start up equipment

[cp]

Hi guys,
OK, here is my equipment layout, look it over and let me know if I'm close to being right for a rookie.

- '87 Chevy Silverado, 4X4
- eXmark Lazor 52" rider
- eXmark 32" walk behind
- echoe comm grade weed whacker
- echoe back pack blower
- 6 x 12 single axle trailer w/hinge gate
- asst gas cans, etc.

I'm I missing anything or am I over the top on any of this stuff. Most of my preliminary jobs are looking like 1.5-2.5 acre residentials..

[mdb landscaping]

you might want to jump to at least a 14 foot trailer. the trailer space gets taken up real quick. i just got an 8 by 14 enclosed because i couldnt fit my rider and walk behind on the other trailer. most of the people on this site will tell you that you can never have too much trailer space. mowers and trimmers are good choices though.

[Grassman]

Unless your just a grass cutter, you NEED some gas hedge trimmers. Take a look at the Shindiawas. Good luck with your business, Russ

[Eric ELM]

The only thing I see missing is a hedge trimmer and an edger of some sort if you do those services. Since you already have this trailer, it should be fine until you out grow it. Good luck. :)

[Richard Martin]

I would increase the rider size to a Lazer Z 60". You would find it does cut grass faster than a 52".

[cp]

I'm with you guys on the hedge trimmer, already in the works.

About the trailer, if I go with a 14 foot won't it have to be tandem and with a tandem then I'll need to incorporate brakes. I realize that if things pan out and I can get the work that I will probably out grow the trailer next year along with needing a new 2001 silverado. haha...

[Fantasy Lawns]

It's alot better than with what I started with ...besides what's been said .....get a back up weed wacker ;->

[MIDSOUTH]

Originally posted by cp

About the trailer, if I go with a 14 foot won't it have to be tandem and with a tandem then I'll need to incorporate brakes.

BRAKES!!!!!!!!!! UH-OH, my 16 footer doesn't have brakes and my old c1500 chevy had no problem stopping it with everything on it, the superduty certainly doesn't have any problems stopping it now.

[Fantasy Lawns]

my 16 ft tandem has no brakes ....truck stops here nicely

[Trimline]

I would like to chime in and say that a 60"lazer might be a little better on those type jobs. Also I think that it is a law in some states that tandem axels of a certin weight have to have brakes. You might want to look into that.



GOOD LUCK!!

[joshua]

everything sounds good, make do with what you have for now and next year if you want bigger and could affoard it go for it,i have the same size trailer and use a 48" exmark wb, and lazer 52" when you load everything up put the wb in first and turn it side ways on the trailer in the front or else you won't be able to fit the lazer on. 1 thing i would invest in if i was you is a rack to mount on your trailer holding the weed wackers. only around $200 and they won't get as beat up as in the bed.

[awm]

You starting up with that equipment is probably as good as ive seen any one starting out have.Hope you dont have a big loan payment to sweat until you get started.

[Davis TLC]

Definantly get plenty of insurance since your trailer has no brakes. You hope it never happens but sometimes trailers do come loose from trucks. Here in Tenn. it is required that you have brakes on all trailers over 14 ft with tandem axles used for commercial use. You must also have a breakaway controller to set the brakes should it come loose from your truck. Brakes, brake contol and breakaway are cheap compared to a persons life should your trailer come loose in traffic and hit someone.

[1stclasslawns]

My 14 footer dosnt have brakes and it is only a single axel.
I am going to a bigger trailer asap with brakes and a break away.
If all goes well a 18 foot gooseneck one that I can haul 4 horses in to boot. So it will be tax deduction.
Jim

[VLM]

You have much better equipment than probably 90% of us did when we started, but there is no way you can even contemplate going into this bus. without an EDGER!! You absolutely have to have one. Putting those nice clean lines on sidewalks is like butter on bread. I know some use the edger attachments on their stick weedeaters, but I have found the stand alone models work best. Give me a holler next time youre up this way.

[cp]

Hey Johnboy,
When you say edger...(as in stand alone)... your talking about the model that you walk along the sidewalk, what model or style do you recommend??

P.S. Thanks to all the other comments, I really appreciate it...Chris

[T-Bone]

CP

If your going to spend this kind of money to start out, go buy a trimmer rack.

[Daren]

Sounds good, agree on the edger for sure and hedge trimmers. As far as the trailer, I started out with a 12 foot last year and outgrew it right off. I then went to a 16 foot Tandem without brakes. It stopped fine except if it started raining at all. Several times I slid out into intersections, Luckily wasnt hit. However now I own a 16 foot with brakes and love it. No problems at all, and brakes on my truck dont wear as fast. Also bought a 12 foot for my Hydroseeder, definetely needed brakes for it.

Daren Brantley

[turfguy33]

Your start-up equipment sounds great.........I was the same way, if your going to do it, do it right from the start.
I just bought some echo hedge clippers, there far cheaper than the shindaiwa, and last just as long. Of course I don't use them everyday either. As far as trimmers, shindaiwa is the way to go..I considered buying an edger, but found a product that works just as well. Go to http://www.edgit.com......its an attachment that goes on trimmers, that really works great......As a matter of fact I can't see a difference in the quality of edge between it and a walk edger. And it's only like $70 for the kit, and the good thing about it, is you can still use the trimmer for all your other trim jobs.......Saves alot of time going back to the truck to change equipment.....Also, I just bought a trimmertrap to hold my trimmers...........not a bad investment.
Tim
Ohio Valley Lawn service

[cclllc]

Thanks Rich .Nice comment.Safety before profit.

[HOMER]

HOMERS START UP PACKAGE, FOR THE SERIOUS MINDED SCRUB!

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1347139&a=10508885&p=41353212

$100,000.00 gets it all + a few accounts to go with it!

(Just a joke , not an advertisement)
Don't freak out Eric!

[Eric ELM]

Does that include the house and land? :D

That's the truck I rode in down in Nashville. What a sweet ride. :)

[HOMER]

For an additional $100,000.00 I'll throw in the house and land with the 30 x 40 shop! I'll even leave the cats so they won't have to suffer the shock of moving again!

Ain't a better deal in the south!

[Davis TLC]

Sweet outfit there Homer! Does that include your reel mower too? :D

[HOMER]

No, I will need something to mow the grass at the lake with! At least for the summer.