Ryan Wentworth asked:




Purchasing a lawn mower blade on line is usually easy, if you know some basic information. The make and model of your mower is a good place to start. The length and type of blade is also going to help you in your selection.

Contrary to many beliefs, blades are not all compatible. The blades come in a wide variety of sizes and types. The standard cutting blade or a mulching blade combination is the most common. Less popular are the reel blades, universal reversible blades, forging blades, and cylinder blades. An owners manual will give you with more detailed information including specific part numbers.

You should know the type of lawn mower you have. A standard push mower, a self propelled mower, a reel mower, a personal riding mower, or a commercial grade lawn mower. Knowing your mower type will help determine how many blades you need.

Once you decide the exact blade you are looking for, you can start shopping the Internet for your blade and price comparisons. You could start your search based on your lawn mower manufacture. They will have the exact blade for your mower or a suitable replacement. Some manufactures will make a recommendation that you purchase your replacement blades directly from them. Many owner’s manuals will suggest a purchase from the manufacturer as your best choice. This is also the case with replacement parts.

Car manufacturers will recommend service and part replacement only at the dealership. Lawn mower manufacturers are usually no different. Normally you will pay a considerable higher price for the part. Consider all your options, including other off brand manufacturers, usually for a considerable lower price. The choice is completely yours, however quality can be obtained without a direct purchase from the lawn mower manufacture.

Regardless of your selection, its imperative that the installation is completed correctly. An improper blade size or incorrect installation can cause damage to your lawnmower and possibly you.

commercial lawn mowers

Mike Selvon asked:




After seeing a bladed reel in a cloth mill, Edward Budding elaborated on it and invented the reel lawn mower during the early in 1830s. His patent stated that gentlemen might find using the machine to be a healthy, useful and amusing exercise. Gas powered lawn mowers first began to appear around 1890 and the riding lawnmower is now about 100 years old.

Cast iron was the major material used in the early reel mower and consisted of a large roller in the back and a roller in the front, which was more like a cutting cylinder. Power was transmitted by using gear wheels made of cast iron from the roller in the rear to a cutting reel. Overall, the machines of today are very similar to the original mowers of the 1830s.

Perhaps one of the smartest moves of the inventor was to allow others to build their own lawn mowers while still under his license, resulting in improvements and more revenue. Ransomes was one of the first companies to take advantage of that and started to produce their own versions.

The company is still very active in the lawn care environment and they have become the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial lawn mowers and lawn care equipment. When the original patents lapsed and with the increase in popularity of certain sports, such as cricket, lawn tennis, rugby and football, other companies were able to begin manufacturing their own products.

The motorized lawnmower engine began to appear around 1890, touted as a lightweight gas engine or as small steam-powered engines. For a number of years the steam-powered mowers were preferred, but by the 1900s the gas mowers were pulling ahead in popularity. The period after World War I saw more advanced technology and people were starting to move into suburban type housing, which increased the need for mowers and other lawn and garden tools.

Some people are not aware of the fact that these new modern ideas that included rotary cutting and electric power were actually first brought out during the 1920s and 1930s; however, they did not become popular until a much later date. Lawn mowers went through many innovations during that time and included improvements such as a smaller but more powerful lawnmower engine and lighter designs. The technological advancements continued to improve throughout the 50s, which resulted in mowers that were more reliable, yet less expensive. The rotary mower was produced by using lightweight plastic and lighter gas and electric motors, which is considered to be one of the major innovations.

commercial lawn mowers

Craig Borglum asked:




Landscape maintenance is a great business to be in. Whether the economy or housing market is up or down, the grass still needs to be cut.

Now I will admit that there are some downsides to the landscape business. Nit-picking, unappreciative customers always wanting extra work done for free.

“Low-baller” start ups that will do lawn care for less than it costs to be in business. Then that forces the business owner to fold up shop at the end of the year when they realize that they lost money.

Oh, and then there is the HUGE start up costs for mowers, edgers, weed eaters, hand tools, insurance, equipment replacement and maintenance, etc. Dragging a lawn trailer behind the big F-250 that you need to pull all that equipment can also eat up a lot of cash in gas. Did I mention the no show employees who don’t even bother to call in when you’ve got a full day of work planned because it’s “too hot?”

Well, maybe grass cutting business is not so great after all. That’s why I refuse to cut grass anymore for a living. The overhead and start up costs are too high and the profit is too low.

I can imagine that you’re thinking “but what about these big companies I see with lots of trucks?” Sure, if you can tough it out and eventually have 10 trucks on the road, maybe you’ll get rich. Or will you?

Work Smarter, Not Harder

I used to work for the largest landscape company in the U.S. out of one of their FL. Gulf Coast offices. They had about 20 trucks and the lawn care division never turned a profit in the years I was there. How did they stay afloat?

The sprinkler repair division.

We always turned a profit and made nice bonuses. We had more work than we could do. I was a trainer, and I could take a guy that knew nothing about irrigation and have him turning us a nice profit in a week.

The Secret

Repairing sprinkler systems is not nearly as complicated or as difficult as people think. It’s actually much easier than lawn care after you learn the trade secrets, tricks and tips! Another great thing about sprinkler system troubleshooting is that when someone has a leaking pipe or a broken sprinkler head, they want it fixed yesterday.

The overhead is low (a small pick up truck, some hand tools and a valve locator) , and the profit to exspense ratio is high. Once you know how much to charge the rest is easy. We never lose money and we never run out of work!

It’s true some guys get rich starting a landscape company. It’s equally true that out of a million guitar players somebody lucks out and becomes a rock star. Your odds at getting rich starting a landscape company are about the same.

If your not making at least a hundred dollars an hour after expenses with your lawn care company, maybe you should sell the mowers, ditch the employees, buy a shovel and start a sprinkler repair business.

Craig Borglum CIC/CID/CLIA is a Certified and Licensed Irrigation Specialist and EPA Water Sense Partner in Central Florida. More information and articles on how-to irrigation solutions, click on lawn business





commercial lawn mowers

brianw57 asked:

US Lawns – Commercial Landscape Maintenance is the franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to utilize their sales and management experience. Enjoy the freedom and lifestyle of an owner, while avoiding the developmental issues that hinder independent small business start-ups. US Lawns is a full service landscape maintenance company servicing commercial customers in more than 180 markets across the country.

commercial lawn mowers

Al Haneson asked:




It seems the each year in June I get dozens and dozens are questions related to brown spots in lawns and turf. Could it be lawn fungus or disease and will it kill my lawn? Following are some very general tips on controlling and preventing common lawn diseases and fungal problems.

Lots of late spring rain coupled with temperatures in the high seventies and eighties set up the perfect breeding ground for many common lawn disease problems. Add in some humidity, and you have a “perfect storm” of lawn problems.

Some of the more common lawn fungus problems are rust disease, red thread, summer patch, and dollar spot. None of these will turn into serious problems if you are willing to do a little work and change some of your habits.

Since we can’t control the weather, we need to make effective choices in the cultural practices we can control. Mowing high and watering consistently, but deeply and never at night are just 2 of the best ways to help control lawn diseases. In addition, you should bag your lawn clippings when conditions are favorable for fungal development.

Granular fungicides available at your local home center will work to prevent a majority of disease problems, but timing is crucial. It is best to get an application down prior to any onset of disease in the turf, meaning you should get some down in later May or early June if possible. A second granular fungicide application will serve your turf well in July.

Nitrogen is also an important factor in keeping lawn diseases to a minimum. Proper amounts of soil nitrogen allow grass to basically, “grow through” the fungus problems before they become a problem. I never recommend quick releasing synthetic fertilizers, however, because they “push” the grass plants, causing too much top growth.

It is always best to use an organic product for lawns that releases nitrogen slowly and consistently over time. Organic lawn fertilizers come in many forms, but bio-organics tend to give better results.

The final step in ensuring minimum disease pressure in your lawn is to manage the thatch layer. Thatch is the layer of dead grass and leaves that all lawns have just above the soil line.

Some thatch is good as it keeps the turf’s roots shaded and maintains moisture levels, but too much will harbor disease. If your thatch layer is more than one-half-inch thick, it is time to aerate and reduce it. You can aerate your lawn at any time during the year, as long as your machine can pull a good plug. If you can’t aerate and your thatch is too thick, it’s time to break out the rake and get those elbows working!

Whatever you do, don’t panic! Turfgrass is very forgiving and tends to live through most anything. Just keep up your proper mowing and watering, and fertilize regularly to keep that lawn looking its best!



commercial lawn mowers

George Kilbride asked:




Everyone of us wants nothing but the best, the best clothes, the best makeup, the best boyfriend, the best wife, and of course the best lawn mowers. To rule out those that are substandard kinds and to obtain nothing but the best, there are various factors that you need to first mull over with. Keep in mind that not all mowers are equal and the first thing that you should consider is the durability and the effectuality of the mechanism that you have in hand. These things will be the main factors that will help you save your bacon from future repairs and replacements.

The first thing to decide with is whether or not you’ll go with the commercial mower or the home mower. First of all, consider the size that you need. In case you belong to a landscaping company or if ever you own an extremely huge lawn, you may want to buy the commercial mower since they are specially made to mow quickly and regularly and compare with the other, they are high performing machines. On the other hand, if you only have a home lawn to maintain then the home mower is just the thing for you, this will help you out in maintaining your landscape the easier way and they come in small sizes which are indeed very handy to store at home. Bear in mind however that this type is not created in the durability standard employed on commercial mower although you really don’t need to worry about its toughness given that you will only have to use it one time in every week.

There are however some people who would go for commercial mowers despite the fact that they would merely use them at home. In case you have an elaborate landscaping or if you own a substantial lawn, the commercial type will no doubt make your day given that they tend to be more maneuverable than the home mower. Be grateful for its “zero-turn technology’. Basically, zero turn mowers is the term used for zero turn radius which simply connote that the machine can move around in a dime. The ability of being able to shift direction without actually moving from one place to another, a zero turn mower is indeed one of the best lawn mowers there is in the industry. In addition, it does not just precisely follow the curves of your area but it can also reach out the places that most traditional mowers cant. This is the aspect that most professional landscape artist would like to get specially those that works on golf course thus you can expect to see them on these commercial establishments. This is the best specially among perfectionist.

In addition, you can decide about the engine of your mower. Almost too often, an engine is available on a stock model but if you only do your homework, you will see that there are a lot of choices when it comes to the engine style.



commercial lawn mowers

Ben Anton asked:




Small engine vehicles have been revitalized and revamped over the last several years. Golf carts and hauling vehicles once innovative in the 1980s were still able to be improved upon in the areas of design, steering mechanism, vehicle weight and basic functionality. Mowers, however, have remained constant in their design and mechanics for quite some time. The single biggest area of improvement for golf course and large area mowers is in the engine. Recent small engine mechanics innovation has allowed designers to create more powerful, easier to maintain, and more efficient engines for these pieces of equipment. Though older model mowers may have quality engines that are still getting the job done, many landscapers or greens keepers may find that the engine does not provide the power or efficiency that a newer vehicle could. Buying a new mower in order to get the power of a modern small engine is not necessary if you consider repowering the vehicle instead.

What Is Repowering?

Repowering a small engine refers to installing a newer rebuilt engine into an existing vehicle in order to improve its performance and save on buying a brand new vehicle or motor. By repowering, a landscapers or golf course maintenance crew gets more than just swapping out an old engine for the same rebuilt model engine. Rather, a repower kit swaps out an old engine for a newer, better engine model built with the latest technology. Repowering results in a better small engine in a vehicle for the fraction of the price of buying a new one.

I Already Have A Quality Engine

If you are a smart consumer, you have already bought a large mower from a reputable brand that stands by its products. So, you may wonder why you would ever want to consider repowering. Consider the Jacobsen Greens King IV. Jacobsen has an incredible reputation for being a leading turf maintenance mowers and equipment manufacturer for over 100 years. The company’s Greens King IV has been one of their best selling vehicles for over a quarter of a century. These mowers, however, will last longer and perform better if their engines are updated to newer models.

The need to innovate and improve performance is well understood by Jacobsen. The company’s newer model Greens King IV has a 16 or 18 horse power Briggs & Stratton Vanguard gas engines. Older models have a 14 or 16 horse power Kohler engines. Improving the engine is important to the long-term life of the mower and to achieve better performance. This is why so many are choosing to repower their landscaping mowers – to give their well-maintained older models more power and extend their life.

Jacobsen Greens King IV is a popular landscaping mower and hauling vehicle manufacturer. As such, there are a variety of repower kits available. There are Briggs & Stratton Vanguard small engines or Kohler small engine rebuild kits available, depending on what engine is currently installed in the GV IV. Diesel models are also great candidates for repower kits. Those landscapers with other mowers brands, something other than a Jacobsen, can easily find a repower kit compatible with their model too.

Where Do I Find A Repower Kit?

Small engine repower or rebuild kits are available from several certified dealers online. When looking for a kit, make sure the one you purchase comes with a warranty that you would expect from the original factory dealer. They are available. This will give you piece of mind and assurance that the quality of your machine will remain intact. After all, repowering a small engine is a step toward improving the value of your mower and extending its life.

~Ben Anton, 2008



commercial lawn mowers

Dave Faulkner asked:




Sickle mowers, also called reciprocating sickle mowers, were originally invented for cutting cereal but was adapted to cut grass and plants in the 1960′s. It became the standard tool used for cutting hay to feed various farm animals including sheep, goats, rabbits, cows, and pigs. They hay was stored to feed them during the winter months because grass was in short supply throughout that season.

To harvest hay there were many other reel mower to choose from including a rowse, rotary disks, and professional mowers but none could compare to the sickle mower. It was very easy to use for both large and small jobs. The sickle mower was attached to a bar featuring 5 blades that were each 7 inches long. While it wasn’t the best option for larger commercial hay cutting it was a very efficient tool in the early days because it didn’t break the strands or sprinkle them.

For commercial hay harvesting the sickle mower [http://www.lawnmower-report.com/Brush_Mower/] just wasn’t practical but with a few modifications the sickle haybine was created. This was done by combining the sickle mower concept with a strong frontal reel that could haul and bent stalks efficiently at a very fast rate. It also featured an internal device that could break stems of thick grass to allow the hay to dry very quickly. The early sickle mowers weren’t capable of this.

Today the sickle mower is still in use by some homemakers and small farm owners. They are mostly considered to be antique machines though and collectors look for them all over. You can find some of them for a decent price on auction sites including Ebay.

commercial lawn mowers

Ben Anton asked:




Golf course equipment upkeep is a chore but a necessary part of keeping any golf course in premier shape. Maintaining the carts, mowers and trucks used on any private or public course can help ensure that they run to their optimum potential and that they last for several years. However, situations do arise when the engine in one of these pieces stops performing at its best or goes out all together. In that situation, buying a new engine to replace it may seem like the best option. In many cases, however, it is not. Many small engines used in golf course equipment can be replaced with repowered Kohler or Briggs Stratton small engines. By using a repower kit, you can restore you mower, hauler or truckster to a more powerful, cleaner and quieter machine at a much more reasonable price.

Repower is the term used to describe replacing an old engine with a new engine, a used engine, a remanufactured engine, or electric motors, drives, or fuel cells. It essentially is an engine heart transplant for your equipment. A complete Kohler repower kit, for example, includes all the fittings, bolts and Toro parts you need to replace the engine in a Toro product with a new, improved Kohler small engine. The benefit of repowering is simple – replacing a poorly performing small engine with a repower kit can be as much as 90% less expensive than replacing the entire piece of equipment.

Depending on where you get the kit, you can replace the original 14 horse power motor with an 18 horse power motor that works harder, quieter, cleaner and for about 20 percent the cost of buying new. On top of that, the quality rebuild kits come with a full two year warranty on your new engine. And if your state has an Emission Reduction program, you may actually be able to be reimbursed for all or part of the cost of repowering your equipment with a cleaner engine. Check your state’s web site for local information, but in most states around the U.S., if the new engine significantly reduces the NOX emissions, you may qualify for grant money to repower with a new Kohler engine.

Golf course equipment use small engines, which are relatively simple to build and maintain, making them perfect for repowering. A recent improvement to small engine mower technology is the addition of gasoline engines with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems. It helps with fuel economy in traditional carbureted engines. This technology has been used by Kohler small engines – the savings you get when using Kohler engines that enable EFI technology is significant. For every $3.00 gallon of gasoline used in a mower, EFI technology will make it efficient enough to actually save $0.75.

Saving money and getting a superior engine are solid reasons to consider repowering the small engine in your Toro golf course equipment. Talk to an expert or read reviews online if you are looking to improve the performance of your course’s maintenance equipment.

~Ben Anton, 2008



commercial lawn mowers

Steve Sutherland asked:




To succeed in the lawn care business you need to have the right commercial equipment. Having the right equipment makes you more professional and productive.

While you can start out in lawn care with a basic push mower that you can cart around in a station wagon or with a small trailer, it is the operators with small trucks and commercial mowers that distinguish themselves as the ‘six figure’ operators.

This article looks at some of the basic equipment that you will need to be successful cutting grass for a living.

Your largest purchase when it comes to equipment will be your vehicle. Look at the dimensions and weight of some of the commercial mowers that you are interested in and make sure that you have a truck or van and trailer that can take the load securely as well as making packing and unpacking convenient. Once you have decided what equipment you will purchase you should consider having racks installed into the vehicle for safely storing and locking the equipment.

In terms of lawn mowers, the basic ‘walk behind’ lawn mower is an industry standard and comes in many varieties ranging from the typical consumer lawn mowers up to some quite advanced commercial types. These mowers are practical, maneuverable and good for most residential jobs. Some commercial ‘walk behind’ mowers are able to tow a small platform called a Velke which allows the operator to stand on a small platform and be slowly pulled along by the mower, thus saving on energy.

For more serious lawn care business operators ‘Ride on’ mowers are the next logical step up. While not quite as flexible as ‘walk behind’ mowers in that they are not suited to hilly terrain and smaller areas these mowers generally make the operator much more productive on an average lawn surface. ZTR (Zero Turn Radius) mowers are the best when it comes to ‘ride on’ mowers due to their power, features and maneuverability (they can turn on a dime).

For a one man operator, owning a combination of a ‘walk behind’ mower and a ‘ride on’ mower is best for maximizing productivity on all lawn shapes and contours.

Other required lawn care equipment includes trimmers and edgers, necessary for cutting grass in places that the lawn mower cannot reach such as along concrete driveway edges and around letterboxes. Blowers are also useful for removing grass clippings and leaves from paths, driveways and pavements to leave a customers property looking neat and tidy.

Lastly, you should make sure that you have the appropriate safety equipment including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves and work boots with a steel cap in the toes.

While not all of this is essential for a new operator starting out in the grass cutting business you should aim to have a commercial lawn mower or ‘ride on’ mower sometime within your first year of business so that you are productive and distinguish yourself as a professional, giving you the best chance of making ‘six figures’ in the lawn care business.

commercial lawn mowers