Start & Run a Landscaping Business. Joel LaRusic

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ Do they service equipment as well as sell it? Do they have loaner equipment that you can use if yours is in the shop? (This may not necessarily be a free service, but it is a useful one.)

      • If a shop has a service department, talk to the mechanics. Are they experienced? A good mechanic will know the equipment inside and out and will be able to tell you technical pros and cons of different models, what types tend to be higher maintenance than others, and what breaks down the most. Your mechanic can be an excellent source of time- and money-saving advice, so put a high priority on choosing a good one.

      • Was the staff helpful in advising you on what equipment to buy? Do they offer demo models so that you can test an item before committing to the purchase?

      1. Your Vehicle

      The ideal vehicle for a landscaping business is a pickup truck, although some people do manage with a station wagon or minivan. If you have no other way to start out, then, of course, make do with what you have, but you will find that a pickup makes your business run more smoothly.

      Pickups are sized according to how much weight they are designed to carry. For example, a half-ton truck can carry half a ton of soil (or other load), while a three-quarter-ton truck, often called a full-sized pickup, is a more heavy-duty option. One-ton trucks, even larger, are generally six-wheeled, flatbed vehicles.

      The size you choose will depend on what services you plan to offer. If you will be delivering soil or other materials, if you are going to tow a trailer, or if you plan on having a large crew (four or more people), then you should consider purchasing a full-sized three-quarter-ton pickup. An alternative, if you already have a half-ton truck, is to install a reinforced suspension, which is not as difficult or expensive as you might think.

      Don’t feel you need to spend the money on a brand-new truck. Most of all you want a vehicle you can count on and that suits your particular needs. Do some research and make your purchase as you would for any other vehicle.

      2. Trailer Options

      I was in business for five years before I bought a trailer. Once I did, I wondered how I ever managed without one.

      While there are a multitude of different trailers you can choose from, there are two basic types that you should consider: fully enclosed and open.

      2.1 Fully enclosed trailer

      A fully enclosed trailer has four sides and a roof. If it is nicely painted with your business name and logo, it presents a classier and more professional look than an open trailer. It also has several practical advantages:

      • You can keep your day-to-day equipment in the trailer and lock it up each night, saving you the trouble of loading and unloading everything each day.

      • You can keep your equipment secure on the jobsite by locking the trailer.

      • You can protect your gear from the environment. For example, you can keep weather-sensitive supplies, such as fertilizer and lime, in the trailer and not worry that they will be rained on.

      • The trailer can provide a bit of shelter for you, too. For example, if it is rainy or windy you can step inside the trailer to fill your fertilizer spreader or your chemical applicator.

      If you’re in the market for a fully enclosed trailer, be sure to check out the following options. They should be available at purchase or can be installed professionally once you’ve got your trailer.

      • Floor tie-downs. You will need a few tie-downs to help secure your equipment while you are moving.

      • Wall tie-downs. These may be as simple as perforated metal strips (similar to shelving tracks) running along the length of both sides of the trailer. Ideally there will be two or three parallel tie-downs to provide plenty of anchor points for securing all of your equipment. Alternatively, you can install special wall mounts, similar to the floor mounts.

      • Rear ramp door. A ramp door requires more room to open but makes unloading and loading much easier.

      • Dome light. A simple dome light is helpful if you are loading or unloading at night.

      There are some disadvantages to the closed-style trailer. Keeping dirty equipment in the trailer can create a stench, and if there is no airflow in the trailer, mold will quickly develop. However, you can solve or avoid these problems by choosing a trailer with a rooftop vent and side vents. Leave the rooftop vent open when you park the trailer overnight. The side vents provide airflow while you are moving. (The rooftop vent should be closed for traveling to prevent it from being damaged by the wind.) With a good venting system, your trailer still won’t smell like springtime roses, but it won’t be offensive either.

      2.2 Open trailer

      An open or flatbed trailer has several advantages. It is generally a lot lighter than an enclosed one, which means you will spend less on fuel pulling it around. It is also likely less expensive to buy. Open trailers are generally easier to modify with racks for your tools (there are plenty of aftermarket kits you can buy and install yourself), and proper airflow is definitely not an issue. If protection from the elements is not a concern for you, an open trailer is probably your best bet.

      Regardless of which type of trailer you use, don’t forget to think about security. If the trailer is attached to your truck, lock the hitch so that the trailer cannot be removed. If the trailer is detached, lock the hitch in the closed position so that it will not fit onto a corresponding ball hitch.

      For tips on how to organize your trailer, see chapter 5.

       TIP:

      Wells Cargo builds sturdy, great-looking trailers, both e closed and open. Check out the website at

       www.wellscargo.com.

      3. Choosing The Right Lawn Mower

      You are a lawn care expert (or will be soon enough), so your choice of mower is an important one.

      There are three types of rotary mowers to consider: a push mower, a commercial walk-behind (midsized), and a rider. Reel mowers, or cylinder mowers, are different machines completely, and although you will not likely want to start out with one of them, they are also discussed below to give you a full range of options.

      3.1 Push mowers

      Unless you are starting out with some big commercial properties or large residential lawns, you will want to begin with a push mower. The name says it all. You push, the machine mows. When selecting your push mower, consider the following features.

      Cutting width: Expect a 21-inch cutting width on almost all commercial push mowers.

      Horsepower: Look for at least 5 horsepower. Newer models boast 6.5 and more.

      Blade brake clutch (BBC): All new mowers must have this important safety feature, which ensures that if you lose control of your mower, the blade immediately stops spinning. There are two variations. In the first, СКАЧАТЬ