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Archive for category weedeaters

Restringing Your Weedeater? Pick Up Your Line.

Jul 1

Posted by Lawn Care Business in customers, lawn care business, weedeaters | No Comments

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Has this happened to you? You are almost finished with your last yard of the day. Your grass mowing has gone well, the the lawn looks great, and you are making good time. A bit of weedeating is all that is required to leave your customer with a professionally maintained stand of grass before you get paid a lot of money and head home. Then, just as you tap the weedeater’s bump knob to advance the weedeater line a few more inches, the spool empties its last few inches and flings the last section of line somewhere onto your customer’s lawn.

Argh! You thought you had enough line to finish but now you need to run back to your truck (the line always runs out at the very back corner of the property) and rewind a spool. Your great time on this lawn is shot as you know you are going to spend 10 frustrating minutes rewinding the spool after you drop it on the ground and the tight line unravels as you try to place it back into the spool holder on the weedeater.

Finally, you finish your trimming, blow grass off the walkway & patio, and collect your money from your customer. The grass looks great and you are proud of your work and the money you made. “Ahhh…another satisfied customer.”

NOT SO FAST!!!!!!

Before you make it home, your customer calls to complain about the sloppy job you did on the lawn. You’re taken aback because you thought the job went well and the lawn mowing was done to perfection. It takes you a minute to realize what the customer is complaining about but then it hits you:

weedeater line is hard to rewind

“Arghhhh….that pesky weedeater line.” When the last bit of weedeater line flew out of the weedeater you neglected to retrieve it from your customer’s lawn. Now, instead of leaving your customer completely satisfied, you return to the customer’s lawn, with apologies, and collect the last bit of line.

When running a lawn care business, it pays to be hypervigilant and give your lawns a once-over before ending the job. And, for goodness sake, pick up your weedeater line.

If you are looking for tips on running a MORE PROFESSIONAL lawn care business and making MORE MONEY, check out our lawn care business course. The guidebooks, training videos, and estimating software are designed to help you make your business a success.

We have the “Start A Lawn Care Business” course on sale right now through our main website:
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Refillable Propane Tank Debate Rages On

May 12

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn equipment, propane, start a lawn care business, weedeaters | 10 Comments

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Judging by the quantity of email we received last week on our recent post about the viability of propane powered weed trimmers and their taking over the lawn care 2-cycle engine market, we feel we are correct in thinking that propane is making a strong toe-hold into the lawn care market.

There is one question we are continuously asked; “Is it legal to refill and transport 1 lb. propane canisters in the use of my Lawn Care Business.”

To be quite up front and honest, we are not 100% sure of the answer to this question. There is lots of debate to this question and without a clear understanding to the answer, our stance is that you should research the correct answer yourself. If you find a complete and easily understood answer, please let us know.

We have heard differing theories on this law. A commenter on www.Instructables.com posted this information:

There is no federal (U.S.) contraint whatsoever on refilling a tank, nor for that matter on transporting such a tank whereever you want (provided it is not a federally-controlled road with restrictions on hazardous materials, which is a section of the CFR that nobody here has bothered to point out). There could not possibly ever be any such global constraint on your right to do so under the 10th Amendment. The cited regulations and laws deal specifically with transport in commerce, that is, transport across state lines for the purpose of selling the tank or using them in support of a commercial enterprise (and, under several federal court cases dating back to the 1930s, commercial transport on federally controlled roads – the so-called “implied commerce” argument that gave us the FDA and EPA). The second item is this talk about it being illegal to transport, even in commerce, REFILLED tanks. That is nonsense. It is not illegal to transport a refilled tank, it is illegal to commercially transport improperly LABELED tanks – if you read the citation for 49 U.S.C. 5124 (that’s the one with the prison sentences and all) you’ll see that it establishes penalties for violation of 21 U.S.C. 5104. Section 5104, in turn, is not a REFILLING statue, it is a LABELING statue. The moment you refill a tank you may or may not have created a fire hazard, but you a very definitely created a mislabeled product – and that’s what is illegal.

If you are considering refilling 1 lb. propane bottles, using them in weedeaters or other lawn care equipment, and/or transporting them as a due course of your business, our main fallback answer is to tell you to read the label of your 1 lb. propane bottle. It clearly states:

Never Refill This Cylinder. Refilling may cause explosion. Federal law forbids transportation if refilled – penalty up to $500,000 and 5 years imprisonment (49 U.S.C. 5124)

Look at #5 in this picture:

refilling propane bottles is dangerous and against the law if transported

If you are running propane powered lawn care equipment, we would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment.  Also, if you are operating a lawn care business and want to learn about the latest lawn care equipment, check out our lawn care business guidebooks and estimating software located at our main website:

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Lehr Propane Powered Lawn Equipment

May 1

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn business strategies, lawn equipment, propane, weedeaters | 4 Comments

Propane powered trimmers, lawn mowers, and other lawn equipment are slowly, but steadily, becoming a dominant force in the green industry.

If you keep up with our lawn care business blog, you know we believe that propane-powered equipment will gradually overtake the use of gasoline powered equipment in the industry. This won’t happen overnight but during the next 5 to 10 years this trend will continue to strengthen.

You’ve probably seen our video review on the Lehr propane powered string trimmer. Though Lehr is a major player in the residential propane trimmer industry, there’s a bigger point here on which we want to focus. Lehr is a specific instance in an industry wide trend of a move toward propane powered equipment. With each new trade show we attend, we see progressively more companies introducing propane powered equipment. Ferris Industries, Dixie Chopper, eXmark, and others are testing propane on their commercial mowers.

2-cycle engines are notoriously dirty. Yes, propane string trimmers use oil. But, unlike traditional 2-cycle motors, propane engines use that oil for internal lubrication only. Oil is not burned with the fuel source in a propane engine. The statistics I’ve seen state that propane emits 98% less evaporative emissions and ozone depleting hydrocarbons than an oil-fuel mixed 2-cycle trimmer.

The strongest reason that propane will become a dominant force is a series of EPA pollution regulations taking effect the next two years that govern small engines such as 2-cycle engines and lawn mower engines. Manufacturers are being forced to reduce their evaporative emissions by 35%. Propane power is a very viable alternative to gasoline powered equipment and the lawn industry is embracing it.

As we’ve noted before, Lehr knows that the current state of propane powered engines is not yet completely ideal. The difficulty in using refillable 1lb. tanks in a commercial operation and the need for commercial quality units are two issues they are trying to tackle. The CEO is a very genuine guy and his company is making great headway in the industry.

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Ethanol Gasoline in Small Lawn Mower Engines

Nov 3

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn equipment, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, maintenance, weedeaters | 2 Comments

Does ethanol damage lawn mower engines?

As lawn care business owners, we strive to provide proper maintenance for our lawn equipment. Equipment engine oil is changed regularly. Air filters are cleaned and/or replaced when they become dirty. Lubrication is performed on schedule as outlined in owners’ manuals.

In addition to routine maintenance, there are many other tips we can follow to help extend lawn equipment life. We cover many tips within the pages of our Lawn Care Business Guidebooks.

One of the simpler actions we can take, on a daily basis, is use of high quality gasoline. High quality does not necessarily mean high octane. High quality, in many people’s opinion, means a lack of impurities.

There is a gas station not far from our business location that charges a few cents per gallon less than competing station. However, the gas station is more than 40 years old and it looks dilapidated. A gas station in such poor condition makes us wonder about the condition of their fuel tanks. If their tanks are corroded and contain residue from years of being underground, could those impurities find their way into our gas tanks?

Though ethanol is not considered an impurity to industry insiders, many small engine mechanics speak up about damage caused by ethanol. According to an MSNBC article on damage to small lawn mower engines caused by ethanol in gasoline ethanol attracts moisture which prevents oil within lawn care equipment from doing its proper job. This moisture reacts with rubber and plastic fittings and hoses. As these parts deteriorate, they may clog openings within the engine and can cause a shellacking on pistons resulting in reduced lubrication. All this is according to small engine experts.

Don’t rely strictly on experts though, read the many comments in this blog from www.TheTruthAboutCars.com dealing with the hazards of using ethanol blended gasoline in many different types of engines.

In the southern states where we live, 10% ethanol has been a fact of life since early 2008. Though we have heard horror stories of damage done by ethanol, we rarely have a choice other than to use an ethanol gasoline blend.

Times are beginning to change, though, and we see signs that gas stations are offering 100% gasoline again. In fact, a brand new gas station with brand new tanks, less than half a mile from the old dilapidated gas station offering 10% ethanol, has just opened. This new gas station does not add ethanol and offers pure gasoline.

noethanol

Ahh…no contamination and no ethanol. Our lawn mowers and two-cycle leaf blowers, weedeaters, and other lawn care equipment will run “clean” once more.

For more information on dealing with commercial lawn mower questions as well as running your own lawn care business, visit our website: www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

Raynaud's Syndrome and Lawn Care Workers

Oct 29

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn care business, lawn care training, lawn care work gloves, leaf blowers, weedeaters | No Comments

As the year draws on and weather gets colder, I want to take a moment to mention a condition that can affect lawn care workers who use weedeaters, edgers, leaf blowers, and other vibration-heavy tools during cool and cold weather months.

I first became aware of the existence of Raynaud’s Syndrome and its risks to lawn care business workers my first year in the lawn care business while reading the instruction manual of a new professional weed eater I had just purchased. I have operated weedeaters for many years and I know proper operating technique. However, as a matter of course, I read the instruction manual and learned of a health risk I had never perceived.

The manual’s caution mentioned that workers enduring several hours of vibration each day (especially during cold weather) from power equipment were at greater risk of effects from Raynaud’s Syndrome.

According to Wikipedia, Raynaud’s syndrome is a hyperactivation of the sympathetic system causing extreme vasoconstriction of the peripheral blood vessels, leading to tissue hypoxia.

I am not a doctor and I don’t exactly know what the above paragraph means. However, I do know, after reading my instruction manual, to be aware of excess vibration from weedeaters, edgers, and blowers during cold weather.

In the “StartALawnCareBusiness.com” lawn care business training materials, we make note that you should keep a close check on your health and you should get regular health checkups from your health care professional. A checkup is also advised before you start your business work simply to understand your general health and diagnose any underlying health concerns.

Of great importance (and the general gist of this blog post) is to always read and follow the instruction manuals for all of your lawn care equipment. You many think instruction manuals are only filled with common sense and you already know how to operate each piece of lawn care equipment. However, there is valuable information within those manuals and it is wise to read them completely so you fully understand proper usage and cautions (known and unknown) of your lawn care equipment. Though I am very familiar with most types of lawn care equipment, I always read the instruction manual thoroughly before operating any new piece of equipment. I advise you to do the same.

You never know what you don’t yet know.

Disclaimer: This blog does not provide medical or professional advice of any sort. You should seek advice from your health care provider for answers to all questions you may have.

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Propane powered lawn equipment: grass trimmer (weed eater).

Apr 6

Posted by Lawn Care Business in environment, lawn business strategies, lawn care videos, lawn equipment, propane, weedeaters | 7 Comments

by:
Start A Lawn Care Business

Propane Powered String Trimmer (weedeater) Review

Purchase the new Lehr Propane Powered Line Trimmer here:

Hi Everyone. This is Keith with StartALawnCareBusiness.com. We are in the beautiful Tennessee Valley at Falling Water Falls. We are surrounded by nature and today we are reviewing an eco-friendly product. It’s the Lehr 4 cycle, propane powered, string trimmer. 
Read more below the video window.


Environmentally Friendly

Propane power offers lawn care companies greater flexibility. During code red air pollution days in some areas lawn care companies are(voluntarily in some areas) disallowed from using 2 cycle gasoline powered string trimmers. However, they are allowed to use propane power since the pollutants released from the trimmers are less than using 2 cycle gas-oil mixtures.

Propane Canisters

The Lehr model uses 16.4 oz. propane canisters. You can purchase these at most any department store or retail store. They are most commonly found in the camping section. They cost about $3.00 per bottle and Lehr says you can operate the string trimmer for about 2 hours from a full bottle of propane.

No choke. No primer bulb. No mixing of gas and oil.

Refilling the unit is simple. Take a new bottle of propane. Slip it into the housing twist on the coupling. Slide the bottle so the end is flush with the housing then secure the latch.  That’s all there is to it. There is no mixture of oil and gasoline. You do not have to worry about a choke and you do not have to worry with a primer bulb to prime the fuel system.

Once the system is charged with propane one or two pulls of the starter rope starts it right up. The Lehr propane string trimmer starts very quickly and easily. The string trimmer seems to idle quieter than other trimmers. Don’t let the low decibels fool you. The trimmer torques very quickly when you press the throttle.

Lawn Care Safety Equipment

Before using any lawn equipment take proper safety precautions. Ear and eye protection are necessary.

If you need to make an environmental statement with your lawn care company, I highly recommend the Lehr propane powered string trimmer. It is high quality. It is responsive. Your customers will love you for it.

Weedeater is a brand name of the Poulan Company but lawn care enthusiasts often refer to string trimmers as weedeaters.

For more information and proper assembly instructions, visit the manufacturer’s website at: www.GoLehr.com
Purchase it from Amazon.com by using this link:

For more information on operating a professional lawn care company, visit us at:
www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

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Propane powered lawn equipment.

Mar 21

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn equipment, propane, weedeaters | 13 Comments

by: Start A Lawn Care Business

During the Louisville, Ky lawn and garden expo, I saw many lawn care equipment manufacturers displaying propane powered lawn mowers. As pollution laws become more strict, LCO’s are going to offer more and more lawn equipment powered by clean technology.

I’m not sure about your weedeater but one of my old reliable stringtrimmers is a real polluter. Even when it’s dialed in and running right, there is a slightly visible exhaust at all times. I attempt to be as environmentally friendly in my business but there has been very little to replace the 2 cycle engines…until now.

I am glad to say that I picked up a Lehr propane powered weedeater today. After assembling the unit and purchasing a couple cannisters of propane, I gave it a 15 minute test.

I am impressed with initial tests. It starts quickly, it’s quieter than gasoline powered units, torque is impressive, and rev up time seems to be less than my echo trimmer.

My standard review takes about 3 weeks to complete. I will have a long range follow-up review in several months.

Please keep an eye on this blog to see results.

Amazon.com has these propane powered weed eaters in stock. Click the link below to order.

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