Critical Farm Equipment

All types of equipment, machinery and implements are critical to your farm. Both stationary and mobile equipment have evolved to become more costly, complex, and vulnerable to breakdowns. Equipment can vary from GPS precision-farming systems to solar panels and wind turbines.

In addition, this equipment must work in environments that are very often equipment-hostile, especially the sensitive microelectronics and firmware.

Click on an equipment category to get useful information and specific operation and maintenance tips.

Wells, Pumps and Irrigation

 

With scarce or no water it’s tough to irrigate, cool, clean, mist, or otherwise operate a farm or ranch. Conservation and self-sufficiency are always good practices, but not necessarily practical and sometimes impossible. Properly maintained wells, pivot systems or other distribution systems will increase reliability, reduce electrical energy usage; as well as help support yields or other production goals.

Learn More About Irrigation Systems

Pumps - Variable Speed Drives Calculator. Reducing a pump speed by 10% by adding a variable speed drive can result in a 30% reduction in energy used.  

 

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Loss Examples

The windings of a 30 horsepower motor of a deep well pump used to supply water to a milk chiller tank shorted out due to internal failure. With a well depth of 300 feet, the motor repair cost escalated. Total Paid Loss: $10,200

Electrical Equipment

 

It’s not possible to operate today’s modern farm or ranch without electric power. A properly maintained electrical distribution system will increase reliability, reduce electrical energy usage; as well as, help protect sensitive electronic equipment from surge damage. Click on the links below for information about improving reliability and the operation of electrical equipment.

Learn More About Specific Electrical Equipment

Learn More About Electrical Preventive Maintenance




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Loss Examples

An electronic control panel shorted out. The repair person and manufacturer advised that the panel was obsolete. A new control panel was needed. Total Paid Loss: $2,550

Mobile Machinery and Implements

 

Mobile equipment is often key to your farming process. Always follow the equipment manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. In addition, use the following links to help improve your equipment's operation.

Baler


Conveyors and Grain Augers


Harvesters and Combine Heads

Loader


Mowers, Cutters and Pruners


Seeders, Planters and Drills



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Loss Examples

Electrical controls for a corn harvester shorted out, leaving it functional, but at a fixed height. Repair parts were ordered but the harvest had to go on due to a short window of favorable weather. The damage created a need to slow the harvesting, thus extending the harvest time resulting in increased labor and fuel costs. The repair parts were obtained at a nominal cost of less than $1,000.

Other Machinery


Farms and ranches are loaded with important machinery. This equipment can break down from contamination, misalignment, metal fatigue or operator error. A breakdown can cost thousands and result in lost income. Always follow the equipment manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. In addition, use the following links to help operations.

Agitators and Manure Pumps


Conveyors, Augers and Towers


Choppers, Grinders and Mixers

Air Compressors


Grain Dryers


Machine Tools

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Loss Examples

A switch on an automatic animal feeding system broke. Excessive feed weight caused the delivery system to crash onto the barn floor. Total Paid Loss: $1,615

Precision Farming, Computers and Data

 

Computers, GPS, telecommunications and electronics are more important than ever. Farm operations can come to a halt when this equipment goes down. Power surges are often the culprit. Data replacement can be costly and time consuming. Here are links to help protect this equipment and data.

Is your farm business ready for an emergency?

Guidelines for providing surge protection

How to Help Eliminate Cyber Threats (video)



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Loss Examples

An electrical power surge damaged the electrical circuits in a data storage hard drive and the data was not recoverable. The owner was able to restore some data from backups, but two years of other information had to be manually restored on the new hard drive.

Alternative Energy


Agri-businesses are increasingly adopting alternative energy as a means to combat rising energy costs. This technology can take many forms. Alternative energy typically employs a wide range of electrical and mechanical equipment. Below are links to information about protecting your energy-related equipment.

Electric Generators


Engine Generators

 


 

 


 

Loss Examples

A hog farm’s emergency generator unexpectedly shut down (during a power outage). Loss of lubrication caused expensive internal damage. A replacement engine was needed. Total Paid Loss $28,390

Refrigeration and HVAC


Cooling systems contain components that are prone to breakdown. However, a breakdown can result in spoilage that may far exceed the property loss. Here are some recommended links for keeping your cool.

Fans and Blowers

Semen Tanks 

Air Conditioning - Keep Your Cool

Air Cond. – Loss Prevention

Pre-Harvest Prep for Storage

Recip. Compressor Log

Maintenance for Refrigeration

Maintenance of Air Conditioning

Heating Boiler Checklist

HVAC Energy Tips

Use the calculator links below to see how you can reduce operating costs.

A/C CalculatorsInsulation CalculatorFans - Variable Speed

 


 

Loss Examples

A milk chiller failed. The failure resulted in 54,892 pounds of milk spoiling. Total Paid Loss: $14,350