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Resources for Equipment & Structures

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Lighting and Marking Recommendations for Animal-Drawn Carriages, Buggies and Wagons
Horse-drawn buggies or wagons and other animal-drawn carriages have been used by the Plain Communities as the primary means of transportation for generations. Equestrian sports and tourism business enterprises have also increased the number of horse-drawn carriages on streets and highways.
May 13, 2020 3006-1454 (BSE-333NP)
Skidder Safety and Efficiency: A Discussion Leader's Guide Mar 24, 2020 420-122 (BSE-288P)
Droplet Chart / Selection Guide
When choosing nozzles/droplet sizes for spray applications, applicators must consider both coverage needed and drift potential. As a rule, smaller droplets provide better coverage, but larger droplets are less likely to drift.
Aug 13, 2019 442-031 (BSE-263P)
Nozzles: Selection and Sizing
This fact sheet covers nozzle description, recommended use for common nozzle types, and orifice sizing for agricultural and turf sprayers. Proper selection of a nozzle type and size is essential for correct and accurate pesticide application. The nozzle is a major factor in determining the amount of spray applied to an area, uniformity of application, coverage obtained on the target surface, and amount of potential drift.
Aug 13, 2019 442-032 (BSE-262P)
Using Tractor Test Data for Selecting Farm Tractors
The test reports published by Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory (NTTL) can be extremely useful for selecting tractors or for comparing the performance of different makes and models of tractors. For example, when farmers are in the market for a tractor, the performance data in the NTTL reports can be used to select a tractor that will meet their needs. These reports can also serve as an effective tool for making tractor sales. Dealership personnel can use the performance data to compare their products to those of their competitors.
May 26, 2020 442-072 (BSE-329P)
Predicting Tractor Diesel Fuel Consumption
Ability to predict tractor fuel consumption is very useful for budgeting and management. The objective of this factsheet is to develop relationships using field measurements and Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory results to estimate tractor fuel consumption. Using these equations, farmers can estimate and compare the fuel consumption for different operating and loading conditions.
May 13, 2020 442-073 (BSE-328P)
Assistive Technologies in Agriculture
The goal of this publication is to introduce readers to the Assistive Technologies (ATs) used in agriculture and to the steps involved in the design of a successful AT system. This publication also discusses both common and operation-specific AT systems used in agriculture and how they influence secondary injuries, and it provides lists of agencies and resources that can help farmers and ranchers with the implementation of ATs.
May 13, 2020 442-084 (BSE-325P)
Preventing Secondary Injuries in Agricultural Workplaces
The intent of this fact sheet is to reduce the number of secondary injuries by familiarizing the readers with secondary injuries and the steps they can adopt to minimize them. In addition to identifying common secondary injuries and the most vulnerable groups, the publication discusses steps that can be taken to prevent such injuries. The fact sheet also provides a list of agencies that farmers can contact for assistance when they experience secondary injuries.
Apr 16, 2020 442-085 (BSE-316P)
Planning Fencing Systems For Controlled Grazing
Controlled grazing is an alternative method of providing forage to grazing animals. Using pasture as a major feed source during the grazing season can significantly reduce feed costs. Virginia’s soils and climate are especially favorable for the growth of a wide range of productive, high-quality grasses and legumes suitable for grazing. However, optimizing a controlled grazing system requires careful planning and good management of a fencing system.
Feb 11, 2019 442-130 (BSE-247P)
Selecting a Treatment Technology for Manure Management
Animal manure has been used for centuries as a fertilizer and a soil builder because it contains nutrients and organic matter. However, as animal production shifts toward fewer but larger operations, the number of confined animals has increased in some geographical locations, resulting in more manure produced than can be assimilated by the available farmland where the animals are raised.
Dec 19, 2018 442-306 (BSE-242P)
Selection and Location of Poultry and Livestock Manure Storage Jan 17, 2019 442-307 (BSE-243P)
Poultry and Livestock Manure Storage: Management and Safety Jan 16, 2019 442-308 (BSE-244P)
Manure Management and Environmental Stewardship Jan 16, 2019 442-309 (BSE-245NP)
Five Strategies for Extending Machinery Life
Machinery ownership and operation is a major crop and livestock production cost. Several strategies when combined can significantly affect costs, improve machine reliability, and improve profit margins.
May 13, 2020 442-451 (BSE-327P)
Plumbing Systems of Agricultural Sprayers
The plumbing systems of agricultural sprayers are usually considered foolproof. Sprayer problems may occur if plumbing and/or modifications are improperly done or maintenance is ignored. Retrofitting, addition of electrical control systems, and replacement of pumps or nozzles require proper knowledge of the plumbing system and the implications of these changes to sprayer performance. Routine maintenance of the plumbing system is essential.
Apr 14, 2020 442-452 (BSE-319P)
Fine Tuning a Sprayer with “Ounce” Calibration Method
This extension publication discusses guidelines to quickly evaluate the performance of a sprayer. Sprayer calibration, nozzle discharge, spray pattern uniformity, speed checks, pump performance, and plumbing arrangements are evaluated with minimal calculations.
Apr 16, 2020 442-453 (BSE-320P)
Filtration, Treatment, and Maintenance Considerations for Micro-Irrigation Systems May 24, 2023 442-757 (BSE-222P)
Planning for a Farm Storage Building Mar 8, 2019 442-760 (BSE-248P)
Water Reuse: Using Reclaimed Water for Irrigation
Water reuse can be defined as the use of reclaimed water for a direct beneficial purpose.
Aug 29, 2018 452-014 (SPES-1)
Boundaries of Virginia Fence Law
The history of Virginia fence law began not long after the first English settlement was founded in 1607. Virginia fence law has transcended from requiring landowners to fence in their livestock beginning in 1631, to requiring landowners to fence-out unwanted livestock beginning in 1643, to the modern-day rule granting localities the authority to return to a fence-in rule of law. This overview sets forth the history of Virginia fence law and explains the modern-day rule of law, including what constitutes a lawful fence and when you need one.
Sep 27, 2023 AAEC-323P
An Introduction to Drones : On - Farm Use and Safety Implications Jan 15, 2018 ALCE-169NP (ALCE-172NP)
What is an Agricultural Exoskeleton? Jan 12, 2023 ALCE-303NP
The Role of Farmer Input in the Design of Assistive Technologies: A Focus on Agricultural Exoskeletons ALCE-304NP
Agriculture Road Law Fact Sheet Sep 28, 2022 ANR-268NP (AAEC-300NP)
Managing Drainage From Agricultural Lands with Denitrifying Bioreactors in the Mid-Atlantic
This publication highlights recent advances in adapting denitrifying bioreactors developed in the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region. Denitrifying bioreactors are edge-of-field management practices that harness the activity of soil bacteria to remove excess nitrogen from drainage waters. Agricultural drainage is a significant source of nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay and important to manage. Although challenges remain with respect to adapting designs to treat ditch drainage, denitrifying bioreactors hold promise to yield water quality improvements in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Dec 11, 2023 BSE-234P (BSE-355P)
Lawn Care: Hand Tools Safety
Many hand tools such as shovels, hoes, rakes, trimmers, and pruners are widely used in lawn care and landscaping. While these tools appear to be harmless, when used improperly, they can cause injuries that sometimes require medical treatment. In 2006, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nearly 205,000 cases of injuries and/or illnesses resulting from the use of hand tools.
Jan 30, 2024 BSE-40NP (BSE-98P)
Lawn Care: Powered Hand Tool Safety
In addition to mowers and hand tools, several powered hand tools such as string trimmers, lawn edgers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers are widely used in landscaping work. These machines can be dangerous if they are used improperly. A past study has shown that string trimmers and edgers alone cause more than 4,600 injuries that require emergency room treatment each year. About one-third of these cases are eye injuries.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-41NP (BSE-97P)
Lawn Care: Rotary Mower Safety
Rotary mowers are very useful types of equipment, but they are dangerous, with the potential to cause serious injuries. Their blades rotate at a high speed of 2,000 to 4,000 revolutions per minute. The equivalent speed at the blade tip or the speed of debris thrown by the mower blade may range from 100 to 200 miles per hour. In order to prevent serious injuries, the operator should be able to disengage the blade and turn the engine off quickly.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-42NP (BSE-96P)
Lawn Care: Tractor Safety
Most tractors used in landscaping, lawn care, and golf course maintenance are compact tractors in the 20 to 40 horsepower range. Although these tractors are considerably smaller than farm tractors, they are susceptible to the same types of accidents, with potential for serious injuries or deaths. Causes for such serious accidents are often the same in both cases, and therefore, the steps to take to avoid the accidents are the same.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-43NP (BSE-100P)
Lawn Care: Utility-Type Vehicle Safety
Utility-type vehicles are popular, multipurpose equipment used for different applications in the lawn care industry. Their hauling capability and versatility have increased their popularity, and they are widely used in rural, suburban, and urban settings for a variety of lawn care, agricultural, construction, and industrial applications.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-44NP (BSE-99P)
Guidelines for Protecting Youth Workers: Promote Safe Practices and Protect Youth Workers
The goal of this training guide is to reduce the number of accidents and related injuries among the youth workers in the green industry by making workplaces safer. This guide is primarily for employers or supervisors of youth workers in the green industry. In addition to familiarizing the employers/supervisors with the regulations associated with hiring youth workers, the guide discusses the steps they can take to make their work environments safer. It also covers the responsibilities of guardians and youth workers for making workplaces safer.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-46NP (BSE-314P)
Rotary Mowers Safety: Lawncare Training Guide
Mowing lawns continues to be one of the most popular summer job opportunities for youth given the affordable cost and ease in operation of most rotary mowers. However, easy access and widespread use of mowers often creates a false sense of security among the users of these machines. Data from a seven-year period (1996-2003) showed the highest rate of hospitalization from lawn mower injuries was for youth workers ages 15 to 19. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 37,000 riding mower injuries occurred from 2003 through 2005 alone. During the same period, there were 95 fatalities due to riding mower tip-over. The purpose of this training guide is to reduce the number of mower accidents and injuries by familiarizing young workers with rotary mowers and their safe operation.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-47P (BSE-315P)
Tractor Safety: Lawn Care Training Guide, Safe Use of Tractors
Tractors are versatile equipment used in a variety of jobs ranging from hauling goods to lawn care to agriculture. While they are extremely versatile, they can be very dangerous unless they are used with care following safe practices. Accidents resulting in fatalities and severe injuries are very common during tractor use. The National Safety Council estimated that approximately 36 percent of all the agricultural fatalities in 1997 involved a tractor. Published data also show that farm accidents cause more than 100 deaths and about 2,600 serious injuries among children annually. Tractors account for about 41 percent of the accidental deaths among children under 15 years of age. In spite of these convincing data, a large number of operators continue to follow unsafe practices that can cause serious accidents.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-48P (BSE-321P)
Utility Type Vehicles: UTV Maintenance and Safe Use Lawn Care Training Guide
Utility type vehicles (UTVs) are popular equipment used in a variety of settings, including the lawn care industry. Their hauling capacity and versatility have increased their popularity, and they are widely used in rural, suburban, and urban settings for a variety of lawn care, agricultural, construction, and industrial applications. Considering that UTVs are widely used in the green industry, it is extremely important that young workers in the industry become familiar with the safe operation of UTVs. The purpose of this training guide is to familiarize young workers with the safe use of UTVs.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-49P (BSE-264P)
Powered Hand Tools Safety: Lawn Care Training Guide
In addition to rotary mowers, many powered hand tools such as string trimmers, lawn edgers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers are widely used in lawn care. While these devices are very useful in making jobs easier and more efficient, they can be dangerous if used without proper training and care. In 1989 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that power lawn trimmers and edgers alone have caused about 4,600 injuries annually that required medical attention. About one-third of these were eye-related.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-50P (BSE-322P)
Hand Tools Safety: Lawn Care Training Guide Hand Tool Care and Safe Use
Many hand tools such as rakes, shovels, and pruners are used widely in lawn care operations. While these non-powered tools are not known to cause major injuries, they have the potential for injuries that may require absence from work and/or medical assistance when they are used improperly.
Jan 29, 2024 BSE-51P (BSE-323P)
Tractor-Mounted Lifts Jun 18, 2018 BSE-58NP (BSE-230NP)
Tractor-Mounted Vertical Lifts Jun 22, 2018 BSE-59NP (BSE-232NP)
Tractor-Mounted Inclined Lifts Jun 22, 2018 BSE-60NP (BSE-231NP)
Previniendo accidentes de trabajadores rurales ligados al manejo de silajes (Preventing silage-related injuries and fatalities among farm workers) Jun 24, 2022 DASC-100s
Silo Management, Learning From The Experts
This video intends to help stakeholders improve their silo face management practices, prevent spoilage and waste! Learn to properly face bunker silos.
Jul 9, 2014 DASC-39NP
Preventing silage-related injuries and fatalities among farm workers Jun 24, 2022 DASC-99
May 2023 Dairy Pipeline May 3, 2023 DASC-158NP
Stone Burier Implement
Demonstration and explanation of operation and use of a stone burier implement for tractor. The tool buries stones in a field and makes raised beds at the same time. Burying stones prevents cultivation and planting equipment from skipping and causing loss of production. The stone burier can also be used to bury cover crops allowing quicker field turnovers.
Feb 26, 2024 SPES-572NP