For those interested in Alternative Fuels

[Fish]

I am a little slow this time of year so only doing 50 yards a week right now.
Mower, blower, trimmer, edger, pole saw,

Did you get any of that snow?

 

[Carscw]

Did you get any of that snow?

We got about 4 inches on Tuesday
The road was dry Wednesday afternoon
All the snow was gone Thursday.
Was in the high 60s today got 13 yards done.

Went to walmart parking lot Tuesday and set out some cones to make a race track
None of the ATVs could hang with my mud mower.

 

[buzzzmeister]

Hi group,

If you want to have a looksee at what's happening in Commercial Mower news look here:

Offering Propane Equipment and Conversions - Green Industry Pros

And here:

More mowers turning to propane fuel | CharlotteObserver.com

If you have any questions give me a holler...

How's this all working out with propane approaching $7+/gallon?

 

[wjjones]

1. Propane burns cleaner.
2. Propane is a domestic fuel.
3. Propane is up to 60% less expensive than gasoline.
5. Propane has 21% MORE power per pound than gasoline.
6. Propane is a minimum 107 octane.
7. Oil changes can be extended up to 3 times.
8. Propane contains no ethanol.
9. Propane doesn't go "bad" on the shelf.
10. Propane can't be stolen.
11. Legislation (see urls above) is coming to limit the use of gasoline for commercial mowing.
12. Many customers appreciate the efforts to reduce your carbon footprint.
13. Many municipal customers will accept the bid for a "Clean/Green" supplier over polluters.
14. Almost all HOAs will do business with a "Clean/Green" supplier because they are less polluting and quieter.
15. Fewer complaints from employees about emissions.
16. Much easier starting with propane.
17. No annual carb rebuilds with propane.
18. The conversion equipment can be transferred to a new unit.
19. Mowers last up to three times longer with propane.
20. Used units are worth more at resale because the engine has substantially less wear.

I'll stop at Twenty. There are many more not the least of which is "just wanting to do the right thing."

I'm curious, how many mowers did you run on propane? I'd really like to hear of your experience with them.

Regards!

I think the main issue is cost I know it is way better but the conversion cost should be more practical.. if you are going to spend that much it would be better to buy equipment already setup for propane. I wouldnt go out and buy a new mower just to run propane so the cost of the conversion should be cheaper. If they want us to (just wanting to do the right thing) they need to step up on their end with the cost.

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

How's this all working out with propane approaching $7+/gallon?

Actually it doesn't affect any of my customers at all. My cutters down south have locked-in at $1.41 and the north doesn't mow much if at all.

Anybody paying $7/gallon should find a new supplier. Mont Bellvue is $1.51.

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

I am a little slow this time of year so only doing 50 yards a week right now.
Mower, blower, trimmer, edger, pole saw,

You're very similar to my SoCal cutters. You'd be surprised what weight a year-round account carries. You'd be ok.

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

I think the main issue is cost I know it is way better but the conversion cost should be more practical.. if you are going to spend that much it would be better to buy equipment already setup for propane. I wouldnt go out and buy a new mower just to run propane so the cost of the conversion should be cheaper. If they want us to (just wanting to do the right thing) they need to step up on their end with the cost.

Cost is cost pure and simple. An OEM conversion runs about 1800-2500. My markup runs from 17-30%. No kidding. Much of the cost is liability insurance.

I have converted many units by just asking for half their savings until paid for. The customer can write it off and gets praise from the customer base for being "green". Win-win...

 

[Carscw]

So if I understand this correctly it would be cheaper to buy a new mower and have it converted to propane or to buy one already set up for propane.

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

So if I understand this correctly it would be cheaper to buy a new mower and have it converted to propane or to buy one already set up for propane.

Absolutely correct.

Don't get me wrong, OEMs are good customers but they're sure proud of their conversions.

 

[buzzzmeister]

Anybody paying $7/gallon should find a new supplier. Mont Bellvue is $1.51.

Propane shortage in the upper Midwest. Folks are being forced to let their houses freeze because propane is unobtanium. The company I get my propane from is allotted 1 semi-load of propane/week to keep several thousand households supplied.