SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate specialised walk-behind mowers 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264194  Operate specialised walk-behind mowers 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Implement the necessary safety procedures for mowing.
  • Conduct the pre mowing preparations and checks.
  • Mow turf areas to strict quality standards.
  • Complete preventative maintenance on the mowers. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication at NQF level 1 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the safety precautions and practices when operating and maintaining walk-behind mowers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The personal protective clothing and equipment that should be used while operating a walk-behind mower is identified and described in terms of the protection that these items provide. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The first line safety checks for the various mower types are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function that the stone guards perform is described in terms of the purpose of preventing safety incidents from occurring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The potential hazards that may occur when operating petrol mowers are described and the correct refuelling procedures are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The safety precautions that must be adhered to while operating electrically driven walk-behind mowers are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The objectives of good housekeeping in a fuel storage facility are explained and the practices for the safe handling of petrol and petrol mixes in the storage environment are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct the set-up tests on a walk-behind mower. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The correct settings of the cylinder to bottom blades tension/tolerances for reel mowers, is explained in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods for setting and checking the height of cut for various reel mowers are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The procedures for testing the sharpness/trueness of a cylinder and bottom blade to optimise the quality of cut are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The adjustment of the appropriate tension of drive chains and belts to ensure the correct operation of a mower is demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The procedures for setting verticut cylinders for the various degrees of verticutting or dethatching are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The set up tests that must be performed on a sickle mower are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Operate specialised walk behind mowers to achieve the required quality of cut. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role that the travelling speed plays in achieving the required evenness of cut is explained and the methods to control this speed are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of maintaining a constant overlap on successive cuts is explained in respect of the prevention of uncut gaps and ensuring the evenness of cut and the procedures to obtain this are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The factors that negatively affect the quality of cut during mowing are described in terms of the detrimental effects that this has on the appearance of the lawn. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The signs that indicate that the cylinder to bottom blade tension/tolerances require adjustment or sharpening are described in terms of the deviations in the quality of cut that occur. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The signs that indicate that the cylinder to roller settings have to be adjusted are described in terms of the unevenness in the quality of cut that is achieved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The correct method of performing turns between rows are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The necessity of monitoring the speed of travel during verticutting/dethatching a turf area is explained in terms of achieving an even finish. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The degree of overlap that is required for a sickle mower to effectively cut long grass is described in respect of ensuring that all the grass is cut and the procedures to obtain this are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform routine maintenance on completion of mowing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons why the preventative maintenance checks must be conducted in the prescribed sequence are explained in terms of the progression in which the adjustments must be made on the mower. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The individual items that have to be inspected in the preventative maintenance checks are identified and the inspection process is performed in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of reporting any defects or damages to the supervisor/mechanic is explained in terms of the positive effect that this has on minimising future downtime. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why defective mowers should not be used until they have been repaired are explained with regard to the prevention of further damage to the mowers and to the lawns. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The procedures for lubricating a walk-behind mower are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The methods of cleaning the mowers after use are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The storage conditions and environment that will ensure that walk-behind mowers are adequately protected are described in regard to the need to ensure that these remain in prime condition, as per the manufacturer's guidelines. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected in the Assessment Criteria for each Specific Outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Adhering to the mower safety precautions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Conducting pre mowing inspections and preparation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation by:
  • Reporting on the status of the mowers to the supervisor or mechanic. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Utilising the setting bar and other mower instruments to verify the settings. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to contribute to the full personal development of themselves and the social and economic development of the society at large.

    Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66589   National Certificate: Horticulture  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Alvans Training Academy 
    2. Hygiene Pot Investment and Projects Pty Ltd 
    3. Mphekgwane Business Development 
    4. Phil Chemics Enterprise (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Protea Agricultural Training Centre 
    6. Triple S Training & Development (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.