New equipment list

[GBL]

If you could start over with the knowledge you now have what new equipment would you buy for residential and small commercial jobs? Please list the brand, size and the number of mowers you would need as well as other equipment you would need (and don't need) for lawn care for a one man operation. Thanks

[grasschaser]

(1.) 36" exmark hydro with mulch kit (2.) 60" ztr your choice (3.) echo (just my choice) trimmers@2 ( 4.) echo stick edger ( 5.) redmax backpack blower and one redmax hand held blower ( 6.) 6.5' x 16' trailer (7.) gas hedge trimmer (8.) hand tools (9.) 21" Honda (comercial) This is a good start for a one man show in my opinion. This equiptment should last you for years.

[CrissBrothersLLC]

we run an almost identical setup to what grasschaser mentioned, except we use a 52" WB instead of the 36. Look in the area where you will be working to determine if fences and gates are common to the area, if so go with the 36, if not consider a 48 or 52 wb.

[Maddog]

Basically the same size equipment as grasschaser. But I might add an extended articulating hedge trimmer and a medium sized chain saw to help in cleanups.

Things I found to be used the least or very seldom: anything non commercial like the hedge trimmers, blowers etc. Also I bought a walk behind edger and find I use this very little. The walk behind edger is my least productive piece of equipment and has not paid for itself after 3 yrs. The stick egder is more productive and versitile.

The equipment racks on my 16' trailer have also been well worth the money.

As for hand tools: spade shovel, flatblade shovel, pitch fork, leaf rake, bow rake, 4x8 or 6x9 tarp to haul leave etc., pruners and possibly a bow saw.

Also dont forget the safety equipment.

[andersc1]

If I had it to do over again, I would pretty much equip myself similar to what I did the first go around. Lets see:

6.4' x 16' tandem axle trailer with trailer brakes, and racks.
2 x 60" ZTR mowers (ExMark or Dixie Chopper)
48" or 52" ExMark Turf Tracer hydro w/sulkie.
22" Honda self propelled commercial push mower.
2 x Stihl FS110 trimmers
Stihl stick edger
Stihl BR420 backpack blower
Muriyama 30" hedge trimmer
Chain saw
Extended reciprocating hedge trimmer
and various hand and garden tools.

Too bad hind sight is 20/20 huh?

Curtis