Field Operation and Maintenance of Tractor & Farm Machinery

Familiarization with different makes and models of agricultural tractors. Identification of functional systems including fuels system, cooling system, transmission system, steering and hydraulic systems. Study of maintenance points to be checked before starting a tractor.

Familiarization with controls on a tractor. Safety rules and precautions to be observed while driving a tractor. Driving practice of tractor. Practice of operating a tillage tool (mould-board plough/ disc plough) and their adjustment in the field. Study of field patterns while operating a tillage implement.

Hitching & De-hitching of mounted and trail type implement to the tractor. Driving practice with a trail type trolley – forward and in reverse direction. Introduction to tractor maintenance – precautionary and break-down maintenance. Tractor starting with low battery charge. Introduction to trouble shooting in tractors.

Familiarization with tools for general and special maintenance. Introduction to scheduled maintenance after 10, 100, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 hours of operation. Safety hints. Top end overhauling. Fuel saving tips. Preparing the tractor for storage. Care and maintenance procedure of agricultural machinery during operation and off-season. Repair and maintenance of implements – adjustment of functional parameters in tillage implements.

Replacement of broken components in tillage implements. Replacement of furrow openers and change of blades of rotavators. Maintenance of cutter bar in a reaper. Adjustments in a thresher for different crops. Replacement of V-belts on implements. Setting of agricultural machinery workshop.