Study the farm implement illustrated below and answer the questions that follow. a) Identify the farm implement illustrated. (ii)Name the parts labelled I a...

(a) Identification of the implement

The implement illustrated is a cultivator (a tractor-drawn tine cultivator). It is recognised by its rigid frame carrying several curved tines that end in narrow shares, mounted on a wheeled frame with a hitch for attachment to a tractor.

(a)(ii) Names of the labelled parts

(b) One function of each labelled part

• I - Frame: It provides the rigid structure that holds and supports the tines, clamps and wheel firmly together.
• II - Clamp / bracket: It fastens each tine securely to the frame and allows the tine to be adjusted or replaced.
• III - Tine (shank): It penetrates the soil and carries the share, stirring and loosening the soil as the implement is drawn forward.
• IV - Share (point): It is the working edge that cuts into and breaks up the soil, uprooting weeds and forming a fine tilth.

(c) Farm operation

The cultivator is used for secondary tillage (cultivation): loosening and stirring the soil, breaking clods, uprooting and controlling weeds after primary ploughing, and preparing a fine seedbed.

(d) Two farm tools that perform similar functions

• West African hoe (used to loosen soil and weed)
• Hand fork / hand cultivator (used to stir and loosen soil)

(The harrow and the spade also perform comparable soil-loosening functions.)

(e) Three ways of maintaining the implement

1. Clean off soil and plant debris after every use and store it in a dry shed to prevent rust.
2. Oil or grease the wheel bearings and moving joints, and tighten any loose bolts and clamps regularly.
3. Sharpen blunt shares and replace worn or broken tines, and paint the frame to protect it from corrosion.