BetaDraxon VR Training SyllabusCoupling Towbar to Tractor
Virtual RealityDescription
This lesson trains coupling a pushback tractor to a towbar in a controlled training environment. Trainees prepare the towbar and the tractor’s front coupling, align the tractors front coupling with the towbar using the mirror, and verify a secure connection. Finally they lift the towbar wheels to prevent ground contact during pushback.
Lesson Overview
- 1Prepare the towbar to the correct coupling height and open the tractor’s front coupling
- 2Start the tractor and approach the towbar with controlled speed and straight-line alignment
- 3Hook the towbar eye into the front coupling and confirm the coupling is locked via shake-test/lever check
- 4Lift the towbar wheels using the hand pump to prevent unintended lowering/ground contact
Skills Acquired
- Adjust towbar height to match the tractor’s front coupling
- Operate the tractor’s front coupling lever
- Approach and couple using controlled speed, straight alignment, and continuous mirror-based distance checks
- Lift towbar wheels correctly using the hand pump and correct switch position to avoid unintended lowering
Lesson procedure
- The trainee starts in front of the towbar; the towbar is already aligned with the tractor’s front coupling.
- The trainee walks to the towbar’s hand pump, sets the direction switch, and pumps steadily until the towbar reaches the correct coupling height.
- With the towbar prepared, the trainee moves to the tractor’s front coupling and pulls the coupling lever forward to open it fully.
- The trainee enters the tractor and starts the engine, preparing for a slow, controlled approach.
- The trainee drives forward toward the towbar carefully in a straight line, keeping the speed to maintain alignment.
- While closing the distance, the trainee continuously checks the front mirror to monitor spacing and alignment, between the tow hitch and the towbar eye.
- The trainee eases the tractor forward until the towbar eye hooks into the open front coupling and the coupling snaps shut.
- The trainee exits to the front of the tractor and confirms the coupling is locked using the required lever check.
- The trainee then returns to the towbar hand pump, switches to lifting, and pumps to raise the towbar wheels so the towbar cannot touch the ground during pushback.
- The lesson concludes with a short recap: correct towbar height, an open coupling before approach, and a confirmed lock after coupling are the non-negotiables for safe pushback preparation.
Safety Scenarios & Learnings
Losing straight alignment with the towbar during approach
Warning; reinforces maintaining a straight line to enable clean hook-in.
Warning; reinforces maintaining a straight line to enable clean hook-in.
Failing to monitor distance and alignment in the front mirror
Warning; reinforces continuous mirror checks while closing the gap.
Warning; reinforces continuous mirror checks while closing the gap.
Approaching with too large of an angle
Error & rewind; reinforces correcting alignment before the final meters.
Error & rewind; reinforces correcting alignment before the final meters.
Missing the towbar eye during hook-in
Error & rewind; reinforces precise final alignment so the towbar eye engages correctly.
Error & rewind; reinforces precise final alignment so the towbar eye engages correctly.
Crashing into the towbar
Error & rewind; reinforces collision avoidance and controlled closing speed to prevent equipment damage.
Error & rewind; reinforces collision avoidance and controlled closing speed to prevent equipment damage.
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