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: 

Extract timber to a landing using a tractor fitted with a skidding attachment in a production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117083  Extract timber to a landing using a tractor fitted with a skidding attachment in a 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 3  NQF Level 03  12 
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 extract timber to a landing using a tractor fitted with a skidding attachment in a production situation. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the skidding attachment.
  • Prepare the skidding attachment for extraction.
  • Prepare for extraction.
  • Extract timber to a landing using a tractor and skidding attachment in a production situation.
  • Park and shut-down the tractor, and maintain the skidding attachment after use. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ground-based machine extraction.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety in forestry operations.
  • Prepare, operate and maintain a tractor. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Competence can be demonstrated on any tractor fitted with skidding attachments. Skidding attachments include winches, A-frames, grapple or other similar skidding attachments. Competence needs to be demonstrated using only one of the skidding attachments. Demonstration of competence will take place "on-the-job" in a production situation. Competence can be demonstrated either on tree lengths or log lengths or bundles. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the skidding attachment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

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

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Maximum loading capability of the tractor and the attachment is identified according to manufacturer's requirements and varying conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Varying conditions include underfoot conditions and slope.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Slope, terrain and ground clearance limitations are explained according to manufacturer's requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Hazards specific to operating the tractor and the attachment for extraction 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 6 
    Service intervals of the attachment are stated according to manufacturer's requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the skidding attachment for extraction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-operational checks are performed on the skidding attachment according to appropriate checklist. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appropriate checklist is any one or combination of the following.
  • Manufacturer's checklist
  • Company specific checklist.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Checklist is completed according to procedures and corrective action on the skidding attachment is taken, if required, to ensure compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safe work practices are adhered to throughout preparation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare for extraction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety requirements applicable to the operation are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Machine safety, entry into felling zones and landings, proximity of other workers and machines.
     

    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 
    Operational requirements are explained in terms of extraction routes, slopes, landing locations, special management zones, timber flow and production target. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Instructions are given to ensure choker setters understand load size, landing location and timber flow. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Only applicable if choker setters are used.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Work area is checked for hazards and corrective action taken according to standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Extract timber to a landing using a tractor and skidding attachment in a production situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tractor is manoeuvred and controlled effectively within safe operating limits specified by the manufacturer and section 4.3.4 of the Guidelines. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Forward, reverse, left, right, stop, start, gear selection, engine revolutions, braking, speed, travelling empty and loaded. All of the competencies to be performed on flat terrain, gradient and side slope.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tractor performance is continuously monitored and corrective action taken, if required, according to manufacturer's requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Communication with support personnel ensures safe and effective operation throughout the operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication methods include audio and/or visual.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Standard operating procedures and safe work practices are adhered to throughout the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Extraction is performed to meet operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Timber damage and breakage are minimised, extraction complements other phases of the operation, work rate meets pre-determined target, planned extraction routes are used, timber is released and positioned on the landing as arranged with landing workers and operational requirements.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Park and shut-down the tractor, and maintain the skidding attachment 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 
    Sitting, skidding attachment, braking, immobilising.
     

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

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Checklist is completed according to procedures and corrective action on the skidding attachment 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
  • Skidding attachments
  • Personal protective equipment

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

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

    Purpose of:
  • Tractor
  • Skidding attachment
  • Maximum loading capabilities
  • Service intervals of the Skidding attachment
  • 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
  • Monitoring Tractor performance

    Relationships, systems:
  • The interaction of the Tractor and Skidding attachment in 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 and Skidding attachment 
    		•

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

    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 and Skidding attachment 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. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    6. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    7. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    8. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    9. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    10. South African Forestry Training College 
    11. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    12. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    13. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    14. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    15. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    16. 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.