The Importance of The Importance of Ag MechanicsAg Mechanics

MSAGED 7-6MSAGED 7-6

Written by Melissa Moulton

What can Agriculture What can Agriculture Mechanics do for you? Mechanics do for you?

It teaches important skills It teaches important skills that can be used at home, that can be used at home, in business, or for fun.in business, or for fun.

We need ag mechanics to We need ag mechanics to maintain equipment and maintain equipment and keep productivity high.keep productivity high.

Many careers in agriculture Many careers in agriculture involve basic ag mechanics involve basic ag mechanics skills.skills.

Agriculture Mechanics are Agriculture Mechanics are found throughout several found throughout several

jobs jobs The engineer who designs tractors and other farm The engineer who designs tractors and other farm

and ranch machines and ranch machines The Forester who keeps chainsaws and other The Forester who keeps chainsaws and other

equipment going equipment going The Soil Conservationist who construct terraces to The Soil Conservationist who construct terraces to

control erosion control erosion The hardware store employee who must locate repair The hardware store employee who must locate repair

parts for agriculture tools and machines parts for agriculture tools and machines The designer and installer of field, turf, landscape, The designer and installer of field, turf, landscape,

and golf course drainage and irrigation systems and golf course drainage and irrigation systems The lawn equipment service mechanic who repairs The lawn equipment service mechanic who repairs

lawn tractors lawn tractors The welder who repairs farm machinery The welder who repairs farm machinery The mechanic who keeps the diesel trucks and The mechanic who keeps the diesel trucks and

machines going machines going

The Influence of The Influence of Mechanics Mechanics

America provided the inventors for many of America provided the inventors for many of the world’s most important agricultural the world’s most important agricultural machines. machines.

In 1776, 90% of the population were farmers In 1776, 90% of the population were farmers with a farm to nonfarm ratio of 9 to 1 and with a farm to nonfarm ratio of 9 to 1 and food supply was at a minimum. food supply was at a minimum.

Today, less then 10% of all Americans work Today, less then 10% of all Americans work in agriculture with a farm to nonfarm ratio of in agriculture with a farm to nonfarm ratio of 1 to 9 and generally food surpluses in 1 to 9 and generally food surpluses in America.America.

Mechanics has played a major role in this rise Mechanics has played a major role in this rise of production efficiency. of production efficiency.

What advancements in Ag What advancements in Ag mechanics have had the mechanics have had the

greatest impact?greatest impact?

• Cotton GinCotton Gin• Reaper Reaper • Steel Plow Steel Plow • Mechanical Corn Mechanical Corn

PickerPicker• TractorTractor• Grain Elevator Grain Elevator • Automatic Baler Automatic Baler • Milking Machine Milking Machine

Eli Whitney – 1793 Eli Whitney – 1793 Cyrus McCormick – Cyrus McCormick –

1834 1834 John Deere – 1837 John Deere – 1837 Edmund Quincey – Edmund Quincey –

1850 1850 Benjamin Holt – 1904 Benjamin Holt – 1904 Joseph Dart - 1842Joseph Dart - 1842 Ed Nolt - 1936Ed Nolt - 1936 Anna Baldwin - 1879Anna Baldwin - 1879

What are some careers in What are some careers in Ag mechanics?Ag mechanics?

ElectricianElectrician Machinery and Equipment Machinery and Equipment

SpecialistSpecialist Parts PersonParts Person Soil TechnicianSoil Technician Tractor MechanicsTractor Mechanics Ecology TechnicianEcology Technician Shop SupervisorShop Supervisor

The efficiency of American The efficiency of American Agriculture will increase in the future Agriculture will increase in the future as computer controlled machines and as computer controlled machines and robotics play an important part. robotics play an important part.

Ag mechanics has been fundamental Ag mechanics has been fundamental to the development of the to the development of the agricultural industry in this country.agricultural industry in this country.

Much of the tremendous increase in Much of the tremendous increase in the efficiency of American producers the efficiency of American producers is due to the innovations in is due to the innovations in mechanics. mechanics.

The wiring of buildings to supply power The wiring of buildings to supply power The repairing of engines and equipment The repairing of engines and equipment The laying of pipe for water supplies The laying of pipe for water supplies and the construction of buildings are and the construction of buildings are

only a few examples of mechanics in only a few examples of mechanics in agriculture.agriculture.

As further advancements are made the As further advancements are made the role of mechanics in agriculture will be role of mechanics in agriculture will be as important in the future as it has been as important in the future as it has been in the past. in the past.