Whether you serve a handful of clients or you've got hundreds of people that depend on your crews, maintenance is essential for your landscaping tools. From your mowers to edgers to aerators, it's vital that you maintain the tools that help you serve your customers and stay in business. It's also important that you avoid these mistakes:
Not Cleaning the Deck: When you're done mowing, it's vital that you clean off the mower deck. That applies to the top and the bottom. Wet grass and dirt will build up, throwing the mower off balance and reducing the quality of your cuts.
Not Sharpening the Blades: Commercial lawn mowers need their blades sharpened regularly. Otherwise, they dull and instead of cutting, they tear the grass, which doesn't give the lawn a professional appearance.
Air Filter Replacement: Many different types of outdoor power equipment have an air filter. Like your car's filter, this is responsible for preventing dirt and debris from entering the engine. As the filter clogs up, the flow of air is reduced. That cuts down on available power and increases fuel consumption.
Tire Pressure: Commercial lawn mowers need the right tire pressure in each tire in order to ride correctly. Low tire pressure will result in an angled cut, but it can also put wear on the sidewalls of your tire. Too much air pressure can also create an angled cut. If you're experiencing problems with the cutting angle, the issue might be the tires, not the deck.
Fuel Type: The quality of the gas used in your commercial lawn mowers is very important. Not only should you ensure that you're buying good gas from a reputable station, but you need to store it correctly. Remember that gasoline doesn't have an unlimited shelf-life. It loses its charge pretty quickly. Dispose of old gas frequently and ensure that you're using fresh fuel in your engines. It's also wise to look for fuel without any alcohol (ethanol).
Cutting Too Low: One of the primary reasons for a mower to labor through a cut is if you're trying to cut tall grass with too low of a deck setting. If the grass is particularly tall, make more than one pass, once with the deck set higher and then again at the normal height. You should also recommend that the client increase their cutting schedule to accommodate for faster grass growth.
Perhaps the single most common maintenance mistake though is trying to go it alone. Work with a reputable outdoor power equipment dealer to ensure that not only do you have access to the right tools, but that your machinery is properly maintained at all times.
Keen Edge Co. is an outdoor power equipment dealer which deals with proper warranties, and manufacturer-trained technicians are always on hand to service your needs.Call 800 589 4145 to order outdoor power equipment, engines, parts and accessories.
Article provided by Dan C Burke
Not Cleaning the Deck: When you're done mowing, it's vital that you clean off the mower deck. That applies to the top and the bottom. Wet grass and dirt will build up, throwing the mower off balance and reducing the quality of your cuts.
Not Sharpening the Blades: Commercial lawn mowers need their blades sharpened regularly. Otherwise, they dull and instead of cutting, they tear the grass, which doesn't give the lawn a professional appearance.
Air Filter Replacement: Many different types of outdoor power equipment have an air filter. Like your car's filter, this is responsible for preventing dirt and debris from entering the engine. As the filter clogs up, the flow of air is reduced. That cuts down on available power and increases fuel consumption.
Tire Pressure: Commercial lawn mowers need the right tire pressure in each tire in order to ride correctly. Low tire pressure will result in an angled cut, but it can also put wear on the sidewalls of your tire. Too much air pressure can also create an angled cut. If you're experiencing problems with the cutting angle, the issue might be the tires, not the deck.
Fuel Type: The quality of the gas used in your commercial lawn mowers is very important. Not only should you ensure that you're buying good gas from a reputable station, but you need to store it correctly. Remember that gasoline doesn't have an unlimited shelf-life. It loses its charge pretty quickly. Dispose of old gas frequently and ensure that you're using fresh fuel in your engines. It's also wise to look for fuel without any alcohol (ethanol).
Cutting Too Low: One of the primary reasons for a mower to labor through a cut is if you're trying to cut tall grass with too low of a deck setting. If the grass is particularly tall, make more than one pass, once with the deck set higher and then again at the normal height. You should also recommend that the client increase their cutting schedule to accommodate for faster grass growth.
Perhaps the single most common maintenance mistake though is trying to go it alone. Work with a reputable outdoor power equipment dealer to ensure that not only do you have access to the right tools, but that your machinery is properly maintained at all times.
Keen Edge Co. is an outdoor power equipment dealer which deals with proper warranties, and manufacturer-trained technicians are always on hand to service your needs.Call 800 589 4145 to order outdoor power equipment, engines, parts and accessories.
Article provided by Dan C Burke