Reciprocating Knife

A mechanically powered horizontal scythe cutting mechanism, mounted on a cutting bar in front of a mower. These mowers are suitable for long amenity grass areas and some embankments.

  Red Diesel

White diesel which has been marked with a red dye, which has been a requirement since 1961, and with the aim being to prevent illegal use on road vehicles. In 2018 white diesel for use in diesel engine road vehicles (DERV) had a duty rate (tax) of 58 pence per litre (ppl), whilst red diesel was 11 ppl (after having had a rebate of 47p applied), with the rebated fuel accounting for 15% of all diesel usage in the UK. (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/red-diesel-call-for-evidence/red-diesel-call-for-evidence)

  Refuelling with Petrol

When refuelling a petrol tank to a maintenance machine, always follow the manufacturers guidance in the operating instructions manual. Typically, the guidance will be similar to the following:

  Renovation

A range of activities, which mostly involve machinery, and which are undertaken to carry out a relatively major 'overhaul' of a turf surface and disturb the underlying rootzone. Renovation work will typically take place at either the end of a playing season for a sports surface; at the end of the summer to early autumn for an amenity turfgrass surface; or after an event, which has taken place, and which has caused significant damage or compaction to a turf surface.

  Repair

An activity or activities, ranging from a minor to a major repair, which can be routinely carried out on a turf surface throughout the year. Often repairs are carried out using hand tools, but also machinery can be used. The aim is to keep a turf surface in a satisfactory condition, especially after experiencing wear, or to rectify vandalised areas.

  Repairing Damaged Edges

Damage to a lawn edge can easily happen but it doesn't need to stay damaged and look unsightly. Repairing a damaged lawn edge is fairly straightforward and should not take too long to complete. A quick and easy technique can be carried out, so that you can have a neat and tidy edge to your lawn by reusing some existing turf.

  Residual Current Device

A feature which cuts out an electrical supply to cabled equipment, such as electric garden mowers, to help protect the user from an electrical shock and also to reduce or prevent damage to an electric motor. When mowing a lawn, or using other cabled equipment such as a hedge trimmer, it is essential that an RCD is used as cables can be accidentally cut whilst using such equipment.

  Respiratory Protective Equipment

A respirator which filters the air to remove harmful substances or breathing apparatus to provide clean air to breathe. This is worn by an individual in a workplace to protect their health. This is more commonly referred to by its acronym of RPE.

  Returning Clippings

Grass clippings are Let Fly and not boxed or raked off. There are benefits and disadvantages to not using a grass box and returning the clippings to the lawn. A balance needs to be maintained between removal and return of clippings during the growing season.

  Reverse Mowing

Double cutting a piece of grass, coming back down over the same strip which has just been cut in a forward direction. This is typically carried out on cricket pitches when preparing for a match to ensure there are no varying shades or strips of grass, just a single consistent shade across the entire prepared pitch. Also called Double-Cut or Reverse Cut.