Categories & Equipment Types
Modern farm cutting tools vary from portable backpack brush cutters to self-propelled walk-behind reciprocating machines. Matching the machine to farm scale and stem thickness ensures fuel efficiency and operator safety.
Equipment is categorized by drive mechanism and power source, offering tailored solutions for smallholder terraces, orchard understories, and commercial fodder plots.
- Brush Cutters: 2-stroke or 4-stroke petrol engines fitted with nylon lines or tungsten carbide-tipped blades
- Hedge Trimmers: Reciprocating dual-action blades for orchard canopy and plantation hedge maintenance
- Electric & Battery Cutters: Cordless lithium-ion units offering quiet operation, zero emissions, and low maintenance
- Walk-Behind Weeders: Engine-powered rotary weed cutters for ridge and furrow row crops
Implement Matching & Operational Safety
Operating high-velocity cutting equipment demands strict personal protective measures. Flying debris, gravel, and blade impact pose serious risks to operators without safety guards and proper gear.
Select attachments based on the vegetation: heavy 3-tooth or 80-tooth circular saw blades for woody stalks, and nylon trimmer heads for tender green grasses.
- Blade Selection: 2-tooth blades for soft grass, circular saw blades for woody brush and sugarcane stubble
- Personal Protection: Safety visor, steel-toe boots, ear protection, and shin guards are essential
- Debris Shield: Never operate without the factory-installed safety deflector guard in place
- Engine Maintenance: Regular air filter cleaning and correct 2T oil-to-petrol fuel ratios for 2-stroke models
Government Subsidies under SMAM
Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), individual farmers can access capital subsidies ranging from 40% to 50% for eligible portable horticultural cutters and brush cutters.
Applications are processed online through state agriculture mechanization portals linked to the central agrimachinery.nic.in portal, requiring Aadhaar, bank details, and land records.
- Subsidy Percentage: 40% for general category farmers, up to 50% for SC/ST/women smallholders under SMAM
- Application Portal: Agri Machinery portal (agrimachinery.nic.in) or state DBT portals
- Testing Approval: Equipment must possess a valid commercial test report from a FMTTI center
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the difference between a 2-stroke and 4-stroke brush cutter?
2-stroke models are lighter and operate at any angle but require mixed petrol-oil fuel; 4-stroke models have separate engine oil sumps, run quieter, and offer superior fuel economy.
Can a brush cutter be used to harvest wheat and paddy crops?
Yes, by attaching an 80-tooth circular saw blade and a paddy crop-collector attachment, brush cutters can efficiently harvest standing cereal crops and lay them neatly in windrows.
How can a farmer apply for a subsidy on a plant cutting machine?
Farmers can register on their state DBT agriculture portal or the central SMAM portal (agrimachinery.nic.in) during the active subsidy application window with their land records.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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