The following explains the basic technical aspects of a motorised single-axle mower and a reaper. It also details their advantages and disadvantages.

 Description

1. Features of motorized single-axle mowers and reapers 

• Single-axle mowers and reapers generally range in power from around 1.5 kW to 10 kW.
• The operator usually walks behind them, although some have a "sulky" style trailed seat on two wheels.
• Crops suitable for harvesting by these machines include rice, wheat, and barley.
• Hay or grass mowers are available with cutter bars or rotary cutters. 
• Reapers also have cutter bars, are generally designed for row crops and usually have mechanisms for stacking the crop.
• The work rates of mowers and reapers are substantially higher than hand reaping.
  • For example, a 2.2 kW reaper harvests rice at a rate of 2.4 hectares per day. 

 2. Advantages

• Labour-saving
  • Higher work rates compared to manual harvesting.
  • It allows for overcoming manpower shortages and undertake harvests in less time.
• Livelihood resilience strengthening
  • Suitable for small farmers and small plots.
  • This equipment allows harvesting the crop at optimum dates, so it can be in the market with optimum quality and in proper time.
• Livelihood diversification
  • Opportunity to offer farm power hires services to others.
• Equipment
  • Most mowers and reapers are based on power tiller units, which make them very versatile implements when all the attachments are available.

3. Disadvantages 

• Equipment
  • Relatively complex.
• Cost and risk
  • The high cost of purchasing and running machinery compared to manual harvesting tools, and risk associated with financial investment.
• Skills
  • Required for the efficient and safe operation of machinery.
• Risk
  • May fail if introduce hire services into an area where there is insufficient demand to pay for contractual services.
• Infrastructure
  • Considerable infrastructure support required for their efficient operation. 

Figure 1. Mower 

©FAO/TECA

5. Related/associated technologies 

• Labour-saving technologies and practices: manual and motorised cleaning of grains and pulses: ID 7310.
• Labour-saving technologies and practices: pack animals and animal drawn carts: ID 7311.
• Labour-saving technologies and practices: manual and motorised threshers: ID 7313.
• Labour-saving technologies and practices: improved hand tools for harvesting cereals: ID 7295.

6. Objectives fulfilled by the project 

6.1 Labour-saving technology (LST)

The practice decreases manpower shortages and undertakes harvests in less time.

6.2 Pro-poor technology

The practice leads to higher work rates compared to manual harvesting. It also strengthens livelihood resilience.