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Mechanics and Equipment Engineering Course by Distance Education Study
Develop your ability to independently manage the selection, operation and maintenance of tools and machinery used in agriculture or horticulture.
CONTENTS
There are eight lessons as follows:
- Engine Operation
- Hydraulics
- Machinery Components
- Hand Tools
- Power Tools
- Tractors
- Equipment Maintenance
- Specific Workplace Requirements
Aims
- To explain the operation of different types of motors, including petrol and electric engines.
- To explain the principles of hydraulics in relation to agricultural and horticultural use.
- To explain the operation of the main components of machinery commonly used in agriculture and horticulture including cooling, lubrication, fuel distribution, ignition and transmission systems.
- To explain the safe and effective operation of different hand tools commonly used in agriculture or horticulture.
- To determine the safe and appropriate operation of power tools in horticultural and agricultural situations.
- To explain the safe and appropriate operation of a tractor in horticultural and agricultural situations.
- Explain the maintenance procedures for different equipment commonly used in agriculture and horticulture, including hand tools, power tools and tractors.
- To determine appropriate equipment for minimum work requirements in an agricultural or horticultural workplace.
Example of Assignment and Practical Tasks in this Course
SET TASK
1/ Go to a local store or specialty engine shop (or online supplier). Enquire and examine how a petrol engine works. Take notes.
2/ Study the workings of a two and four stroke engine.
You may have an old mower or pump engine that can be taken to pieces to assist you in this task. You may be able to visit a mower repair workshop and observe a mower repairman in action.
3/ Select an electric motor used in the agricultural or horticultural industry (ideally a real motor you can touch. If this is not possible, find one on a web site). Examine what you have selected, and attempt to understand how it works as best you can.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Define, in your own words, the following terms relevant to engineering equipment:
- Machines
- Tools
- Electricity
- Power
- Efficiency
- Displacement
- Resistance
- Voltage
- Current
- Vacuum
- Pressure
- Bore
- Generator
- Conductor
- Compression Ratio
- Energy
- Work
- Torque.
2. Explain the concept of "mechanical efficiency" in relation to the performance of agricultural or horticultural machinery (choose some specific pieces of machinery to use as examples).
3. Compare the sequence of events that occurs in 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines with regard to:
- Design layout -Spark -Ignition
- Combustion -Power -Intake
- Exhaust -Lubrication -Maintenance.
4. Describe how a specific petrol engine (your choice of engine) works.
5. Explain how an electric motor works, using an example of a motor commonly used in agriculture or horticulture (eg. water pump, conveyor, air fan). ie. Discuss ignition systems.
