When we think of farming most of us will thing of rearing livestock, sowing seeds and harvesting crops. But like all good manual workers, farmers also rely on their tools, so the importance of making sure they’re in good working order is not to be overlooked.
Agriculture students at Coleg Gwent’s Usk Campus got to grips with machine maintenance when they recently serviced a telescopic handler – heavy plant machinery used for lifting and moving in agriculture.
The group of four gave the machinery its routine service, including rotation of the wheels from front to back to even out wear and tear, making sure parts such as windscreen wipers are in good working order and changing the engine oil.
Eighteen-year-old Jonathan Stark from Llantarnam (pictured) will work for his dad’s plant and machinery hire business when he finishes his course so servicing the College’s farm machinery is excellent experience: “When I finished school, rather than working for the family business straight away, I decided to get a better working knowledge of farming at College. To operate some machinery we have to get licences and specific qualifications to ensure we can use them safely as they can be potentially very dangerous. So this course has been perfect as getting these skills and licences in College, means we’re well-equipped for work when we leave.”
Lecturer Dave Probert explains: “Farm safety is firmly on the curriculum at Coleg Gwent, as the next generation of farmers get to grips with the risks they face in what is one of Britain’s most dangerous industries, and the simple steps they can take to keep safe.”
