Machinery, Plants, and Production Structures for Agriculture
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Knowledge of the basic principles of soil hydrology and agricultural hydraulics, as well as the fundamental characteristics of irrigation machinery and infrastructures needed to address problems related to the sustainable use of water resources in agricultural systems.
Understanding the essential aspects of the constructive architecture and operating principles of machines, equipment, and structures most commonly used in agricultural production processes.
Understanding the operational parameters closely related to agronomic, zootechnical, and conservation needs, aimed at regulating the operation of tractors and major operating machines, irrigation management systems, and environmental control systems in rural buildings.
Understanding the essential aspects of the constructive architecture and operating principles of machines, equipment, and structures most commonly used in agricultural production processes.
Understanding the operational parameters closely related to agronomic, zootechnical, and conservation needs, aimed at regulating the operation of tractors and major operating machines, irrigation management systems, and environmental control systems in rural buildings.
Expected learning outcomes
The student acquires technical knowledge of irrigation systems and methods and the essential principles of hydraulic design of irrigation systems. He/she also acquires knowledge of soil hydrology and the main tools and techniques available to improve the use of water for irrigation purposes in agricultural systems. Finally, he/she acquires the ability to use simple models (DSS) to support the irrigation management at the farm scale. The student gains an understanding of the architecture, operation, and typical functionality of tractors and main self-propelled operating machines, as well as the operating machines connectable to the tractor used for major Italian crops. Additionally, they acquire a general knowledge of the most common types of electronic controls employed for the integrated management of tractors and operating machines. Finally, the student acquires knowledge relating to the needs of animals in terms of both environmental conditions and space in order to be able to use adequate environmental control systems in livestock facilities.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Agricultural machinery:
- Tractor and self-propelled agricultural machinery: functional architecture and main operating parameters. Engine, transmission, propulsion, PTO, coupling methods.
- Essential elements of the main operating machines and their functional parameters: ploughing, harrowing, sowing, fertilization, treatments, harvesting
- Electronically managed operating parameters. Integrated tractor-equipment management.
Soil hydrology and irrigation:
- Irrigation systems; irrigation methods; principal hydrological processes and hydrological balance in agricultural soils; crop evapotranspiration and water and irrigation requirements at the field level.
- Principles of soil hydrology and physical-hydrological soil analysis; monitoring of agro-climatic variables and soil water status to support irrigation management.
- Use of a simple DSS to estimate the irrigation requirement at the field level under different irrigation methods.
Rural buildings and structures:
Environmental control in rural buildings (livestock facilities, greenhouses, structure for storage and processing of agricultural products)
- Environmental parameters
- Environmental requirements in rural buildings
- Environmental control techniques
Note: The program is the same for both attending and non-attending students.
- Tractor and self-propelled agricultural machinery: functional architecture and main operating parameters. Engine, transmission, propulsion, PTO, coupling methods.
- Essential elements of the main operating machines and their functional parameters: ploughing, harrowing, sowing, fertilization, treatments, harvesting
- Electronically managed operating parameters. Integrated tractor-equipment management.
Soil hydrology and irrigation:
- Irrigation systems; irrigation methods; principal hydrological processes and hydrological balance in agricultural soils; crop evapotranspiration and water and irrigation requirements at the field level.
- Principles of soil hydrology and physical-hydrological soil analysis; monitoring of agro-climatic variables and soil water status to support irrigation management.
- Use of a simple DSS to estimate the irrigation requirement at the field level under different irrigation methods.
Rural buildings and structures:
Environmental control in rural buildings (livestock facilities, greenhouses, structure for storage and processing of agricultural products)
- Environmental parameters
- Environmental requirements in rural buildings
- Environmental control techniques
Note: The program is the same for both attending and non-attending students.
Prerequisites for admission
no - Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Teaching methods
- Frontal lessons: 4 CFU
- Classroom and computer exercises: 1.5 CFU
- Educational field visits: 0.5 CFU
- Teaching attendance mode: while not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.
- Classroom and computer exercises: 1.5 CFU
- Educational field visits: 0.5 CFU
- Teaching attendance mode: while not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Teaching and technical materials will be provided by the teachers
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in a written test on the contents of all the modules and a subsequent oral interview.
"For students affected by Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), the University follows the guidelines provided by the institution (https://www.divas.unimi.it/extfiles/unimidire/256101/attachment/linee-guida-studenti-dsa.pdf)."
"For students affected by Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), the University follows the guidelines provided by the institution (https://www.divas.unimi.it/extfiles/unimidire/256101/attachment/linee-guida-studenti-dsa.pdf)."
AGR/08 - AGRICULTURAL HYDRAULICS AND WATERSHED PROTECTION - University credits: 2
AGR/09 - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND MECHANIZATION - University credits: 2
AGR/10 - RURAL BUILDINGS AND AGRO - FOREST LAND PLANNING - University credits: 2
AGR/09 - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND MECHANIZATION - University credits: 2
AGR/10 - RURAL BUILDINGS AND AGRO - FOREST LAND PLANNING - University credits: 2
Field activity: 16 hours
Computer room practicals: 8 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Computer room practicals: 8 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
Via Celoria, 2 - ex DIA building (first on the right) - ground floor
Reception:
on demand previuos contact by email
Dept. Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Agricultural Engineering Building n. 10 - Farm Structures and Environment group