Farm Equipment, Chapter XI
Chapter XI
Farm Equipment.
87.
The equipment of a farm is a matter that has a close relation to the possible profits from operating it. The farmer must have sufficient work stock and machinery for operating the place easily and well. He must also have suitable buildings for storing his produce. Chapter III suggests a proportion for the investment of capital which will give satisfactory results in the general organization of the farm. The individual farmer, however, must study the problems which confront him, and erect buildings or buy machinery only as it can be shown that they will add to the profit form his farm, or lessen the labor of himself or the family, or add to the comforts and pleasures of the home. Some farmers will need corn cultivators, others need potato diggers, while still others need grain binders, hay loaders, or manure spreaders. Even in the same community, there is a great difference in the needs of the individual farmers for equipment or buildings.
88. Buildings, an Expense to the Farm.
Few buildings return a direct profit on the money invested in them. It is necessary for the farmer to have a house for his family to live in, but it really does not add to the production from the farm. It is rather a bill of expense. The depreciation and upkeep will amount to five per cent or more on the investment. So far as securing profits from the operation of the farm is concerned, therefore, it is to the farmer's interest to invest as little as possible in the house. A good house undoubtedly adds to the value of a farm as a home and increases its selling value, but does not in any way increase the production from the farm. The desire for comfort and the personal satisfaction of living in a good home must be weighed against the possibilities of112
Farm Equipment
113
91. Size of
Machinery to Buy.
in good order, but good housing is expensive and adds to the machinery cost of the farm. Machines that stand outdoors, warp and twist badly, thus increasing the friction when they are put to use. Machines stored in poor machine sheds with leaky roofs and wet floors, often rust quite as badly as if they were standing outdoors. Attention should be given also to the care of machines while in the field. Few operators take the time and care to properly oil the bearings. bolts are allowed to become loose, thus letting the machine sag or get out of adjustment. The matter of adjustment of the bearings and cutting devices also, is a factor in determining the length of
[Fig. 49.--A cheap but effective protection for machinery.]
time the machine can be used. Attention to these small details will add very much to the usefulness and length of life of a machine.
It is a good practice to go over the farm machinery at least once each year, tightening up bolts, renewing worn portions and making sure that the bearings are in good order for operation. If a forge and some blacksmith or carpenter tools can be had, much of the ordinary repair work can be done by the farmer or his sons. The saving in the cost of the work will not be great perhaps, but the saving in time, in going to the shop in the village, may amount to considerable. Much of this repair work can be done on rainy days or in winter when
118 Farm Management
farm work is not pressing, and the machines can be put in good condition then for the busy days during the seeding and harvest seasons. The depreciation of farm machinery is illustrated by Table I which is taken from Bulletin No. 117 of the Minnesota Experiment Station. These figures cover the depreciation of machinery on a number of Minnesota farms where records were kept during the years from 1902 to 1907.
These figures are taken from the statistical work on the Northfield, Marshall, and Halstad routes for the years 1902 to 1907. It is likely that figures for later years would vary slightly from those given, but the table is regarded as approximately correct for the North-Central states.
paying the bills from the
earnings of
the farm. The average sized farm in the United States is
138.1
acres. In Minnesota it is 177 acres. Few of the
Minnesota
farms under the present system of farming can afford to pay interest on
an investment in a house for the farmer and his family of more than
$2,000 to $2,500. If a house costing more than that amount is
erected the additional investment should be charged as a personal
expense to the individual, and not as an operating expense against the
farm. On many small farms a house costing $1,000 to $1,200
would
adequately care for the labor necessary
[Fig. 46.--A comfortable but moderate priced barn that shelters a
highly productive herd of cows. For such a purpose the
expense is
warranted.]
to operate the farm. In other states and particularly in the South, the dwellings will cost less than the amount indicated. The practice should be to charge against the operating expense of the farm only such dwellings as are used to shelter the working force of the farm, or in some way add to the farm income. In cases where a tenant house is provided to house and feed the farm labor, the owner's house should not be charged to the operating expense of the farm, but as a personal expense to the farmer.
Barns and other building likewise, must be made to add to the income of the farm by sheltering productive live stock;
114 Farm Management
by protecting feed or market products from deterioration; or by affording shelter to productive labor. If they do not, they become a bill of expense to the farm. There should be a well demonstrated need for a building before its erection is undertaken.
[Fig. 46.--A comfortable but moderate priced barn that shelters a
highly productive herd of cows. For such a purpose the
expense is
warranted.]to operate the farm. In other states and particularly in the South, the dwellings will cost less than the amount indicated. The practice should be to charge against the operating expense of the farm only such dwellings as are used to shelter the working force of the farm, or in some way add to the farm income. In cases where a tenant house is provided to house and feed the farm labor, the owner's house should not be charged to the operating expense of the farm, but as a personal expense to the farmer.
Barns and other building likewise, must be made to add to the income of the farm by sheltering productive live stock;
114 Farm Management
by protecting feed or market products from deterioration; or by affording shelter to productive labor. If they do not, they become a bill of expense to the farm. There should be a well demonstrated need for a building before its erection is undertaken.
89. What Machinery to Buy.
The farmer is often
confronted with the
question of what machinery to buy, what size would be most economical
and how to care for it so as to get the greatest use from it and make it
last. As a rule, the
[Fig. 47.--Shelter that costs but little. Such shelter is
neither
attractive nor comfortable. It detracts from rather than adds
to
the value of the farm.]
American farmer is inclined to overstock with machinery. New inventions have been numerous and manufacturers are good advertisers. As a result, the farmers are led to try many machines before their value has been established or their wearing qualities determined. The consequence is, that many must soon be discarded as poorly adapted to the work to be done. It is best not to be too hasty in buying new inventions. Experiment Stations and wealthy farm owners should do the experimenting. Farmers who have to pay for their machinery from the earnings of their farm, should stick to the "standard" machines.
Farm Equipment 115
[Fig. 47.--Shelter that costs but little. Such shelter is
neither
attractive nor comfortable. It detracts from rather than adds
to
the value of the farm.]American farmer is inclined to overstock with machinery. New inventions have been numerous and manufacturers are good advertisers. As a result, the farmers are led to try many machines before their value has been established or their wearing qualities determined. The consequence is, that many must soon be discarded as poorly adapted to the work to be done. It is best not to be too hasty in buying new inventions. Experiment Stations and wealthy farm owners should do the experimenting. Farmers who have to pay for their machinery from the earnings of their farm, should stick to the "standard" machines.
90. Calculate when to Buy Machinery.
Investments in machinery
should be made
only after carefully calculating the probabilities of being able to
make the machine pay interest on the investment. This can be
done
by considering, (1) The quality of the wk that can be done with and
without the machine. (2) The cost of the work, with and
without.
(The cost includes interest, depreciation, cost of care,
storage,
insurance, risk, and repairs.) (3) The returns form the same
capital invested in live stock, labor, or other enterprise.
(4)
The gain or loss in quality of product, with and without the machine.
(5) The saving of man or horse labor. Other factors
such as
greater amount of time for recreation, or for other more agreeable
work, should also be considered, though they do not necessarily affect
the profits. The original or first cost of the machine under
consideration, should not be made the sole factor in the question.
The cost per acre or per unit of product, should be made the
basis
of machinery cost and investment. The total cost for a year
including interest on investment, repairs, depreciation, oil, and
shelter, divided by the number of acres handled, will give the cost per
acre for the machine. Calculations of the cost per acre of
doing
the same work without the machine should be made also and a method
reached that will give the greatest possible gain. (See page
24,
Chapter III.)
91. Size of
Machinery to Buy.
Machines are made in
various sizes.
In buying a new machine, a farmer should consider at least
two
things. First, the amount of work to be done; second, the
motive
power available. It is a mistake to buy too small a machine
and
just as great a mistake to buy a machine so large that the motive power
cannot adequately propel the machine. In determining what
size to
buy the capacity must be considered. The following example
will
illustrate. A farmer has ten cows, each giving 5,000 pounds
of
milk yearly. The aggregate amount of milk will be 50,000
pounds a
year. Which will be most economical to buy for
116 Farm Management
separating the milk, a separator with a capacity of 450 pounds per hour costing $100, or one with a capacity of 600 pounds per hour, for $125? In separating 50,000 pounds of milk with the 450 pound separator, 111 hours will be required, which at 14 cents per hour, will cost $15.54. With the 600-pound machine, 83 hours will be required costing $11.62. there will be again in labor saved, therefore, of $3.92. This, however, is not all profit. there is an additional investment in the machine of $25.00, which at 6 per cent would bear $1.50 interest. The depreciation also must be considered on the additional cost of investment. It is estimated that the depreciation on milk separators is 5 per cent. Five per cent on $25.00 will
[Fig. 48.--An expensive way of storing machinery.]
be $1.25. This added to the interest on the additional investment, amounts to $2.75. Subtracting the additional interest and depreciation charge of $2.75 from $3.92 saved in labor, would leave a net gain of $1.17 per year in the use of the larger machine. Similar calculations can be made comparing the gain to be made from the purchase of a large or small drill; the purchase of small walking plows or a large gang plow; the use of large and small grain binders; and many other machines used about the farm.
116 Farm Management
separating the milk, a separator with a capacity of 450 pounds per hour costing $100, or one with a capacity of 600 pounds per hour, for $125? In separating 50,000 pounds of milk with the 450 pound separator, 111 hours will be required, which at 14 cents per hour, will cost $15.54. With the 600-pound machine, 83 hours will be required costing $11.62. there will be again in labor saved, therefore, of $3.92. This, however, is not all profit. there is an additional investment in the machine of $25.00, which at 6 per cent would bear $1.50 interest. The depreciation also must be considered on the additional cost of investment. It is estimated that the depreciation on milk separators is 5 per cent. Five per cent on $25.00 will
[Fig. 48.--An expensive way of storing machinery.]be $1.25. This added to the interest on the additional investment, amounts to $2.75. Subtracting the additional interest and depreciation charge of $2.75 from $3.92 saved in labor, would leave a net gain of $1.17 per year in the use of the larger machine. Similar calculations can be made comparing the gain to be made from the purchase of a large or small drill; the purchase of small walking plows or a large gang plow; the use of large and small grain binders; and many other machines used about the farm.
92. Maintenance.
There is a great difference
in the rate
at which different farmers wear out machinery and equipment.
The
good care-taker can do much to prolong the life of his machinery.
Proper housing is essential to keeping machinery
Farm Equipment 117in good order, but good housing is expensive and adds to the machinery cost of the farm. Machines that stand outdoors, warp and twist badly, thus increasing the friction when they are put to use. Machines stored in poor machine sheds with leaky roofs and wet floors, often rust quite as badly as if they were standing outdoors. Attention should be given also to the care of machines while in the field. Few operators take the time and care to properly oil the bearings. bolts are allowed to become loose, thus letting the machine sag or get out of adjustment. The matter of adjustment of the bearings and cutting devices also, is a factor in determining the length of
[Fig. 49.--A cheap but effective protection for machinery.]time the machine can be used. Attention to these small details will add very much to the usefulness and length of life of a machine.
It is a good practice to go over the farm machinery at least once each year, tightening up bolts, renewing worn portions and making sure that the bearings are in good order for operation. If a forge and some blacksmith or carpenter tools can be had, much of the ordinary repair work can be done by the farmer or his sons. The saving in the cost of the work will not be great perhaps, but the saving in time, in going to the shop in the village, may amount to considerable. Much of this repair work can be done on rainy days or in winter when
118 Farm Management
farm work is not pressing, and the machines can be put in good condition then for the busy days during the seeding and harvest seasons. The depreciation of farm machinery is illustrated by Table I which is taken from Bulletin No. 117 of the Minnesota Experiment Station. These figures cover the depreciation of machinery on a number of Minnesota farms where records were kept during the years from 1902 to 1907.
Table I
Annual Depreciation in Value of Farm Machinery Expressed in Percentages
Annual Depreciation in Value of Farm Machinery Expressed in Percentages
| Machine | Northfield, Rice County Per Cent | Marshall, Lyon County Per Cent | Halstad Norman County Per Cent | 1820-acre farm, Norman County Per Cent | 640-acre farm, Stevens County Per Cent | Average all Machines Per Cent |
| Grain Binders | 8.33 | 9.44 | 7.47 | 6.53 | 10.57 | 7.91 |
| Grain drills and seeders | 7.27 | 8.07 | 6.53 | 4.36 | 6.47 | 6.75 |
| Threshing outfit | NA | NA | NA | 12.00 | NA | 12.00 |
| Corn binders | 11.46 | 10.16 | 11.40 | NA | 9.00 | 10.03 |
| Corn planters | 6.74 | 8.54 | NA | NA | NA | 7.15 |
| Corn cultivators | 6.67 | 9.04 | 6.97 | 4.66 | 5.00 | 7.25 |
| Mowers | 7.25 | 10.01 | 6.97 | 7.28 | 8.93 | 7.80 |
| Hay tedders | 4.84 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4.84 |
| Hay loaders | 11.78 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 11.78 |
| Hay rakes | 7.68 | 7.51 | 8.46 | 5.81 | 5.00 | 7.80 |
| Gang plows | 10.51 | 7.16 | 6.69 | 8.46 | 6.71 | 7.40 |
| Sulky plows | 10.27 | 11.93 | 5.77 | NA | 3.70 | 8.42 |
| Walking plows | 4.77 | 7.29 | 7.64 | NA | 8.82 | 6.09 |
| Wagons | 6.66 | 4.86 | 5.44 | 2.47 | 5.90 | 4.89 |
| Harrows | 11.01 | 8.20 | 7.93 | 8.89 | 6.78 | 8.72 |
| Disks | 5.41 | 7.46 | NA | 3.35 | 7.50 | 5.19 |
| Manure spreaders | 10.50 | 12.59 | NA | NA | 10.00 | 11.67 |
| Hay racks | 14.57 | 14.89 | 10.30 | 5.12 | NA | 7.76 |
| Reapers | NA | NA | NA | 8.13 | NA | 8.13 |
| Grain tanks | NA | NA | NA | 3.47 | NA | 3.47 |
| Sleds | 5.66 | 4.50 | 6.82 | 8.20 | NA | 5.81 |
| Fanning mills | 5.00 | 4.97 | NA | 3.66 | 3.33 | 4.58 |
| Horse weeders | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5.71 | 5.71 |
| Harness, heavy | 5.97 | 6.63 | 7.21 | NA | 4.44 | 6.17 |
| Gasoline engines | 3.92 | NA | NA | NA | 10.00 | 7.35 |
Farm Equipment
119
It will be noticed from the
table that
there is a large variation in the rate of depreciation on various
machines. Manure spreaders, hay loaders, and threshing
outfits
depreciate quite rapidly in value. Hay tedders, fanning
mills,
and grain tanks or wagon boxes, depreciate comparatively slowly.
The rate of depreciation will not be the same on all farms,
but
by inventorying the cost price, and making an arbitrary valuation of
the machine each year, it will be possible by using the figures
covering ten to fifteen years, to determine the rate of depreciation on
any farm. Most farmers will not be in position to do this.
The figures used in the table will be applicable to the North
Central States quite largely. Where they do not apply, it
will
probably be safe to estimate the depreciation on machinery at 10 per
cent.
93. Machinery Cost per Acre.
It is a matter of interest
to know the
cost per acre for the various kinds of machinery used on the farm.
It may be made a factor in determing [sic]
the cost of producing crops. The cost per acre is determined
by
including all charges against each of the machines for the year, such
as interest, depreciation, repairs, oil, and cost of housing.
This cost for each machine divided by the number of acres
handled, determines the cost per acre for the use of the machinery.
Table II gives the values per acre for various machines used
on
farms in Minnesota.
94. Duty of Machinery.
The capacity of machinery
is often
determined by the motive power applied. A machine cannot be
run
at full capacity unless sufficient motive power is supplied.
The
efficiency or capacity of a machine is based on horse power or the
speed at which it is driven. Few machines perform all of the
labor of which they are capable, owing to the fact that the use of the
machine is interrupted by the demand for the farmer's time in doing
chores which keeps him from the field work. In other words,
the
machines are not used for the full length of time for which they are
capable.
120
Farm Management
Table II
Values in Farm Machinery Consumed Per Acre Annually, 1902-1907
Values in Farm Machinery Consumed Per Acre Annually, 1902-1907
| Machinery | Northfield, Rice County | Marshall, Lyon County | Halstad, Norman County | 1820 acre farm, Norman County | 640-acre farm, Stevens County | Average all Machines |
| Grain Machinery: | ||||||
| Binders | $0.240 | $0.247 | $0.160 | $0.135 | $0.175 | $0.181 |
| Reapers | NA | NA | NA | .171 | NA | .171 |
| Drills and seeders | .104 | .101 | .077 | .036 | .075 | .075 |
| Fanning mills | .019 | .016 | NA | .004 | .016 | .010 |
| Grain tanks | NA | NA | NA | .012 | NA | .011 [sic] |
| Wagons, sleds, and racks | .041 | .041 | .036 | .023 | NA | .034 |
| Corn Machinery: | ||||||
| Binders | 1.199 | .911 | .653 | NA | .251 | .826 |
| Planters | .094 | .080 | NA | NA | NA | .087 |
| Cultivators | .171 | .145 | .218 | NA | .086 | .155 |
| Wagons, sleds, and racks | .171 | .159 | .100 | NA | NA | .158 |
| Hay Machinery: | ||||||
| Mowers | .332 | .310 | .150 | .146 | .166 | .206 |
| Rakes | .152 | .106 | .081 | .018 | .026 | .085 |
| Tedders | .113 | NA | NA | NA | NA | .113 |
| Loaders | .300 | NA | .100 | NA | NA | .151 |
| Ropes, forks, etc. | .078 | .200 | NA | NA | NA | .120 |
| Wagons, sleds, and racks | .064 | .061 | .059 | .036 | NA | .059 |
| All crop machinery: | ||||||
| Plows | .086 | .132 | .078 | .061 | .119 | .087 |
| Harrows | .027 | .021 | .017 | .006 | .024 | .017 |
| Disks | .185 | .097 | NA | NA | .032 | .089 |
| Threshing outfit | NA | NA | NA | .335 | NA | .335 |
These figures are taken from the statistical work on the Northfield, Marshall, and Halstad routes for the years 1902 to 1907. It is likely that figures for later years would vary slightly from those given, but the table is regarded as approximately correct for the North-Central states.
Farm Equipment
121
Exercises for Pupils
1. Learn the cost of the houses of parents of the pupils and have each one calculate the interest charge at 6%, the depreciation at 3%, and add to these the cost of repairs for the year and determine the cost of sheltering the family.
2. Have the
pupils determine the
annual cost of owning a manure spreader costing $105. Also
determine the machinery cost per load of manure hauled and per acre
manured during the year. What would these costs be without
the
spreader?
3. Have the pupils learn from their parents the date of purchases and the first cost of a walking plow, a self binder, a lumber wagon, a grain drill or seeder, and a harrow. Other implements may be substituted if desired. Have them learn also the present value and determine the percentage rate of depreciation of each.
3. Have the pupils learn from their parents the date of purchases and the first cost of a walking plow, a self binder, a lumber wagon, a grain drill or seeder, and a harrow. Other implements may be substituted if desired. Have them learn also the present value and determine the percentage rate of depreciation of each.
Problems
1. A self binder costs $105.00. The interest rate is 6%; depreciation, 7.9%; repairs, $2.46; oil, 75 cents and shelter $2.00. What is the cost of the binder for the first year? for the second year?
2. If the binder is used to cut 40 acres of grain a year, what is the cost an acre for the machine? What would it be if 165 acres were cut?
3. On a certain farm there are 160 acres to plow annually. Five horses are kept for farm work. A gang plow can be bought for $65.00, or two walking plows for $30.00. The interest rate is 6%; depreciation on the gang plow is 7.40%; on the walking plows, 6.09%. Man labor costs $42.00 a month of 26 days. Horse labor costs 90 cents a day per horse and the five horses will be used in either case. Two men will be required to operate the walking plows; one to operate the gang plow. The plowing can be done in 40 days. What is the cost an acre under each way of plowing?
4. If teams walk two miles an hour and work 9 hours a day, which will plow the most a day and how much, three 2-horse teams with 12-inch plows, or two 3-horse teams with 16-inch plows?
5. A man can buy a manure spreader for $120.00 cash, or $125.00 on six months' time at 6%. What rate of interest does he actually pay if he buys on time?
6. A 14-inch walking plow costs $16.00. Its value at the last inventory was $12.00. The depreciation is 6%; interest rate is 6%. The cost of repairs for the year is $1.70. What is the cost an acre for the plow if 28 acres are plowed?
122 Farm Management
7. A mower is now inventoried at $30.00. The rate of depreciation is 8%. Money bears 6%. Repairs cost $3.80 and 35 cents worth of man labor. What is the cost an acre for the mower if 30 acres were cut?
8. A grain drill was purchased for $65.00. It has been in use for 6 years and is now inventoried at $32.00. what is the rate of depreciation?
References
Bulletin No. 117.--Minnesota Experiment Station.
"Farm Management."--F.W. Card, pages 40-47.
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