HUMAN RESOURCES
Modern farms invest in training
of tractor operators
By 2030 self-propelled tractors and harvesters will be a common
sight on farms. But for the next decade, machinery, and particularly
tractors, will still be operated by farm personnel and the human
factor will still have an impact on cost-effectiveness.
By Emmie Pietersen
Director: Peritum Group
D
ie The time-consuming and
labour-intensive duties per-
formed by tractor operators at
present, will be performed by
machinery and robots in future, at a lower
cost and with greater accuracy.
Goldman Sachs reports that it could
cost as little as R35 000 to upgrade vehi-
cles in order to use them without a driver.
Agricultural equipment could also be
automated at a relatively low cost. Good
news is that this does not only apply in
respect of large and sophisticated equip-
ment, but increasingly more in respect
of smaller equipment and agri-robots, for
the simple reason that such equipment
does a lot less damage in respect of soil
compaction. Research indicates that
this smaller fleet of automated tractors
can bring about a growth in yield-related
income of up to 10% and it can obvious-
ly also bring about a drastic decrease
in labour costs. Modern, computerised
equipment will bring about an increase in
agricultural yields of up to 70% by 2050.
The future is exciting, but for today
and for the next 12-15 years, machinery,
and particularly tractors, will have to be
operated by our farm personnel and the
human factor will still have an impact on
the cost-effective application and mainte-
nance of relatively expensive technology
and the safety of people.
THE REAL FACTS
Tractors are still the main cause of acci-
dent-related deaths on farms. In South
Africa only 20% of the national road net-
work of 750 000 km is tarred and 80% of
the routes are used by tractors on a regular
basis, which means that other road users
are also exposed to potential dangers.
The mostcommon tractor-related acci-
dents being reported, include the following:
• A safe speed is not maintained - as
many as 20% of incidents take place
during the trip from the store to the field.
• Neglect to comply with rules of the road.
• The miscalculation of inclines, changing
land surfaces and loads.
• Drivers driving into slow-moving, poorly
visible tractors at sunrise/sunset.
• Getting caught in the power take-off
(PTO) shaft
• People falling from tractors or trailers.
Reasons to train labourers to operate
tractors and equipment
• Trained employees accept more
responsibility for their duties and for
maintaining equipment.
• All employers in South Africa are legally
responsible for the safety of their staff.
• Semi-literate employees who undergo
certified training are more motivated
and proud of their work.
• Technology is becoming more sophis-
ticated and the optimal and effective
application thereof requires basic train-
ing of the operator.
• The services of trained staff are in high-
er demand - an important contribution
can be made by farmers to counter
unemployment within the agri-environ-
ment in South Africa.
PERITUM AGRI INSTITUTE*
The Peritum Agri Institute has been the
preferred trainer of tractor operators
for John Deere in Africa for the past six
years. More than 2 900 operators have
been trained in Uganda, Congo, Nigeria,
Zambia, South Africa, Swaziland, Kenia,
Tanzania, Ghana and Zimbabwe, which
include farm workers, farmers and con-
tractors.
WHAT DOES TRACTOR OPERATOR
TRAINING INVOLVE?
Legal requirements for driving tractors
on public roads
General tractor maintenance
Safe handling of tractors
Effective tractor handling against
inclines
Daily tractor maintenance and monitor-
ing
Safety during fuel intake
Safe towing of implements
The training is done in one day. Should
you wish to include planter and sprayer
training, the programme will stretch over
two days.
For more information, visit Peritum Agri
Institute at www.peritumagri.com.
*The Peritum Agri Institute Tractor Operator Training Programme is accredited at the AGRI SETA and a competency certificate is issued against unit standard no. 116820
with 10 credits. This certificate is regarded as adequate by most agencies for young farmers who wish to work as contractors on farms in America. It is also accepted by
most agencies as adequate proof for special regulations required in terms of tractor operator training.
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SENWES SCENARIO | SPRING 2018