There are over 2 million farms in the United States, and 89% of them are small farms. If you’re one of the people who make their living on a family farm or simply do it as a hobby, then you need equipment. Large-scale farming is much too big for your purposes, but something smaller would do the job. The type and size of your farm may have something to do with it, but there are certain items that every farm needs. Here’s a list of 8 must-have farming equipment for your farm.
Utility Vehicle
A farm is a big place, and you need something to get around on. A utility vehicle will do just the trick. A utility vehicle can go where other vehicles can’t. It can go off-road, in the bush, through the mud, and everywhere in between. You can hook up a cargo box for carrying tools and small pieces of equipment. You can also get one with a tow hitch for those bigger items. They are lightweight, have great tires, and have a low center of gravity, so getting stuck or tipping over is very hard to do.
Pickup Truck
A pickup truck is probably the most common piece of equipment seen on farms of any size, and there’s a good reason for that. They are great for moving equipment around and hauling cargo in the bed or the trailer hitch. The truck is very versatile in that it can help move almost anything, from building supplies to tools to farm feed. In addition, you can haul things like crops, produce, and livestock with the hitch.
Post-Hole Digger
No farm is complete without fences. There are fences to keep animals out, fences to keep animals in, fences to enclose your vegetables, and fences to delineate your property. Sometimes those fences need to change positions quickly as well. A post-hole digger will save you hours of labor. You can also use it to build decks and sheds and even plant trees. While technically, you could dig the holes yourself, the fact is that it’s strenuous and time-consuming. Get it done fast with a post-hole digger.
Mower and Lawn Care Equipment
Speaking of taking a long time, the farm’s lawn often takes up an enormous amount of space. Mowing it would take hours, if not the entire day. Investing in a riding lawnmower makes sense. On top of that, you will need other lawn care equipment. This includes a trimmer and an edger. If you are making hay, you might need a drum mower. You want your farm to look good from the outside so that you have a professional appearance. Mowing your meadow or front lawn is a must for any farm.
Tractor
The tractor does the most heavy lifting at the farm. They come in various sizes and types, so one is perfect for your farm. Try to get a versatile one with a hitch on the front and the back. You can dig, haul, sow, and everything in between. In case of hot days or rainy days, make sure you have a Kubota tractor canopy to protect you from the elements. For really small farms, a walk-behind tractor might be the most appropriate. It can have any number of attachments, such as a bailer and a seeder.
Manure Spreader
If you have livestock, then you will need a manure spreader. Piles of manure build up, even in the pasture, and it can be hard to deal with. Manure is important for soil fertility and reduces contaminated soil. You need to spread this manure evenly and thinly over your land. You can purchase a compact manure spreader that attaches to your tractor. This can carry more manure at a time, which is helpful if you have a lot of animals that spend a lot of time in and around the barn.
Composter
Composting is one of the best things you do for your farm and for the environment. It reduces waste going to landfills, feeds soil and plants, and gives them vital nutrients. It’s not hard to make your own compost box, but if you have bigger needs, then you might need a commercial unit. You can get a low-cost one that simply contains the compost with perforated holes in the side for aeration, or you can get the self-tumbling kind. The tumbling kind is easy to use and can service most small yards. They create compost faster, so you can turn it over and refill it again quickly. Make sure that you get worms to speed things up and to make the process faster.
Livestock Trailer
Large livestock, like horses and cows, means you need a livestock trailer. You will have to move them from place to place, and it’s much easier than asking other to borrow a trailer or rent one. Often you need them moved fast, so renting isn’t an option. The good thing about livestock trailers is that they can be used for other things, such as hauling. If you have to move lumber and you need to keep it dry, it’s the perfect solution. It can also function as temporary storage as well. Depending on the size of the farm and your needs, you can get a two-horse or four-horse trailer.
No matter how big or small your farm is, the fact is that you’ll need equipment. You might think it’s so small you would never need it, but sometimes the right tool can make the job easier and do it better than if you did it yourself. You might not need all of the equipment listed here, but there’s almost certainly something you can use.
