Lesson 1Tractors: matching engine power, PTO, gearbox type, hydraulic capacity, and tyre options to tasksGuides tractor choice by matching engine power, PTO, hydraulics, and gearbox to implements and jobs. Considers ballast, tyre or track choices, 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 gear: threshing capacity, header width, grain tank size, unloading rateFocuses on combines and grain gear, covering threshing/cleaning capacity, headers, tanks, and unloading. Matches machine size to harvest periods, 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, drinking troughs, frost protectionDesigns cattle water systems from borehole/pump sizing to storage and trough layout. Factors peak demand, pressure, frost guards, and power use for reliable clean water in varying weather.
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 4Implements for soil work: ploughs, cultivators, disc/vertical tillage tools — working width, draft needs, power drawExamines soil tools like ploughs, cultivators, tillage gear. Focuses on width, draft, power relative to soil type, residue, erosion goals 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 gear: feed mixers, bale processors, waterers, cattle handling specsCovers feeding/handling gear like mixers, bale processors, waterers, handling systems. Stresses capacity, power needs, animal flow, safety, barn integration.
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 and planting gear: row planters, monitors, seed meters, widths and speed trade-offsCovers row planters including frame, 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 7Kraal waste gear: slurry tanks, pumps, drag hoses, low-disturbance injectors and storage linersExplores waste handling from kraal 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 and handling: silo sizing, aeration, conveyors, dryers specsDesigns on-farm grain storage: silo size, foundations, aeration, conveyors, dryers. Stresses moisture control, safety, expansion, 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 and spray tech: boom width, tank capacity, pump specs, GPS/auto-section controlDetails sprayer parts/sizing: boom, tank, pumps, nozzles. Covers GPS, auto-section, rate control 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
