CCEA Draft Specification for
Agriculture Engineering Unit
November 2011
Maintenance of Tractors or other Land-based Machinery
Content, purpose and occupational relevance
This unit is based on the learner developing vocational skills in the maintenance of tractors and/or other land-based machinery. In this unit learners will have the opportunity to carry out routine safety checks, preparation for operation, routine maintenance and servicing of diesel engines.
Learners will also have the option of either operating a land-based machine in a safe manner under supervision and within the confines of a controlled environment
or
carry out basic non mechanical maintenance to a tractor or land-based machine and attachments.
Structure of the unit
This unit is divided into four sections; - All Learners must do sections 1 and 2 and either section 3 or 4 (optional)
Section 1: Routine safety checks and preparation for operation
Section 2: Basic maintenance of diesel engines
Section 3: (optional) Non mechanical maintenance to a tractor or land-based machine and attachments
Section 4: (optional) Safe operation of a tractor or other land-based machine and attachments.
Section 1: Preparation and routine safety checks
· Appropriate personal protective equipment and relevant current legislation;
· Principal components of a tractor or other land-based machines;
· Routine safety checks in preparation for operation.
Section 2: Basic maintenance of diesel engines
· The cycle of a diesel engine;
· The use of tools and equipment relating to diesel engines;
· Carry out basic diesel engine servicing and maintenance.
The level of understanding required by this specification is best achieved by learners carrying out the practical activities associated with the points listed above.
Learners will undertake either section 3 or 4 –(optional)
Section 3: Non mechanical maintenance to a tractor or land-based machine and attachments
· Non mechanical maintenance required to a tractor or land-based machine attachments.
· understand the use of tools and equipment relating to non mechanical maintenance.
· manufacture and install or replace component as necessary.
Section 4: Safe operation of a tractor or other land-based machine and attachments
· Driver hazards and PPE.
· Carry out all work in accordance with current health and safety legislation.
· Show knowledge of operating tractors or other land-based machinery safely.
What you need to learn
Section 1: Preparation and routine safety checks
Building sites or farms can be dangerous places and new entrants to the industry can pose a hazard to themselves and their co-workers. Learners must be able to identify, select and carry out or describe:
· appropriate personal protective equipment;
· principal components of a tractor or other land-based machines;
· daily or weekly checks;
· daily pre start checks;
· the function of tyres, wheels, tracks steering and brakes;
· the current legislation in relation to tractors and other land-based machines.
Section 2: Basic maintenance of diesel engines
Learners must be able to understand:
· the cycle of a diesel engine;
· and use specialist vocabulary relating to diesel engines;
· the use of tools and equipment relating to diesel engines and the specific tasks for which each would be used. (spanners, sockets sets, levers, screwdrivers, pliers, clamps etc)
· the function of the fuel, cooling and lubrication systems and be able to check for appropriate levels making adjustments where necessary;
· the function of transmission and hydraulic systems and be able to check for appropriate levels making adjustments where necessary;
· how to carry out an oil change on a diesel engine.
The level of understanding required by this specification is best achieved by learners carrying out the practical activities listed above. Innovative use of teaching methods can be used to capture learner evidence such as video cameras and witness statements.
Learners will undertake either section 3 or 4
Section 3: Non mechanical maintenance to a tractor or land-based machine attachments
At the end of this section learners should be able to:-
· identify non mechanical maintenance requirements,
· cut out damaged section of metal or dismantle as necessary;
· use appropriate tools and equipment;
· manufacture individually or as a team part / component as necessary;
· prime metal to protect from corrosion and apply a top coat.
· replace identified part / component as necessary;
Section 4: Safe operation of a tractor or other land-based machinery
At the end of this section learners should be able to:-
· check the immediate work area for hazards and take appropriate action as necessary;
· check and adjust operator environment to meet personal requirements;
· mounting / dismounting safely
· operate tractors or other land-based machinery in accordance with current health and safety legislation on various weather conditions.
Assessment
Learners should work individually and identify safety hazards when working with tractors or other land-based machinery. Learners should also be able to carry out basic mechanical machine maintenance.
Learners should be able to either carry out basic manufacturing processes to provide maintenance on tractors or other land-based machinery attachments which includes the use of basic engineering hand tools.
or
Safely operate tractors or other land-based machinery in a controlled environment under teacher / lecturer supervision.
Assessment Criteria
The unit content is suited to a practical “hands on” approach which will benefit learners. Evidence can be obtained by teacher / lecturers using photographs, witness statements and practical tasks which have a clear learner outcome.
Band C
To be awarded marks in Band C, the learner must have demonstrated:
· an understanding of safe working practices at all times;
· that they can identify some hazards associated with tasks;
· that they can identify some maintenance requirements on tractors or other land-based machinery attachments
· that they can identify some tools and materials to be used;
· that they can carry out basic mechanical maintenance tasks safely and accurately;
If doing sect 3
· carry out basic non mechanical maintenance tasks safely and accurately;
If doing sect 4
· operate a tractor or other land-based machinery safely with a basic level of skill.
Band B
To be awarded marks in Band B, the learner must have demonstrated:
· an understanding of safe working practices at all times;
· that they can correctly identify most hazards associated with tasks;
· that they can identify several maintenance requirements on tractors or other land
· based machinery attachments
· that they can identify several tools and materials to be used;
· that they can carry out several mechanical maintenance tasks safely and
accurately;
If doing sect 3
· carry out several non mechanical maintenance tasks safely and accurately;
If doing sect 4
· operate a tractor or other land-based machinery safely with a moderate level of
skill.
Band A
To be awarded marks in Band A, the learner must have demonstrated:
· a high level understanding of safe working practices at all times;
· that they can correctly identify all hazards associated with tasks;
· that they can correctly identify most maintenance requirements on tractors or other land-based machinery attachments;
· that they can identify most tools and materials to be used;
· that they can carry out all mechanical maintenance tasks safely and accurately;
If doing sect 3
· carry out most non mechanical maintenance tasks safely and accurately;
If doing sect 4
· operate a tractor or other land-based machinery safely with a high level of skill.
Guidance for teachers
Learners should have access to a suitable tractor or land-based machinery and attachments. This is a highly practical unit which encourages learners to combine diesel maintenance skills with basic machine operational skills.
Learners should be aware of the health and safety issues associated with the maintenance of diesel engines and basic operative skills.
The learning experience can benefit from visits to manufacturers, agricultural dealers, auctions and shows. “Hands on” access to some industry standard equipment and workshops is essential to achieve a high quality student experience.
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