SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Fell, debranch and debark trees using a harvester in a non-production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117067  Fell, debranch and debark trees using a harvester in a non-production situation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forestry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit is for people who fell, debranch and debark trees using a harvester in a non-production situation. People credited with this unit are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies and safety in felling, debranching and debarking trees with a harvester.
  • Prepare the harvester head for felling.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the harvester.
  • Fell, debranch and debark trees with a harvester in a non-production situation.
  • Maintain the harvester head after use. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety in forestry operations.
  • Prepare, operate and maintain a mechanised harvesting machine in a non-production situation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Competence can be demonstrated on any harvester. Demonstration of competence will take place "on-the-job" at a production site. Production target does not need to be met. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies and safety in felling, debranching and debarking of trees with a harvester. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Implications of unplanned felling, debranching and debarking, and lack of controls are explained in terms of cost, safety, operational efficiencies and physical environmental impacts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of the different members as part of a team is explained in terms of complying with safety standards and to optimise production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors influencing felling, debranching and debarking productivity are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Factors influencing felling presentation are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Felling direction, felled tree direction.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Effects of over and under production in felling, debranching and debarking are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Effects on subsequent operations, quality, team work, safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Hazards specific to operating harvesters are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Incorrect controlled felling, flying debris, movement of machine and componentry, proximity of other workers and machines, wind, poor visibility, underfoot conditions, working on slopes, undergrowth conditions, machine stability, suitability and state of repair.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Safety requirements applicable to felling, debranching, and debarking with a harvester are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Machine safety, entry to felling zones and landings, proximity of other workers and machines.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the harvester head for felling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools and equipment required are checked for completeness and serviceability, and corrective action is taken, if required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pre-operational checks are performed according to appropriate checklist. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appropriate checklist is any one or combination of the following:
  • Manufacturer's checklist
  • Company specific checklist.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Checklist is completed according to procedures and corrective action is taken, if required, to ensure compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safe work practices are adhered to throughout preparation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the harvester. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Minimum and maximum diameters of trees able to be felled, debranched and debarked are explained according to manufacturer's specifications and consequences of non-adherence are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Slope, terrain and ground clearance limitations are explained according to manufacturer's specifications and consequences of non-adherence are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Machine and harvester head positioning is explained in terms of stability and felling direction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Components of the harvester head are described by name and function. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Replacement and maintenance of chain and bar is explained in terms of when it must be performed according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Fell, debranch and debark trees with a harvester in a non-production situation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Infield. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work area is checked for hazards and corrective action taken according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Harvester is maneuvered and controlled effectively within safe operating limits specified by the manufacturer and section 4.2.1 of the Guidelines. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Forward, reverse, left, right, stop, start, braking, gear selection and engine revolutions. All competencies to be performed on flat terrain, gradient and side slope.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Harvester performance is continuously monitored and corrective action taken, if required, according to manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Harvester is positioned for felling and harvester head is positioned on the tree according to manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Stable, recommended distance from tree, relative to felling direction, arms clamped, influence of wind, stump height.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Harvester head and boom are used for felling, debranching and debarking trees according to manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operating limits, control, maneuverability, minimal tree damage, no machine damage, clean cuts.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Trees are felled in the pre-determined direction, debranched, debarked and presented complying with safe work practices and operational requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Maintain the harvester head after use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Daily and weekly maintenance are performed according to appropriate post-operational checklist. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appropriate checklist is any one or combination of the following:
  • Manufacturer's checklist
  • Company specific checklist.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Checklist is completed according to procedures and corrective action is taken, if required, to ensure compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective action includes repairing and/or reporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safe work practices are adhered to throughout the operation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning and assessors must be accredited in terms of the requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority.

    Moderation option: The moderation requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority must be met. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Harvester
  • Tools and equipment
  • Machine and harvester head
  • Components of the harvester head

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Hazards
  • Safety requirements
  • Checklist
  • Minimum and maximum diameters of trees
  • Slope, terrain and ground clearance limitations
  • Machine and harvester head positioning

    Sensory cues:
  • What I see, feel hear and smell during the process

    Purpose of:
  • Harvester
  • The different members as part of a team
  • Safety requirements
  • Tools and equipment
  • Pre-operational checks
  • Checklist
  • Maintenance of equipment and components
  • Harvester head and boom

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Standard operating procedures: "Guidelines for Forest Engineering Practices in South Africa" (FESA)
  • Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) legislation

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Daily and weekly maintenance
  • Minimum and maximum diameters of trees
  • Implications of unplanned felling and bunching, and lack of controls
  • Factors influencing felling and bunching
  • Effects of over and under production
  • Slope, terrain and ground clearance limitations
  • Machine and harvester head positioning
  • harvester performance is continuously monitored
  • Safe work practices

    Relationships, systems:
  • The interaction of the harvester and the various components in relation to productivity and safe working conditions 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Relating to the felling and bunching of timber 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others
  • When interacting with team members and colleagues during the planning, preparation, and completion of the felling and bunching of timber 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When preparing the harvester and equipment
  • When managing resources and my time 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When discussing and explaining knowledge of factors influencing efficiencies and safety in felling and bunching of trees with a harvester. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • When using special tools and equipment to do maintenance on the machine and components 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • When I can explain and justify my actions and procedures followed during the operational requirements 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48988   National Certificate: Forestry: Timber Harvesting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. AFRICAN MULTISKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 
    2. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    3. Furniture World Training Centre 
    4. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    5. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    6. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    7. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    8. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    9. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    10. South African Forestry Training College 
    11. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    12. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    13. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    14. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    15. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    16. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.