What kind of "just in case" things do you carry

[Vibe Ray]

What kind of "just in case" things do you carry with you while at work? I'm talkin' about everything (batteries, extra oil, spare tires, toilte pper, anti diahreal LOL, fire extinguishers, change of clthes, etc.)? You name it! I am trying to think of everything I could possibly ever need and putting it in my van. What do you carry or even what do you suggest carrying? Remember I'm talkin' about anything and everything.....looking forward to your answers!

[AB Lawn Care]

I carry the usual...oil,a few tools,but the most important thing I carry is my big chain!I don't know how many times I have had to use my chain to pull mowers out of the mud,pull cars out of the snow ect.I big chain is a must in this business!!

[cos]

I used to always carry azz floss, sheet paper. I have the 55 piece craftsmen set, air tank, etc.

[kutnkru]

Yous gots ta wear yo cup and yer shoulda ma pads! LOL

Actually, I remember reading in the April Lawn & Landscape mag that you should carry a bag of charcoal to mix with water in case of pesticide contact, and a fresh quart of water in a thermos or sealable type btl.

They also mentioned that you should always keep quarters on hand in the trucks for use of a public phone in case of an emergency if there are no employee or client phones available.

One thing that I found out we were out of last minute was butterfly band-aids. You always have the strip style but there always seems to be a shortage of the butterfly style.

As far as tools go, I have equipped all trucks with a cheap $13 set of tools from Wally World that has sockets, screw driver bits, tire gage, plug gage, socket plug, wire brush etc. If they get lost, broken or stolen its not a $20 screwdriver from Kobalt or Sears that has to be replaced.

Oh yea, I just saw LB82 comment about rope. The other day I broke a starter rope so that would be numero uno in my book!!!

Kris

[lawnboy82]

i second the big chain. 20 feet is good. i also got for myself a small first aid kit from landscaper supply. those are good to have with you, they come with tweezers, bandages, etc. then what else? a couple of screnches, a leatherman type tool is a good idea as well. bigger the better. um, keep some 2 cycle mix packets with you, oil, grease, grease gun, rags, paper towels, pain killers (for those mornings when you have that bad hangover) pepto bismol, whatever you think you may need, bring it, oh yeah, rope. get some ropes. and tie downs.

[Grassman]

A come-a-long is handy along with the chain. All the tools you can carry along. Make sure your first aid kit is updated. I had one for 9yrs before I used it. Went to get a bandaid and the whole pack had melted together from the heat, the Neosporin had liquified, etc. A cell phone is also great to have along with a fresh pack of condoms for you single guys. Well, you asked for everything. Russ

[jeffyr]

I opt for the 2" tow strap over the chain. it only weighs a couple pounds and you can roll it up and stick it under the seat. Much safer to pull with a strap since is stretches and absorbs the impact instead of transfering it to you and the truck. Always get the loop ends (not the hooks) and use D-rings to attatch to vehicle or a hitch pin in the receiver (never around the ball). If you are going to yank out a shrub, I also carry a 6 ft choker chain to go around the beast and hook that to the strap with the d-ring.

In addition, first aid kit, water, phone, tools, extra blades and full trimmer spools, eyewash drops, dust masks, extra gloves (including latex in case of poison ivy) and tissues and allergy spray (whew!).

jeffyr

[lawnboy82]

lol- yeah you gotta keep up on that med kit. also with the cell phones, if you have a friend who has an old one. 911 calls from that phone are free. so maybe you wanna think about doing that. what else? um.... the come along is a good idea, or if you have some rope and a block that is another good way of doing it. what else? pens and paper. calculator, ruler or measuring wheel, um. flashlight. definatley a flash light for when you get in late at night or whatever. just go through a home store one day, such as home depot and look at things and see if you think you are gonna need them for what you do. also tape. duct tape is good. tire iron, jack, etc.

[lawnman_scott]

I actually keep dog biscuits in my truck, i had to use them a couple times with not so friendly dogs.

[kutnkru]

When I went on an estimate tonight I thought of another one:
BUG SPRAYS!!!!

Kris

[jason2]

A change of clothes is now on my list. Today my wife poured gas all over herself. Made a quick stop at a nearby thrift shop and she found a 38 cent replacement shirt to finish out the day.:) Sun block, and lotion are nice to have on hand. A roll of wire is almost as valuable as duct tape.

[Vibe Ray]

Anything else guys?

[tomoaktree]

That reminded me to get my spare tire for the trailer .Thanks , I got it mounted yesterday. I also keep a couple cans of Fix a Flat and a tire repair kit for punctures. Also keep a container with some grass seed for small lawn repairs.

[Likestomow]

AAA Batteries for my pager
Duct tape
Assorted nuts and bolts
Tire plugging kit
9 gal. air tank
7 gal. water can for sprayer and to wash off with (the kitchen sink!)
2-20' tow straps
Full set of tools

[CSRA Landscaping]

For those of you with covered trailers, or suitable cover, an empty antifreeze jug (guys only, sorry)! Works much better than behind the bushes.

[Mowin4cash]

Handy things don't leave without are duct tape, plasic wire ties, some large trash bags, 2 leaf rakes are a must, and of course, a loaded .45

[southside]

I carry a roll of bog paper,folding shovel,30' recovery chain,tools,
spare blades,pins,linkage pins,lynch pins,engine oil 15w40,hoses,1"
fire hydrant,mobile phone Ericson R250,many more too numerous to mention.

[John DiMartino]

I carry a cheap 10 dollar air compressor from wally world,It takes forever to fill my air tank,but it does work,and this way I have a way to fill my air tank if i run it down,trying to seat a bead that popped.I also carry a can of ether,and a spare spark plug for all my equipment in case one gets flooded.The ether can be used to seat tire beads too,works real good on wheelbarrow tires which are next to impossible to get on the bead.I have a homemade jumper wire set that fits in my 7 wire trailer plug,I have 10 guage wire from the front of the truck to the connector,and 2 alligator clips on a 20 ft set of leads,if i got a weak mower battery,I can plug the connector into the trailer plug,hook up to the battery on the mower,anmd itll start if i let it charge off the truck for a minute.This will also work in reverse,if your truck dies,leave mower running-hook up,and wait a few minutes,fire it up.

[OBRYANMAINT]

oil,wasp spray duct tape and a pair of large vise grips...somedays i would love to have a fresh employee behind the seat!

[guntruck]

Just put two brand new drive belts on our toro w/b. Figured i didnt need to keep one of the old spares with me, afterall i had two brand new ones on. Well let me tell ya, one of the new ones was defective, the belt split right down the middle where the two join. Needless to say i was unhappy when i had to cut the rest of the day with just a ztr and a 32" w/b. You can never be to cautious with bringing too much!!

[dmk395]

always keep the big craftsman tool set handy, spare blades, oil, tie downs etc. o and AAA card for towing etc. has came in handy when trucks brake down

[linky]

The phone number of a wrecker service that can tow your truck and trailer. I had to find one last week. I was blocking a busy intersection and did not have a phonebook. Luckily a cop pulled up and got someone to tow it for me-what a drag.