Arboriculture, Landscaping, Maintenance and Building, Plant & Machinerys
Tractor Driving and Side Arm Flail - Safe Operation and Maintenance
Assessment type
Training only (attendance)
Integrated training and assessment (ITA)
Minimum duration
1 Day
Course delivery
Practical
On site
Verbal questioning
Observation
Practical demonstrations
Description
The Tractor Driving and Side Arm Flail - Safe Operation and Maintenance course provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to safely operate agricultural tractors fitted with side arm flail mowers in accordance with current industry best practice and relevant health and safety legislation.
Combining classroom-based learning with extensive practical training, delegates will develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to carry out pre-use inspections, safely attach and operate side arm flail equipment, undertake roadside, hedge and verge maintenance, perform routine operator maintenance and maintain safe working practices whilst minimising risks to themselves, others and the surrounding environment.
Training is delivered in line with the UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Course Standard, ensuring a structured, competence-based approach that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application in realistic agricultural and vegetation management environments.
Who Should Attend?
- Agricultural workers.
- Farmers and farm managers.
- Agricultural contractors.
- Estate and grounds maintenance personnel.
- Local authority and highways maintenance staff.
- Individuals with little or no previous experience operating tractors with side arm flail equipment.
- Existing operators wishing to refresh or formalise their skills.
What You Will Learn
- Relevant health and safety legislation and operator responsibilities.
- Hazard identification and safe systems of work.
- Components and operating principles of agricultural tractors and side arm flail mowers.
- Selection and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Pre-use inspections and defect reporting.
- Safe attachment and detachment procedures.
- PTO safety and hydraulic system awareness.
- Safe starting, operation and shutdown procedures.
- Setting up the side arm flail for different working conditions.
- Safe cutting techniques for hedgerows, verges, ditches and field margins.
- Working safely on roadsides, slopes, uneven ground and around overhead and underground hazards.
- Traffic management considerations where applicable.
- Routine operator maintenance and daily checks.
- Safe transportation, storage and environmental considerations.
Practical Training
- Carrying out pre-use inspections and safety checks.
- Safely attaching and preparing the side arm flail mower for operation.
- Inspecting PTO shafts, hydraulic hoses, guards and safety devices.
- Familiarisation with tractor and side arm controls.
- Applying safe verge, hedge and vegetation cutting techniques.
- Working safely around obstacles, boundaries and varying terrain.
- Carrying out routine operator maintenance and cleaning.
- Safe shutdown, transportation and storage procedures.
Assessment
Delegates are assessed throughout the course through practical observation and instructor questioning to confirm their knowledge, understanding and practical competence. Assessment is conducted against the learning outcomes and assessment criteria specified within the relevant UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Course Standard.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Accredited Certificate, demonstrating that they have successfully achieved the learning outcomes and assessment criteria specified within the relevant UKRS Course Standard.
Entry Requirements
Delegates should be capable of safely operating an agricultural tractor or have previously completed suitable tractor operator training. They should be physically capable of safely operating side arm flail equipment and possess a sufficient understanding of spoken and written English to fully participate in training and assessment.
Course Duration
Course duration will vary depending on delegates' previous experience, the number of delegates attending and the level of competence to be achieved. Training is tailored to individual requirements and may be delivered for novice operators, experienced operators or as refresher training.
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