Mowers and the grass cutting dilemma of local authority parks departments in New Zealand : [dissertation, Diploma in Parks and Recreation, Lincoln College]

Abstract

The "grass roots" of this Dissertation lies in an Institute of Parks and Recreation Conference several years ago where it was suggested that there was a lack of up-to-date information on what methods of grass control were used in New Zealand's Local Authority to maintain their sports and amenity turf and other grassed areas.

I decided to undertake a nationwide survey of Local Authorities to determine what mowers were used in what situations, their age, maintenance, problems, hours used etc. and collate the results into this Dissertation.

The objectives of this Dissertation are to:

Bring together information on how Parks Departments in New Zealand undertake their grass mowing requirements.

To identify which machines are most commonly used.

To identify the least preferred machines, and to isolate those f actors which are important in the efficient mowing of amenity turf.