Purchase of equipment: an important step in the process
In the lawn business, there are very few things more crucial than the purchase of equipment. Due to the financial crisis of 2008, there has been an influx in the number of lawn care companies. As such, there is also an increase in lawn care product options. Lawnmowers always seem to break down at the most inopportune times. When it comes to lawn care equipment, they are no exception to this rule. In fact, if you buy the wrong gear, you could end up losing new turf accounts while your gear is in store. Choosing and purchasing the correct lawn equipment to meet the needs of your personal property or landscaping business is vital to your success during the mowing season.
The first step in this process is to analyze your needs. If you are only in charge of the lawn you reside on, then your needs will be very different than someone who is in charge of more than 20 lawn accounts. For someone who only cares for their lawn, you need to decide if the lawn will be “walkable” or if you will opt to “ride” it. In my personal opinion, if your lawn is close to walkable, meaning it would take less than 1.5 hours to mow, buy a push lawn mower. The money saved by buying a push mower instead of a ride-on mower is astronomical. Beyond the initial costs, the maintenance cost of a walk-behind mower is far less than that of a ride-on mower.
No matter which direction you choose to go, whether it’s riding or walking across the lawn, the next step is to do your research. If possible, get the latest edition of Consumer Reports rating lawnmowers. Please use this as the basis for your purchase. Remember that the more you spend on a lawn mower doesn’t always mean you get more mower for the money, but you don’t want to buy cheap garden equipment either.
As we’ve discussed before, buying the right mower for your home or business can be critical to the success of your mowing season. These days there are an incredible number of lawnmower brands to choose from and buying research can be quite overwhelming. What I am going to do today is review one of the push mowers that I have used in my own personal landscaping business for the last 3 or 4 seasons. This mower is called Recycler and is manufactured by the Toro company. These mowers can be purchased at Home Depot, but higher-quality contractor models are only available through specialized Toro dealers. To find a Toro dealer in your area, simply search for “local Toro dealer” on Google.com.
The Toro Recycling Mower initially caught my attention because of its high ratings in Consumer Reports magazine, as well as its patented self-propelling technology. The mower comes in a wide range of models that vary depending on the quality and use of the work. Personal home models are priced between $300 and $400, which puts them right in the middle of the pack in terms of price. The self-propelled system is second to none and the mulching capabilities are substantial. The mower does not bag exceptionally well, shredding the grass so finely that it sometimes clogs the bagger. This mower is inexpensive to maintain, as most parts can be purchased without special order from your local Toro dealer. Maintaining this lawnmower is fairly straightforward for anyone who has ever worked on a walk-behind lawnmower. The quality of the handle has some flaws as I have broken that part more than 5 times. Toro has been true to its 5 year warranty and has replaced the part free of charge until this year. That issue aside, this is a good buy for a push lawn mower and I’d rate it 83/100.
Next, you will need to purchase a weed trimmer. I would suggest a simple, inexpensive gas-powered weed cutter that can be purchased at any big box store. The brand I would go with is called Troy built. These weed trimmers retail for less than $100 and usually come with a two-year warranty. If you want a weed trimmer that’s a little more substantial, I’d suggest Stihl brand products. These products run on their own two-cycle version of gas that keeps them running for an incredibly long life. They are easy to start and can cut through even the toughest weeds. These Stihl products can usually only be purchased through a specific dealer, so look for one in your area.
You’ll also want to purchase a gas-powered leaf blower. Troy-built makes an entry-level two-cycle gas-powered leaf blower that retails for less than $100. I have been using mine for over eight years and have never had a single problem with it. Although this doesn’t seem like a critical piece of equipment, you wouldn’t believe the amount of time saved by using it. More customers appreciate a completely clear sidewalk and driveway.
Lastly, you should consider the idea of buying a trailer and hitch. When shopping for a trailer hitch, look online for the best deals. Aftermarket hitches can often be had on websites like eBay for much less than what your local store will charge. Trailers are best bought second hand. Keep an eye on websites like craigslist and local newspapers for listings of used trailers in your area. It is one of those products that depreciates a lot as soon as it rolls off the lot, but it does not decline in quality. A solid small trailer can be had for less than $300, but it may take some time to find the right seller.