iti 4 April 2025

ITI Mechanic Agricultural Machinery Trade Syllabus (English)

The ITI Mechanic Agricultural Machinery trade is a two-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), governed by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This course equips trainees with skills in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining agricultural machinery such as tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, irrigation pumps, and other farm equipment to enhance agricultural productivity. The syllabus integrates theoretical knowledge, practical mechanical skills, and employability skills to prepare students for roles such as agricultural machinery mechanics, service technicians, or workshop supervisors in agro-based industries, equipment dealerships, or manufacturing units, or as self-employed repair service providers.

Course Overview

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters, each 6 months)
NSQF Level: Level 5
Eligibility: Minimum 10th grade pass with Science and Mathematics (or equivalent)
Objective: To train individuals in the maintenance, repair, and servicing of agricultural machinery to ensure efficient and reliable operation in farming activities.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown (English)

1. Trade Theory (Theoretical Knowledge)

Covers principles of agricultural machinery, engines, and farm equipment systems.

Semester 1
- Introduction to Agricultural Machinery
  - Overview: role of mechanization in agriculture, types of machinery (tractors, harvesters, pumps).
  - Industry scope: career opportunities, safety standards, workshop organization.
  - Safety: PPE (gloves, goggles, boots), handling fuels, heavy equipment safety.
- Fundamentals of Engines
  - Engine types: diesel, petrol, two-stroke, four-stroke engines.
  - Principles: combustion, power generation, efficiency factors.
  - Components: cylinder, piston, crankshaft, valves, fuel injectors.
- Fuel and Lubrication Systems
  - Fuel systems: diesel pumps, injectors, filters, carburetors (for small engines).
  - Lubrication: oils, grades, pumps, splash and pressure systems.
  - Maintenance: fuel storage, oil change schedules, filter cleaning.
- Tools and Measuring Instruments
  - Hand tools: spanners, pliers, torque wrenches, screwdrivers.
  - Precision tools: vernier calipers, micrometers, dial gauges.
  - Diagnostic tools: compression testers, multimeters, tachometers.
- Electrical Systems
  - Basics: batteries, alternators, starters, ignition systems.
  - Circuits: wiring for lighting, sensors, and auxiliary equipment.
  - Safety: handling batteries, preventing electrical hazards.
- Cooling Systems
  - Types: air-cooled, water-cooled systems, radiators, fans.
  - Components: thermostats, water pumps, coolant properties.
  - Maintenance: checking coolant levels, cleaning radiators.
Semester 2
- Transmission Systems
  - Types: manual, hydrostatic, automatic transmissions in farm machinery.
  - Components: clutch, gearbox, differential, PTO (power take-off).
  - Operation: gear selection, torque transfer, speed control.
- Hydraulic Systems
  - Principles: hydraulic pressure, fluid dynamics, Pascal’s law.
  - Components: pumps, valves, cylinders, hoses, three-point linkage.
  - Applications: lifting implements, steering, hydraulic brakes.
- Tractors and Power Tillers
  - Types: 2WD, 4WD tractors, single-cylinder power tillers.
  - Systems: engine, transmission, hydraulics, and electrical integration.
  - Maintenance: daily checks, periodic servicing, storage.
- Agricultural Implements
  - Implements: plows, harrows, seeders, cultivators, sprayers.
  - Operation: attachment mechanisms, field adjustments, calibration.
  - Maintenance: sharpening blades, lubricating joints, wear checks.
- Steering and Suspension
  - Steering: manual, power-assisted, Ackerman geometry.
  - Suspension: leaf springs, rigid axles, shock absorbers.
  - Maintenance: adjusting alignment, greasing joints.
- Braking Systems
  - Types: mechanical, hydraulic brakes in tractors, tillers.
  - Components: brake pedals, drums, shoes, fluid lines.
  - Maintenance: brake adjustments, bleeding hydraulic systems.
Semester 3
- Combine Harvesters
  - Types: self-propelled, tractor-mounted harvesters.
  - Systems: cutting, threshing, cleaning, grain handling mechanisms.
  - Maintenance: adjusting cutters, cleaning sieves, belt checks.
- Irrigation Equipment
  - Equipment: centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps, drip systems.
  - Operation: priming, flow control, pressure regulation.
  - Maintenance: impeller checks, motor servicing, pipe repairs.
- Troubleshooting
  - Diagnosis: engine misfiring, hydraulic leaks, electrical faults.
  - Tools: diagnostic kits, pressure gauges, fault code readers.
  - Solutions: part replacements, recalibration, system tuning.
- Power Transmission in Machinery
  - Mechanisms: belts, chains, pulleys, universal joints.
  - Maintenance: tensioning belts, lubricating chains, alignment.
  - Efficiency: minimizing power losses, gear optimization.
- Precision Agriculture
  - Concepts: GPS, sensors, automated controls in modern machinery.
  - Applications: variable rate technology, yield monitoring.
  - Basics: interfacing with smart farming tools, data logging.
- Environmental Standards
  - Emission norms: Bharat Stage, Tier standards for engines.
  - Fuel efficiency: optimizing machinery for lower consumption.
  - Waste: disposing oils, batteries, scrap safely.
Semester 4
- Advanced Machinery
  - Equipment: balers, forage harvesters, sugarcane harvesters.
  - Systems: automation, hydraulic controls, electronic sensors.
  - Maintenance: calibrating sensors, updating software.
- Workshop Management
  - Operations: inventory control, spare parts management.
  - Planning: scheduling repairs, managing service contracts.
  - Safety: maintaining clean, hazard-free workshops.
- Preventive Maintenance
  - Schedules: daily, weekly, seasonal maintenance plans.
  - Checks: inspecting wear, fluid levels, belt tensions.
  - Records: logging service history, warranty documentation.
- Customer Service
  - Skills: explaining repairs, providing cost estimates.
  - Handling: addressing farmer complaints, follow-ups.
  - Training: guiding operators on machinery use, care.
- Entrepreneurship
  - Business: starting a repair workshop, dealership, or rental service.
  - Marketing: promoting services, sourcing spares, networking.
  - Finance: budgeting, pricing, loan schemes for farmers.
- Industry Trends
  - Innovations: electric tractors, IoT in farm equipment.
  - Sustainability: green fuels, recyclable materials.
  - Standards: compliance with BIS, ISO for machinery.

2. Trade Practical (Hands-On Skills)

Focuses on practical tasks in workshops and simulated farm machinery repair setups.

Semester 1
- Safety Practices
  - Using PPE: wearing gloves, goggles, boots in workshops.
  - Safe handling: lifting engines, managing fuel spills, securing machinery.
  - Emergency drills: fire safety, first aid for injuries.
- Tool Handling
  - Using tools: tightening bolts, dismantling parts in labs.
  - Measuring: checking tolerances with calipers, micrometers.
  - Cleaning: degreasing components, organizing toolkits.
- Engine Maintenance
  - Dismantling: removing cylinder head, piston in mock engines.
  - Inspecting: checking valves, rings, bearings for wear.
  - Assembling: refitting components, torquing to specifications.
- Fuel System Work
  - Servicing: cleaning fuel filters, injectors in labs.
  - Adjusting: setting injection timing, checking pumps.
  - Testing: verifying fuel flow, spray patterns.
- Electrical Work
  - Wiring: connecting batteries, lights in mock circuits.
  - Testing: checking alternator output, starter function.
  - Repairing: replacing fuses, soldering wires in labs.
- Cooling System Practice
  - Servicing: flushing radiators, replacing coolant.
  - Inspecting: checking water pumps, fan belts.
  - Testing: monitoring engine temperature, coolant flow.
- Project Work
  - Overhauling an engine: servicing, testing performance.
  - Report: documenting parts used, repair outcomes.
Semester 2
- Transmission Maintenance
  - Dismantling: removing clutch, gearbox in mock setups.
  - Servicing: replacing clutch plates, adjusting gears.
  - Testing: checking PTO operation, differential function.
- Hydraulic System Work
  - Assembling: fitting pumps, valves in mock circuits.
  - Servicing: changing hydraulic fluid, checking seals.
  - Testing: operating lifts, steering in mock tractors.
- Tractor and Power Tiller Practice
  - Servicing: checking engine, hydraulics in mock tractors.
  - Adjusting: calibrating controls, aligning wheels.
  - Testing: simulating field operations, load tests.
- Implement Handling
  - Mounting: attaching plows, seeders to mock machinery.
  - Servicing: sharpening blades, greasing joints.
  - Testing: checking implement alignment, operation.
- Steering and Suspension
  - Adjusting: setting toe-in, aligning axles in labs.
  - Servicing: replacing bushings, greasing steering joints.
  - Testing: verifying steering response, stability.
- Braking System Maintenance
  - Servicing: adjusting brakes, bleeding hydraulic lines.
  - Inspecting: checking drums, shoes for wear.
  - Testing: ensuring braking efficiency, pedal feel.
- Project Work
  - Servicing a tractor: full maintenance, implement setup.
  - Report: documenting repairs, performance data.
Semester 3
- Combine Harvester Maintenance
  - Servicing: adjusting cutters, cleaning sieves in mock harvesters.
  - Inspecting: checking belts, pulleys, grain tanks.
  - Testing: simulating harvesting, verifying output.
- Irrigation Equipment Practice
  - Servicing: dismantling pumps, checking impellers.
  - Repairing: fixing leaks, replacing motor bearings.
  - Testing: checking water flow, pressure in mock setups.
- Troubleshooting
  - Diagnosing: tracing faults in mock machinery (engine, hydraulics).
  - Repairing: replacing pumps, belts, sensors.
  - Testing: verifying repairs, system performance.
- Power Transmission Work
  - Servicing: tensioning belts, lubricating chains.
  - Aligning: adjusting pulleys, universal joints.
  - Testing: checking power delivery, efficiency.
- Precision Equipment Practice
  - Operating: using mock GPS-enabled machinery controls.
  - Calibrating: setting sensors, testing data logs.
  - Servicing: updating firmware, cleaning sensors.
- Project Work
  - Overhauling a harvester: servicing, testing operations.
  - Portfolio: presenting repair logs, efficiency reports.
Semester 4
- Advanced Machinery Practice
  - Servicing: maintaining balers, forage harvesters in labs.
  - Calibrating: adjusting automated controls, sensors.
  - Testing: simulating field tasks, verifying output.
- Workshop Operations
  - Managing: organizing tools, tracking spare parts.
  - Scheduling: planning repairs, logging service tasks.
  - Safety: maintaining clean, hazard-free work areas.
- Preventive Maintenance
  - Checking: inspecting fluid levels, belts, wear parts.
  - Servicing: lubricating, replacing filters in mock setups.
  - Logging: preparing maintenance schedules, reports.
- Customer Interaction
  - Explaining: discussing faults, solutions with mock clients.
  - Estimating: preparing repair quotes, invoices.
  - Training: guiding mock operators on machinery use.
- Entrepreneurship Practice
  - Simulating: running a mock repair workshop, sourcing spares.
  - Marketing: creating mock service ads, networking plans.
  - Budgeting: estimating costs, pricing services.
- Project Work
  - Servicing a machinery set: tractor, pump, implement overhaul.
  - Portfolio: presenting photos, repair logs, test results.

3. Workshop Calculation and Science

Supports machinery repair with mathematical and scientific concepts.

Semester 1: Arithmetic (fuel consumption, torque), physics (force, pressure).
Semester 2: Algebra (gear ratios, hydraulic calculations), mechanics (power, friction).
Semester 3: Geometry (alignment, pulley angles), fluid dynamics (pump flow).
Semester 4: Statistics (efficiency analysis), applied physics (combustion, heat transfer).