Front Loader
A front loader is a common example of farm implements and equipment. This open bucket attaches to the front of a tractor to perform various tasks — most prominently, moving significant amounts of materials. You can use a front loader implement to transfer manure, fertilizer, gravel, soil, snow or any other material on the farm. Front loader arms can also connect to other bucket designs, pallet loaders and various other tools for optimal versatility.
Backhoe
Backhoe implements attach to the tractor’s rear. They typically have a longer arm than front loaders and feature a small toothed bucket, making this implement ideal for digging. Many farmers also use backhoes for moving dirt and grading, especially for small-scale projects. While backhoes offer less versatility than other implements, they’re extremely powerful digging tools.
Box Blade
Though farmers may overlook a box blade as a necessary tool, most find uses for them. Box blades feature scarifiers to break up the ground before the box pushes it forward and a blade to smooth the dirt out. This implement is pulled behind a tractor for leveling and grading, which is especially useful when creating paths or roads. A box blade can come in handy anywhere you need to move dirt and smooth out the ground.
Post Hole Digger
Post hole diggers attach to the tractor’s rear and bore perfect holes in the ground. This implement is mechanical, connecting to the tractor’s power so the operator can control it from the cab. To create the desired hole size, you can select auger bits with different diameters and lengths. Post hole diggers are primarily used to dig holes for fence posts, though you may also use them when you’re planting trees or shrubbery. If you find yourself frequently digging fence holes, this implement can significantly simplify that task.
Rotary Tiller
Rotary tillers are important pieces of farm equipment that allow you to use your tractor to till your fields. Farmers use rotary tillers to prepare old fields for new crops. This implement features rotating tines that cut into the ground to turn up fresh, loose soil.
Farmers typically till to soften and prepare a field for planting new seeds. Rotary tiller implements are also helpful for tilling cover crops, which protect the soil until it’s ready for your crops. Tilling in cover crops can add nutrients and fertilizer back into the soil.
Spreader
Spreaders are extremely versatile farm implements that scatter materials on the ground. For example, spreaders can spread seeds, compost, fertilizer, lime, wood chips or road salt, among other materials. While you can find spreaders in many different designs, they all feature a hopper to hold the material and a wheel that spins to release the material behind the tractor.
Spreaders can be either ground-driven or power-driven, which refers to how the hopper releases the material. Ground-driven spreaders derive power from the wheel movement and will start spreading as soon as the wheels start moving. Power-driven spreaders connect to the tractor’s power take-off (pto), giving the operator more control over when the spreader starts releasing material.
Sprayer
You can use sprayers to spread liquid materials over fields. For example, a sprayer implement helps farmers spray liquid fertilizers or pesticides across fields quickly and easily. Sprayers come in various designs and sizes, allowing you to find one that fits your needs. They can also attach to a three-point hitch or the tractor’s rear.
Pallet Fork
Pallet forks can attach to front loader arms in place of the bucket or directly to the bucket. Various industries use pallet fork implements to move pallets and oversized loads. On a farm, forks are versatile, allowing you to move anything from pallets and crates to hay bales and boxed products. You can also use pallet forks to move long objects like pipes or tree branches that wouldn’t sit in a front loader bucket.
Rotary Cutter
Rotary cutters go by many names, including brush hogs or brush cutters. You can use this implement to cut long grass, weeds, brush and shrubs to a more manageable length.
Grain Cart
Also called chaser bins, farmers use grain carts beside combine harvesters. A tractor will pull a grain cart next to a combine to collect the grain. Since the combine isn’t collecting the grain, it won’t have to stop to unload it before going back to cutting. The grain cart makes collecting and transporting the grain much simpler.
Hay Rake
A hay rake is pulled behind a tractor to arrange hay or straw into neat lines or windrows for baling. Hay rakes can also turn wet hay over so it dries quicker. A series of pronged wheels that create a “v” shape behind the tractor grab loose hay and collect it in rows. You’ll find hay rakes in several sizes and variations to meet different farming needs.
