CFB CFB Field Equipment & Maintenance Operations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a field roller used on natural grass athletic fields?
- To apply fertilizer evenly across the surface
- To smooth surface irregularities and improve ball roll (Correct answer)
- To aerate the rootzone and relieve compaction
- To distribute topdressing sand into the turf canopy
Correct answer: To smooth surface irregularities and improve ball roll
Field rollers are used to smooth out surface irregularities and improve playing surface levelness, which enhances ball roll consistency and player safety.
Question 2: Which maintenance practice involves removing cores of soil from an athletic field to relieve compaction and improve air and water movement?
- Verticutting
- Topdressing
- Core aeration (Correct answer)
- Overseeding
Correct answer: Core aeration
Core aeration uses hollow tines to pull out plugs of soil, relieving compaction and creating channels for air, water, and nutrients to reach the rootzone.
Question 3: What is the recommended mowing height range for bermudagrass on a US sports field during peak growing season?
- 0.25–0.5 inches
- 0.5–1.5 inches (Correct answer)
- 2.0–3.0 inches
- 3.5–4.5 inches
Correct answer: 0.5–1.5 inches
Bermudagrass on sports fields is typically maintained at 0.5–1.5 inches during the growing season to balance turf density, ball roll, and plant health.
Question 4: Which type of mower is most commonly used for striping patterns and producing consistent cut quality on high-use athletic fields?
- Rotary mower
- Reel mower (Correct answer)
- Flail mower
- String trimmer
Correct answer: Reel mower
Reel mowers produce a scissors-like cutting action that delivers a cleaner, more consistent cut and creates the striping patterns seen on professional athletic fields.
Question 5: What is the purpose of 'topdressing' an athletic field with sand?
- To apply pre-emergent herbicide to the surface
- To level the surface, improve drainage, and dilute thatch (Correct answer)
- To protect seed during germination from bird feeding
- To provide a wear layer over the natural grass rootzone
Correct answer: To level the surface, improve drainage, and dilute thatch
Sand topdressing levels minor surface imperfections, improves surface drainage, dilutes organic thatch accumulation, and gradually improves the soil profile over time.
Question 6: When should aerification of a cool-season grass athletic field typically be performed to minimize recovery time?
- Midsummer heat peak
- Early fall or early spring during active growth (Correct answer)
- Immediately before a major event
- Midwinter dormancy period
Correct answer: Early fall or early spring during active growth
Aerifying cool-season grass fields during early fall or early spring takes advantage of active growth periods for fast hole recovery before competition.
CFB CFB Field Equipment & Maintenance Operations 1
What is the primary purpose of a field roller used on natural grass athletic fields?