Lesson 1Tractors: matching engine power, PTO, gearbox type, hydraulic capacity, tyre choices to tasksGuides tractor picking by matching engine power, PTO, hydraulics, and gearbox to tools and jobs. Considers weights, tyre or track options, fuel savings, and farm growth plans.
Engine horsepower, torque, and load profilesPTO power, speeds, and implement matchingTransmission types and field operating rangesHydraulic flow, remotes, and hitch capacityBallast, tires, tracks, and soil compactionLesson 2Combine and grain handling: threshing capacity, header width, grain tank size, unloading speedFocuses on combines and grain gear, covering threshing/cleaning power, headers, tanks, and unloading. Matches machine size to harvest times, residue aims, and transport limits.
Header width, crop types, and field lossesThreshing, separation, and cleaning settingsGrain tank size, sensors, and fill managementUnloading auger length, rate, and logisticsResidue spreaders, choppers, and field prepLesson 3Water systems for cattle: borehole/pump sizing, storage tanks, trough setups, dry season protectionCovers cattle water design, from borehole/pump sizing to storage and trough layout. Considers peak needs, pressure, dry season protection, and power use for steady, clean water.
Estimating herd water demand and peak flowWell yield, pump curves, and pipe sizingStorage tanks, elevation, and pressure controlTrough design, placement, and flow hardwareFrost protection, insulation, and heat optionsLesson 4Soil work tools: ploughs, cultivators, disc/vertical tillage — width, pull needs, power useLooks at soil tools like ploughs, cultivators, tillage gear. Focuses on width, pull force, power relative to soil type, residue, erosion aims for efficient, soil-friendly work.
Moldboard, chisel, and strip‑till comparisonsField cultivators, harrows, and seedbed prepDisk and vertical tillage tool selectionWorking width, draft force, and tractor matchResidue management and erosion impactsLesson 5Livestock machinery: feed mixers, bale processors, waterers, cattle handling specsCovers machines for feeding/handling livestock, including mixers, bale processors, waterers, handling setups. Stresses capacity, power, animal movement, safety, barn fit.
Feed mixer types, capacity, and power needsBale processors, grinders, and dust controlAutomatic and heated livestock waterersChutes, alleys, and headgate specificationsCorral layout, safety, and animal behaviorLesson 6Seeding/planting gear: row planters, monitors, seed meters, widths and speed trade-offsCovers row planter choice/setup, frame style, seed meters, monitors, downforce. Matches width/speed to seed accuracy, residue, tractor power.
Row‑crop planter types and frame configurationsSeed meter mechanisms and singulation qualityMonitor systems, sensors, and data loggingWorking width, field speed, and capacity trade‑offsDownforce, closing systems, and residue handlingLesson 7Manure gear: slurry tanks, pumps, drag hoses, low-disturbance injectors, storage linersExplores manure systems from shed to field, tanks, pumps, hoses, injectors. Sizes for herd output, cuts soil upset, protects liners, groundwater, air.
Estimating manure volume and system capacitySlurry tanks, agitation, and transfer pumpsDragline layout, hose sizing, and pump powerLow‑disturbance injection tools and placementStorage structures, liners, and leak monitoringLesson 8On-farm grain storage/handling: bin sizing, aeration, conveyors, dryers, specsDescribes on-farm grain storage/handling, bin sizing, bases, aeration, conveyors, dryers. Stresses moisture control, safety, growth plans, power needs.
Crop yields, test weight, and bin sizingBin foundations, floors, and structural loadsAeration fans, ducts, and control strategiesConveyors, augers, and leg capacity sizingDryer types, fuel use, and control systemsLesson 9Sprayers: boom width, tank size, pump specs, GPS/auto-section control needsDetails sprayer parts/sizing, boom width, tank volume, pumps, nozzles. Covers GPS guidance, auto-section control, rate controllers for better coverage, less overlap, label compliance.
Boom width, fold style, and field maneuverabilityTank capacity, agitation, and rinse systemsPump types, pressure ranges, and flow sizingNozzle selection for coverage and drift controlGPS guidance, rate control, and auto‑section
