Service and repair land-based soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment

This standard covers the service and repair of land-based soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment, including the knowledge and understanding of setting and operating the equipment and implements.

It includes the recognition of faults, methods of repair, calibration and verification of performance. Soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment can be found in the following land-based sectors: agriculture, horticulture, amenities, ground care, arboriculture and forestry.

This standard covers the soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment which includes soil engaging machinery and implements that are used to work the soil either through being pushed or pulled. The machinery and implements could include ploughs, cultivators, graders, slitters, drainage and pipe laying, or rollers and presses.

Equipment covered in this standard includes that powered by a Power Take Off (PTO) shaft or direct from a motor providing rotary or reciprocating movements. Such machinery could include powered harrows, de-stoners or soil aeration machinery and equipment.

Machinery and equipment used for drilling, planting and the distribution of materials for the purpose of crop establishment (planting) are also covered in this standard. The machinery used could be seed placement/drilling equipment.

When working with machinery or equipment you should be trained and hold current certification, where required, in accordance with the relevant legislation.

When working on high voltage (hazardous voltage/HaV) electric vehicles, de-energising must be done by a person who has been trained in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedures.

This standard is for those who work in land-based engineering under supervision.

1. be aware of hazards and assess the risks associated with the activity and the location where it is to be carried out
2. be aware of the potential environmental impact associated with the activity and the ways in which this can be controlled
3. select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
4. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the tools and equipment required to carry out the activity in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer's instructions and company practices
5. check that the land-based equipment requiring service and repair is safe, prepared and isolated from power sources, where required
6. take the necessary precautions to prevent the escape of chemicals, gases and other substances and minimise dangers from contamination and hazards, where required
7. use a variety of methods to collect diagnostic information to identify defects and faults  
8. determine the requirements for service and repair
9. identify and establish the availability of replacement components required for the activity
10. dismantle, service/repair and reinstate soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment and their components in line with the manufacturer’s specifications and standards
11. remove and replace worn and damaged components in accordance with instructions and specifications
12. set trailed and mounted equipment to interface with the prime mover
13. calibrate application rates and spacing of plants on plant establishment equipment
14. implement field settings to the manufacturer’s specifications and the customer’s requirements on soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment
15. use suitable testing methods to assess the performance of the reassembled system on completion of the activity, and confirm that it performs to the operating specifications prior to returning the equipment to the customer
16. recycle or sustainably dispose of the different types of waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous, caused by the activity, in accordance with instructions and the relevant legal and environmental requirements 
17. complete records as required by the relevant legislation, warranty requirements and company procedures

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks when preparing to service and repair land-based equipment 
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
3. the tools and equipment required to carry out the activity and how to select, prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and company practices
4. the relevant legal requirements for the preparation and use of work equipment
5. the methods of preparing land-based equipment for service and repair 
6. the dangers created by stored energy and how to respond to these during the preparation stage 
7. the hazardous chemicals, gases and other substances that may be present and how they should be dealt with 
8. the different methods that can be used for the assessment of defects and faults with soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment and for the identification of the root cause  
9. the typical defects and faults that occur with soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment  
10. the factors that determine whether it is worthwhile carrying out the service and repair, such as cost, estimated working life or urgent need for the equipment
11. the components required for the service and repair activity and the company procedures for obtaining replacements 
12. the types, construction and function of soil engaging, preparation and cultivation equipment used to lift, move, drain, invert, separate, profile and prepare land
13. the types, construction and function of plant establishment equipment used to plant and sow
14. how to remove and replace components from soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment
15. how to dismantle, service/repair and reinstate soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment machinery and equipment in line with the manufacturer’s specification and standards
16. the methods and mechanisms used to meter application rates of seeds and plants and their calibration
17. the causes of excessive wear to soil engaging parts
18. the operating principles and applications of soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment machinery and equipment
19. how to set and verify the performance of soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment in line with the manufacturer’s specifications and the customer’s requirements
20. how to use data to set and adjust soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment for optimal performance
21. how to set tramlines and markers to suit the customer’s farming operations
22. the impact of soil, seed, crops, weather conditions and their influence on the equipment’s performance settings
23. the methods of testing equipment on completion of the activity to confirm that it performs to the operating specifications prior to returning it to the customer
24. how to recycle or sustainably dispose of the different types of waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous, caused by the activity, in accordance with instructions and the relevant legal and environmental requirements 
25. the potential impact that the activity could have on the environment and the ways in which this can be controlled
26. the information that needs to be recorded, the company procedure for maintaining records and the requirements of data protection legislation

Hazardous chemicals and substances could include:

• fuels

• oils

• fluids

• gases

• dust

• compressed air

Instructions and specifications:

• drawings/plans

• schedules

• method statements

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• manufacturer’s instructions

• customer requirements

• verbal instructions

Methods of diagnosis:

• visual inspections

• functional and operational tests

• diagnostic equipment

• remote electronic control and monitoring systems

• reviewing technical data

Set trailed and mounted equipment  e.g. set track widths, furrow widths, maximum lift heights, stabilisation

Soil preparation, cultivation and plant establishment equipment  e.g. ploughs, graders, cultivators, power harrows, rotavators, separators, seed drills, planters, subsoil implements, drainage and pipe laying, rollers and pressers

Stored energy:

• springs

• belt tension

• hydraulic pressure

• electrical discharge

• accumulator discharge

Refer to LANLEO1 Recognise and reduce hazards in the land-based engineering work area – for guidance on safe working practices.

Refer to LANLEO4 Apply core land-based engineering principles: mechanical principles – for guidance on fundamental engineering principles and practices. 

Refer to LANLEO29 Monitor the handover and installation of land-based equipment – for guidance on operational requirements.

Refer to LANLEO2 Implement organisational procedures in land-based engineering – for guidance on procedural or administrative recording and reporting practices.