UNIT C8-2 PROBLEM AREA 8 Basic Principles of Agricultural/Horticultural Science Identifying Basic Agricultural Mechanics Principles Interest Approach LESSON 2 Describing Basic Skills Used in Agricultural Mechanization What skills are needed in agricultural mechanics? Student Learning Objectives Terms 1. Identify the safety skills used in agricultural mechanics. 2. Identify the science skills used in agricultural mechanics. 3. Identify the mathematical skills used in agricultural mechanics. Algebra Arithmetic Calculus Chemistry Earth Science Energy Geometry Logic Mathematics Matter Physical Science Physics Safety Triangulation Trigonometry 1
Objective: 1 What safety skills are used in agricultural mechanics? Safety Skills When students sign up for an agricultural mechanics course they usually just want to pound nails and turn wrenches. They often get frustrated when the instructor starts talking about safety. But safety is the most important skill a student can learn. Safety Safety is defined as freedom from accidents. In agricultural mechanics, both hand tools and power tools are used. Whenever any type of machine is used or any type of work is done there is the possibility of accidents. Safety Carelessness is the cause of many of these accidents. With proper safety skills training in the agricultural mechanics lab, many of these accidents can be prevented. Agricultural mechanics safety skills - three categories. 1) how to create a safe working environment 2) identifying safety colors and their meanings 3) identifying appropriate protective clothing. Safety One of the most important things a person involved in agricultural mechanics can learn is how to create a safe place to work. By doing so, many accidents can be prevented. 2
By observing the following precautions, a person can be productive and safe. Install all machinery according to the manufacturer s specifications. Keep all tools and equipment adjusted to specifications. Use tools and equipment only for their intended purpose. Provide proper storage for tools, materials, fuels, chemicals, and waste materials. By observing the following precautions, a person can be productive and safe. Keep all moving parts properly shielded. Protect eyes, face, feet, and other parts of the body with proper protective clothing and devices. Avoid running and other horseplay that create hazards. Read and follow all precautions. Use common sense Color Code Several national organizations have worked together to develop a safety coding system to be used in the agricultural mechanics lab. The purpose of this system is to alert people to danger or hazards. Color Code Each color or combination of colors conveys a specific It is imperative that students learn this system and that the school s agricultural mechanics lab has this system in place. The following descriptions show how Red = Danger Red is used to identify areas or items of danger or emergency such as safety switches and fire equipment. 3
The following descriptions show how Orange = Warning Orange is used to designate machine hazards such as edges and openings. Orange is also used as background for electrical switches, levers, and controls. The following descriptions show how Yellow = Caution Yellow is used to identify parts of machines, such as wheels, levers, and knobs that control or adjust the machine. Yellow and black stripes are used in combination to mark stairs, protruding objects, and other stationary hazards. The following descriptions show how Blue = Information Blue is used for signs if a warning or caution is intended. Such signs are made of white letters on blue background and carry messages such as OUT OF ORDER or DO NOT OPERATE. The following descriptions show how Green = Safety Safety green is a special shade of green and indicates the presence of safety equipment, safety areas and first aid. Protective Clothing It is very important, while working in the agricultural mechanics lab, to wear some type of protective clothing. The type of equipment being used by the person determines the type and amount of protective clothing. Protective Clothing There are three basic areas of the body when it comes to protective clothing. They are face and eyes, body feet 4
The face and eyes Regarded as the most critical parts of the body to be protected. This is because the eyes are so easily damaged. Safety glasses or goggles provide a minimum amount of eye protection. The face and eyes This should be the minimum amount of protective equipment worn by students while doing any type of work in the agricultural mechanics lab. Body No part of the body is safe from injury in lab accidents. Suitable protective clothing that fits properly helps to prevent and reduce injuries. There should be no cuffs, strings, or ties for machinery to catch. Body The protective equipment used to protect a worker s body can include coveralls, aprons, or shop coats. Respirators may also be necessary if dealing with agricultural chemicals or paints Feet Leather shoes with steel toes are recommended when working in the agricultural mechanics lab. Shoes should also have a minimum top of 6-inches. This is to reduce the chance of any material falling down the shoe while working. Feet Leather is the preferred material because of its strength, durability, and comfort. Rubber boots should be worn when it becomes necessary to work in locations covered in water or when using pesticides. 5
Objective: 2 What science skills are used in agricultural mechanics? Science Skills in Ag Mech The agricultural industry is becoming increasingly technology based. Agricultural mechanics foundation is the relationship of the laws of science and mathematics that explain what is possible in this area. Science Skills in Ag Mech Persons in agricultural mechanics must have a basic understanding of these principles. This will allow the person to use them to their advantage. Many of these science principles fall into the area of physical science. Physical Science The study of the nonliving factors in our environment. This includes matter and energy. Matter and energy may or may not depend on each other. Physical science Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass, such as a rock, piece of wood, or tool. Matter also includes gases and other substances that may not be easy to see, such as the air or vapors from fuel. Physical science Engines use heat energy. Batteries use chemical energy. Lasers make use of light energy. Movement, called mechanical energy, is seen when a wheel on a tractor moves. 6
Physical science Has three important areas in agricultural mechanics. 1. Earth science Earth science deals with the environment in which plants and animals grow. This includes the composition of the earth and the atmosphere. Soil, water, and air are studied in Earth science. Physical science 2. Chemistry Chemistry deals with the makeup of matter. All matter is made of elements. Ninety-two natural elements have been discovered; 17 artificial elements have been developed in laboratories and named. All substances on the earth are made of these elements arranged in different combinations. Physical science 3. Physics Physics deals with matter and energy and how the two relate. Application of physics is much a part of agricultural mechanics. Modern machinery involves many areas of physics. Objective: 3 What mathematical skills are used in agricultural mechanics? Mathematics The science of numbers. This includes how numbers are measured, changed, and used to make exact observations. Mathematics Precise information can be used with mathematics. For example, the length of a board is given using numbers. Mathematics has several areas. Some are used in routine activities. Others are used only in highly specialized ways. 7
Arithmetic The important areas of mathematics in agricultural mechanics are: Arithmetic is using numbers in counting and calculating. The common operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Whole numbers, fractions, or decimals may be used. The other areas of mathematics are built on arithmetic. Geometry Geometry deals with shapes and their relationships. Geometry is used to show relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solid objects. It is used in many areas of agricultural mechanics. Algebra Algebra uses numbers to solve problems with equations, often involving unknowns. Knowledge of algebra is needed to do more advanced skills in mathematics. Trigonometry Trigonometry deals with relationships of sides and angles of triangles. This is used to determine distances or locations when measuring devices cannot be used. Trigonometry For example, three satellites can be used to locate an exact point on the earth s surface. Used in precision farming, this is known as triangulation. 8
Calculus Calculus deals with determining changing quantities and the areas of objects with curved shapes. Determining speed, power, and work often involve calculus skills. For example, the design and adjustments of aircraft used to spray crops involves calculus. Other Math Probability, statistics, and logic are areas of advanced mathematics sometimes used in agricultural mechanics. Researchers often use probability and statistics in analyzing the results of an experiment. Logic deals with reasoning to draw the proper conclusions. REVIEW/SUMMARY 1. Identify the safety skills used in agricultural mechanics. 2. Identify the science skills used in agricultural mechanics. 3. Identify the mathematical skills used in agricultural mechanics. 9