DTM*1200 Turf Equipment

course node page

The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2022 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.
 

This course covers the equipment used as part of a turfgrass maintenance operation. The course emphasizes safe, efficient operation of equipment along with selection of equipment in a maintenance operation. The course also introduces the maintenance of small engines, hydraulic and electrical systems common to turfgrass equipment.

Instructors:

Teaching Assistant:

Credit Weight:

0.50

Course Level:

  • Diploma

Academic Department (or campus):

Department of Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course, successful students will be able to:

  1. Effectively make equipment purchasing/usage decisions for the facility under their agreement
  2. Calibrate spraying and spreading equipment
  3. Troubleshoot common turfgrass maintenance equipment issues
  4. Instruct operators under their supervision on the safe use of equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  5. Understand the affect of equipment operation on turfgrass health
  6. Perform basic set-up and adjustment to mowing equipment

Lecture Content:

Theoretical and practical applications of equipment selection, safe use and maintenance. Practical exercises will involve the overhaul and grinding of cutting reels, calibrating spraying and spreading equipment, and troubleshooting small engines.

Topics to be covered in lectures include:

  • Equipment selection
  • Application equipment calibration
  • The affects of mowing on turfgrass systems
  • Mowing equipment maintenance
  • Hydraulic systems
  • Small engine theory and troubleshooting
Labs & Seminars:

Topics to be covered in labs include:

  • Calibrating spraying and spreading equipment
  • Set-up and maintenance of cutting units
  • Engines
    • overview, induction and ignition systems
    • Diesel engines
  • Soil cultivation types and practices
  • Safe equipment operation training practice

Course Assignments and Tests:

Assignment or Test Contribution to Final Grade

Quizzes

40%

Comprehensive Exam

40%

Semester Project

20%

Final examination:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Course Resources:

Recommended Resources:

Small Engines, by R. Bruce Radcliff (Author) Publisher: American Tech Publishers; 4 edition (March 7 2016), ISBN-10: 082690033X, ISBN-13: 978-0826900333

Additional Resources:

Text and graphical resources are available on D2L CourseLink site. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

CourseLink:

This course is being offered using CourseLink (powered by D2L's Brightspace), the University of Guelph's online learning management system (LMS). By using this service, you agree to comply with the University of Guelph's Access and Privacy Guidelines. Please visit the D2L website to review the Brightspace privacy statement and Brightspace Learning Environment web accessibility standards.

http://www.uoguelph.ca/web/privacy/

https://www.d2l.com/legal/privacy/

https://www.d2l.com/accessibility/standards/

CourseLink System Requirements:

You are responsible for ensuring that your computer system meets the necessary system requirements. Use the browser check tool to ensure your browser settings are compatible and up-to-date. (Results will be displayed in a new browser window).

https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/systemCheck

Technical Support:

If you need any assistance with the software tools or the CourseLink website, contact CourseLink Support.

University of Guelph Day Hall, Room 211
Email: courselink@uoguelph.ca
Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 56939; Toll-Free (CAN/USA): 1-866-275-1478

Phone/Email Hours (Eastern Time): Monday thru Friday: 8:30 am–8:30 pm; Saturday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm; Sunday: 12:00 pm–6:00 pm

Zoom:

This course will use Zoom for lectures and laboratories. Check your system requirements to ensure you will be able to participate.

https://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/system-and-software-requirements

Technical Skills:

As part of your learning experience, you are expected to use a variety of technologies for assignments, lectures, teamwork, and meetings. In order to be successful in this course you will need to have the following technical skills:

  • Manage files and folders on your computer (e.g., save, name, copy, backup, rename, delete, and check properties);
  • Install software, security, and virus protection;
  • Use office applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or similar) to create documents;
  • Be comfortable uploading and downloading saved files;
  • Communicate using email (e.g., create, receive, reply, print, send, download, and open attachments);
  • Navigate the CourseLink learning environment and use the essential tools, such as Dropbox,
  • Quizzes, Discussions, and Grades (the instructions for this are given in your course);
  • Access, navigate, and search the Internet using a web browser (e.g., Firefox, Internet Explorer); and
  • Perform online research using various search engines (e.g., Google) and library databases.

Contact your Teaching Assistant if you need support with any of the above.

Course Policies:

Grading Policies:

Refer to the Diploma Program Calendar, Section VIII (Associate Diploma Regulations and Procedures).

Late work will not be accepted unless in cases Academic Consideration.

Course Policy on Group Work:

Students will be assigned a semester project to be performed in groups, but will submit completed projects individually. The project will have a portion of the mark coming from individuality of the submitted materials.

Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures:

Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor. When recordings are permitted they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the instructor.

Other Course Information:

University Policies

Academic Consideration

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration:

Academic Misconduct

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and students  to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.

University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

Accessibility

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS), formerly Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD), as soon as possible.

For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca or visit the Student Accessibility Services website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/.

Course Evaluation Information

Your ratings and comments are important.  Course evaluation data are used to assess and enhance the quality of teaching and student learning at the University of Guelph.  Student course ratings and comments are used as an important component in the Faculty Tenure & Promotion process, and as valuable feedback to help instructors improve their teaching effectiveness and to improve the delivery of the course.

Your responses will not affect your grade.  Course evaluation data are distributed to individual instructors after final grades have been submitted to the Registrar, following the completion of each academic semester.

Please be honest, respectful, constructive and thorough.  Instructors and review committees place great value on student course ratings and read all comments provided in course evaluations. It is helpful to provide comments on the strengths of the course, in addition to the areas for improvement.  Please refrain from personal comments unless they relate to teaching and learning.

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