Tractor Driving 13–15-year-olds TRA01

What is an agricultural tractor?

A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or construction. Most commonly, the term is used to describe a farm vehicle that provides the power and traction to mechanize agricultural tasks, especially (and originally) tillage, and now many more. Agricultural implements may be towed behind or mounted on the tractor, and the tractor may also provide a source of power if the implement is mechanised.

What does the training course include?

• Have a basic understanding of the industry, the dangers of working in the industry and their responsibilities as an operator
• Have a working knowledge of the manufacturer’s handbook for the particular machine to be used
• Be able to locate and identify the major components of the machine and explain their functions
• Be able to locate and identify key controls and explain their functions
• Set up exclusion zone
• Conduct all pre-operational checks in accordance with manufacturers and legislative requirements
• Identify and maintain PPE appropriate for agricultural tractor use
• Prepare the agricultural tractor for use
• Conduct all necessary safety checks at the work area
• Attach and set trailers, mounted and PTO drives ready for operation
• Operate machinery safely and efficiently
• Environmental considerations
• Storage and transport of implements and attachments
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of loading and unloading procedures for machine transportation
• Carry out all end of shift and shut down procedures

Venue and equipment requirements:

• Suitable and safe area to operate and manoeuvre machine
• Trailed equipment
• 3-point linkage and PTO attachments
• Varying terrain and slopes
• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Tractor and attachments
• Operators’ manual
• Risk assessment completed

PPE Requirements:

• Suitable head protection
• Suitable eye protection
• Suitable hearing protection
• Suitable work clothes including wet weather
• Gloves
• Suitable work boots including steel toe protection
• High Viz

HSE further information:

• Avoiding danger from overhead power cables guidance GS6 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/gs6.pdf
• Avoiding danger from underground services HSG47 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg47.pdf
• PUWER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l22.pdf
• LOLER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l113.htm

Theory assessment:

• 25 multiple choice questions
• 4 marks per question
• 80% pass mark required

Practical assessment criteria:

• Pre use and operational checks
• Travel up and down slopes with hill starts
• Drive through chicane, forwards and backwards
• Reverse 30 metres in a straight line, through restrictions
• Attach trailer and secure
• Attach 3-point linkage attachment
• Drive over uneven and sloping terrain
• Pass mark is less than 35 penalty points and no mandatory disqualifications
• Time allowed – N/A

On-site training courses delivered:

Southwest – Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Somerset, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire

Southeast – Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex

Midlands – Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Shropshire

East Anglia – Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk

Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Bath, Bedford, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Coventry, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Hungerford, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Northampton, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Southampton, Stroud, Swindon, Taunton, Warwick, Winchester, Witney, Worcester, Yeovil