New one man operation......required equipment??

[Negrin]

Here is a list of the equipment I plan to use for my one man Lawn Care Service.I plan to service 1/4 to 1/2 acre residential homes.I may get into Townhouse complexes or low rise apartments if contracts can be secured.

-5 by 8 Landscaper trailer(drop axle,rear ramp gate)
-Blue Bird Power Rake(Honda motor)
-Blue Bird Aerator(Honda motor)
-Honda Commercial mower
-Shindaiwa trimmer
-Shindaiwa stick edger
-Shindaiwa handheld blower
-Shindaiwa backpack blower
-Shindaiwa Backpack sprayer
-Shindaiwa broadcast spreader
-13hp Honda powered pressure washer
-9hp Honda powered pressure washer
-small Homelite chainsaw 14" bar

Could you gentlemen please let me know what else I may require?

Thank you kindly!

[Sammy]

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<b>A pick up truck to pull the trailer.
Insurance.
Lawn Monkey software
Hand cutters
Gas cans
Get a Stihl chain saw</b><img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Quality Is Good

[lawrence stone]

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A 5x8 trailer is way too small. Get a 5.5'x12' trailer. You can haul two walkbehinds on 12'. The 6.5' wide trailer with the fenders on the outside is 8' wide and will be a bear to handle in some areas.

As for mowers you will need a 32/36" and a 52" walkbehind with stand on sulkies. Plus a real blade grinder.

Forget about buying a 21" mower most likley you will not need one unless you have 2' gates.



"The Frugal Agronomist"

[Negrin]

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Thanks for the advice guys.

Yeah,I forgot to mention that I do have a pickup truck already.All my equipment is brand new except the truck.The truck is a 1980 Ford F-100(a work truck for sure!)

For the larger walk behinds,any recommendations?I have been looking at some Toros.I am thinking of going with the 48" with floating deck.I will probably not commit to the purchase untill I get some larger yards.As stated in my original post,just small stuff as of yet.

Thanks for the input....

[Scott]

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wow that's quite a list of equipment. Also I don't know your financial situation and but I'd start out with,unless you already got everything, a 5x10 or the 8x10/12, trimer, edger, a single blower, hedge trimmers, and whatever mower you think you'll need for your particular applications which could be initially based on the average size gates in your area. Mine are 32in. Hopefully you'll gain customers quickly and can add or pay for all that desired equipment.

I don't have any advice on w/b's since I have a bum knee and chose to ride to save what's left of it. Otherwise that question could be a loaded one on this forum. I would talk to fellow LCO's and see what they have, ask why they bought it and what kind of problems they had with it and where do you get it serviced.

As far as the chainsaw, what are you intentions? Are you just trimming trees and palms (not sure of your location) or are you planning to drop a few. If trimming is your focus get a stihl MS180C or husqvarna 136 or 141. I use the crap outta my stihl and it is unstoppable, until the chain dulls, then I just put on the spare and away I go again. My buddy has a husky 141 which is a little heavier/bigger but it also runs like a champ. If you're gonna venture into the tree dropping business, ensure you're properly licensed and insured first then ask you dealer for the best tool considering your neck of the woods, then grab one size bigger with an extra chain and bar.



Edited by - scott on Jun 16 2002 2:17:06 PM

[Negrin]

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Thanks Scott.

Fortuntely my equipment was paid for last season when I was originally going to open my business.Things got quite busy with my
"regular" job(welder in the forest industry)and time did not permit.
Now that I am semi unemployed(don`t ask!HAHAHAHA!)I have ample time to grow this business.

So,you think that my trailer(5x8)will be too small?Wish I would have found this Forum a week or so ago when I ordered it.Unfortunately,it is custom built and already paid for as well.All that I have to do is pick it up on Tuesday.I had originally intended to go with a 4x8 but reconsidered after looking at mid size walk behind mowers.I really will need the extra width.

The chainsaw will be used for general purpose work,tree de limbing,falling small trees as well as demolition on rubbish removal jobs.I have access to many different types and sizes of Chainsaws.The one I own is a basic Homelite with a 14" bar(a baby!).Good enough for the time being!

[Scott]

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I'm sure that trailer will be fine once you get it and set a pattern for youself. Did you get racks for your equipment? That will also make a very huge difference, better than tossing them in the bed of your truck like I did for a year, or was it two(I'm a tight wad with money)? One more bit of advice, look for a tool/storage box that will fit over the tongue of the trailer or find a railbox that will fit. You can store your chainsaw, hedge trimmer, oil mix, other small hand tools, extra trimmer line, and just whatever else you'll need throughout the week. I like the idea of having the trailer holding all equipment and supplies so when you unhitch it that's it. There's no unloading the truck.
Whelp happy mowing <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

[lawrence stone]

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Ok so you have a 5 x 8 trailer and a 21" honda mower?

For a mower I would suggest a 52" toro belt drive with a stand on hydro type sulky. The 48" machines don't trim around stuff as will for the 52 has 14" offest to the left.

Also mount the sulky towards the right (discharge) side of the machine so you don't bang into and damage stuff when making right hand turns.

Make some 2ft high (or better) greedy boards for the pick up truck to hold all the thatch etc.

If you get a jumbo Wright bagger with the leaf extension you can pick up the thatch with the 52" Toro vs. hand raking.

You are also going to need a good hedge trimmer. A power pole saw is a nice touch also or a manual pole pruner will do in a pinch. Also a 45 gallon plastic garbage can on wheels and a 6 cu ft wheelbarrow is a must.

"The Frugal Agronomist"

[Negrin]

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Thanks Lawrence!

I failed to mention that I do have a hedge trimmer.It is a Shindaiwa 48".When I buy Lawn tools I try to get all Shindaiwa as far as "hand tools".Yes,my mower is a Honda 21"Commercial.It has the HydroStatic drive which is great!

I have a rear bagger Blue Bird Power Rake so raking is not neccessary.

Yes,I was thinking about the "power pole" saw as well.Hope Shindaiwa makes one!

Are the Toro mid size walk behinds good?The price on the Toros is quite good compared to Scag.

I was also considering the 3 wheeled Husqvarna edger.It has a curb wheel which I think would eliminate some of the problems with the stick edgers.

[Negrin]

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Well I recieved good news and bad news today!First the bad....the outfit making my deluxe lawn service trailer(originally a 5x8 job)has been swamped and has not even started construction on it yet!!
Now the good news..........I was able to upgrade to a 5x10 for a mere $150.00 more.Should be ready on Friday.........I hope!

So thanks to all who suggested the 5x10 foot over the 5x8!!

[lawrence stone]

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Still to small. You need a 12 x 5.5.

You can't get a 60-62" mower on a 5' wide trailer.

You can haul 2 mid size walk behinds on a 12 but not a 10.

Turning stuff sideways all the time is BS.

"The Frugal Agronomist"

[Zack]

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stone you're used to those long Toro's. A couple Exmark TTHP's or Wright Stander's would fit on a 10' without going sideways.

[Leone Lawn]

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i have a 5x8 trailer and it sucks. im gettin a 6.5x16 that is the way to go

Leone Lawn