essential equipment for beginner

[agriffn]

i have a truck, a craftsman 6.75 hp 21 inch mower, a craftsman weed eater, what else do i need for basic residential lawn car.


should i buy a edger or use a weed eater angled to edge.

if i mulch how often should i pick up grass, once a month?


thanks alot . have fun.

[stslawncare]

hey welcome to the forum! have u tried the search engine? all these topics have been discussed, do a search for beginner, or beginning, or just starting or something like that. to answer ur question u might also want a blower, whether or not u need an edger depends on how much u do, weedwacker will do fine, do u have any knowledge in the field? it does help when starting a business.

[65hoss]

Welcome to lawnsite.

First off, I would suggest getting commercial equipment as soon as possible. The craftsman stuff will not last very long and cost you more in the long run to operate.

If you plan to buy a stick edger, start with a comm'l unit. Several good brands out there.

Get a 36" comm'l mower as soon as you have the $$$ avaliable. Money well spent over a 21".

You need a backpack blower. I run stihls and redmax. As said before, get the comm'l models.

If you mulch you shouldn't need to bag. The clippings decompose very quickly.

Start reading everything you can here. There is tons of info that can keep you busy for a long time. Did I mention buy comm'l equipment?

[PAPS]

Start saving for commercial equipment... start out with a basic belt driven 36'' walk behind for your first mower. Get your self (1) good back pack blower, (1) stick weedwacker, a couple green barrels and that should be good to get you started out for now. If you cannot afford all that to start... then just buy a few things as you go.... good luck

[65hoss]

Oh, I forgot to mention.

Business License and General Liability Insurance!!!

[stslawncare]

good point vince

[greens]

agriffin,

Where in washington do you live? I run my business out of Spokane. Depending on the size of the residentials you will be mowing and how many accounts you have, you may not need a 36" to start out. The other guys are right about the commercial part of it. Here's what I would get if I was just starting out and didn't have a ton of money.

2 cycle 21" toro $1,000
Stihl trimmer $300
Stihl stick edger $300
Stihl,redmax, or echo backpack blower $400

only $2,000

Hopefully you already have a truck and trailer!
Good Luck

[gusbuster]

Something that wasn't mentioned,
Find a good machine repair shop.(your going to need it whether running commercial or the craftsman equipment). They can save your butt when you're in a jam for equipment.

John

[65hoss]

Originally posted by stslawncare
good point vince

The quote is from Vince Lombardi, I'm not Vince.:)

[MOW ED]

I live in Vinces old neighborhood!

One of the most important tools in right in front of your face.

Use the Search feature on Lawnsite. There are literally thousands of hours of reading. I wish I had this site when I started.

I will reiterate what many of my colleagues have stated:
Go with Commercial stuff.

Good Luck

[stslawncare]

oops sorry

[parkwest]

I think an indespensible "piece of equipment" would be a good accounting program. One which allows you to track profits or losses on an individual job basis. That way you can make more money in less time if you only do the jobs that make you money. If they don't make you money figure it's cheaper to go fishing than work for below cost.

Two more items even more important to the success of your business.

A good business plan and a good marketing plan.

Don't go out the door without any of these in your "tool trailer".

[tim cooper]

I am also new to the business... From experience I can tell you as have some others.. a commercial walk behind is a must ... it gets hot as hades in july/august and you will DIE pushing a mower in that heat!!!! OH Yea BUY a BIG water cooler!!!!