EQUIPMENT/TOOL NEEDS

[lawn mower fanatic]

I have a small lawn care business and now that I am raking in the bucks :thumbsup:, I was wondering what other equipment/tools I could purchase with the extra money. Right now, I have 2 lawn mowers, a snowblower, weedwacker, ear/eye protection, and tons of little tools like clippers, rakes, shovels, brooms, and handshears. What is some other equipment/tools I could purchase. If you could make a long list of any POSSIBLE thing, that would be great in helping me decide.
Thanks in advance!:biggrin:

 

[Ric]

I have a small lawn care business and now that I am raking in the bucks :thumbsup:, I was wondering what other equipment/tools I could purchase with the extra money. Right now, I have 2 lawn mowers, a snow-blower, weedwacker, ear/eye protection, and tons of little tools like clippers, rakes, shovels, brooms, and hand-shears. What is some other equipment/tools I could purchase. If you could make a long list of any POSSIBLE thing, that would be great in helping me decide.
Thanks in advance!:biggrin:

Creating a list would depend on the job you would want to do and what your intentions are for your business, professional or sideline. What type of mowers are you using?

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Right now I just have a honda push mower and am looking at an Exmark Metro 26. I know it would be better to get a ZTR mower, but that is not in my budget.

 

[Ric]

Right now I just have a honda push mower and am looking at an Exmark Metro 26. I know it would be better to get a ZTR mower, but that is not in my budget.

Definitely A ZTR would serve you a lot more efficiently. You have to remember, in lawncare time is money and good reliable equipment can take you a long way. You have to be ready to take care of a majority functions and peoples wants. The more functions you can provide the better chances you have to make it in the business.

Equipment you need to add IMO would be some type of riding mower because, 10 to 12 lawns in a day with a push isn't going to last long. Other equipment like a pole saw, hedge trimmer, edger, a BRD and a back pack blower are basic needs for a lawn care business.

 

[pondman]

I live in area (California) where you wouldn't be able to compete with low paid, hungry immigrants. You might make some part time money. But in my area to make a living you'd need a riding Kobota with sharp blades and a 10 foot dump trailer. People want you to hall away everything. The locals have gotten use to having hungry people knock on their doors. Mowing and blowing doesn't pay much anymore. You've got to be have more experience with design, installation,and irrigation or you'll work 12 hours a day for peanuts.

A spray rig would help (and the permits.)

 

[jenkinsph]

I live in area (California) where you wouldn't be able to compete with low paid, hungry immigrants. You might make some part time money. But in my area to make a living you'd need a riding Kobota with sharp blades and a 10 foot dump trailer. People want you to hall away everything. The locals have gotten use to having hungry people knock on their doors. Mowing and blowing doesn't pay much anymore. You've got to be have more experience with design, installation,and irrigation or you'll work 12 hours a day for peanuts.

A spray rig would help (and the permits.)

I agree with you for the most part, I don't try to compete with the guys in an old pickup with a cheap riding mower or push mowers in the back. There are lots of these guys out of work trying to feed their families. Most without a business license, tax numbers or insurance. I feel for them but I don't wan't to go broke either.

Instead I tend to take on jobs building landscapes with tractors, backhoes, dump trailers and a boat load of implements. At least with these jobs I am bidding against other professionals with similar overhead costs.