Agricultural Systems Technology
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2021
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Mechanical systems and system designs have been an important part of agriculture for well over a century. The early years of development for modern agricultural practices and systems occurred during a time when animal power was being replaced with machines and mechanized processes. Purely mechanical systems eventually were improved through automation and more efficient machine components. While many tasks may still be considered mechanical in modern agriculture, technology is becoming more integrated into many areas.
Agricultural Systems Technology contains three key areas: electricity, engines, and metal working. These areas provide a basis for many other components in agriculture systems in some way. Subsequent editions will include other areas in agricultural systems such as building structures, machinery, safety, and precision agriculture.
This book is meant to provide an introduction to those seeking a basic level of knowledge in the academic area of agricultural systems technology. While the main focus is an introductory college level class, others outside this particular concentration can also benefit from this resource. Throughout the book, knowledge and application of concepts are presented with hands-on or experiential learning in mind.
Chapter 1: Electricity
Introduction to Electricity
Electrical History
a. Invention and innovators of electricity
b. Early uses
c. Types of electricity
i. Direct Current
ii. Alternating Current
Electrical Safety
a. Basic electric circuit
b. Dangers of electricity
c. Fuses and circuit breakers
d. Ground fault circuit interrupter
e. Arc fault circuit interrupter
f. National electric code
g. Agricultural safety and electricity
Electricity Introduction
a. Analogy of water and electricity
b. Electron cloud theory—conductors and insulators
c. Definitions, symbols, and abbreviations
d. Ohm’s law
Static Electricity
a. Clean air
b. Van De Graff static generator
c. Copy machines
d. Electrostatic painting
e. Belts and pulleys
f. Grain elevators
g. Paper products
h. Hospital rooms
i. Fuel stations
j. Lightning
k. Electrical hazards
Dynamic Electricity
a. Types
i. Magnetism
ii. Chemical reaction
iii. Thermoelectricity
iv. Piezoelectricity
Electrical Circuits
a. Series
b. Parallel
c. Series–parallel combination
Electrical Wiring
a. Power supply
b. Service entrance panel
c. Electrical wiring
d. Branch circuits
e. Circuit requirements and limits
Modern Electricity
a. Electrical uses today
b. How electricity is sold
i. Kilowatt-hour/kilowatt-hour meter
ii. Basics of an electric bill
iii. Calculating electrical costs
c. Energy efficiency
i. Building insulation
ii. R Value
iii. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio
d. Renewable/green energy
Chapter 2: Engines
Introduction to Engines
Internal Combustion Engine Definition and Basic Operation
History of Engines
a. Inventors and innovations
b. Fuels
c. Modern gasoline engine
Classifications of Engines
a. Type of ignition system
b. Number of strokes per cycle
c. Cylinder design
d. Shaft orientation
e. Cooling system design
Small Power Market
Engine Systems
a. Compression system
b. Fuel
c. Exhaust
d. Cooling
e. Ignition
f. Lubrication
g. Intake
h. Governing
i. Starting
Engine Parts and Components
How Engines Work
a. Four-stroke cycle
i. Intake stroke
ii. Compression stroke
iii. Power stroke
iv. Exhaust stroke
b. Two-stroke cycle
c. Engine power
d. Engine displacement
Thermodynamics
Engine Efficiency
a. Mechanical
b. Volumetric
c. Thermal
Preventative Maintenance
i. Fuel system
ii. Lubrication system
iii. Cooling system
iv. Air filter
v. Ignition
vi. Troubleshooting
vii. Storing
Chapter 3: Metal Working/Welding
Metal working is an important industry today
Welding history
Welding safety
Metal properties
Metal processes
a. Metal cutting
i. Oxyacetylene
ii. Plasma
b. Welding processes
i. Arc welding
ii. Metal inert gas welding
Mechanical systems and system designs have been an important part of agriculture for well over a century. The early years of development for modern agricultural practices and systems occurred during a time when animal power was being replaced with machines and mechanized processes. Purely mechanical systems eventually were improved through automation and more efficient machine components. While many tasks may still be considered mechanical in modern agriculture, technology is becoming more integrated into many areas.
Agricultural Systems Technology contains three key areas: electricity, engines, and metal working. These areas provide a basis for many other components in agriculture systems in some way. Subsequent editions will include other areas in agricultural systems such as building structures, machinery, safety, and precision agriculture.
This book is meant to provide an introduction to those seeking a basic level of knowledge in the academic area of agricultural systems technology. While the main focus is an introductory college level class, others outside this particular concentration can also benefit from this resource. Throughout the book, knowledge and application of concepts are presented with hands-on or experiential learning in mind.
Chapter 1: Electricity
Introduction to Electricity
Electrical History
a. Invention and innovators of electricity
b. Early uses
c. Types of electricity
i. Direct Current
ii. Alternating Current
Electrical Safety
a. Basic electric circuit
b. Dangers of electricity
c. Fuses and circuit breakers
d. Ground fault circuit interrupter
e. Arc fault circuit interrupter
f. National electric code
g. Agricultural safety and electricity
Electricity Introduction
a. Analogy of water and electricity
b. Electron cloud theory—conductors and insulators
c. Definitions, symbols, and abbreviations
d. Ohm’s law
Static Electricity
a. Clean air
b. Van De Graff static generator
c. Copy machines
d. Electrostatic painting
e. Belts and pulleys
f. Grain elevators
g. Paper products
h. Hospital rooms
i. Fuel stations
j. Lightning
k. Electrical hazards
Dynamic Electricity
a. Types
i. Magnetism
ii. Chemical reaction
iii. Thermoelectricity
iv. Piezoelectricity
Electrical Circuits
a. Series
b. Parallel
c. Series–parallel combination
Electrical Wiring
a. Power supply
b. Service entrance panel
c. Electrical wiring
d. Branch circuits
e. Circuit requirements and limits
Modern Electricity
a. Electrical uses today
b. How electricity is sold
i. Kilowatt-hour/kilowatt-hour meter
ii. Basics of an electric bill
iii. Calculating electrical costs
c. Energy efficiency
i. Building insulation
ii. R Value
iii. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio
d. Renewable/green energy
Chapter 2: Engines
Introduction to Engines
Internal Combustion Engine Definition and Basic Operation
History of Engines
a. Inventors and innovations
b. Fuels
c. Modern gasoline engine
Classifications of Engines
a. Type of ignition system
b. Number of strokes per cycle
c. Cylinder design
d. Shaft orientation
e. Cooling system design
Small Power Market
Engine Systems
a. Compression system
b. Fuel
c. Exhaust
d. Cooling
e. Ignition
f. Lubrication
g. Intake
h. Governing
i. Starting
Engine Parts and Components
How Engines Work
a. Four-stroke cycle
i. Intake stroke
ii. Compression stroke
iii. Power stroke
iv. Exhaust stroke
b. Two-stroke cycle
c. Engine power
d. Engine displacement
Thermodynamics
Engine Efficiency
a. Mechanical
b. Volumetric
c. Thermal
Preventative Maintenance
i. Fuel system
ii. Lubrication system
iii. Cooling system
iv. Air filter
v. Ignition
vi. Troubleshooting
vii. Storing
Chapter 3: Metal Working/Welding
Metal working is an important industry today
Welding history
Welding safety
Metal properties
Metal processes
a. Metal cutting
i. Oxyacetylene
ii. Plasma
b. Welding processes
i. Arc welding
ii. Metal inert gas welding