Vehicles

Tractors

The tractor courses offered vary depending on number of participants, experience and number of optional units required.

MANDATORY UNITS 
- Preparation & Maintenance 
- Safe Procedures and Observation 
- Safe Driving & Handling of Tractor 
OPTIONAL UNITS 
- Hitching/manoeuvring with trailer implements 
- Hitching/manoeuvring with mounted implement 
- Fitting & Operation of PTOs 
- Basic use of Tractor Mounted Loader 

Please contact LTG for more advice about duration and assessment options

EXAMPLE TRACTOR COURSE FOR NOVICES
(PTO, Mounted and trailed implements)

COURSE OBJECTIVES
To enable course members to: 

• Understand the purpose and meaning of the instrumentation

• Understand the function of all controls

• Understand the hazards associated with some controls

• Start and stop the engine in a safe manner

• Be competent in driving a tractor in a forward and reverse direction

• Leave the tractor in a safe state

• Understand reasons for daily checks

• Competently perform checking of the lubrication, cooling, and air intake of the engine, perform basic lubrication of the tractor and ensure the tractor is in a safe road going state

• Attach a mounted implement and manoeuvre in a forward and reverse direction with a mounted implement

• Attach a trailed implement and manoeuvre in a forward and reverse direction with a trailed implement

• Leave unattached implements in a safe state

• Correctly attach a PTO shaft between tractor and implement

• Attach the PTO shaft guards correctly

• Assess the minimum turning circle of the machine and the angle of the PTO shaft

• Plan field work in relation to field shape and type of operation

Who is the course for? 
Tractor drivers with limited or no experience of the operation and daily use of a tractor. 

Duration
Four days - Classroom and practical

Instructor/Trainee Ratio
Max: 1:4

Course Content
Initial introduction & Preventing Accidents
Learning the controls
Driving the tractor
Daily checks
Mounted implements
Use of automatic hitching systems
Trailed implements
Use of PTO shafts
Planning an efficient field operation
Recap and Conclusion

Equipment/Facilities Required: 
2 suitable tractors equipped with drawbars and pick up hitches and 3 point linkages. (At least 1 machine per 2 trainees).
At least 1 suitable tractor equipped with an automatic 3 point hitch system
At least 1 each of the following:

• trailer equipped with pick up

• hitch drawbar

• trailed implement

• mounted machine

• mounted machine for use with automatic hitch systems

• PTO driven mounted machine

• PTO driven trailed machine

Steam cleaner or pressure washer
Tyre pressure gauge and pump
Coolant mixture, grease/gun, oils
Drip trays/oil spillage, absorbent material, de-greaser etc. 
Operators Instruction books for all machinery.

Trainee
Overalls/steel toe capped boots
Ear defenders (if applicable)
Operators Instruction Books for own machinery 

Venue 
Warm, well lit room with adequate tables and chairs plus lighting and power points. Large, dry, well lit and warm shed with a suitable work area. Washroom and toilet facilities. Large area suitable for driving practice, with cones or similar.
Facilities for tea/coffee

Trailers

The trailer handling courses are run in conjunction with approved training providers across the region.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
To enable course members to:

• Understand the requirements of the Risk Assessment

• Understand the legal requirements for towing trailers on/off the road either at work or privately

• Appreciate the main causes of accidents and what can be done to avoid them

• Gain knowledge of the different types of hitches in use, and what contributes to an ideal towing combination

• Couple/un-couple a trailer safety and in line with the recommended DSA test method

• Carry out all necessary checks prior to taking the unit onto the public highway

• Drive with a trailer

- through a restricted entrance
- round 90” turns
- across the DSA test layout
- stop the unit safety within a given distance

Who is the Course For?
Those wishing to update their skills in trailer handling and/or satisfy H & S legislation regarding the Safe Use of Trailers at work
Anyone required to take the trailer test for towing on the road
Anyone needing to tow trailers off-road as part of their work
Pre-requisites A full driving licence (not provisional) with B entitlement.

Duration/Format
One to three days

Instructor/Trainee Ratio
1:2 maximum for day

Course Content
Introduction/domestics
Legal requirement for towing on or off road
- Road Traffic Act
- HSWA and PUWER’98
- Licensing requirements
Common causes of accidents
General Safety Code for Towing ON or OFF Road
Types of hitches
Different loads/stability/ security
Towing vehicle/trailer combinations and set-up
Vehicle checks and basic maintenance
Loading and nose weight criteria/measurement
Coupling and un-coupling techniques
Basic trailer handling
- Demo drive
- Reversing including restricted areas
- Turning through entrances
- Emergency stop/braking exercise
Assessment of individual trainee performance and feedback.
Re-cap
On-road practical trailer handling

Facilities/Equipment required:
For towing vehicles registered October 2003 onwards, for the test the trailer must be a box
type or livestock trailer i.e. it requires full use of external mirrors

Outcomes:
The basic course includes operator assessment and certificates will be awarded to those reaching the required standard.

For those wishing to take the B&E test, the course is of 2 to 3 days duration with the test arranged for the final day. Trainees are accompanied to the test centre.