AGST401

Provides students with basic skills needed to safely operate and maintain farm equipment, such as tractors and implements used in agronomic production. Students will receive introductory background training in the basic safety and operation of tractors through hands-on learning. Emphasis will also be placed on the mechanical functioning of equipment and the functional similarities and differences between gasoline (two-stroke and four-stroke) and diesel engines as well as electric motors as they relate to farm equipment (mobile and stationary). This knowledge will be used to teach students to safely perform basic care and maintenance of different tractor types as well as various implements. Students will also learn basic implement connection and disconnection, including the safe use of implements that employ a power take-off unit. Included in the course will be an introduction to the equipment and use of satellite navigation systems used in agronomic production.