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LawnMowerFanatic's 2015 Equipment/Work Thread

Mar 7, 2015#1

lawn mower fanatic

I am starting this thread to have a place to post pictures of equipment, jobs, etc I have in 2015. I will be posting something this evening on how I am prepping for the 2015 mowing season. Hopefully this thread will primarily be photos.

Mar 7, 2015#2

lawn mower fanatic

So today, since it was warm out (generally speaking), I spent the time working on the snowblower. Since I have a feeling the 10" of snow we got on Thursday will be the last snow of the season (or at least the last snow I will need the snowblower), I cleaned it, and put it in the "back" of the garage. But before I put it away I wanted to fix the skid shoes, because they took a beating during the last storm. It was working through icy snow near a foot deep for 8 hours straight. I flipped the skid shoes, because as you can see in the "Before" picture below, they are very worn down (as well as not even straight on the ground).
On another subject, since I had more customers than usual for that storm, I couldn't spend the time going over the driveway with a shovel after I used the snowblower. So I made it so the metal blade was scraping the ground, instead of raised up a few millimeters. So today I raised the blade off the ground, since I don't want it to have pressure on it for the 8-9 months it will be stored. So now I am ready for next season. Let me know what you think. :thumbsup:

Skid shoes before:

Skid shoes after:

Nice and clean! (This picture was taken BEFORE I flipped the skid shoes.)

Mar 7, 2015#3

lawn mower fanatic

In storage.

Mar 8, 2015#4

Ric

lawn mower fanatic said:
I am starting this thread to have a place to post pictures of equipment, jobs, etc I have in 2015. I will be posting something this evening on how I am prepping for the 2015 mowing season. Hopefully this thread will primarily be photos.

Prepping for your 2015 season, well get ready because I have a feeling it's going to be a hot season. If last week was an indicator of heat for this upcoming summer we will be lucky if we have any grass to cut.

Mar 8, 2015#5

lawn mower fanatic

Ric said:
Prepping for your 2015 season, well get ready because I have a feeling it's going to be a hot season. If last week was an indicator of heat for this upcoming summer we will be lucky if we have any grass to cut.

Wow, that stinks. :thumbdown: I remember the hot days of summer here where it is so humid and you start sweating the second you step out the door. Can't say I am looking forward to that! I'm starting to get used to temperatures below freezing! :laughing:

Mar 8, 2015#6

Ric

lawn mower fanatic said:
Wow, that stinks. :thumbdown: I remember the hot days of summer here where it is so humid and you start sweating the second you step out the door. Can't say I am looking forward to that! I'm starting to get used to temperatures below freezing! :laughing:

We had two days with record breaking Temperatures 85 and 88 degrees and that's high for March. I don't want to think about this summer and the grass being fried. I'm already up to forty lawns a week and waiting on the rest to dry out from all the rain.

Mar 8, 2015#7

Ric

Wow, I just got a knock at the door and one of my clients just gave me a Toro Recycler. Thing looks almost new.

Mar 8, 2015#8

lawn mower fanatic

Ric said:
Wow, I just got a knock at the door and one of my clients just gave me a Toro Recycler. Thing looks almost new.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25309-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-toro-rec-004-jpg"/><img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25310-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-toro-rec-005-jpg"/>

That's great! It's good for you because now they don't have a lawn mower so they will always need your service. Haha

Mar 8, 2015#9

M

motoman

Weather here NW. Rain is on track but snowpack is only 5%. Last couple weeks freaky warm , 10-15 degrees above normal. Besides worrying about grass, dry times are worrisome for tree health. the big Doug firs can wreak havoc if they die from bug infestation, and come down. The water police are active in Calif which is in bad shape. Do the rain dance, all!

Mar 8, 2015#10

Boobala

lawn mower fanatic said:
I am starting this thread to have a place to post pictures of equipment, jobs, etc I have in 2015. I will be posting something this evening on how I am prepping for the 2015 mowing season. Hopefully this thread will primarily be photos.

GREAT IDEA !!! Users can understand photos much better than some explanations, I use 3 automotive forums for working on my vehicles and many times the pics were so helpful .... so MUCH better than the manuals ( and I bought the ORIGINAL factory / dealer service manuals ( BIG bucks $$$$$ ) for my cars. Anyway I sure hope this thread takes off , maybe even turn into a separate photo/repair forum ...?????? I already set-up 2 albums ( My Project & My Project 2 ) as I'm currently rebuilding a 2004 Murray 46" cut - 21 H.P. Briggs machine , since Murray NEVER made service manuals, my pics are my only points of reference ( I suffer from the old age disease ----C.R.S. ) , ( LOL ) Have a FANTASTIC season and I'll be watchin this thread ...... Boobala :thumbsup: :cool2:

Mar 8, 2015#11

lawn mower fanatic

Boobala said:
...Have a FANTASTIC season and I'll be watchin this thread ...... Boobala :thumbsup: :cool2:

It might be slow for a few weeks, but once I start mowing (April hopefully), I will start posting here frequently. :thumbsup:

Mar 8, 2015#12

exotion

lawn mower fanatic said:
That's great! It's good for you because now they don't have a lawn mower so they will always need your service. Haha

I let my customers know of my hobby then nicely I offer to buy their old mowers for this reason. Sounds shady but the way I offer makes it seem not.

So I buy their mower usually for a free mow (25-40$) then sell it for 50+ make a couple dollars, customer gets a free mow, and now they don't have a back up plan

Mar 8, 2015#13

lawn mower fanatic

exotion said:
I let my customers know of my hobby then nicely I offer to buy their old mowers for this reason. Sounds shady but the way I offer makes it seem not.

So I buy their mower usually for a free mow (25-40$) then sell it for 50+ make a couple dollars, customer gets a free mow, and now they don't have a back up plan

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Mar 13, 2015#14

lawn mower fanatic

Went to the local car wash to wash all of the salt and grime off the metal of the trailer. Ready to go!

Mar 16, 2015#15

P

possum

Now there is a man that takes care of his stuff. The next guy that hates on those snowblowers like yours I am going to tell them to look you up on here.

Mar 16, 2015#16

lawn mower fanatic

possum said:
Now there is a man that takes care of his stuff. The next guy that hates on those snowblowers like yours I am going to tell them to look you up on here.

Alright! Haha. I am not a fan of their mowers, but Craftsman snowblowers are better than what people say. And of course taking care of it helps.

Mar 17, 2015#17

Ric

lawn mower fanatic said:
That's great! It's good for you because now they don't have a lawn mower so they will always need your service. Haha

Thing is I really don't want the thing, I'll never use it. If I knew somebody close I'd give the thing to them. It's got the manual and other stuff and I don't think the bag has ever been used. I do think it will need some work if the thing was left in storage as long as they say it was.

Mar 17, 2015#18

exotion

Ric said:
Thing is I really don't want the thing, I'll never use it. If I knew somebody close I'd give the thing to them. It's got the manual and other stuff and I don't think the bag has ever been used. I do think it will need some work if the thing was left in storage as long as they say it was.

Craig's list has a free section

Mar 17, 2015#19

lawn mower fanatic

Hopefully within the next week or so I will be pulling my mowing equipment out of storage. I haven't started anything since December 1, so it will be nice to hear the sound of something other than a snowblower engine!!

Mar 17, 2015#20

Lawnboy18

I used my BR430 to move powder. That things moves stuff around good. Love the soud of it too. I also started my STIHL trimmer.
I will start mowing in May... Right now my trailer's jack is frozen in ice. Can't wait to put trimmer racks on it.

Mar 18, 2015#21

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
I used my BR430 to move powder. That things moves stuff around good. Love the soud of it too. I also started my STIHL trimmer.
I will start mowing in May... Right now my trailer's jack is frozen in ice. Can't wait to put trimmer racks on it.

I SHOULD start mowing by mid April.

Mar 18, 2015#22

Lawnboy18

lawn mower fanatic said:
I SHOULD start mowing by mid April.

Lucky you!

Mar 18, 2015#23

Carscw

We started last week. Only had 30 yards.
Was a slow winter only had 5 yards a week to do.
But kept busy doing trash outs and winterizing homes.

Mar 18, 2015#24

Lawnboy18

Carscw said:
We started last week. Only had 30 yards.
Was a slow winter only had 5 yards a week to do.
But kept busy doing trash outs and winterizing homes.

The begining of the season always starts like that. Not all the lawns need a cut.
What consists in winterizing homes?

Mar 18, 2015#25

Carscw

Lawnboy18 said:
The begining of the season always starts like that. Not all the lawns need a cut. What consists in winterizing homes?

Drain hot water tank blow out all the lines.
Show the lines will hold 35psi.
Put rv antifreeze in all drains and Toilets.

You hook the air hose up to the washing machine lines.

Mar 18, 2015#26

Lawnboy18

Carscw said:
Drain hot water tank blow out all the lines.
Show the lines will hold 35psi.
Put rv antifreeze in all drains and Toilets.

You hook the air hose up to the washing machine lines.

I guess this is for a trailer house. Don't do this to our houses around here.

Mar 18, 2015#27

Carscw

Lawnboy18 said:
I guess this is for a trailer house. Don't do this to our houses around here.

We do this to every foreclosed home.
Run down trailer or a million dollar mansion.

Mar 18, 2015#28

Lawnboy18

Carscw said:
We do this to every foreclosed home.
Run down trailer or a million dollar mansion.

Ahh I get it. When they are not lived in. Some good money to be made!

Mar 21, 2015#29

icon2000

Well it's done the soldiers are uncovered oil changed blade sharpened plugs decks cleaned.

Mar 21, 2015#30

lawn mower fanatic

icon2000 said:
Well it's done the soldiers are uncovered oil changed blade sharpened plugs decks cleaned.

Nice! I cleaned the decks and changed the blades the end of last season, all I need to do now is change the oil. I ran all my 2-cycle equipment today (for the first time since December), and put away my snowblower for good.

Mar 22, 2015#31

lawn mower fanatic

My goal this mowing season is to get pictures of more yards for you all. I kind of was slacking last year with pictures. So once the grass gets growing, get ready! Here is a picture I never posted from last year because the stripes weren't as straight as I wanted them to be. This is a bigger one of my yards.

Mar 23, 2015#32

icon2000

lawn mower fanatic said:
Went to the local car wash to wash all of the salt and grime off the metal of the trailer. Ready to go

View attachment 25347

That's a neet trailer what size it it?

Mar 23, 2015#33

icon2000

lawn mower fanatic said:
My goal this mowing season is to get pictures of more yards for you all. I kind of was slacking last year with pictures. So once the grass gets growing, get ready! Here is a picture I never posted from last year because the stripes weren't as straight as I wanted them to be. This is a bigger one of my yards.

View attachment 25476

Wow did you do all of that with the Honda? Looks great to me!

Mar 23, 2015#34

X-man

lawn mower fanatic said:
My goal this mowing season is to get pictures of more yards for you all. I kind of was slacking last year with pictures. So once the grass gets growing, get ready! Here is a picture I never posted from last year because the stripes weren't as straight as I wanted them to be. This is a bigger one of my yards.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25476-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dscn9934-jpg"/>

Holy smokes. That looks really nice!!

Mar 23, 2015#35

lawn mower fanatic

icon2000 said:
That's a neet trailer what size it it?

It's a 4x6 trailer made custom at the end of 2013.

Mar 23, 2015#36

lawn mower fanatic

X-man said:
Holy smokes. That looks really nice!!

Thanks. I have high standards, which sometimes get in the way. :laughing:

Mar 29, 2015#37

lawn mower fanatic

Right now it's just the little things, I cleaned my mower off (it has to be shiny for at least the first day or two of the season) :laughing:, and I also made more sections of trimmer string to have attached to the trimmer handle. Now it's just a waiting game.

Mar 29, 2015#38

TaskForceLawnCare

we got a new secretary for the year. so far she's needy and needs a lot of potty breaks.

Mar 29, 2015#39

Lawnboy18

TaskForceLawnCare said:
we got a new secretary for the year. so far she's needy and needs a lot of potty breaks.

View attachment 25581

Congrats!

After a few years he will be mowing with the SCAG's.

Mar 29, 2015#40

TaskForceLawnCare

lol she's been on one on my lap, and wants to start running routes already at 4 years old.

I hope everyone has a record breaking year.

Mar 30, 2015#41

Lawnboy18

TaskForceLawnCare said:
lol she's been on one on my lap, and wants to start running routes already at 4 years old.

I hope everyone has a record breaking year.

Looking good! Better learn her how to mow. She's gonna be in your crew

Apr 1, 2015#42

lawn mower fanatic

I know I said I was going to hand out flyers last week, but the weather didn't cooperate. But today it did. So I spend the afternoon handing them out. Just a tip: I always make sure the weather is not windy or chance of rain for two days when I look to hand out flyers. Because people miss the flyer sometimes the first day, so the second day gives them time to get it, without it getting rained on. I came back home and had two calls that turned into long-term customers......before I even was done handing out the flyers!!

Apr 1, 2015#43

TaskForceLawnCare

lawn mower fanatic said:
I know I said I was going to hand out flyers last week, but the weather didn't cooperate. But today it did. So I spend the afternoon handing them out. Just a tip: I always make sure the weather is not windy or chance of rain for two days when I look to hand out flyers. Because people miss the flyer sometimes the first day, so the second day gives them time to get it, without it getting rained on. I came back home and had two calls that turned into long-term customers......before I even was done handing out the flyers!!

that's awesome! how many flyers did you put out?

Apr 1, 2015#44

lawn mower fanatic

TaskForceLawnCare said:
that's awesome! how many flyers did you put out?

Put out around 150....and might put out another 50 or so in another area.

Apr 3, 2015#45

lawn mower fanatic

With this rain, I might be mowing in a little over a week! The countdown begins...

Apr 5, 2015#46

lawn mower fanatic

I think I will be mowing by this coming weekend. Can't wait....it's gonna be a good year. Adding more customer's to the weekly list, a lot of yards I have done done for the past 3+ years, but lots of new ones, too.

Apr 5, 2015#47

jekjr

lawn mower fanatic said:
I think I will be mowing by this coming weekend. Can't wait....it's gonna be a good year. Adding more customer's to the weekly list, a lot of yards I have done done for the past 3+ years, but lots of new ones, too.

We have been running for three weeks now. We worked over 40 hours three weeks in a row.

We are still seeing the best results for getting new customers from advertising on facebook. It has worked better for us than all other means combined other than word of mouth. Most of the people who give us good word of mouth recommendations we got through facebook.

Apr 11, 2015#48

lawn mower fanatic

Today is the day....
I AM MOWING THE FIRST LAWN OF THE SEASON!

It has not come soon enough. This winter was one of the coldest on record, and in the second half of the winter we had a lot of snow. Not a lot of snow each time (except for the snow in March), but just lots of snow events. The forecast this week is consistently in the 60's and 70's. I'm ready.

Apr 11, 2015#49

lawn mower fanatic

First lawn of the year!

Apr 11, 2015#50

Snapperfreak

Wow that's beautiful. Bet that was fun mowing. I'd love to mow something like that!

Apr 11, 2015#51

lawn mower fanatic

Snapperfreak said:
Wow that's beautiful. Bet that was fun mowing. I'd love to mow something like that!

Yes it was a lot of fun......even more fun considering I haven't mowed since December 1.

Apr 13, 2015#52

TaskForceLawnCare

Apr 13, 2015#53

lawn mower fanatic

TaskForceLawnCare said:
View attachment 25750

Looks great!

Apr 13, 2015#54

TaskForceLawnCare

thanks, that was the first residential yard of the season. I guess I should've said that when I posted the picture.

Apr 14, 2015#55

lawn mower fanatic

Did a few more yards since my last post, will post a picture of one later this evening.

Apr 14, 2015#56

Ric

lawn mower fanatic said:
Did a few more yards since my last post, will post a picture of one later this evening.

Ya'll are funny :smile: :biggrin:

Apr 14, 2015#57

lawn mower fanatic

Ric said:
Ya'll are funny :smile: :biggrin:

We like our lawn stripes, Ric. :smile::thumbsup:

Apr 14, 2015#58

Ric

lawn mower fanatic said:
We like our lawn stripes, Ric. :smile::thumbsup:

I didn't say anything about Lawn strips. It's just Ya'lls approach that's funny.:smile:

Apr 14, 2015#59

lawn mower fanatic

A lawn from today.

Apr 14, 2015#60

Lawnboy18

Nice job!

When are you going to try out the Toro Proline?

Apr 14, 2015#61

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
Nice job!

When are you going to try out the Toro Proline?

Not sure.....the dealer is going to contact me when he gets a demo unit in. I'm kind of debating buying it now, though. Looking at my yards there are some I wouldn't be able to use it on....I have some that could really benefit, but others that won't. So what I might do is if I like the feel of it I'll look for a used one. Because $3200 for a "part-time" mower is a lot. I would feel more comfortable buying one in the $1000 range. That way I can use it on the large lawns but not feel obligated to use it on the small lawns just so I feel like it's worth it.

Apr 20, 2015#62

Lawnboy18

lawn mower fanatic said:
Not sure.....the dealer is going to contact me when he gets a demo unit in. I'm kind of debating buying it now, though. Looking at my yards there are some I wouldn't be able to use it on....I have some that could really benefit, but others that won't. So what I might do is if I like the feel of it I'll look for a used one. Because $3200 for a "part-time" mower is a lot. I would feel more comfortable buying one in the $1000 range. That way I can use it on the large lawns but not feel obligated to use it on the small lawns just so I feel like it's worth it.

Don't buy used...
Of course one mower will not always serve you. It's one or the other. Try it out and see how it goes.
Don't be scarred.

Apr 21, 2015#63

lawn mower fanatic

My season has been great so far. I have been getting calls left and right for full season accounts, as well as a few short-term mows. The grass is really long after 7 days on a lot of my lawns. But two of my lawns I have yet to do yet. I am on my 2nd cut of the season for MOST of my yards until Saturday. One very minor thing I changed on my trailer for this year is something that I didn't realize how much it helps. I put a small toolbox on my trailer to hold my headphones and eye protection so that when I get to the lawn I can just grab then and go. Last year I used to put them on the passenger seat and it was a hassle going in and out of the vehicle. I will hopefully have some lawn pics by this weekend.

Apr 22, 2015#64

icon2000

lawn mower fanatic said:
My season has been great so far. I have been getting calls left and right for full season accounts, as well as a few short-term mows. The grass is really long after 7 days on a lot of my lawns. But two of my lawns I have yet to do yet. I am on my 2nd cut of the season for MOST of my yards until Saturday. One very minor thing I changed on my trailer for this year is something that I didn't realize how much it helps. I put a small toolbox on my trailer to hold my headphones and eye protection so that when I get to the lawn I can just grab then and go. Last year I used to put them on the passenger seat and it was a hassle going in and out of the vehicle. I will hopefully have some lawn pics by this weekend.

I added this one also its a game changer.

Apr 23, 2015#65

lawn mower fanatic

Lawn stripes from the other day. Plus what my mower looked like after mowing in the rain yesterday. I also added some wood boards on each side of the mower wheels to keep it in place. Since my trailer is so light it tends to bounce a lot on bumps, so the bungee cords (in the picture they are unhooked from the mower) keep it from rolling backwards, but it would get turned at an angle after going over some bumps. So this should solve that problem. It also helps keep my gas can in place.

Apr 23, 2015#66

exotion

lawn mower fanatic said:
Lawn stripes from the other day. Plus what my mower looked like after mowing in the rain yesterday. I also added some wood boards on each side of the mower wheels to keep it in place. Since my trailer is so light it tends to bounce a lot on bumps, so the bungee cords (in the picture they are unhooked from the mower) keep it from rolling backwards, but it would get turned at an angle after going over some bumps. So this should solve that problem. It also helps keep my gas can in place.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25868-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dscn2428-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25869-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dsc_0198-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25870-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dsc_0002-jpg"/>

Yep

Apr 23, 2015#67

lawn mower fanatic

exotion said:
Yep

Looks good! :thumbsup:

Apr 23, 2015#68

Z

zmister11

lawn mower fanatic said:
Lawn stripes from the other day. Plus what my mower looked like after mowing in the rain yesterday. I also added some wood boards on each side of the mower wheels to keep it in place. Since my trailer is so light it tends to bounce a lot on bumps, so the bungee cords (in the picture they are unhooked from the mower) keep it from rolling backwards, but it would get turned at an angle after going over some bumps. So this should solve that problem. It also helps keep my gas can in place.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25868-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dscn2428-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25869-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dsc_0198-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/25870-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-dsc_0002-jpg"/>

Looks really nice. That's a big yard to push mow. How long does it take? How do you like that mower? I'm thinking about getting another push mower for my back yards

Apr 23, 2015#69

lawn mower fanatic

zmister11 said:
Looks really nice. That's a big yard to push mow. How long does it take? How do you like that mower? I'm thinking about getting another push mower for my back yards

This is one of my largest lawns....not the whole backyard is shown in the photo. It takes around 45 minutes total. I love this mower. If you want to know any specific things I can answer them, but I'll just tell you it mulches great and the NeXite deck resists grass buildup. LOVE it.

Apr 23, 2015#70

Z

zmister11

lawn mower fanatic said:
This is one of my largest lawns....not the whole backyard is shown in the photo. It takes around 45 minutes total. I love this mower. If you want to know any specific things I can answer them, but I'll just tell you it mulches great and the NeXite deck resists grass buildup. LOVE it.

That's awesome. How much did that mower run ya? Like $800. I was looking at toros 30 inch time master for around 1100. But don't know if it'll hold up very well being a residential mower

Apr 23, 2015#71

lawn mower fanatic

zmister11 said:
That's awesome. How much did that mower run ya? Like $800. I was looking at toros 30 inch time master for around 1100. But don't know if it'll hold up very well being a residential mower

Yeah it was around $800 but I might have gotten it for 700 something, I can't remember. Yeah I like the concept of the Timemaster, but the engine brand as well as personal pace are things that I am not a fan of. Just me.

Apr 23, 2015#72

Z

zmister11

lawn mower fanatic said:
Yeah it was around $800 but I might have gotten it for 700 something, I can't remember. Yeah I like the concept of the Timemaster, but the engine brand as well as personal pace are things that I am not a fan of. Just me.

Ok thanks! Hopefully I'll get something soon. I use my snapper for my back yards now and it has the fj180v also. So idk if the 30 inch would be under powered or what. Do you ever bog down in your mower ?

Apr 24, 2015#73

Lawnboy18

The Snapper aint good enough for you?

The 30" seems to have enough power. The FJ180v is a strong engine.

Apr 24, 2015#74

Z

zmister11

Lawnboy18 said:
The Snapper aint good enough for you?

The 30" seems to have enough power. The FJ180v is a strong engine.

It's pretty good, but it's starting to be on its last leg lol. I already had to replace the carb once. And now the throttle cable is broke so I use a bungee cable to keep the set speed. I'm tired of throwing money into it. I'll keep it until something else major goes out

Apr 24, 2015#75

lawn mower fanatic

zmister11 said:
Ok thanks! Hopefully I'll get something soon. I use my snapper for my back yards now and it has the fj180v also. So idk if the 30 inch would be under powered or what. Do you ever bog down in your mower ?

It is rare that my mower bogs down. The grass has to be SUPER tall and wet for that to happen.

Apr 24, 2015#76

Z

zmister11

lawn mower fanatic said:
It is rare that my mower bogs down. The grass has to be SUPER tall and wet for that to happen.

Okay thanks!

Apr 24, 2015#77

Lawnboy18

zmister11 said:
It's pretty good, but it's starting to be on its last leg lol. I already had to replace the carb once. And now the throttle cable is broke so I use a bungee cable to keep the set speed. I'm tired of throwing money into it. I'll keep it until something else major goes out

Carb and cable are rather regular stuff. It happens.
I will give you feedback on the 30" once the grass starts growing.

Apr 24, 2015#78

Z

zmister11

Lawnboy18 said:
Carb and cable are rather regular stuff. It happens.
I will give you feedback on the 30" once the grass starts growing.

You have the Timemaster?

Apr 25, 2015#79

Lawnboy18

Yes, but the Exmark equivalent.

Apr 25, 2015#80

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
Yes, but the Exmark equivalent.

When did you get the Timemaster? I don't remember you having it before.

Apr 25, 2015#81

jekjr

We bought. Time Master last year. Did not realize we would use it as much as we do. It is a rare day we don't unload it Atleast once. Many times we do not run it but a very minutes though. The only problem we have had so far has been a bearing went out on one of the idlers on the deck belt. Otherwise it has served us well.

Apr 25, 2015#82

Lawnboy18

You mean the commercial 30".

I bought it a couple of weeks ago.

Apr 25, 2015#83

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
You mean the commercial 30".

I bought it a couple of weeks ago.

Oh sorry I misread your post. That's awesome! Can't wait to see what you think of it.

Apr 25, 2015#84

Lawnboy18

I'll let you know

Apr 28, 2015#85

lawn mower fanatic

Nice looking lawn from today.

Apr 28, 2015#86

icon2000

lawn mower fanatic said:
Nice looking lawn from today.

View attachment 25954

Yes Sir!

Apr 29, 2015#87

OutdoorEnvy

it is purdy :thumbsup:

May 2, 2015#88

lawn mower fanatic

In between jobs today I went and picked up a new Honda HRX217HYA. I know a lot of you might be thinking "Why get ANOTHER 21" mower?". But my original HRX is getting older, and my schedule is getting jam packed (like the most I have ever done in one week), so I can't afford to have any downtime. My HRX I bought in the summer of 2012 has been getting tons of "miles" on it, and is showing it's age. But that being said, it has never had a breakdown! I don't really know how you would do the math, but it's close to 3 years old, but it has cut between 10 and 30 lawns a week for those 3 years. So it's had as much use as a homeowner would put on it in over 10 years. So I am going to phase out the old HRX, and put in the new one. I can already tell the transmission has more pull, and everything is much more smooth. I will keep the old HRX for a backup, or just some not-so-pristine lawns. It still cuts and performs like a champ, but since I can only use one mower at a time, I choose the newer one! And yes I still have the Honda HRR from 2006, but that only gets used once a week on my own lawn. It is slow and can't even compare in mulching capabilities to my HRX.

Pics of my new and old HRX's together.

For Honda fans, I will tell you the mower I bought is the exact same as the one I had, except a slightly different logo on the front, a slightly different sticker on the top of the engine, and a different engine cover shape. Oh, and it's a lot cleaner. :laughing:

May 3, 2015#89

Z

zmister11

lawn mower fanatic said:
In between jobs today I went and picked up a new Honda HRX217HYA. I know a lot of you might be thinking "Why get ANOTHER 21" mower?". But my original HRX is getting older, and my schedule is getting jam packed (like the most I have ever done in one week), so I can't afford to have any downtime. My HRX I bought in the summer of 2012 has been getting tons of "miles" on it, and is showing it's age. But that being said, it has never had a breakdown! I don't really know how you would do the math, but it's close to 3 years old, but it has cut between 10 and 30 lawns a week for those 3 years. So it's had as much use as a homeowner would put on it in over 10 years. So I am going to phase out the old HRX, and put in the new one. I can already tell the transmission has more pull, and everything is much more smooth. I will keep the old HRX for a backup, or just some not-so-pristine lawns. It still cuts and performs like a champ, but since I can only use one mower at a time, I choose the newer one! And yes I still have the Honda HRR from 2006, but that only gets used once a week on my own lawn. It is slow and can't even compare in mulching capabilities to my HRX.

Pics of my new and old HRX's together.

For Honda fans, I will tell you the mower I bought is the exact same as the one I had, except a slightly different logo on the front, a slightly different sticker on the top of the engine, and a different engine cover shape. Oh, and it's a lot cleaner. :laughing:

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/26038-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-1-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/26039-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-2-jpg"/>

Nice

for the amount of time you use the mower it doesn't look to be in bad shape. I can tell you take care of your equipment

May 3, 2015#90

lawn mower fanatic

zmister11 said:
Nice for the amount of time you use the mower it doesn't look to be in bad shape. I can tell you take care of your equipment

Yes I do take care of my equipment. :thumbsup:

May 3, 2015#91

lawn mower fanatic

The best things come in 3's. :thumbsup:

May 4, 2015#92

OutdoorEnvy

Nice! Sounds like a good move considering your workload.

May 4, 2015#93

Lawnboy18

Should of gotten a 30"...

May 5, 2015#94

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
Should of gotten a 30"...

I might at some point, and am just tired of going back and forth between what I want and demoing mowers....this I know will be a good mower.

May 5, 2015#95

Lawnboy18

The 30" is an amazing mower.

May 9, 2015#96

lawn mower fanatic

25 lawns and a mulch job this week. Pretty good for me.

May 23, 2015#97

lawn mower fanatic

I have been unable to upload pictures lately for some reason....I found a different way to do it but sorry if the photo quality isn't there.

First picture is of one of my not-so-pristine lawns. It is also the smallest. Some of these dandelions were almost as tall as the engine on my mower!

Second picture is of my mower. It was completely yellow from all of the pollen in the air, and then I got caught in the rain, so grass stuck onto my mower, too. It needed a good cleaning!

Last 2 photos are of some lawn striping.

What do you all think?

May 23, 2015#98

Skydragon750

Look good how did you make on lawn striping if you don't mind. Looks like a big yard

May 23, 2015#99

lawn mower fanatic

Skydragon750 said:
Look good how did you make on lawn striping if you don't mind. Looks like a big yard

How much do I make or how do I make it?

May 25, 2015#100

Skydragon750

How much did you make

May 26, 2015#101

lawn mower fanatic

Skydragon750 said:
How much did you make

That is a $25 lawn. It actually is pretty small, plus I have had them as customers for years so I don't charge them a lot.

Jun 5, 2015#102

lawn mower fanatic

Garage photo.

Jul 24, 2015#103

lawn mower fanatic

Time to update this thread. This past week has changed a lot. Up until then, it was always raining, and the last time we had 3 dry days in a row was back to May! But now it's hot and hasn't rained in a week, and things are drying out. Probably by the end of next week I won't be mowing weekly.

Sep 8, 2015#104

lawn mower fanatic

Today was the hottest day of the year, with temps in the mid 90's. That is around 15 degrees above average. Lawns are dry and dusty, but I am still managing to hold them on to once a week. The don't grow too much in that time, but they still need cut. Rain is expected later in the week to green things up a bit. I have not gotten off of a weekly mowing schedule the whole year. I'd say that's pretty good. We could use some rain because all the dust from the lawnmower is not making me feel so great.

Sep 27, 2015#105

lawn mower fanatic

Just got my biggest leaf cleanup job of the season. Will be going there regularly starting in a few weeks. Compared to the normal yards I mow, it is a forest! I couldn't even count how many trees. And it is sloped down to the street, so gravity will work with me. It is a completely different atmosphere compared to the suburban neighborhoods I usually mow in.

Sep 27, 2015#106

Lawnboy18

You will have fun with the BP blower! We told you you needed it. You will not look back.

Sep 27, 2015#107

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
You will have fun with the BP blower! We told you you needed it. You will not look back.

I love it already, just blowing grass clumps from thick lawns. Can't wait to actually give it a test!!

Sep 28, 2015#108

jekjr

lawn mower fanatic said:
I love it already, just blowing grass clumps from thick lawns. Can't wait to actually give it a test!!

Wish you were close to us. I would let you blow a couple,of parking lots off as soon as it dries off a little. It is raining this morning here so there will be some leafs on the ground for sure.

Sep 28, 2015#109

lawn mower fanatic

jekjr said:
Wish you were close to us. I would let you blow a couple,of parking lots off as soon as it dries off a little. It is raining this morning here so there will be some leafs on the ground for sure.

Do the trees in your area completely lose their leaves in the fall?

Sep 28, 2015#110

jekjr

lawn mower fanatic said:
Do the trees in your area completely lose their leaves in the fall?

Yes the trees in my area go completely bare.

Sep 28, 2015#111

lawn mower fanatic

jekjr said:
Yes the trees in my area go completely bare.

Ok I didn't know how fall is in the south.

Sep 28, 2015#112

Carscw

The leaves have started falling early this year.
And pine needles cover every driveway.
Was not a real hot summer. Thinking we will have a cold winter.
Time to go to Florida.

Sep 28, 2015#113

lawn mower fanatic

Carscw said:
...Thinking we will have a cold winter.
Time to go to Florida.

And you think you have it bad. :tongue: This is my driveway in the winter. You can see the height of the mailbox at the right side. This was before we had a snowblower.

Sep 28, 2015#114

Carscw

lawn mower fanatic said:
And you think you have it bad. :tongue: This is my driveway in the winter. You can see the height of the mailbox at the right side. This was before we had a snowblower.

This is why I moved down here.
I grew up up in MA, on cape cod.
The snow was fun 40 years ago.
Now the cold just hurts.

Sep 28, 2015#115

jekjr

I live about 70 or so miles as the crow flies off the Gulf of Mexico. It gets too cold for me some time still. We very seldom see snow. I don't know of any snow equipment within 100 miles of us or further.

Sep 29, 2015#116

Lawnboy18

It's even worse here guys...

-35 F
1 feet of snow sometimes

Sep 29, 2015#117

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
It's even worse here guys...

-35 F
1 feet of snow sometimes

Yeah no thank you! -35 is crazy! Although it would be great to mow your long the change of the seasons so we get leaves falling and then snow makes it fun to do something different. But if winter could be maybe 1 month long, that would be better. By Jan./Feb. it gets old.

Sep 29, 2015#118

Lawnboy18

The transition is nice. From mowing to blowing leaves. But, in March it gets old with the snow. In April it has to leave!

Sep 30, 2015#119

TaskForceLawnCare

We got our leaf removal equipment out dusted it off and are ready to put it to use. There's a few starting to fall but so far we've just put mulching blades on not enough to start doing removals yet. Just finished up fall treatments, but still have half a pallet of fertilizer out for the unscheduled calls. I added a new 2015 F250 super duty picked it up Saturday. I'll be getting a plow put on it as soon as I decide if I want to go with a V plow or a straight blade.

Sep 30, 2015#120

Lawnboy18

TaskForceLawnCare said:
We got our leaf removal equipment out dusted it off and are ready to put it to use. There's a few starting to fall but so far we've just put mulching blades on not enough to start doing removals yet. Just finished up fall treatments, but still have half a pallet of fertilizer out for the unscheduled calls. I added a new 2015 F250 super duty picked it up Saturday. I'll be getting a plow put on it as soon as I decide if I want to go with a V plow or a straight blade.

View attachment 27465

Things are going well for you! Congrats!
Same here, just mulching leaves until it really starts to fall. I mainly use BP blowers to do cleanups. Works well.

Those rims tho... Too nice for lawn care.

Sep 30, 2015#121

TaskForceLawnCare

Things aren't to bad we had a little dry spell but are back to running a full schedule. We where just trimming bushes and treating for a few weeks though. We use the BP blowers to help with leaf removal get them out of beds, bushes and off drives but do the bulk of the cleanup with vac systems.

Sep 30, 2015#122

Lawnboy18

Atleast you kept busy!

Oct 1, 2015#123

jekjr

TaskForceLawnCare said:
Things aren't to bad we had a little dry spell but are back to running a full schedule. We where just trimming bushes and treating for a few weeks though. We use the BP blowers to help with leaf removal get them out of beds, bushes and off drives but do the bulk of the cleanup with vac systems.

What sort of vac systems do you use?

I am researching for something to get leaves up now but have not come to any conclusion yet as to what I want to do.

Oct 1, 2015#124

TaskForceLawnCare

jekjr said:
What sort of vac systems do you use? I am researching for something to get leaves up now but have not come to any conclusion yet as to what I want to do.

We use billy goats, the clam shell baggers on the big mowers and the accelerators on the walk behinds and of course BP blowers for those tight spots

Oct 1, 2015#125

lawn mower fanatic

TaskForceLawnCare said:
We use billy goats, the clam shell baggers on the big mowers and the accelerators on the walk behinds and of course BP blowers for those tight spots

Seems like an efficient setup. I just use the simple things. Backpack blower, rake, and tarp. Without getting big baggers its the most efficient for what I do.

Oct 2, 2015#126

jekjr

lawn mower fanatic said:
Seems like an efficient setup. I just use the simple things. Backpack blower, rake, and tarp. Without getting big baggers its the most efficient for what I do. <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/27475-lawnmowerfanatics-2015-equipment-work-thread-leaf-blowers-png"/>

Due to the size of properties and volume of leaves blower with tarps is really not too efficient for us. A bagger on a mower is not really great either because it has to be dumped too often.

Oct 2, 2015#127

lawn mower fanatic

jekjr said:
Due to the size of properties and volume of leaves blower with tarps is really not too efficient for us. A bagger on a mower is not really great either because it has to be dumped too often.

It seems like all of the decent sized properties that I will be performing leaf cleanups on this year have some obstacle that prevents a big mower with a bagger (or something big like that) from being used. My biggest job I just got is in a heavily wooded property. There is very thin grass, with lots of small flat rocks, and acorns everywhere. I would surely break a window doing it with a mower (although I might break a leg doing in with my blower because it is very uneven and rocky terrain).

Other yards it might just be a certain part of the yard that I can blow directly to the street. So for me the backpack will work best. I just want to get out and use it. I am talking with some of my customers now about what they want me to do with the leaves. Their options are A) they take care of the leaves and I continue mulching the grass like I do April-September. B) I just mulch up the leaves as best I can and whatever it looks like it looks like, or C) I take care of bagging/blowing the leaves to the curb, for a price added on to the regular mowing price. All have chose "C" so far. Which is fine with me, as I like leaves.

Oct 3, 2015#128

TaskForceLawnCare

jekjr said:
Due to the size of properties and volume of leaves blower with tarps is really not too efficient for us. A bagger on a mower is not really great either because it has to be dumped too often.

The baggers hold 17 bushels of finely mulched leaves. Some of the larger properties have large amounts of mulched leaves dumped once we're done, but they also get billed for that. I also have a dump trailer that can be brought to these (for additional cost) sites. I've a large compost area on my property and already have of customers wanting to purchase the compost when we start getting it piled back up.

The walk behinds with the small hoppers don't hold much but they are only used in smaller yards with maybe one little tree. The billy goats help with tight areas I.e fenced back yards ect.

We where covered up with leaf removal until the week before Christmas last year. Then went straight into snow removal had about a 2 week reset period then right into treatments.

Oct 3, 2015#129

Lawnboy18

Good idea LMF! You are going to make good money!

Small yards around here (1-5K mostly). A mix of the 30" mowers and BP blowers. Gets it done good.

Oct 3, 2015#130

lawn mower fanatic

Lawnboy18 said:
Good idea LMF! You are going to make good money!

Small yards around here (1-5K mostly). A mix of the 30" mowers and BP blowers. Gets it done good.

The calls keep coming in. This year I'm going 110% as late as possible, because I know in less than 2 months I will be done just waiting for an occasional snow.

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