Farm Machinery Prices in Kenya (2025 Guide)
- BeyondForest
- Oct 2
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Image of a Kuhn four rows mechanical seed planters suitable for zero tillage planting and minimum tillage planting by Farm Machinery for sale
3.)Types of Farm Machinery and Their Uses
5.)Financing, Leasing & Hire Purchase Options
6.)Benefits of Using Modern Farm Machinery
The increasing demand for food, coupled with shrinking arable land and the need for higher yields, has made farm mechanization more essential than ever.
Image of a Kuhn reversible plough by Farm Machinery for sale
mechanization is helping Kenyan farmers adapt to climate change by promoting conservation farming techniques such as minimum tillage and precision seeding
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, employing the majority of the population and contributing significantly to food security and rural livelihoods. For decades, farmers relied heavily on manual labor and traditional tools such as hoes and ox-drawn ploughs. While these methods sustained communities, they limited productivity, efficiency, and the ability to compete in a modern agricultural market.
Want To Learn More About CASE Tractors Click Here >>>>
Image of a KUHN strip Till STRIGER 100 by Farm Machinery for sale
Modern farm machinery is transforming agriculture across Kenya. Tractors, planters, harvesters, sprayers, and hay equipment are no longer reserved for large-scale commercial farms; even smallholder farmers are increasingly accessing them through cooperatives, hire services, and government-supported programs. These machines save time, reduce labor costs, and ensure precision in planting, irrigation, and harvesting. For example, a reversible plough can prepare land in hours rather than days, while harvesters reduce post-harvest losses and improve grain quality.
Kuhn single row silage harvester by Farm Machinery for Sale
KUHN mechanical No-till planters 4 Rows | 2,400,000Ksh |
KUHN pneumatic planters 6 Rows | 6,073,600Ksh |
KUHN mechanical No-till planter 2 Rows | 1,250,000Ksh |
Double Row Kuhn Harvester | 3,600,000Ksh |
Single Row Kuhn Harvester | 2,700,000Ksh |
Cicoria Hay Baler | 4,000,000Ksh |
Cicoria Wheel Rake | 400,000Ksh |
Ploughs (disc, mouldboard, reversible)
sometimes called a two-way plough
How a Reversible Mouldboard Plough Works
It is attached to a tractor and used for primary tillage, meaning it cuts, lifts, and turns over the soil.Unlike a single-sided plough, a reversible plough has mouldboards on both sides. When the tractor reaches the end of a field row, the plough can be rotated (reversed) hydraulically or mechanically. This allows the soil to always be turned in the same direction, avoiding ridges and furrows that are common with traditional ploughs.
Shallow ploughing (15–20 cm): Used for light tillage, weed control, and preparing seedbeds.
Deep ploughing (25–30 cm): Useful for root crops, breaking hardpan, or burying crop residues.
Image of a Reversible mouldboard plough by Farm Machinery for sale
By adjusting the top link length and lower link arms, the plough’s penetration into the soil can be increased or decreased.
It is mounted on the three-point linkage of a tractor and powered by the tractor’s pulling force. The three concave discs (round steel blades) penetrate the soil as the tractor moves forward. Each disc cuts, lifts, and partially turns the soil. Unlike a mouldboard plough that completely turns over soil, the disc plough cuts and pulverizes, leaving soil clods but still burying weeds and crop residue. The discs rotate on their axis, which allows them to work better in hard, dry, stony, or sticky soils where a mouldboard plough might struggle or break.
Nardi plough 3 discs for sale at 450,000Ksh by Sanja Farm Machinery Tractors
Being three-disc, it balances coverage and tractor power needs — more efficient than single-disc but lighter than 4 or 5-disc models
A mechanical seed planter is an implement that attaches to a tractor and plants seeds directly into the soil at the correct spacing and depth.
Seed Hopper
The large white containers (hoppers) hold seeds. Seeds drop through a controlled opening regulated by a seed metering mechanism.
Kuhn mechanical seed planters by Farm Machinery for Sale
Seed Metering System
A rotating plate or mechanical system ensures even and accurate seed spacing.
This prevents wastage and overcrowding.
Furrow Openers
The discs or tines at the bottom of each row unit open a small furrow (seed trench) in the soil.
Image of a Kuhn four rows mechanical seed planters suitable for zero tillage planting and minimum tillage planting by Farm Machinery for sale
Seed Placement
The metering system releases seeds into the furrow at consistent depth and spacing.
Kuhn zero tillage mechanical planters for sale by Farm Machinery
Covering & Pressing Wheels
Rear wheels cover the seeds with soil and press down gently to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
This improves germination rates.
Since this is a four-row planter, it plants four rows simultaneously, each with the same precision.
Seed Hopper Loading
Each of the 4 units has a seed hopper where seeds are loaded.
Vacuum (or Air Pressure) System
A fan or compressor creates suction (vacuum) inside the planter’s seed metering device.
The vacuum pulls individual seeds against tiny holes in a rotating disc (seed plate).
Seed Selection & Precision Control
As the seed disc rotates, the vacuum holds one seed per hole.
This ensures only one seed is picked at a time (no doubles).
Any extra seeds are blown away by air jets before reaching the drop point.
Kuhn pneumatic planters, four rows by Farm Machinery for sale
Seed Release into the Furrow
At a precise position, the vacuum is cut off.
The seed falls directly into the furrow opener, which has already made a small trench in the soil.
Depth & Spacing Control
The planter is calibrated to drop seeds at uniform depth (2–6 cm depending on crop).
Spacing between seeds and between rows can be adjusted mechanically or electronically.
Seed Covering & Pressing
After seed drop, covering discs/wheels push soil over the seed.
A press wheel compacts soil lightly for better seed-to-soil contact, improving germination.
Kuhn pneumatic planters, four rows by Farm Machinery for Sale
Feature | Mechanical Seed Planter | Pneumatic Precision Planter |
Metering system | Mechanical plate/roller | Air suction/vacuum |
Accuracy | Good (some doubles/skips) | Excellent (single seed precision) |
Cost | Affordable | Expensive |
Power need | Low–medium HP tractors | Higher HP tractors |
Maintenance | Easy, few parts | Needs compressor/vacuum maintenance |
Best for | Cereal & legume crops | High-value crops (hybrids, veg, export crops) |
Harvesters & Threshers
How Forage Harvester / Chopper Works (sometimes called a silage harvester)
Attachment to Tractor
The forage harvester is mounted on a tractor and powered through the PTO shaft (Power Take-Off).
Crop Feeding
The front part (the yellow-guided mouth) pulls the standing crop (maize, grass, sorghum, etc.) into the machine using feeding rollers.
Minimum Tractor PTO power on single row is 30hp and for double rows is 55hp
Kuhn forage harvesters (Maize choppers) both single and double rows by Farm Machinery for sale
Single Row -1.7 Acres
Double Row -2.4 Acres
Chopping Mechanism
Inside, a fast-spinning rotor with sharp blades chops the crop into small, uniform pieces (2–3 cm depending on adjustment).
The chop length can be changed depending on silage requirements.
Blowing System
The chopped material is pushed by a powerful fan into the discharge chute (the tall curved pipe).
Collection
The chopped fodder is blown into a trailer or truck moving alongside the tractor.
Farmers then transport it for silage making or direct feeding.
Hay & Forage Equipment
Hay Mower/ Disc mower/Rotary mower
It is attached to the tractor and cuts standing grass at the base.
It lays the grass in swaths (long rows) on the ground.
This allows the grass to start drying in the sun (wilting).
Hay harvesting equipment
Step 2: Raking the Grass
Hay Rake/wheel rake (sun rake)
Once the grass has dried partially, the rake gathers it into uniform windrows (neat lines).
This makes it easier for the baler to pick up the grass evenly.
It also helps the grass dry faster by turning it over.
Step 3: Baling the Hay
Cicoria square baler
The baler picks up the dried grass from the windrows, compresses it, and ties it into rectangular or round bales.
The bales are then dropped on the field, ready for collection and storage.
Shredders & Mulchers
How a Kuhn Shredder Works
Kuhn shredders by Farm Machinery for Sale
Attachment & Power
The shredder is mounted on a tractor (rear or front) and powered by the PTO (Power Take-Off) shaft.
The PTO transfers rotational power to the shredder’s rotor.
Rotor with Flails/Blades
Inside the shredder is a horizontal rotor fitted with swinging knives (flails) or fixed blades.
As the rotor spins at high speed, the flails strike the crop residues on the ground.
Kuhn field BK 230 Shredders
Cutting & Shredding
The flails chop residues like maize stalks, cotton stems, sunflower remains, or grass into small pieces.
The machine can handle dense plant residues that normal mowers cannot.
Discharge & Mulching
The chopped material is spread evenly across the field.
These residues act as organic mulch, enriching the soil when they decompose.
required tractor horsepower is between 70hp and 150hp for a KUHN shredder with 3.2 m working width
Sprayers & Fertilizer Applicators
How Kuhn trailed sprayers Work
Tank & Mixing System
The sprayer has a 3000-litre tank that holds the spray solution (water + chemical).
Inside, agitators keep the mixture well-stirred so chemicals don’t settle at the bottom.
PTO Pump Power
The sprayer is connected to the tractor via the PTO (Power Take-Off), which powers the pump.
The pump pressurizes the liquid, sending it to the boom sprayer arms.
Kuhn trailed sprayers, 3000 litres capacity
Boom Arms & Nozzles
The long folding boom arms seen folded on top in this image extend horizontally across the field (up to 24–36 meters).
Along the booms are multiple nozzles that spray the liquid evenly across the crop canopy.
Spray Application
Operators can adjust pressure, nozzle type, and droplet size to suit the crop and chemical.
This ensures uniform coverage while minimizing wastage or crop damage.
Refill & Cleaning
After spraying, the tank can be easily refilled.
Built-in rinsing systems allow safe cleaning to prevent chemical residues.
Farm machinery in Kenya can be purchased from authorized dealers, agricultural shops, and reputable suppliers like Farm Machinery For Sale (0748 049529). Major towns such as Nairobi, Nakuru,
Financing, Leasing & Hire Purchase Options
Access to farm machinery in Kenya is improving through flexible financing models. Farmers can now purchase tractors, planters, and harvesters via bank loans, SACCOs, and microfinance institutions. Many authorized dealers also provide hire purchase plans, allowing farmers to make a down payment and spread the balance over agreed installments.
Leasing options are available for those who need machinery seasonally without full ownership costs. Additionally, tractor hire services and cooperatives enable smallholders to access equipment affordably. These financial solutions are making modern farm machinery more accessible, boosting mechanization and productivity across both small and large-scale farms.
Increased Efficiency
Machines perform tasks faster than manual labor, saving time during land preparation, planting, and harvesting.
Higher Productivity
More land can be cultivated and managed within shorter periods, leading to greater yields.
Reduced Labor Costs
Replaces heavy manual work, lowering dependence on large farm labor forces.
Precision & Accuracy
Equipment like precision planters and sprayers ensures correct seed spacing, depth, and chemical application.
Better Land Preparation
Implements such as disc ploughs and harrows break soil uniformly, improving seedbed quality.
Improved Harvesting
Combines, threshers, and balers reduce post-harvest losses and improve crop quality.
Time-Saving in Peak Seasons
Allows farmers to plant or harvest on time, which is critical for good yields.
Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run
Though expensive initially, machinery reduces overall farming costs over time.
Adaptation to Climate Change
Minimum-tillage and zero-tillage equipment conserve soil moisture and reduce erosion.
Red tractor with a 4 row planter stands on a dirt path.
Enhanced Safety & Comfort
Modern tractors and implements reduce physical strain and offer operator-friendly features.
Versatility
One tractor can operate multiple implements (ploughs, planters, sprayers, harvesters), making it a multi-purpose tool.
What machinery is commonly used on farms in Kenya?
Tractors, ploughs, seed planters, harvesters, sprayers, hay mowers, and shredders are the most common farm machinery used by Kenyan farmers.
How much does a tractor cost in Kenya?
Tractor prices in Kenya vary by brand and horsepower. For example, a 50HP Solis or Massey Ferguson costs around 1.5M–2.5M Kenya Shillings , while larger 75HP+ models range from 3,000,000Ksh to 5,000,000Ksh
Orange KUHN Shredder hitched to a tractor
Farm machinery is available through authorized dealers like Inchcape (New Holland), FMD East Africa, CMC legacy distributors, and at machinery hubs in Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Kisumu.
Can I get farm machinery on hire purchase or financing?
Yes. Many dealers work with banks, SACCOs, and microfinance institutions to provide financing, leasing, or hire purchase options for tractors and equipment.
Which farm machinery brand is best in Kenya?
Massey Ferguson, New Holland, John Deere, Solis, and Kuhn are among the leading and most reliable brands in Kenya, depending on budget and farm size.
Are second-hand tractors and equipment reliable?
Yes, if sourced from trusted dealers. However, farmers should inspect for engine condition, wear and tear, and availability of spare parts before purchase.
Machinery improves efficiency, reduces labor costs, increases yields, and ensures precise planting, ploughing, and harvesting.
What challenges do farmers face in accessing machinery?
High purchase costs, limited spare parts in rural areas, lack of training for operators, and financing difficulties are the major challenges.
Can smallholder farmers afford farm machinery?
Most smallholders cannot buy large machines outright, but they benefit from tractor hire services, cooperatives, or shared leasing models.
What is the future of farm machinery in Kenya?
The future points to more affordable tractors, smart farming technologies, precision agriculture tools, and stronger dealer networks to support farmers nationwide.
Comments