ECVET-unit: Mechanized forestry – harvester

Place: Värnamo, Sweden

Length of stay: 6 weeks

EQF-level: 4

Prerequisites:

Student must have

- basic skills in tractor driving

- chain saw certificate

- practice from crane operation

- basic knowledge in silviculture

- preparations for working abroad

Learning outcome (LO): The student is able to drive a harvester in different terrain conditions in a safe and proper way. The student understands his/her role in a harvesting team and can, on his own, make decisions which lead to a good overall result for the whole team. The student is prepared for working abroad

To reach LO the student must have the following knowledge, skills and competences.

Knowledge

The student can

• Recognize site hazards and interprete instructions

• Identify different timber assortments

• Identify the inspection points on the harvester, loader and head and describe maintenance schedules and intervals

• Describe the function of traction aids

• Identify controls and instruments

• Describe the basic operations of the machine, loader and head

• Explain the principles of thinning and the conservation of nature and cultural remains

• Describe the importance of working in harvesting teams

• Describe risks and health and safety instructions

• Describe the function of computer and measuring systems ¨

Skills

The student is able to

• Follow instructions

• Produce different assortments according to instructions

• Do the maintenance on a harvester according to manufacturers’ recommendations

• Fit traction aids

• Interpret instruments and recognize alarms

• Use the machine, loader and head in a proper, safe and smooth way in different conditions

• Select stems to prevent damage to remaining stand, nature and cultural remains

• Demonstrate ability to work in harvesting teams

• Identify risks and take precautions

• Utilise the computer including: Price lists

• Measuring and calibration and making required adjustments

Competence

The student shows responsibility by

• Taking the right action to prevent environmental damage

• Optimizing the value of products recovered from a stand and present products for efficient extraction

• Recognizing when additional remedial maintenance is required to prevent major failures

• Deciding when traction aids are necessary and select appropriate traction aids for the site

• Taking the right action in the event of an alarm and other incidents

• Positioning the machine and operate in an efficient and correct way

• Working with consideration to future economic, cultural and ecological value of the remaining stand

• Communicating with and support other team members

• Reflecting on health and safety activities within the team