Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate a crawler tractor for log production and use optimised production processes in a commercial forest harvesting environment. The main job functions are to move stems and/or logs from felling site to roadside or landing area. Other functions include product segregation, stacking, and removal of slash. Activities are to be conducted safely and effectively.
The unit applies to individuals who work as crawler tractor operators in small or larger harvesting crews. Operators generally work under broad direction to complete routine activities related to crawler tractor operations and take responsibility for their work.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Plan and prepare to operate a crawler tractor | 1.1 Review production plan, confirm its targets for felling and processing and assess wood flow requirements to ensure efficient machine operation and overall productivity 1.2 Confirm type, size and quantity of stems and/or logs to be moved with crawler tractor to ensure that loads and machine are in line with safe working load requirements and industry standards for operations 1.3 Confirm, identify and report health, safety, environmental and heritage risks of operation, in line with standard operating procedures and site safety and environmental management plans 1.4 Apply risk control measures in line with standard operating procedures, site operational plan, legislative requirements and industry standards to eliminate or minimise risks 1.5 Identify emergency plan procedures to follow in the event of an emergency 1.6 Use production plan to identify location of extraction routes, entry points and directions to the landing for efficient extraction of logs and minimum interference with other forestry operations 1.7 Assess terrain characteristics to establish machine stability 1.8 Carry out pre-operational checks on machine in line with workplace procedures or manufacturers' recommendations to ensure optimal production performance and operational effectiveness |
2. Operate crawler tractor | 2.1 Use industry-accepted warning signs, vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems and procedures to maintain communication and workplace safety during operation 2.2 Select products, stems and/or logs or slash to be moved based on their position, location and size 2.3 Position crawler tractor for stability and safe access to products or slash by adjusting the technique in response to terrain conditions 2.4 Carry out hooking-on and winching techniques or use cabin controls to grapple products or slash avoiding damage to the products in line with the production plan requirements 2.5 Drive the machine to move products or slash to the roadside or landing area to achieve optimum efficiency and minimise breakage and damage to products, standing trees and surrounding environment in line with the production plan requirements 2.6 Unhook and position or construct stacks of stems, logs or slash at the roadside or landing area to avoid product damage, provide stability, restrict height for efficient extraction and facilitate safe access and conduct of other landing and equipment operations in line with worksite layout and production plan requirements 2.7 Recover all merchantable product or slash from site in line with the production plan requirements |
3. Carry out machine operator maintenance | 3.1 Park, shut-down, de-energise and isolate crawler tractor in line with workplace procedures or manufacturers' recommendations 3.2 Clean, check and carry out routine maintenance activities on crawler tractor and equipment to maintain optimum operational performance 3.3 Identify and report machine faults, malfunctions or problems in line with workplace procedures or manufacturers' recommendations 3.4 Clean work area of all debris and waste resulting from crawler tractor operation and dispose of or recycle waste materials in line with site environmental management plan 3.5 Record crawler tractor operations and maintenance activities |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Read production plans, site safety and environmental management plans in a forest harvesting environment Read standard operating procedures and/or manufacturers' instructions for the operation of forest harvesting machinery |
Writing | Record operation, production and machine maintenance on paper based or electronic media |
Oral Communication | Interact verbally and non-verbally using agreed systems and processes to communicate with others on site to ensure safe and effective machine operations Use appropriate vocabulary including technical language directly relevant to role |
Numeracy | Interpret gauges relevant to safe operation of harvesting machinery Determine construction of stable log stack Estimate the weight of logs to determine loading requirements and compliance to machine specifications |
Navigate the world of work | Understand main tasks, responsibilities and boundaries of own role |
Interact with others | Use modes of communication suitable to purpose to confirm and clarify understanding Communicate and report operational and safety information to on-site personnel |
Get the work done | Recognise and respond to routine problems Plan and organise own work activities and resources |
Sectors
Harvesting (HAR)