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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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Hauling Lawn Mowers Requires Special Caution

Apr 26

Posted by Lawn Care Business in enclosed trailer, equipment, lawn care safety | No Comments

Hauling lawn mowers, either on a landscaping trailer, in the back of your truck, or in an enclosed van, requires special attention from the driver.

This spring, much of the country is getting some wet weather after several warm days. Once hot weather arrives, rain causes oils on the roadway to dispurse and become treacherous. Although always dangerous, lawn care vehicles can be particularly affected by slippery roads. The added weight of the equipment, or the chance of your load shifting, coupled with slick road conditions makes for an even more dangerous job transporting lawn mowers from one job to the next.

Hauling lawn mowers is dangerous on slick streets.

I was driving in the rain today and I wanted to take a couple minutes to remind you to use the upmost caution when driving with your lawn care equipment and be extra cautious when driving in the rain.

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Keep Your Commercial Lawn Mower Blades Sharp

Apr 26

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn care business, lawn equipment, lawn mowers, maintenance | 1 Comment

Sharpen your commercial lawn mower blades to reduce browning of the lawn and water loss.

The mowing season has been in full swing for a month. If you are cutting an average of 10 lawns each day, 5 days per week, you may have already cut 200 with your new lawn mower blades. Are you sharpening them as often as you should? Sharp blades produce much more professional cuts to your lawns and makes the grass look better than dull or damaged blades.

sharpen lawn mower blades on schedule

Dull blades tend to tear grass leaving a ragged edge to the top of the grass. A ragged edge means there is more surface area of the grass to turn brown. More surface area also increases the amount of water transpired to the atmoshphere from the edge of the grass. Increased water loss is hazardous to grass health especially during the hot, dry summer days.

Sharpen you lawn mower blades as part of your normal lawn mower maintenance schedule.

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Ferris Evolution Commercial Lawn Mower

Apr 25

Posted by Lawn Care Business in equipment, lawn care business, lawn equipment, lawn mowers | 1 Comment

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The Ferris Industries Evolution Commercial Lawn Mower has been on the market for several months. I dropped by a Ferris dealer last week to get some updates on the mower and hear how the commercial guys like the mower for their mowing businesses.

Ferris Industries Evolution Commercial Lawn Mower

The seat reminds me of a crotch rocket motorcycle. Though I think the lawn mower would be fun to ride and the seat position give the operator a great over-deck view of his cutting area, I wonder about the comfort of riding such a mower for 6 hours per day. Operator fatigue is a huge issue in commercial lawn equipment selection. The Evolution’s operator compartment looks confining. Without the ability to shift body positions, is the evolution more fatiguing than other commercial mowing machines.

With the capability to mow 5.1 acres per hour, the Evolution is a formidable grass cutting machine. That mowing rate is impressive for most any landscaping company with serious grass to cut. I like the deck design and the operator’s positioning for a great view of the cutting deck and grass area.

If you have demoed this mower or if you own a Ferris Industries Evolution commercial lawn mower, I would like to hear your thought on the machine.

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Lawn Care Business Owners Face Alien Invaders

Apr 19

Posted by Lawn Care Business in environment, landscaping, questions | No Comments

http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

Today’s Trivia Question: What’s on this leaf?

I love coming across new information in the field of lawn care and landscaping. The challenge of a new discovery keeps the lawn care business interesting. Anytime you are working in a customer’s lawn, I challenge you to be on the lookout for new discoveries.

Last weekend, during a mountain bike ride and hike on a local mountain trail, I was surveying the trees and plants as I rode by. I came across this interesting leaf and I though it would be fun to see if the readers of this blog know what is growing on (out of) this leaf.

invaders on a plant leaf

Is it alien invaders?

Homicidal Spores?

A fungus never before seen by man?

We would love to hear your guesses. Comment on this post or send it to your favorite landscaper to see if he/she knows the answer.

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April 15, 2010 Tax Day for your Lawn Care Business

Apr 14

Posted by Lawn Care Business in money, start a lawn care business, taxes | No Comments

If you operate your own lawn care business, you’ve already realized that cutting grass is only part of your work day. Paperwork and administrative duties are constant chores for any lawn care business owner and the Mother of all paperwork days is upon us. If you are like many lawn care business owners, you are probably sweating the deadline of tax day.

“Do I have to depreciate this weedeater?”

“What’s the allowable deduction for milage on my work truck?”

“Where’s my receipt for those lawn mower blades I bought last spring?”

Tax questions are endless. If you are trying to do your taxes yourself and you’re up against the clock you might still be able to get your business taxes finished before midnight.

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A Professional Lawn Care Company Would Never Do This!

Apr 10

Posted by Lawn Care Business in how much to charge, lawn business strategies, start a lawn care business | 2 Comments

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There are several attributes of professional lawn care companies that will differentiate them from amateurs.

One big difference between professional and amateur lawn care companies is attention to detail. Amateurs get the job done as quickly as possible, charge a low price, and move onto the next lawn. Sure, the grass is cut and the customer is satisfied (for the price) but the lawn often doesn’t have the finely groomed and finished look of a professionally cut lawn.

Professional yard maintenance companies take a few extra minutes to finish their jobs correctly. As such, commercial landscapers can charge their customers a premium over amateurs. Professionals make more money, in the long run, than amateurs who leave their grass cutting jobs unfinished.

I came across a great example of an imperfectly performed lawn care job today. The grass was cut and the weedeating was done but the lawn care company skipped the detail work. Specifically, instead of properly blowing the grass off the road, the workers left the grass on the road surface.

Blow Grass Off Road for a Professional Lawn Care Appearance

If you want to operate a Professional Lawn Care company and get paid professional prices, pay special attention to the small details. They are the difference between your reputation as a professional landscaper versus an amateur with a lawn mower.

Do you want to run a professional lawn care company and make professional money for your work? If you want to earn more money and gain the reputation of a professional, our lawn care business course is designed to help you. We are running a special price on it right now. Visit our main website for full information.

Start A Lawn Care Business http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

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25% Off Landscaping and Lawn Care Safety Supplies

Apr 8

Posted by Lawn Care Business in equipment, lawn care safety, lawn care videos, lawn equipment, work boots | 1 Comment

Amazon.com contacted us this morning to let us know they are offering 25% off lawn care and landscaping safety supplies. We want to share the link they sent us. This is a great opportunity to buy all your safety equipment at a great sale price. Hearing protection, eye protection, gloves, safety boots, high-vis protective clothing, safety boots, and more are important protection in your lawn care business.

We hope you will make your own safety, as well as the safety of your employees, a top priority this year. I was speaking with someone just the other day who doesn’t believe in wearing protective footware when mowing the grass. “I’ve mowed for years in nothing but shorts and sneakers and nothing’s happened to me yet.” Our thoughts on this is that millions of people mow in shorts and tennis shoes each year without incident. However, it only takes on slip-up for a lawn mower blade to sever a foot or a weedeater line to cause a nasty gash in your shin.

Since you will be mowing hundreds or thousands of lawns this year, your chance of a slip-up increases over that of a typical homeowner. Please wear proper safety equipment during your lawn care work.

If you need safety supplies this year, please use the link above.

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April 15, 2010 is only a few days away. Prepare your Lawn Care Business taxes.

Apr 6

Posted by Lawn Care Business in start a lawn care business, taxes | No Comments

If you haven’t complete your lawn care business taxes yet, time is ticking away.

It’s not fun to think about but taxes are a necessity and the completion date is Thursday April 15, 2010. I am writing this blog posting today because you still have time to collect all your receipts, organize your expenses and revenue, and take the whole mess to your accountant. If you prefer to do your taxes yourself, you still have time to order tax software and spend this upcoming weekend completing your tax forms.

There is lots of free professional advice available online and through your local IRS office. We’re not CPA’s so we can’t offer professional advice but we can show you some of the software products we have used in the past. Maybe they will be helpful to you. I’ll post those links below.

Also, don’t forget, if you buy our Lawn Care Business guidebook and software package for your lawn care business, you might be able to deduct the amount of your purchase. Check with your accountant to make sure.

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Does Lawn Care Make You Smarter?

Apr 5

Posted by Lawn Care Business in environment, lawn care business, lawn chemicals | No Comments

“Where’s my lawn mower? Has anyone seen my weedeater? What day is it?”
These are three questions you will rarely hear from lawn care business operators.

If you think of yourself as having better memory than your peers, you might have your lawn care business to thank. Scientists at the University of Brisbane in Australia have discovered the scent of cut grass helps boost memory. Chemicals that are emitted from freshly cut grass work to stimulate the emotional and memory centers of the brain known as the amygdala and the hippocampus.

Cut Grass Helps Boost Memory

In this blog, we often discuss how a lawn care business can strengthen your physical and financial health. It’s also good to know that the aroma of cut grass might also be helping your mental health.

The benefits of owning a lawn care business are endless.

If you want to improve your memory and start your own business at the same time, maybe you should take a look at our lawn care business guidebook, video training guides, and estimating software business package. You can read all about it on our website: Start A Lawn Care Business . com

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