Machinery Performance in the Rainfed Agriculture of Gedarif Area (Sudan)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the problems facing the performance of farm machinery in the rainfed sector of Gedarif area through surveying of tractors and the main implement makes and their ages. Also by estimating areas cultivated, hours of use, fuel consumption and the breaks of different tractor and implement makes. The results showed that the most popular two tractor makes are Massey Ferguson and Ford and the most popular implement is Wide Level Disc. The annual hours of use and annual area covered decreased with increase in tractor age, but fuel consumption increased with increase in tractor age for both makes. The annual hours of use, annual area covered, effective field capacity and field efficiency were decreased with increase in implement age. Statistical analysis showed that, there is a significant difference between the two tractors makes in fuel consumption at 5% level. Most tractors breakdowns were in the transmission system which represented 65% and 69% for Massey Ferguson and Ford respectively. Engine breakdowns were 20% in Massey Ferguson and 18% in Ford. Wide Level Disc breakdowns were mostly observed in discs and bearings and it represented 78% of all breakdowns.