The Ultimate Farm Equipment Identification Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Farm Equipment Identification Quiz
Image: Joao Marcelo Marques/Unsplash

About This Quiz

Can you tell the difference between a hoe and a harrow, or a sickle and a scythe? Know what a combine is used for, or why anyone would need to use an ear tagger or a balling gun? Take our quiz to see how many farming tools and equipment you can identify!

The USDA estimates that there are more than 2 million farms operating in the U.S., with around 99 percent categorized as family-run farms. While big factory farms might be the ones making headlines, 90 percent of farms in the U.S. gross $350,000 in annual sales a year, and half gross less than $10,000 in annual farm income. That means plenty of opportunity for those looking to change gears and pursue a career in agriculture or to continue a long family tradition in farming. 

But if you're looking to build a life in farming, there's one major thing to keep in mind. The rumors you've heard about the hard work required to farm successfully are all true. It requires not only time and capital, but plenty of equipment to work the land, harvest crops and care for livestock like cows, sheep, and horses.

Think you've got what it takes to live a life down on the farm? Prove it with the farm equipment identification quiz!

Silo
Wiki Commons By Corey Coyle
Do you know the name of this iconic piece of farm equipment?
Harrow
Branding iron
Silo
Bale wrapper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A farmer's job is never done. That means after clearing land, tending crops and completing the harvest, all that bounty still has to be stored somewhere. Made from metal or concrete, silos serve as popular agricultural symbols, and are used to protect grain and cereal from the elements.

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ATV
Markus Hartlieb/SocialNetworkGroup/Pixabay
Can you identify this handy farm equipment?
ATV
Silo
Bale wrapper
Harrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Farms can cover huge swaths of land, making walking from one location to another impractical or impossible. An ATV is a quick way to transport yourself or other workers to various plots of land. On smaller farms, attachments used with an ATV can negate the need for a tractor and other more expensive equipment.

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Manure Spreader
Wiki Commons by Chatellier
What is the name of this agricultural instrument?
Manure spreader
Branding iron
Rock picker
Hoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Farms with animals have one thing in common -- manure. A single horse can produce 50 pounds a day. Fortunately, tools like manure spreaders can be used to distribute the manure over the land, where it acts as fertilizer for crops.

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Cultivator
Wiki Commons by Giancarlo Dessì
Can you name this multi-purpose farming tool?
Cattle headgate
Shovel
Cultivator
Spade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Designed for pulling behind a tractor, a cultivator is designed to till and break up soil. This not only allows for proper aeration, but is also useful for killing weeds or mixing in manure or fertilizer.

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Bale Wrapper
Wiki Commons by Tumi-1983
Do you know the name of this farm implement?
Hoe
Cattle headgate
Silo
Bale wrapper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bale wrapper encloses bales of hay in a sheet of plastic. This is not only useful for transporting and storing the bales, but is also critical for the formation of silage -- a fermented grain used as animal feed.

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Hoe
Wiki Commons by Izvora
What is this old-fashioned farming tool called?
Stump grinder
Hoe
Grape harvester
Manure spreader
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Long before modern combines and tractors, farmers were using hoes to work the land. Built using a metal blade set perpendicular to a wooden or metal handle, the hoe is useful for everything from tilling to trenching to weeding and harvest.

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Broadcast Seeder
Wiki Commons by Melensdad
What is this tool that is used in the planting process?
Broadcast seeder
Bale wrapper
Rock picker
Milking machine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A broadcaster seeder spreads seeds randomly over the local area. It can range from a crank-operated handheld unit to a seeder pulled behind a tractor that throws seeds dozens of feet in every direction.

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Livestock Trailer
Wiki Commons by Nigel Mykura
Can you name this cattle-moving machine?
Pickaxe
Livestock trailer
Silo
Cattle headgate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Let's face it -- you can't stick a cow in the back of a pickup truck. A livestock trailer makes it easy to load and transport cattle and other animals for sale or medical care when you need to.

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Moldboard Plow
Wiki Commons
Can you name this old-school farming machine?
Shovel
Moldboard plow
Baler
Ear tagger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A moldboard plow has a large curved blade on the bottom. Compared to a standard plow, the moldboard is much more effective at cutting through tough soil to prepare it for planting.

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Corn Head
Wiki Commons by Jesster79
What is the name of this tractor attachment?
Sickle
Grape harvester
Backhoe
Corn head
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ever wondered how they remove all those ears of corn from their stalks? A corn head attachment fits on the front of a tractor. It has long, pointed fingers that fit between rows of corn to collect each ear and pass it into a hopper.

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Tractor
Wiki Commons By Daniel Brockpähler
It can handle everything from earth prep to harvest, but do you know what this miraculous machine is called?
Cattle headgate
Tractor
Milking machine
Baler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tractor is a must-have piece of equipment for farms large and small. Riding high on this machine, the farmer can look out over his land as he uses various attachments to till and cultivate the land, plant seeds and even harvest completed crops.

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Irrigation System
Wiki Commons
What is the name of this critical piece of farming equipment?
Space
Grape harvester
Baler
Irrigation system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unless you've been blessed by the rain gods, you'll need some type of irrigation system to keep crops watered and thriving. Choose from permanent systems mounted in the fields or sprinkler units designed to move down tracks between rows of crops.

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Scythe
Wiki Commons By Santeri Viinamäki
What is this traditional farming tool called?
Hoe
Baler
Milking machine
Scythe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Farmers have relied on the scythe to help them cut grass and harvest crops for thousands of years. Before the widespread use of the tractor, this curved blade mounted on a long handle was one of the most effective tools for land clearing and cutting crops.

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Milking Machine
Wiki Commons by Amélie Tsaag Valren
What is this handy device called?
Shovel
Milking machine
Ear tagger
Cattle headgate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People have been milking cows by hand for centuries, but the widespread use of the milking machines during the 20th century has made extracting milk easier than ever. Not only does it allow the farmer to take a hands-off approach, but the use of machines can be better for cows in terms of potential health risks and infection.

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Thresher
Wiki Commons by Ben Franske
What is the name of this grain-processing machine?
Scythe
Front-end loader
Thresher
Backhoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prior to the 18th century, farmers were forced to remove seeds from harvested grain by hand. This labor-intensive process became infinitely easier with the introduction of the thresher, and new threshing advancements make grain harvest more efficient each year,

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Horse Trailer
manfredrichter/Pixabay
Can you name this equipment found on many farms?
Irrigation system
Baler
Horse trailer
Branding iron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While it's possible to transport a horse in any livestock trailer, horse trailers have some special features that make the ride easier on the equine family. They are partitioned to keep animals separated and contained, have better suspension than basic trailers and often have advanced ventilation systems to ensure maximum comfort for horses.

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Grinder Mixer
Wiki Commons by ellenm1
Can you name this agricultural equipment?
Grinder-mixer
Milking machine
Silo
Bale wrapper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Farms with livestock can often save time and money by preparing their own animal feed. A grinder-mixer is designed to grind harvested crops into the right consistency and mix them at the correct ratios so they are nutritious and digestible for cows and other creatures.

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Shovel
Wiki Commons by The Central Intelligence Agency
What is the name of this handy farm helper?
Shovel
Harrow
Pickaxe
Cattle headgate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every farm, no matter the size, needs a series of shovels for small digging jobs. This hand tool is useful for everything from digging holes for fence posts to breaking up tough roots and everything in between.

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Backhoe
Wiki Commons by HumongoNationphotogallery
What is the name of this mighty machine?
Spade
Milking machine
Pickaxe
Backhoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You've seen backhoes on construction sites, where a boom arm pulls a bucket through the earth to move mounds of dirt. This machine can also be used on the farm to prepare fields, remove trees or handle various other tasks. Even better, some tractors utilize backhoe attachments to perform these tasks without the huge capital expense of a full backhoe.

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Pickaxe
Wiki Commons
What is the name of this hefty hand tool?
Manure spreader
Silo
Pickax
Grape harvester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whether you're working on a small farm with limited resources or dealing with a patch of ground the tractor can't get to, a pickax can save the day. This hefty tool uses a spiked head to easily break up soil, remove stubborn rocks or destroy unwanted roots.

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Hoof Trimmer
K-N-S Farm/Youtube
What is the name of this animal care tool?
Shovel
Bale wrapper
Hoof trimmer
Silo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know the hooves on horses and other hoofed animals keep growing like your own fingernails? A hoof trimmer or hoof knife allows you to cut, shape and trim the hooves to keep the animal healthy.

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Cattle Headgate
Arrowquip/Youtube
What is the name of this piece of farm equipment?
Cattle headgate
Branding iron
Grape harvester
Scythe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Got cattle? Then you need a cattle headgate. this simple device holds the animal in place for medical exams, vaccinations, tagging and other critical care tasks.

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Sprayer
Elfiepenn/Pixabay
What is this farming machine called?
Hoe
Combine
Baler
Sprayer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A sprayer can be used to apply liquid fertilizer, weed or pest control chemicals to crops or land. It may be as simple as a device worn on the back with a handheld sprayer or a major piece of equipment designed for pulling behind a tractor or ATV.

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Spade
Wiki Commons by Gmihail
What is the name of this simple farming implement?
Bale wrapper
Manure spreader
Baler
Spade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A spade is essentially a short-handled shovel with a small, narrow blade. it's perfect for pulling weeds or working with plants or crops in a small area where a tractor or larger tool just won't fit.

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Baler
JamesDeMers/Pixabay
Can you name this device that makes handling hay a breeze?
Hoe
Rock picker
Ear tagger
Baler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sure, you could use a pitchfork to stack hay bit by bit, or you could do the work in a fraction of the time with a baler. This machine is designed to collect dried hay and wrap it into a rectangular or round bale, which can be neatly stacked and transported with ease.

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Hay Tedder
Wiki Commons by Christer Folkesson
What is the name of this farming device?
Baler
Manure spreader
Silo
Hay tedder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Designed to be pulled behind a tractor, a hay tedder helps to process and dry hay. By lifting and spreading the piles of cut grass, it helps with the drying process by increasing air flow and sun exposure.

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Sickel
Wiki Commons by Nikunjbhaldoi
What is the name of this traditional farming implement?
Branding iron
ATV
Sickle
Irrigation system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Much smaller than the similar scythe, a sickle is a agricultural hand tool that has been used by farmers for centuries. It features a curved blade that's useful for everything from trimming grass to harvesting wheat.

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Branding Iron
elljay/Pixabay
Can you name this tagging tool?
Branding iron
Tractor
Manure spreader
Silo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you keep animals on your farm, you need some way to tell one creature from another. Branding irons are used to make a permanent mark on each unit of livestock, which makes it easier to manage things like everyday care and medical needs.

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Harrow
Wiki Commons
Can you name this intimidating looking farm machine?
Corn head
Harrow
Rock picker
Irrigation system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Despite its wicked-looking appearance, a harrow is a welcome tool on any farm. When attached to a tractor or similar machine, it can be pulled along to break up and smooth the soil, remove weeds or even cover freshly-laid seeds.

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Seed Drill
Wiki Commons by Jean Housen
What is this helpful planting device called?
Thresher
Seed drill
Milking machine
Cattle headgate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A seed drill is designed for precision seed placement, particularly compared to the random technique used by a broadcast seeder. This device is pulled behind a tractor, where it digs holes, places seeds at specific depths and intervals, then gently covers the seeds with dirt.

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Grape Harvester
Re-Zensor
Can you name this tool used in some orchards?
Milking machine
Silo
Grape harvester
Irrigation system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prior to the '60s, farmers growing grapes for eating or winemaking were forced to pick the fruit by hand. Today, grape harvesting machines get the job done in a fraction of the time by shaking or beating vines to release the grapes into a conveyor or hopper.

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Combine
glarcombe/Pixabay
Can you name this versatile piece of farm machinery?
Combine
Seed drill
Baler
Milking machine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A combine, or combine harvester, might be one of the most useful tools on any farm. It looks like a tractor, but uses changeable heads -- or attachments -- to plant, prepare land and harvest everything from wheat to soybeans.

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Rock Picker
Tommi Pitenius
What is this heavy-duty farm machine called?
Irrigation system
Grape harvester
Bale wrapper
Rock picker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you've ever seen a field full of crops, you'll notice there's a distinct lack of rocks to get in the way. Preparing a piece of land for planting means removing all the rocks first, and a rock picker is an effective tool for accomplishing this task.

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Tiller
PublicDomainImages/Pixabay
Can you ID this powerful agricultural machine?
Tiller
Ear tagger
Rock picker
Corn head
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

More powerful than a cultivator, a tiller is designed to dig and break up tough soil. It can be a simple lawnmower-style machine, or a much larger piece of equipment designed for pull behind a tractor.

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Balling Gun
NBCFieldService/Youtube
What is this tool used to care for livestock?
Irrigation system
Balling gun
Cattle headgate
Milking machine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ever tried to force a sick cow or pig to take their medicine? It ranks right up there among the hardest jobs on the farm. A balling gun makes the job easier, allowing you to slide the pill to the back of the animal's mouth before releasing it.

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Stump Grinder
Wiki Commons by Soundchecker
Do you know the name of this agricultural equipment?
Stump grinder
Livestock trailer
Front-end loader
Manure spreader
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chainsaws and other cutting tools make quick work of trees when it's time to clear a patch of land, but what about the stumps left behind? A stump grinder uses a rotary cutting disc to chip up the wood in a stump, clearing the land for planting or pasture.

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Rake
terimakasih0/Pixabay
What is the name of this agricultural implement?
Cattle headgate
Shovel
Rake
Silo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You've probably used a rake to gather piles of leaves, but farmers take rakes to the next level. While handheld rakes are useful for small jobs, many farmers use large-scale rake attachments on a tractor or combine to harvest crops or gather hay.

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Ear Tagger
Wiki Commons by ACEI Cheung
Do you know what this handheld tool is called?
Harrow
Ear tagger
Silo
Hoof trimmer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Animal identification is an important task for any farmer. Ear taggers are a simple tool for inserting a tag onto an animal's ear, making it easy to tell the creatures apart when it comes to feeding, medicine and other care.

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Front Loader
Wiki Commons by Joost J. Bakker
This machine is as useful on the farm as it is in the construction world. Can you name it?
Front-end loader
Front-end loader
Manure spreader
ATV
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From grain to dirt to miles of manure, there are all kinds of material that needs to be moved around on a farm. A front-end loader makes much quicker work of these materials than any human with a shovel. You can find models designed for mounting on tractor as well as individual units with their own driving mechanism.

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Draper Head
Wiki Commons By Kowloonese
Do you know the name of this tool used at harvest time?
Draper head
Silo
Manure spreader
Grape harvester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A draper head or draper header is a piece of equipment used for harvesting crops like wheat or soybeans. Designed as an alternative to traditional auger headers, the draper uses a series of belts to collect crops as they are cut, then feeds them into a hopper.

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Joao Marcelo Marques/Unsplash