Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


OWNERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL COSTS ESTIMATION FOR STRING-BLADE GRASS MOWER

Amaefule, D. O.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Ezeanolue, C. H.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Ogbuagu, N. J.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Nwajinka, C. O.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Ojukwu, U. P.
Department of Polymer Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Adama, J. C.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State Nigeria



ABSTRACT

Nylon string-blade grass mowers are increasingly used for lawn maintenance in the recent times because of their low purchase cost and capability of deployment in hard-to-reach areas. This study estimated the mower’s ownership and operating cost indices. The costs were obtained from measuring grass mowing operations parameters at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. Two string cutters namely, Aspero CG 430 (C1) and Husqvarna 128LD (C2) models were used for the cost estimation. Result obtained showed that the annual fixed cost is 40% of the purchase price and running cost is 90.66% of the total lawn mowing cost. Cost of fuel was valued at eight hundred and eighty five Naira, twenty one kobo (885.21) for C1 and eight hundred and ninety eight Naira, thirty two kobo (898.32) for C2 per mowing hour and was the highest cost component while the cost of string replacement was valued at four hundred and ten Naira, ninety nine kobo per hour (410.99) for C1 and four hundred and seventeen Naira, seventy nine kobo per hour (417.79) for C2 per mowing hour. Findings from the study would help the users and prospective owners of the string mowers in economic management decisions on the equipment.


Keywords: Ownership cost, Operating cost, Grass mowers, Lawn maintenance, Nylon string blade


https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v11i1_16
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Published
Monday, February 03, 2025

Issue
Vol. 11 No. 1, June 2025

Article Section
GENERAL

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