Information Sheet 1.1-1 Different Kinds of Tools, Farm Implements and Simple Equipment

Information Sheet 1.
1-1
Different kinds of tools, farm implements and simple equipment
Learning Objective:
After reading this information sheet, you must be able to determine the
kinds of tools, farm implements and simple equipment for agricultural crops.
In determining on how to prepare tools, farm implements and simple
equipment for agricultural crop operations, the trainees must be developing
skills on this.
Basic Gardening Tools
There are many different types of gardening tools available, both

hand and power operated. You don't have to buy the most
expensive tools available when starting to garden; if you find
later that you either don't need a specific tool, or don't care for
gardening as an activity, you will not have lost a large investment. Later you can
upgrade to the better quality tools, if desired.
Handles:
 Long-handled tools usually offer greater leverage

and reach, and often allow working from a standing
position. The handle may be either straight or have a D-
shaped hand grip on the end. With some tools, such as long-handled
pruners, handle extensions may be available.
 Short-handled tools are lighter in weight, usually

less expensive, more compact to store than the long-
handled varieties, and allow one to work efficiently
in confined spaces or while kneeling. Common
short-handled tools include hand pruners and clippers, hoes, garden
trowels, and cultivators.
 Handles are commonly constructed of wood (requires some additional

maintenance to keep splinter-free), fiberglass or plastic (check for cracks),
and sometimes metal (check for corrosion and cracks).
 If a handle or any other part of the tool is damaged or loose, it should
be repaired or replaced immediately. Pay particular attention to where
the handle fits into the tool for looseness or damage.
Hand Tools:
In no particular order, some of the more common hand gardening tools are listed
below (the same tool may have several different common names). This is only a
basic list, for there are many styles and variations of these and other tools
available to the home gardener.
 Spading Fork. These have heavy, flat tines and often a

D-shaped handle. They are used to open up the ground, dig bulbs,
incorporate soil amendments, and turn compost.
 Hoe. A hoe is used for weeding and scraping the

surface of the soil. Garden hoes include the
traditional flat scraping/chopping types, along with
the newer loop, scuffle or stirrup styles.
 Pitchfork/Manure Fork. Pitchforks and manure forks

have long, thin tines which are not as heavy as those on a
spading fork. They are used for picking up and moving
loose materials.
 Round-nosed Shovel. Used for heavy digging and

mixing, such as when incorporating soil amendments
or preparing planting holes.
 Square-nosed Shovel. The flat blade allows it to be

used to scoop up materials, level high spots in the soil, and
cut straight lines through sod and soil.
Mattock/Pickaxe. The mattock is a heavy, flat-

bladed tool designed to dig or grub in the soil. The
pickaxe, with its sharp points, is used to break up
heavy or rocky soils. Often a combination tool is found, which has a
mattock on one end of the tool head, and a pickaxe on the other end.
 Bow or Garden Rake. This is a heavy rake with

short, stiff tines supported by a flat or bow-shaped
metal frame. It is used for raking heavy materials,
removing rocks and other debris from the soil, and smoothing the soil in
preparation for planting.
 Leaf Rake. A light rake with long, thin, flexible

tines designed to gather leaves or other light
materials
 Cultivator. A tool with heavy curved

or bent tines, or sometimes multiple
spinning blades, designed to open up and
aerate the soil. The cultivator styles with tines are also used to mix
materials and to effectively loosen weed roots.
 Hand Pruner. Used for removing

flowers, light-weight foliage, and small
branches. They may have either anvil or
bypass blades.
Long-handled
 Pruner/Lopper.
These are long-handled versions of hand
pruners, and provide greater reach and
leverage, allowing for larger items to be cut. They may have either anvil or
bypass blades, and some of the heavy-duty versions have ratchet
mechanisms for additional power.
Pruning Saw. These are hand saws


designed for efficient garden pruning. They
may be either a single blade with a handle,
or utilize a metal or wood frame. Pruning saws may also be mounted on
long handles which allows higher branches to be cut from the ground
(these styles often have a rope-controlled lopper in addition to the saw).
 Garden Knife. Useful for cutting

twine and plant ties, opening bags, plant
propagation, opening up plant root balls,
and general garden use. The safest styles
have a sturdy fixed blade (often with serrations) which will not collapse on
your fingers during use.
 Axe/Hatchet. Axes and hatchets are used

to do rough chopping. Some axes have a
double blade, others a flat end on the head
which is used to carefully drive wooden stakes
(not metal, which might make the tempered axe head chip), while others
have a flat, transverse grubbing blade on the head for the removal of roots
(these are called a Pulaski, garden or grubbing axe). Hatchets are smaller,
short-handled versions of axes.
 Clipper/Shears. These are used to remove a layer

of vegetation from the surface of a planting, hedge, or
turf grass. Grass clippers trim turf grass, and hedge
shears are used to shape hedges and shrubs.
 Sickles. A curved, hand-held agricultural tool typically

used for harvesting cereal crops or cutting grass for hay. The
inside of the curve is the cutting edge, and is serrated.
 Wheelbarrow/Garden Cart. These are not only

used to move heavy and/or bulky materials such as
soil, garden debris, compost and plants, but also as
portable mixing containers for materials such as soil amendments and
even concrete.
 Garden Hose. Used to provide
supplemental water to your plants, clean items,
and sometimes to assist in applying fertilizers or
pesticides.
 Watering Can. No home or garden would be complete without

a high quality watering can. Perfect for watering indoor plants
and window boxes as well as hard to reach outdoor plants and flower bed.
Power Tools:
When using power tools read and follow all use and safety instructions, keep
them in good working condition, and remember that hot surfaces, spinning
blades, excessive noise, and thrown material may cause serious injury to the
operator and those nearby. Use eye and ear protection, and be sure to keep
children, other persons, and pets away from these tools when in use. With
electric tools be careful not to damage the cord or get things wet, and always use
and store gasoline and other liquid fuels in a safe location and manner.
 Lawn Mower. These are used to cut

turf grass. Walk-behind mowers may be
powered by gasoline or electricity; some
power mowers may be
 Either self-propelled or riding mowers. Power mowers often can be

configured to mulch or "grasscycle" clippings (returning the clippings to
the lawn). Large wheel, heavy-duty versions are available for cutting
weeds.
 Tiller/Cultivator.These are used to break

up large areas of compacted soil and to
quickly incorporate soil amendments. They
may also be used to loosen the soil prior to
grading.
 Lawn Edger. These are used to trim the edge of a

lawn or bed.
 String Trimmer. These devices use a heavy
string (usually plastic) on a revolving head to trim
grass and light plant material.
 Leaf Blower. Gasoline or electric, these use

forced air to push light material.
 Electric Clipper/Trimmer/Shears. These are

often used to trim turf grass, hedges and shrubs.
They may use a cord or battery.
General Suggestions:
Here are some general suggestions to consider when purchasing and using
garden tools:
 Use the correct tool for the job. Using the wrong tool for a task is not
only inefficient, but may damage the tool and endanger the user. For
example, most shovels are designed for digging, but if you use one for
prying it may fail, causing an injury.
 Try to select tools that not only fit the task, but also feel good in your
hands. You may be using these tools for a long time, and a tool that feels
good will make your gardening experience more enjoyable.
 Tools should be kept clean. Dirty tools are harder to hold and use, are
less safe, may deteriorate faster, make it more difficult to see any tool
damage, bring dirt into your tool storage area, and may transmit diseases
and pests to other parts of your garden. Often a quick wipe down or rinse
with a garden hose will remove most of the grime. Remember to disinfect
your tools after working with diseased plants or soils (see below).
 Edged tools should be kept sharp. Sharp tools require less effort to use,
making them both safer and more efficient. However, don't make your tools
razor-sharp, for too fine of an edge will chip or dull quickly under heavy
use. Edged tools include axes, hoes, shears, saws, mowers, garden knives,
and shovels (shovels "cut" into the soil).
 Protect your tools. Rain, sun, chemicals, impacts and excessive
temperatures can damage your tools. Keep them in a protected location
and maintain them properly.
 Keep your garden tools away from children and pets. Many garden tools
are sharp, pointed and/or heavy, and children may hurt themselves if they
handle these tools without supervision. Pets may also be harmed by sharp
tools, and may chew on hoses and handles.
 Be aware of your surroundings when using tools. Remember that others

may be working nearby or walk up unexpectantly, there may be overhead
wires or other obstructions, and there may also be underground utilities
or other items buried in the ground.
 When you set your tools down, do so in a place and manner that will
prevent accidental injury or damage.
 Purchase and use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as

gloves, sun protection, eye and ear protection, work shoes, knee pads, and
back braces for use in heavy lifting. Avoid loose-fitting clothing and
dangling hair when working around power tools.
 Disinfect tools and equipment after working with diseased plants.

Diseases may be transmitted to uninfected plants via contaminated garden
tools and equipment. Disinfect your tools by first washing them with soap
and water, then wiping them down with either rubbing alcohol or a freshly-
mixed 10% bleach solution in water.

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Information Sheet 1.

Different kinds of tools, farm implements and simple equipment

Basic Gardening Tools

There are many different types of gardening tools available, both

 Long-handled tools usually offer greater leverage

 Short-handled tools are lighter in weight, usually

 Handles are commonly constructed of wood (requires some additional

 Spading Fork. These have heavy, flat tines and often a

 Hoe. A hoe is used for weeding and scraping the

 Pitchfork/Manure Fork. Pitchforks and manure forks

 Round-nosed Shovel. Used for heavy digging and

 Square-nosed Shovel. The flat blade allows it to be

Mattock/Pickaxe. The mattock is a heavy, flat-

 Bow or Garden Rake. This is a heavy rake with

 Leaf Rake. A light rake with long, thin, flexible

 Cultivator. A tool with heavy curved

 Hand Pruner. Used for removing

Pruning Saw. These are hand saws

 Garden Knife. Useful for cutting

 Axe/Hatchet. Axes and hatchets are used

 Clipper/Shears. These are used to remove a layer

 Sickles. A curved, hand-held agricultural tool typically

 Wheelbarrow/Garden Cart. These are not only

 Watering Can. No home or garden would be complete without

 Lawn Mower. These are used to cut

 Either self-propelled or riding mowers. Power mowers often can be

 Tiller/Cultivator.These are used to break

 Lawn Edger. These are used to trim the edge of a

 Leaf Blower. Gasoline or electric, these use

 Electric Clipper/Trimmer/Shears. These are

 Be aware of your surroundings when using tools. Remember that others

 Purchase and use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as

 Disinfect tools and equipment after working with diseased plants.

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