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Title / Operate a mower for rural contracting
Level / 4 / Credits / 12
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: select and prepare mowing equipment and machinery; carry out field preparation; operate a mower to mow crops and roadside vegetation; and carry out post-operational procedures.
Classification / Rural Contracting > Agricultural Contracting
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and safety prerequisites / Driver licence and any driver licence endorsement appropriate to the machine or vehicle being used.
Explanatory notes
1Thefollowing legislation and requirements apply to this unit standard:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management produced by Transit New Zealand, available from or equivalent specification as required by the road controlling authority on its network;
Manufacturer’s instructions.
Other requirements applicable to this unit standard may include but are not limited to:
Managing health and safety – A guide for farmers(Wellington: Worksafe, 2014); and
Safe use of tractors on farms(Wellington: Worksafe, 2014); and
Approved Code of Practice for Operator Protective Structures on Self-Propelled Mobile Mechanical Plant(Wellington: Department of Labour, 1999); and
Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Noise in the Workplace(Wellington: Department of Labour, 2002); available from
Any legislation or other requirement superseding any of the above will apply, pending review of this unit standard.
2Assessment against this unit standard must be based on evidence from a workplace context.
3RangeMower is one of – disc mower, mulching mower, reciprocating mower, windrower, drum mower, self-propelled mower.
4Personal protective equipment, appropriate to job requirements, is to be selected and used in accordance with company requirements and manufacturer’s instructions.
5Definitions
Company requirementsrefer to all policies, procedures, and methodologies the candidate’s organisation has in place including but not limited to those relating to health, safety, environment, quality, and operations.
Manufacturer’s instructions may include specifications, installation, handling, use, and maintenance instructions and safety data sheets.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Select and prepare mowing equipment and machinery.
Evidence requirements
1.1Equipment and machinery chosen are appropriate for the work to be carried out.
Rangemower type, tractor capacity; may include but is not limited to – tractor wheels, mower width.
1.2Equipment and machinery are checked for condition, damage, wear, and faults; problems are identified; and corrective action is taken in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company requirements.
1.3Checks are made and any necessary actions are taken or adjustments made to ensure the tractor complies with field conditions, andwith legal and company requirementsfor operator health and safety.
Outcome 2
Carry out field preparation.
Evidence requirements
2.1Hazards are identified and controlled in accordance with company requirements.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – underground services, in-ground services, overhead objects, surface obstacles, contours.
2.2Planned mowing pattern takes account of contours, ground conditions, and line of sight to any ground obstacles, and minimises empty running and unmown areas in accordance with client and company requirements.
Outcome 3
Operate a mower to mow crops and roadside vegetation.
Evidence requirements
3.1Mower is operated in a safe, smooth, and stable manner with no risk of harm to people or animals, or damage to tractor, other equipment, surfaces, or property structures.
3.2Consistent cut is maintained at optimum work rate,and predetermined mowing pattern is followed in accordance with job specifications.
Rangeincludes sharpening or replacement of flails and/or knives as required.
3.3The mown result complies with company and client requirements.
Outcome 4
Carry out post-operational procedures.
Evidence requirements
4.1Shut-down procedures are carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company requirements.
4.2Any damage or faults including any missing, bent, broken, or loose parts are identified and are repaired, replaced, or reported in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and company requirements.
4.3Mower is stored in accordance with company requirements.
4.4Documentation for the operation is completed in accordance with company and client requirements, and is stored in accordance with company requirements.
Planned review date / 31 December 2020Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 31 October 2002 / 31 December 2016
Review / 2 / 25 June 2007 / 31 December 2016
Review / 3 / 16 July 2015 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0101
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR 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.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Infrastructure ITO at you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Infrastructure ITOSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018