SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Prepare, operate and maintain a tractor in a non-production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117076  Prepare, operate and maintain a tractor in a non-production situation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forestry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit is for people who operate a tractor. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the tractor.
  • Prepare and start-up the tractor.
  • Operate the tractor.
  • Park, shut-down and maintain the tractor after use. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety in forestry operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Competence can be demonstrated on any tractor. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the tractor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety features on the tractor are identified and their purpose explained according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Consequences of overloading and operating the tractor outside its capabilities are explained in terms of the effect on safety and damage to the machine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Slope, terrain and ground clearance limitations are explained according to manufacturer's requirements in varying conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Varying conditions include underfoot conditions and slope.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Hazards specific to operating tractors and ways to minimise these are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terrain, slope, ground conditions, machine speed, stability, suitability and state of repair, proximity of other workers and machines.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of pre-operational and post-operational checks is explained in terms of prolonging the machine life, maximising productivity, minimising cost, enhancing safety and minimising down-time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Service intervals of the tractor are stated according to manufacturer's requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Auxiliary options on the tractor are identified and their purpose explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    3-point linkage, PTO, auxiliary hydraulics.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare and start-up the tractor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools and equipment required are checked for completeness and serviceability, and corrective action is taken, if required. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fire extinguisher, grease gun, wheel spanner, and tools & accessories as required for specific operation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All personal protective equipment required, is checked for functionality and used in terms of company policy and legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Pre-operational checks are performed according appropriate checklist. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appropriate checklist is any one or combination of the follwing:
  • Manufacturer's checklist
  • Company specific checklist.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Machine is started according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Warning from machine indicators and gauges are explained, corrective actions are described and the consequences of failing to address are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Corrective action is taken according to manufacturer's requirements if warnings from indicators and gauges are received. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or report.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Safe work practices are adhered to throughout preparation and start-up. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Checklist is completed according to procedures and corrective action is taken, if required, to ensure compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Operate the tractor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the various controls is explained in accordance with their designed used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Functions of the various controls are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Controls include levers, switches, adjusting wheels, pedals, if fitted.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Controls are used to effectively manoeuvre the tractor within manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Forward, reverse, left, right, stop, start, gear selection, engine revolutions, braking, speed.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safe work procedures are adhered to throughout the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Machine is operated without damage or loss to property or machine, or injury to people. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Park, shut-down and maintain the tractor after use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Parking procedures are performed safely according to manufacturer's specifications and standard operating procedures, where applicable. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Siting, hydraulic equipment, braking, immobilising.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Machine is shut-down according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Daily and weekly maintenance are performed according to appropriate post-operational checklist. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appropriate checklist is any one or a combination of the following:
  • Manufacturer's checklist
  • Company specific checklist.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Checklist is completed according to procedures and corrective action is taken, if required, to ensure compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safety work practices are adhered to throughout parking, shut-down, post-operational checks and maintenance. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning and assessors must be accredited in terms of the requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority.

    Moderation option: The moderation requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority must be met. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Tractors
  • The various controls of the Tractor
  • Tools and equipment
  • Personal protective equipment

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Safety features related to the Tractor
  • Hazards specific to operating the Tractor
  • Loading capability of the Tractor
  • Slope, terrain and ground clearance limitations
  • Checklists

    Sensory cues:
  • What I see, feel and hear during the process

    Purpose of:
  • Tractor
  • Machine indicators and gauges
  • Maximum loading capabilities
  • Service intervals of the trailer
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Safe working practices

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Standard operating procedures: "Guidelines for Forest Engineering Practices in South Africa" (FESA)
  • Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) legislation

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Daily and weekly maintenance
  • Pre-operational checks
  • Shut-down procedures
  • Monitoring Tractor performance

    Relationships, systems:
  • The operation of the Tractor in relation to a safe working environment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Relating to the extraction of timber with a Tractor 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others
  • When interacting with team members and colleagues during the preparation of the Tractor 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When performing daily and weekly maintenance
  • When completing checklists
  • When safety work practices are adhered
  • When managing resources and my time 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When communicating with support personnel 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • When operating and monitoring the Tractor performance
  • When using information technology to source technical data and to generate and submit reports 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • When I can explain and justify my actions and procedures followed during the operational requirements 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48988   National Certificate: Forestry: Timber Harvesting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. AFRICAN MULTISKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 
    2. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    3. Furniture World Training Centre 
    4. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    5. INYAPA VHUSIKU CONSULTING PTY LTD 
    6. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    7. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    8. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    9. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    10. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    11. SINOVUYOLETHU TRADING PTY LTD 
    12. South African Forestry Training College 
    13. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    14. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    15. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    16. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    17. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    18. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.