20533 version 3
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Mow turf areas
Level
3
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: complete mower checks;
assess the worksite and prepare the mower to meet site requirements;
complete site mowing requirements; and complete post-mowing
requirements.
Subfield
Sports Turf
Domain
Sports Turf Management
Status
Registered
Status date
17 October 2008
Date version published
17 October 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0037
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Definition
Enterprise standards – the standards and procedures set by the client or employing
organisation for mowing turf areas.
2
Assessment
For credit for this unit standard, competence must be demonstrated with at least two
of the following mower types – walk-behind reel, walk-behind rotary, front-mounted,
mid-mounted, trailing.
This unit standard can be assessed against in either a sports turf or amenity turf
context.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20533 version 3
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3
Tractor operation is covered in Unit 19044, Describe the legal requirements and
occupational hazards associated with tractor use, and Unit 24552, Check and drive a
basic wheel tractor with an attached implement on flat terrain.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Complete mower checks.
Performance criteria
1.1
Visual inspection followed by audible inspection of machine engine, body, and
deck identifying any damage, wear, faults, or unsoundness in the machine is
carried out in accordance with enterprise standards.
Range
damage, wear, faults, or unsoundness include but are not limited
to – oil leaks, coolant leaks, bent or broken parts, loose or missing
nuts and bolts, alignments, parts and components, couplings, tyre
wear and inflation, safety devices.
1.2
Where travel on the road is required, visual inspection includes checking of
lights, indicators, warrant of fitness, and registration and/or licences in
accordance with enterprise standards.
1.3
Physical check of service parts of the machine is completed in accordance with
the manufacturer’s service schedule.
Range
serviceable parts to be checked and/or serviced include but are
not limited to – fluid levels including coolant, fuel, oil, and
hydraulics; filters; grease points; battery condition and levels; belts
and other drive wear including appropriate tension; screens and
guards; condition and sharpness of blades, safety mechanisms,
brakes.
1.4
Service requirements are completed without damage to the mower, injury to the
operator or danger to others, and faults are reported in accordance with
enterprise standards or repaired, as appropriate, before mower is used.
1.5
Where the mower is to be transported to a work site, procedures followed meet
NZ Transport Agency and enterprise standards.
Range
procedures include but are not limited to – meeting applicable load
restriction and vehicle licensing requirements, loading and
unloading without damage to the mower or transporter, meeting
health and safety requirements, load security, compliance with
road rules, completion of applicable vehicle documentation.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20533 version 3
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Element 2
Assess the worksite and prepare the mower to meet site requirements.
Performance criteria
2.1
Evaluation of site information identifies scope of work required.
Range
2.2
Visual inspection of site identifies conditions and potential hazards.
Range
2.3
site information includes but is not limited to – work and site
boundaries, work specifications, required cutting heights.
conditions include but are not limited to – need for mowing,
wetness, scalping, windrowing, volume of clippings, grass length
and density;
potential hazards include but are not limited to – slopes,
undulations, obstacles, stones and other debris, people, animals.
Adjustments to mower set-up meet site and turf requirements, are completed in
accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, and do not result in damage
to the mower, injury to the operator, or danger to others.
Range
adjustments may include but are not limited to – initial adjustments
of wheel, roller or skid heights before trial cut; final adjustments
following assessment of trial cut height, cut evenness, cutting
cleanness, other performance requirements.
Element 3
Complete site mowing requirements.
Performance criteria
3.1
Mower operation complies with enterprise standards and ensures there is no
damage to the mower, injury to the operator, or danger to property or others.
Range
3.2
operation requirements include but are not limited to – effective
and safe starting and stopping, monitoring of gauges, avoiding
debris and obstructions, use of mirrors and/or peripheral vision to
monitor the mowing environment, monitoring changes in mower
sound or performance, compliance with enterprise health and
safety policies and procedures.
Techniques used by the operator are carried out in a manner which ensures
mower performance is maximised.
Range
techniques include but are not limited to – forward planning of site
mowing pattern, alternating cutting patterns to balance cutting
action and turf nap development, controlling speed, leaving no
missed strips or areas, emptying catchers before overflow,
preventing damage to the turf or surrounding environment.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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3.3
Monitoring of mower operation is carried out in a manner which ensures
maintenance and service requirements are identified and met during mowing
operations, and implemented in a safe and timely manner.
Range
maintenance and service requirements include but are not limited
to – clearing grass build up, checking filters and screens,
lubrication, adjusting drive systems, checking and maintaining
required fuel, oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid systems and levels,
monitoring of temperature gauges.
Element 4
Complete post-mowing requirements.
Performance criteria
4.1
Check of completed mowing work ensures compliance with site requirements.
Range
4.2
Cleaning of mower prior to transport or storage meets enterprise standards.
Range
4.3
aspects of work to be checked may include but are not limited to –
height of mown grass, general condition and finish of mown area,
inspection for completion of enterprise checklists or reports.
enterprise standards may include but are not limited to – ensuring
cleaning debris is disposed of appropriately, procedures are
completed without damage to the mower, injury to the operator or
danger to others.
Records of mowing operations are kept in accordance with enterprise
standards.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016