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 and bunch trees using a feller buncher in a production situation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117065  Fell and bunch trees using a feller buncher in a 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 4  NQF Level 04  15 
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 and bunch trees using a feller-buncher in a production situation. People credited with this unit are able to:
  • Describe the operational plan.
  • Fell and bunch trees in a production situation complying with operational requirements. 
    		•

    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.
    AND any one of:
  • Fell and bunch trees using a slew boom feller-buncher in a non-production situation.
  • Fell and bunch trees using a drive-to-tree feller-buncher in a non-production situation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Competence can be demonstrated on any slew boom OR drive-to-tree feller buncher. Demonstration of competence will take place "on-the-job" in a production situation. Production target needs to be met. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the operational plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Operational requirements for the felling operation are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Production target, felling layout, felling direction, bunch presentation, stump heights, timber quality, timber flow, special management zones and extraction routes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Starting points for felling and bunching and progression into the stand are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Fell and bunch trees in a production situation complying with operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Safety requirements applicable to the operation are explained according to standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All personal protective equipment required, is checked for functionality and used in terms of company policy and legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Trees are directionally felled and bunched using effective machine application within manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Trees are identified for alternative felling means. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Machine capabilities, dead trees, environmental and terrain restrictions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Standard operating procedures and safe work practices are adhered to throughout the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Felling and bunching are performed to meet operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Timber damage and breakage are minimised; felling and bunching complements other phases of the operation; work rate meets predetermined target; planned extraction routes are used.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Ongoing maintenance is performed according to manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Continuous disc: tooth evaluation, tooth replacement;
    OR
    Chain and bar saw: tightening of saw motor, chain and bar evaluation, chain sharpening, chain and bar replacement.
     


    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:
  • Operational plan
  • Feller-buncher
  • Tools and equipment
  • Machine and felling head
  • Components of the felling 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 felling head positioning

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

    Purpose of:
  • Feller-buncher
  • The different members as part of a team
  • Safety requirements
  • Tools and equipment
  • Pre-operational checks
  • Checklist
  • Maintenance of equipment and components
  • Felling 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 felling head positioning
  • Feller-buncher performance is continuously monitored
  • Safe work practices

    Relationships, systems:
  • The interaction of the slew boom feller-buncher 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 feller-buncher 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 feller-buncher. 
    		•

    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  49081   National Certificate: Construction: Advanced Plant Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    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. Certified Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    3. ENB TRAINING SERVICEPTYLTD 
    4. Furniture World Training Centre 
    5. FUTURE DISCOVERY TRAINING ACADEMY 
    6. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    7. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    8. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    9. NEW AFRICA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
    10. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    11. South African Forestry Training College 
    12. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    13. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    14. UMBUSO TRAINING SERVICES 
    15. UMGANO FOUNDATION NPC 
    16. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 
    17. 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.