Triplex Reel Mower Safe Work Method Statement

Correct reel-to-bedknife clearance is critical for achieving clean cuts without tearing grass blades. The clearance should be set so that a single sheet of newspaper or printer paper cuts cleanly when placed between the rotating reel and bed knife across the full width of the cutting unit. To perform this test, engage lockout procedures (engine off, key removed), place paper strip against bed knife, and slowly hand-rotate the reel - the paper should cut completely without tearing. If paper tears or doesn't cut, adjustment is required. Most triplex mowers provide adjustment mechanisms at each end of the cutting unit using adjustment nuts or screws that move the bed knife closer to or farther from the reel. Make small adjustments (typically 1/4 turn) checking with paper test after each adjustment. Both ends of the bed knife must be adjusted equally maintaining consistent clearance across the width. Once correct clearance is achieved, the reel should lightly brush the bed knife across its length - too much contact creates excessive wear and noise, too little clearance results in poor cutting quality. After adjustment, run mower briefly and recheck - bed knife may seat differently under load. Document reel-to-bedknife settings in maintenance logs as reference for future adjustments. If clearance cannot be achieved or cutting quality remains poor after adjustment, reels may require professional grinding to restore blade edge sharpness and cylindrical form. Never adjust reel-to-bedknife clearance with engine running or without implementing lockout procedures preventing accidental startup.

Maximum safe operating slopes for triplex mowers vary by manufacturer and model but typically range from 15 to 20 degrees maximum gradient. However, the safe operating slope is significantly affected by additional factors beyond the stated maximum including ground conditions (wet vs dry), grass height and thickness, operator experience, and direction of travel relative to slope orientation. Manufacturer specifications represent maximum limits under ideal conditions - actual safe operating slopes may be considerably less depending on site factors. To determine safe slopes for your specific operation, use a digital inclinometer to measure ground angles throughout the mowing area before commencing work. Mark any areas exceeding manufacturer specifications as exclusion zones requiring alternative mowing methods such as pedestrian mowers or manual trimming. When operating on slopes within safe limits, always mow straight up and down the slope face rather than traversing across - this maintains the wheel base perpendicular to the slope providing maximum stability and preventing side-slip. Reduce speed to the lowest setting when on any detectable slope maintaining maximum control and engine braking. Never turn on slopes; complete full passes ascending or descending before turning on level areas. If ground conditions are wet, significantly reduce acceptable slope angles or defer slope mowing entirely until turf dries. Rollover risks increase dramatically on wet slopes where traction is reduced. Slopes near edges, embankments, retaining walls, or water hazards should be excluded from triplex mowing regardless of angle due to potential for machine and operator falling significant distances if rollover occurs. Some models equipped with rollover protective structures (ROPS) provide additional operator protection but do not increase safe operating angles - ROPS protect operators if rollover occurs but prevention through slope management remains the primary control.

Cutting reel sharpening frequency depends on usage intensity, turf species being mowed, soil conditions affecting debris contact, and cutting quality standards required. For sports field applications where fine turf quality is critical, reels typically require professional grinding every 60-80 operating hours or approximately monthly during peak growing season. Golf course triplex mowers used on premium surfaces may require grinding every 40-50 hours to maintain optimal cut quality. Formal garden applications with less demanding quality requirements may extend grinding intervals to 100-120 hours. However, operating hours should not be the sole determinant - cutting quality assessment provides better indication of sharpening needs. Perform daily quality checks by observing grass appearance after cutting - healthy grass cut by sharp reels appears clean and uniform with no ragged edges. Dull reels produce shredded or torn grass with whitish appearance at blade tips indicating tearing rather than cutting. The paper test (newsprint cutting cleanly between reel and bed knife) also indicates reel sharpness. If paper tears instead of cutting cleanly even with correct clearance adjustment, grinding is required. Professional reel grinding uses specialised equipment to restore proper reel cylinder shape and blade edge geometry. This process removes small amounts of metal (typically 0.1-0.3mm per grind) to create fresh cutting edges at optimal relief angles. After grinding, reel-to-bedknife clearance must be reset and backlapping performed to remove any grinding burrs and seat the bed knife to reel contact. Some operators perform backlapping (reverse running reels with lapping compound) between professional grindings to extend sharpness. Document grinding dates and operating hours in equipment maintenance logs tracking degradation rates and optimising grinding schedules. Operating mowers with dull reels increases engine load, fuel consumption, and causes poor turf health - prioritise regular grinding as essential preventive maintenance.

Contact with irrigation sprinkler heads is a common hazard in triplex mowing operations causing equipment damage, sprinkler system disruption, and potential operator injury from sudden impact or flying debris. If you contact a sprinkler head, immediately stop forward movement and disengage cutting reels to prevent additional damage. Assess the situation checking for visible sprinkler damage (broken head, cracked body, water leakage), reel damage (bent blades, impact marks, loose components), and any ejected sprinkler parts that could cause additional damage if run over. If water is spraying from damaged sprinkler, locate and shut off the relevant zone valve or main irrigation supply to prevent water waste and further playing surface damage. Document sprinkler location, damage extent, and circumstances of contact including photographs if available for facility management notification and potential insurance claims. Report incident to site supervisor or facility manager immediately as irrigation repairs may be urgent to prevent further water damage or to restore automatic watering schedules. Inspect cutting reels carefully for damage before resuming mowing - even minor contact can bend blades or throw reels out of balance creating vibration and accelerated wear. If reel damage is suspected, remove mower from service and arrange professional inspection before further use. To prevent future sprinkler contact, walk mowing areas before operation identifying and marking all sprinkler head locations using temporary marker flags. Create site map documenting sprinkler locations for reference during future mowing operations. Request facility managers to ensure all sprinkler heads are recessed flush with turf surface - heads protruding above grade present unavoidable contact hazards. On newly established turf or recently constructed areas, verify irrigation installation locations before first mowing as sprinklers may not be visible through longer grass. Maintain heightened awareness when mowing areas known to contain irrigation - reduce speed and watch for visual indicators including valve box lids or slight depressions indicating buried components. Some facilities paint sprinkler heads with bright colours improving visibility and preventing contact - suggest this measure where recurrent contact occurs.

Blade contact injuries from triplex mower reels require immediate emergency response as lacerations or amputations can result in rapid blood loss and permanent disability if not treated urgently. If a blade contact injury occurs, immediately shut down the mower engine and engage parking brake. Do not move injured person unless they are in immediate danger (fire, traffic, etc). Call emergency services (000) immediately providing location, nature of injury, and patient condition. Whilst awaiting emergency services, implement first aid focusing on bleeding control. For severe bleeding, apply direct pressure using clean cloth, gauze, or clothing positioned directly on the wound. Maintain firm continuous pressure for minimum 5-10 minutes without releasing to check if bleeding has stopped. If blood soaks through dressing, apply additional layers on top without removing original dressing and continue pressure. If wound is on limb and bleeding is not controlled by direct pressure, apply pressure to arterial pressure point between wound and heart (brachial artery for arm injuries, femoral artery for leg injuries). Only use tourniquet as absolute last resort if life-threatening bleeding cannot be controlled by other means - note time tourniquet applied and communicate to paramedics. If amputation has occurred, locate severed part, wrap in clean moist cloth (saline or clean water), place in sealed plastic bag, and place bag on ice (not directly on ice as freezing damages tissue). Ensure severed part accompanies patient to hospital as reimplantation may be possible if tissue damage is minimal. Keep patient warm using blankets and position in recovery position if conscious or flat on back if unconscious (unless airway requires different positioning). Do not give food or drink as emergency surgery may be required. Monitor consciousness, breathing, and circulation continuously until paramedics arrive. Document circumstances of injury including witnesses, equipment involved, and sequence of events for incident investigation. Preserve scene and do not move equipment until WorkSafe or regulatory investigation is complete if serious injury has occurred. Ensure all workers receive first aid training appropriate to work hazards including bleeding control, shock management, and emergency service communication. Maintain first aid kits on all work sites with trauma dressings, bandages, and wound management supplies appropriate to laceration injuries. After incident, conduct comprehensive investigation identifying causal factors and implementing preventive measures preventing recurrence. Review and update SWMS procedures incorporating learnings from incident.