the baler (Award 3 marks for proper maintenance or zero) | 3 | ||
| Cleaned the baler and surrounding area after operation (Award 3 marks for thorough cleaning or zero) | 3 | ||
| Disposed of waste material according to workplace procedures (Award 2 marks for proper waste disposal or zero) | 2 | ||
| Sub-Total | 13 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Produced square bales approximately 700mm x 500mm x 400mm with uniform size and shape (Award 5 marks for bales meeting dimension and uniformity specifications or zero) | 5 | ||
| Bales are tightly bound and secure for handling and transport (Award 4 marks for well-bound bales or zero) | 4 | ||
| No visible crop residue left uncollected in the baler working area (Award 3 marks for clean working area or zero) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 12 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 46 | ||
At the start of this chapter we promised you would be able to:
Tick each one you can genuinely do.
So, are you there yet?
You're competent when you can confidently do 50% or more of what this chapter promised.
Sign in to record how you're doing.