Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify four-wheel drive specific terms, terminology and techniques
- Access, interpret and apply four wheel drive vehicle documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
- Identify the structural and handling differences between a conventional two wheel drive and a four-wheel drive vehicle
- Identify and demonstrate the purpose and use of front wheel hubs
- Identify factors affecting tyre size, fitment, rating, and pressure
- Identify, recovery hooks and mounting features
- Identify hazards associated with incorrect use of vehicle features or equipment
- Plan for minimal environmental impact
- Determine types of impact likely to occur during four-wheel driving activities
- Demonstrate compliance with land management principles and policies when planning exploration activities
- Comply with policies and management plans relevant to the activity area
- Plan and conduct activities in a manner which minimises environmental impact
- Adopt and implement procedures to ensure minimisation of harm to the environment from four-wheel drive activities
- Demonstrate cooperation and consideration towards other land users
- Perform pre-departure checks
- Perform routine pre-departure checks under the bonnet, under the body, on external and internal items and accessories
- Take action to correct any deficiency
- Determine food and water requirements for journey
- Select navigation equipment
- Interpret weather conditions, determine suitability for driving
- Apply safe vehicle loading practices
- Secure items of personal luggage
- Advise passengers of any special safety precautions to be taken when traversing rough terrain
- Use four-wheel drive mode
- Operate four-wheel drive both on and off road, in accordance with road rules, principles of four-wheel driving and WHS regulations
- Apply smooth accelerator control strategies over a range of terrain types
- Demonstrate recommended braking techniques for hard top surfaces and off road conditions
- Identify situations where the engagement of four-wheel drive is required
- Engage four-wheel drive mode
- Survey track to identify hazards, asses risk and select a best route
- Select routes to minimise damage to the environment
- Use appropriate range, gear, speed, driving and braking technique, negotiate a range of terrain types whilst maintaining control of vehicle, being aware of contextual/environment issues
- Maintain appropriate hand positioning on steering wheel
- Check brakes and undercarriage after negotiating varying terrain
- Assess and perform repairs to damaged tracks
- Use standard operating procedures when travelling in company with other vehicles
- Use a single snatch strap to recover a vehicle
- Identify risks associated with vehicle recovery and develop and implement strategies to minimise risks
- Identify recovery hooks
- Confirm use of recommended mounting strategy on the four-wheel drive vehicle and assess use of rated recovery equipment
- Demonstrate procedures for preparing vehicles for recovery
- Demonstrate techniques to minimise impact on the environment during vehicle recovery
- Demonstrate techniques for joining two snatch straps
- Coordinate safe recovery of a four-wheel drive vehicle using a single snatch strap
- Perform post recovery checks and repairs
- Perform maintenance and minor repairs on four-wheel drive vehicles
- Select/access maintenance equipment, including spares and fluids, prior to departure, considering contextual issues of the trip
- Check vehicles prior to and regularly during trip, and perform routine maintenance/repair tasks
- Submit vehicle written performance reports
- Demonstrate safe use of a jack to support a four-wheel drive vehicle on uneven ground