Anyone familiar with modern agriculture will appreciate the crucial role that machinery plays in this industry. As this machinery becomes more complex, be it a sophisticated potato harvester or a high specification combine harvester, specialists are required to operate, maintain and support the equipment. These specialists need to be well versed in traditional areas such as engine performance and transmissions but increasingly topics such as electronics, hydraulics and control systems are coming to the fore. Given the high capital value of the machinery, technicians in particular are now highly regarded and are commanding good salaries in line with their high level of skills, knowledge and experience. Many of those who have senior roles in the industry were technicians who have progressed within their respective companies

Greenmount Campus facilities

The Machinery and Buildings Centre was specifically desinged and constructed to host all the engineering, mechanisation and buildings training at Greenmount Campus and is now one of the best facilities of its type within the UK and Ireland. A range of workshops support training in service engineering (agriculture and professional groundcare), tractor testing, precision engineering and welding and fabrication as well as building and estate maintenance skills.

Greenmount Campus is well-equipped in terms of hand tools, power tools and other specialist equipment. In addition there are numerous models and display rigs available to demonstrate specific aspects relevant to programmes, such as a modern alternator-based PTO dynamometer capable of testing tractors up to 300 kW (400 hp).

The Campus operates a fleet of modern tractors ranging from 15 kW (20 hp) up to 101 kW (135 hp) of varying makes. Some are used on the farms and the estate while others are specifically dedicated to student training. In addition, there is a wide range of implements to complement the tractor fleet. All machinery, whether for estate or training use, is available for students to operate and maintain. The College enjoys excellent relationships with the major machinery manufacturers and can avail of specialist equipment such as self-propelled forage harvesters on a temporary basis, as and when required.