Mechanization and Agricultural Technologies

Objectives

Comprehend how engines, transmissions, agricultural tractors function and farm machine is linked to tractors.

Cost/benefit of agricultural mechanization.

Learn how the various agricultural practices occur, which equipment operate them, how power demand is calculated, field capacity and field efficiency.

Program

1. Transmissions

1.1 Mechanical transmissions.

1.2 Hydraulic – hydrostatic transmissions.

2. Tractor 2.1 Engines

2.2 Tractor transmissions

3. Agricultural operations

3.1 Use of agricultural equipment

3.2 Soil preparation and tillage

3.3 Fertilization

3.4 Sowing and planting

3.5 Crop protection

3.6 Harvest and conservation

Teaching Methodologies

Theoretical classes will be done in class, and so will be the theoretical-practical classes, but in the later one exercises will be explained and solved. Practical classes will be realized in Granja Universitária, private farms and farm machinery workshops.

Bibliography

Briosa, F. 1984. Glossário Ilustrado de mecanização Agrícola. Lisboa

Cerqueira, J. M. C. 1991. Operações e Máquinas – Agricultura Geral. Clássica Editora, Portugal

Ortiz-Cañavate, J. 1980. Las Maquinas Agricolas y su Aplicacion. Ediciones Mundi-Prensa, Espanha

Pérez M.P. e Turon J.E. 1999. Handbook of Agriculture. Idea Books S.A., Barcelona, Espanha.