low branches in your way

[rdh]

what do you do if you get a yard that has low branches in your way .
they keep you from finishing in the time its supose to take and i all most had one limb take my eye out. i had had this lawn from the beginning of the year never thought about the branches when i bid it . now that there full of leaves it makes it harder to cut and customer dont want them cut because to cheap to pay .should i just cut them for free.

i do like this yard it stripes nice and i have gotten the jobs down the street from doing this one.

[CSRA Landscaping]

If I thought it was a hazard, I would cut them off.

[EJK2352]

rdh,
I'd bite the bullet and cut those low branches off. Is it worth
loosing an eye? I have a couple of older customers that didn't mind me cutting off their low branches, but they didn't want to pay for it
either. I did it anyway for my own safety & it makes it a lot easier
to mow. ED

[Fine Lines Lawn]

You've hit on one of my biggest annoyances. I clip them off when they're in my way and usually charge only a modest pruning fee for it. Last week, a limb actually made me mow a crooked line.:eek:

[Schlepie]

usually if I hit my head more than once on the same branch(dohhhh!!) I'll cut it. Safety glasses have come in handy several times.

[Runner]

Sell them the benefits of trimming (like it will help the grass out by allowing more sun to it, and tell them that it is already depleting) Then you can trim the stuff, make your job easier, and make more money everytime you come in and cut. The sooner you do it, the better as it takes more time everytime you come in and cut, and you have to mess around with all that trimming and stuff. Just don't do like I do, and say "Oh, next time." Every time you go in to cut!!!

[crazygator]

I would cut them. But first ask the property owner, this will show them respect and allow you time to explain the hazard it poses for you and as other's mentioned better sun for better grass. If only a few branches do it for free. If it is a prune job then ask for money for the job due to time involved.

[2 man crew]

Id Just go out there in the middle of the nite and cut the %$#$er down




Was that me? I know its to late now but I try to do the light tree pruning and I meen LIGHT during Spring and fall cleanups.

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by Runner
Just don't do like I do, and say "Oh, next time." Every time you go in to cut!!!

:D Runner- you hit the nail on the head. I thought that I was the only one that does this :D

[TotalLawn]

This is probably my BIGGEST pet peeve. I think it should be a federal regulation that there should NOT be a shade tree with a canope less than 6' from the ground. I have been hit in the head, face arms (even got a scar on my arm). I have finally learned to slow down under trees!!

[gusbuster]

Tell you a funny story about me. I’ve broken my nose 2 times in my life, both times the same way. While mowing in a rush to complete the job, run smack into a pine branch. First time, just bit the bullet. Second time, the same branch, a year later. This time, I was so mad, went to the truck, got my chainsaw, cut the branch off. The client came running out asking me what the I was doing cutting that branch. The client saw my bloody nose, didn’t say a single thing more to me. He has been a client of our family for over 40 years until his death. Every blue moon he would ask me how my nose was.

The point that I’m making, cut those low-lying branches before you get hurt. Don’t charge the client. Just ask the client first explaining that this is a safety issue for you. Most people would let you do it for that reason. If they don’t want it done, drop them like a hot potato.
John

[65hoss]

If its only a couple of limbs I will do it without asking or charging. If its several big trees that will take a while to do, I ask them and give them a price to trim.

[HOMER]

Just got an estimate for one commercial account to trim low limbs. Told her I was tired of bending over to trim under 17 trees. Bid was $850.00 and she better go for it. If she doesn't I'm gonna start whackin' and hackin'. Hit my head so many times it's got permanent knots on it.

Just call me knot head!

[65hoss]

Ok, Knothead! :p

[bobbygedd]

funny, i was gonna post this same thread. ive got a permenant scar on my arm from getting it ripped open on a low branch. i called the customer and gave them a price for trimming, they said it was too much, i said im not cutting the grass there anymore. i would have no problem wacking one or two or 5 small limbs, but some properties need more than 10 min worth of pruning. i believe if there is a safety hazard on the customers property, they are responsible to correct it. should they pay for it? damn right they should, im not running a charity.

[lawnboy82]

i just gotta interject that this is a big advantage to having a front mount lawn mower. whether it be a walker type deal, or a big T bar type 61" 3 wheeler.

[awm]

a pruner and holster is standard equipment on my mowers.
the holster sets on the right gas tank .

[Alan]

Now that I've got a helper I'll have him do a little clearance pruning if he finishes trim/blow before I get done cutting. I figure it's actually saving me oney by not having to slow down to miss low branches.

[kutnkru]

Originally posted by awm
a pruner and holster is standard equipment on my mowers...

Okay, I understand that a pruner could be considered standard - but the HOLSTER!?!?!? I have heard of a gunrack being the Southern form of "foreplay", just not at the workplace. LOL :p

j/k
Kris

[roscioli]

Are they too cheap to pay, or do they like the canopy look? Ask them again, and offer to do it for free, because, in the long run, what the hell. Spend 10 minutes pruning, save a minute every time you mow from now on... hmm... are you folks doing the same math i am?

[GreenQuest Lawn]

I will do it free if it is not much. Saves time and scratches. If it is alot then I try to sell it.