TLE-ANIMAL PRODUCTION 7
USE FARM TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
c. Rake
GARDEN TOOLS Every small farm needs a flat spade
and a pointed spade for digging. A good digging fork is
a multipurpose tool, used for breaking up and turning
soil in the garden, harvesting, and for manure cleanup
around the barn.
a. Spaded. Bolo
b. Shovel
Tips: • Keeps the blade sharp, including most of the
blade ‘s sides. • Bend at the knees and rest the elbow
of the hand holding the forward end of the handle on
the inside of his/her knee. This is the power hand. The
other hand holds the end of the handle and serves as
the guide hand. • Swing from side to side, keeping the
elbow on the knee, cutting the soil with the side of
the shovel that is opposite the power hand and
moving it laterally with the continuation of the swing.
For the righthanded, the power hand is the right hand
and the right elbow rests on the right knee. Cutting is
done with the left edge of the shovel and material is
moved to the left. This technique does not work when
digging a deep hole or ditch. The advantage is that the
power comes mostly from the leg muscle not the back
muscles. • Bend from the knees instead of the waist
to prevent back injuries. • Use leather globes to
prevent blisters.
Do’s and Don’ts in Using a Shovel • Make sure that
the terrain you are digging is free of cables and pipes
• If you are not sure, contact authorities for location
of cables and pipes prior to digging. • Wear the
proper protective clothing, safety footwear, gloves,
long pants if necessary. • Allow for safe distance
between people if you are working with other people.
A bolo is a large cutting tool of Filipino origin
similar to the machete, used particularly in
the jungles of Indonesia, the Philippines, and
in the sugar fields of Cuba. The primary use
for the bolo is clearing vegetation, whether
for agriculture or during trail blazing. The bolo
is called an “itak” in Tagalog while in
Hiligaynon, the blade is referred to as either a
binangon or a talibong.
Types of Bolo
Various types of bolos are employed. An
assortment of bolos and related implements
include: 1. All-purpose bolo. Used for all sorts
of odd jobs, including breaking open
coconuts. 2. Haras. Similar to a small scythe, it
is used for cutting tall grass. 3. Kutsilyo. The
term comes from the Spanish word cuchillo,
meaning knife. Generally used to kill and
bleed pigs during slaughter. 4. Bolo-guna. A
bolo specifically shaped for digging out roots
and weeding. 5. Garab. Used to harvest rice.
6. Pinuti. Traditionally it is tipped in snake,
spider or scorpion venom and used for selfdefense. 7. Sundang. Supposedly used mainly
to open coconuts. The sundang, also called
"tip bolo" or itak, was a popular weapon of
choice in the revolution against the Spanish
colonial government and during the
Philippine– American War.
TLE-ANIMAL PRODUCTION 7
e.
Spading fork is used for loosening the soil,
digging out root crops and turning over the
materials in a compost heap.
ELECTRIC TOOLS
USE FARM TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
FENCING TOOLS
Farms and fences go hand-in-hand. Plan on
purchasing fence-post driver. A driver is a heavy iron
tube that goes over the top of a T-post, and that has
handles on the side. You use it to pound the post into
the ground. A pair of fence pliers is a great, and fairly
inexpensive, specialty tool to have. We are fans of
electric fences—they are economical, efficient and
safe—but when you have an electric fence, you need
a fence tester.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. We always carry pocketknives when out working,
and a “Leatherman” type is a handy all-in-one tool.
There are dozens of electric power tools available at
hardware and home stores, but there are two musthaves for any type of around-the-farm construction
project: 1. a circular saw; and 2. a drill/driver
(preferably the rechargeable batteryoperated type).
HAND TOOLS
Every farm needs a variety of hand tools. Companies
like Sears (with its line of Craftsman tools) and SnapOn (available at many auto parts stores) make hand
tools that will last for generations, and that come with
a lifetime warranty to prove it. First on the list of
items to purchase: 1. 25-foot and a 100-foot tape
measure; 2. a good claw hammer with a comfortable
grip; 3. electrician‘s pliers; 4. a socket and driver set;
and 5. adjustable wrenches in several sizes; 6. a
screwdriver set with both regular and Phillips head
drivers.
2. Heavy-duty flashlights are a must when the lights
go out during a heavy storm, or when you need to
tend to a livestock emergency in the pasture at 2 AM.
3. Garden hoses are a must, but when buying,
purchase the longest and strongest available (fall is a
great time to find good buys on garden hoses.
4. The last miscellaneous tool on the list is a digging
bar. It is for digging large rocks out of the garden,
construction sites, or fence holes.