Course in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery
Online 300-hour course in hybrid systems in agricultural machinery. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 167/2013 (type-approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles), ISO 6469-3 (electrical safety of electric vehicles) and MATLAB/Simulink. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery — studying from Malta
Malta's construction, quarrying and infrastructure activity creates demand for heavy machinery, specialist vehicles and their maintenance. Contractors, plant hire companies and public works departments rely on skilled technicians and engineers to keep equipment safe and productive. The island's rugged terrain and coastal conditions also support niche markets in agricultural and marine-adjacent machinery. Engineers in this area commonly work with equipment dealers, contractors and public authorities responsible for fleet management.
Fees for Malta: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese authorities regulate special vehicles and machinery, and does this qualification fit?
Machinery and vehicle safety in Malta follow EU-derived rules, with Transport Malta handling vehicle matters and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority overseeing workplace machinery. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition for regulated roles is for employers or the relevant authority to decide.
Where might off-road and machinery engineers find work in Malta?
Malta's opportunities in this field are mostly in construction, plant hire, equipment maintenance and the marine and industrial services sectors. Employers in these areas usually value hands-on experience highly. How they view a private online qualification is for each employer to decide, so asking them directly is worthwhile.
Is employer funding available, and how demanding is the English language requirement?
Employer sponsorship is possible, and tuition can be paid in instalments. Programmes are taught fully in English, so you should be comfortable with technical English reading and writing. The online format lets you study around work, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme chosen.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the reasons for and advantages of hybridisation in agricultural machinery.
Compare series, parallel and mixed hybrid architectures.
Design energy management strategies for agricultural duty cycles.
Analyse the potential of electrically driven implements.
Evaluate the fuel consumption and performance of a hybrid system through simulation and testing.
Assess the maintenance and safety requirements of high-voltage systems.
Estimate the profitability of a hybrid tractor compared with a conventional one.
Who it's for
- Hybrid propulsion engineer who wants to specialise in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery.
- Agricultural electrical systems engineer who wants to specialise in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery.
- Energy control engineer who wants to specialise in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery.
- Electrified machinery service technician who wants to specialise in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery.
- Tractor validation engineer who wants to specialise in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery.
- Agricultural product specialist who wants to specialise in Hybrid Systems in Agricultural Machinery.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join tractor manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 167/2013 (type-approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles)
- ISO 6469-3 (electrical safety of electric vehicles)
- ISO 25119 (functional safety of tractors and agricultural machinery)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (emissions from engines in non-road mobile machinery)
- ISO 11783 (ISOBUS)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries)
- OECD Code 2 (tractor performance testing)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What hybridising an agricultural machine means1.2Series, parallel and electric power take-off hybrids1.3Machines best suited: tractors, self-propelled machines and implements1.4Electrically driven implements1.5Standardised electric power take-offs1.6Expected benefits: consumption, control and precision1.7Current limitations and realistic timescales1.8Market status and availability1.9Common terminology1.10Workshop: assessing suitability on a farm
2.1Combustion engine and generator2.2Electric traction and assist machine2.3Battery or supercapacitors for support2.4Power electronics and inverters2.5Power split between combustion and electric2.6Electrical supply to the implement2.7Standardised tractor–implement interface2.8Cooling of the system2.9Electrical protection and safety2.10Practical: hybrid system schematic
3.1Power-split strategies3.2Peak assist and recuperation3.3Optimal operating point of the combustion engine3.4Speed and torque control3.5Integration with implement control3.6Sensors and system monitoring3.7Diagnostics and degraded modes3.8Adapting the strategy to the task3.9Data logging and analysis3.10Practical: defining a management strategy
4.1Electric drives for metering units and fans4.2Fine control of speed and rate4.3Elimination of mechanical transmissions4.4Self-propelled and assisted implements4.5Weight and compaction reduction4.6Communication between tractor and implement4.7Cross-brand compatibility4.8Maintenance of drives4.9Measurable agronomic benefit4.10Practical: designing an electrically driven implement
5.1Measuring consumption in real field operations5.2Comparison with the conventional machine5.3Effect on productivity and quality5.4System validation tests5.5Reliability and availability during the season5.6Cold and hot weather performance5.7Durability of electrical components5.8Operator training5.9Monitoring indicators5.10Practical: field validation plan
6.1System cost and amortisation6.2Maintenance and spare parts costs6.3Electrical safety in the farm workshop6.4Training for maintenance staff6.5Grants for innovation and renewal6.6Residual value and second-hand market6.7Project risks and mitigation6.8Common mistakes in hybridisation projects6.9Sector trends6.10Final project: hybridisation proposal for a machine
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, Simcenter Amesim, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real consumption test procedures for field work with hybrid tractors, tests of electrically driven implements, and simulation of energy management strategies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the reasons for and advantages of hybridisation in agricultural machinery.
Compare series, parallel and mixed hybrid architectures.
Design energy management strategies for agricultural duty cycles.
Analyse the potential of electrically driven implements.
Evaluate the fuel consumption and performance of a hybrid system through simulation and testing.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, Simcenter Amesim, Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Course in IoT Applied to Agricultural Machinery
Online 300 h course in IoT applied to agricultural machinery. 6 modules covering ISO 11783 (ISOBUS), ISO/IEC 30141 (IoT reference architecture) and The Things Network (LoRaWAN).…
Course in Noise and Vibration in Excavators
The Course on Electrical Fault Analysis in Aircraft focuses on the detailed study of aeronautical electrical systems, from power generation and distribution to instrumentation and avionics.…
Course in Agricultural Machinery Fleet Management
Online 300-hour course in agricultural machinery fleet management. 6 modules covering RD 1013/2009 (official agricultural machinery register, ROMA), ISO 4254-1 (agricultural machinery safety) and John Deere…
More in Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery
All Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships