Worksheets
SUBJECT: Agricultural Science
LEVEL: Forms 4 & 5
TOPIC: Care and Maintenance of Simple Tools & Equipment
CSEC Agricultural Science Syllabus
SECTION B: Crop Production
- Land Preparation and Farm Machinery
Specific objective(s):
4.4 Describe the care and maintenance of simple tools and equipment
SBA Skill:
Section B – Crop Production
No. 7. Clean and maintain simple tools
WHAT IS A TOOL?
A tool is any device that makes work easier. Tools are generally hand held and manually operated.
A range of tools are needed for different operations that are carried out in the farm. Some of these include:
- Construction e.g. hammer, measuring tape
- Land preparation e.g. garden fork, hoe, spade
- Planting and Nursery activities e.g. dibber, trowel, press board
- Watering e.g. bucket, watering can
- Pruning e.g. secateurs, pruning knife
- Harvesting e.g. knives, garden fork
- Grading and packing e.g. vacuum sealer
WHAT ARE EQUIPMENT?
Equipment are instruments that help make work on the farm easier. Equipment cannot work by themselves and therefore require an energy source to operate. Some examples of sources of energy that allow equipment to operate are:
- Electricity e.g. vacuum sealer, freezer
- Hydraulics e.g. Knapsack sprayer
- Springs e.g. Scale
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT.
Tools and equipment must be well taken care of in order to ensure that they perform the tasks they were designed to do.
The following are some general guidelines for taking care of tools and equipment:
- Observe the tool for condition e.g. broken, needs repairs, needs sharpening, needs cleaning
- Wooden handles should be well set, strong and durable.
- Moving parts should be well oiled and greased regularly
- Decide on appropriate actiong e.g.
a. Clean tool
b. where necessary e.g. fix handles, tighten parts, change parts, etc
c. Sharpen if necessary before and after use.
d. Metal parts should be well oiled and greased to prevent rusting.
3. Tools should be washed and dried after each use and stored in a special room after each use.
CARE OF A SIMPLE TOOL e.g. Secateurs
Step 1
Clean all metal parts thoroughly using a scourer or fine wire wool to remove any rust and build-up of plant and sap residue left on the blades.
Step 2
Using a file, sharpen the cutting blade on an angle from the outside edge and then the inside edge to leave the blade sharp.
Step 3
- Oil the moving parts, keeping them lubricated and smooth so that the parts repel water from the metal parts, thus avoiding rust.
- Oil the spring and revolving shaft.
STUDENT SELF ASSESSMENT
Tools and Equipment Worksheet
Download/Print fillable PDF to start
Agricultural Science Form Four – Care & Maintenance of Tools & Equipment
Sources:
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-maintain-secateurs/
Additional Resources
PENNACOOL
MOE SCHOOL LMS
DRIVEWISE
