Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing combs and cutters for machine shearing and defines the standard required to: determine need for sharpening combs and cutters; determine need for dressing combs; prepare grinder and pendulum for use; grind the leading edge of comb and cutter to suit the wool type and conditions in accordance with industry standards and manufacturer's guidelines; set, store and care for grinding papers; dress combs, including selecting bevels, teeth thinning and polishing.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to preparing combs and cutters for machine shearing and is carried out routinely by either the shearer or shed expert/manager.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Grind combs and cutters

1.1. Faulty components are identified and level of repair or replacement requirements are determined.

1.2. Grinder is operated in a safe manner without risk of injury to operator or others or damage to equipment.

1.3. Pendulum pin settings are adjusted and set and pendulum bar is clean and checked for level.

1.4. Grinding plates are tested visually in terms of being balanced and true.

1.5. Worn and incorrectly adhered papers are identified and replaced.

1.6. Grinder is set.

1.7. Even wear of combs and cutters is identified and combs and cutters are sharpened.

2. Dress combs

2.1. Bevel is selected and/or modified, appropriate to wool type.

2.2. Factors affecting combs selection are described in terms of type of sheep and seasonal conditions.

2.3. Comb teeth are dressed to uniform shape and length.

2.4. Comb teeth are uniformly thinned along their length.

2.5. Comb is polished leaving no rough or sharp points.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and apply safe operating procedures to grinding
• determine need for sharpening combs and cutters
• determine need for dressing combs
• prepare grinder and pendulum for use
• carry out grinding
• set, store and care for grinding papers
• dress combs, including selecting bevels, teeth thinning and polishing
• report safety concerns to the appropriate person
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• types of combs and cutters
• terminology, techniques and procedures for grinding combs and cutters
• tools and equipment used in grinding combs, and cutters and dressing combs
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and practices related to grinding combs and cutters.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• determine need for sharpening combs and cutters
• determine need for dressing combs
• prepare grinder and pendulum for use
• grind the leading edge of comb and cutter to suit the wool type and conditions in accordance with industry standards and manufacturers guidelines
• set, store and care for grinding papers
• dress combs, including selecting bevels, teeth thinning and polishing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Combs and cutters may include:

• the full range of types and makes and wear status which are required for shearing in different situations.

Unit sector 

Shearing

Co-requisite units 

Competency field