Solo operator: installing mulch

[Wayne Offiler]

Off to a fast start this year; already contacted by 4 customers to re-mulch beds (I may skip my flyer this Spring). 10 to 13 yards per account; should go over 100 yards of mulching this year. This is a lot for me, as a one-man operation.
I have been having it dumped in the driveway, then use my 10 cu ft poly wheelbarrow and 10-tine fork to move the mulch into the beds.
Thought of renting a Bobcat skid steer, but doesn't seem enough of a time saver to justify the cost.
Could really use some advise from other solo operators as how to best install mulch. Thanks!

[sheppard]

The work rings around the rest of us!

Cordially,
Sheppard

[Mowman]

:cool:
Try hiring a 12-15 year old student to give you a hand for mulching jobs. CHEAP labor. Maybe you might have a nephew or even a son to give you a hand. Just an IDEA.
Good Luck,
Mowman

[mdb landscaping]

i dont think a bobcat is the answer. if you have some nice lawns, the customers arent going to want a heavy machine driven on their lawn to spread mulch. i spread about 100 yrds last year by myself, and i would just shovel off the trailer into the wheelbarrow. your best bet would be to hire some quick help.

[thelawnguy]

Since its too early for cleanups and/or mowing, seems you have plenty of time on your hands if it werent for the mulch jobs. I'd continue the way you're doing it for the next few weeks at least.

[f350]

sub the work out to a company with an express blower.

[Ssouth]

Wayne, What you're doing sounds fine. Instead of using a fork to load it, try an aluminum grain scoop. You can fill a 10 cu ft wheelbarrow (heaping) in eleven scoops. As mentioned it does help to have two people. We sometimes hire a guy just to push the wheelbarrow.

Just a little info:

The grain scoop is one of my most valuable tools.
When we first started doing mulch, we used a 6 cu ft wheelbarrow and a regular shovel to load it. It took 26 scoops to fill the wheelbarrow. It didn't take long to start looking for other options. We found scoops to be the best. You can load the same wheelbarrow is 6 scoops. Not only does it save time, it will aslo save your back.

[Jet boater]

Maybe I'm imagining only large yards, but here's what I do on my own property.

I use a 5 x 8 trailer with sides that I can fit 3 cu yards in. (I'd suggest something bigger.) Once I get home with the trailer, I just hitch to the back of the turf tiger and pull it around the yard. Shovel directly from the trailer to the final location.

Point is, try to avoid double handling the mulch whenever you can. Saves your back.

[geogunn]

Originally posted by Ssouth
The grain scoop is one of my most valuable tools.

absolutely! get the aluminum one.

GEO

[GarPA]

As Jet Boater said...attach a small (it can be a Wal Mart cheapo) cart to a riding mower...I attach mine to a 52 exmark, dump 4 yrds in and off I go...on my own property I used to wheel 35 yards in a 10 cu ft wheelbarrow...I was dead if I hurried...these little trailers(or carts) are inexpensive and save your back and an enormous amount of effort and time...and time is what we're selling...this works very well for the solo operator...we have to find every mechanical aide we can ...if we don't, we'll be in traction in no time...good luck

[Mowman]

:cool:
Is to rent one of those motorsized wheelborrows. I've seen some in my area and they have a large hopper on them, which would mean LESS trips back and forth to the pile. Also you would be WHIPPED from pushing a borrow all day.

Mowman

[ohiolawnguy]

mowman, you mean the dr. hauler as advertised on the weather channel? i think its made by troybilt.


Ssouth, what exactly is a grain scoop?

we use large pitchforks, which cost around $65.00 a piece to load wheelbarrows. 8 tines on them around 18-20 inches wide.

for large, open applications, we just use our powertrac machine to move mulch. then spread by hand, or tools.


powertrac doesnt tear up lawn like bobcat would.

[Ssouth]

Here is a link to a pic of a scoop
Grain scoop (https://www.amleo.com/item.cgi?cmd=view&Words=1412)
we normally pay around $30-40 and they will last 1 to 2 seasons

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

That's definitly the way to go. I got mine at Lowes Hardware for about $25 and have had it for 5 years. Still hanging on tough.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[slplow]

It's faster to fork it out of a 1 ton dump and you don't have to pick up a big mess on the driveway.

[landscaper3]

RENT A BARK BLOWER!!! 3 guys can spread up to 100 yards a day so I could see you doing 100 yards in 3 days!!!!

[goodbeus]

Originally posted by Wayne Offiler
Off to a fast start this year; already contacted by 4 customers to re-mulch beds (I may skip my flyer this Spring). 10 to 13 yards per account; should go over 100 yards of mulching this year. This is a lot for me, as a one-man operation.
I have been having it dumped in the driveway, then use my 10 cu ft poly wheelbarrow and 10-tine fork to move the mulch into the beds.
Thought of renting a Bobcat skid steer, but doesn't seem enough of a time saver to justify the cost.
Could really use some advise from other solo operators as how to best install mulch. Thanks!

I to am a solo operator for 15 years...when installing mulch, I buy it bagged...it usually costs more, but it's easier to install...load 5 bags in the wheel barrell, run it to the beds, cut the top of the bag, and then distribute...I found it a lot easier then shoveling the mulch of the trailer and it's quicker...oh, I use 3 cubic feet bagged mulch...there are other methods, but I found this one the cheapest...

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Around hear a 2 cubic foot bag of mulch runs about $2, so that comes out to be $27/cubic yard. Are you even able to mark this up? I get my mulch for about $12/yard.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[kutnkru]

Originally posted by sheppard
The work rings around the rest of us!LMAO!!! Nooo, they work rings around you southern boys -LOL!!! A good Northern hand can work just as hard if not harder, thats why you southern Boss' love us Yankees in yo' fields -LOL!!!

If you really want to see some impressive hand laborers forget the white trailer trash talkin, and the mexican siesta lovin, and head straight for an area of guat's. They will work circles, rings, worlds whatever you like, around the rest IMHO!!!

[jeffex]

I use recycling tubs that will sit on top of walkbehinds. I run a bungie cord across the front caster posts to prevent it from falling off the deck. Use the fork to fill the tub and its lke having a motorized wheelbarrow. I took the top off awheelbarrow last yr. and mounted a piece of 2x4 across the caster posts. Drill two-7/8" holes to fit distance between caster pins and take away enough shims to fit . This is on a fixed deck toro. the container just rests on the 2x4 and the deck. y ou could probably hard mount the thing butit is easy totake apart like this. this yr I got a atv so I'm getting a cart for $50 used to haul mulch. just an excuse to play with my toys!!

[HBFOXJr]

Think about this one hard as it could mean a lot of easy work with no hired help. Think of it as hired help in a bag or trailer in a bag.

If it takes 11 grain scoops to fill the 10 cu ft barrow 4 bags will give you 12 cut ft and chances are you can stack more cu ft in bags than loose shoveled. It doesn't take long to pick up and stack a bag. It drop it where you want just as quick. Fewer walks across the lawn. Just pour and spread.

Buy a few bags for a friend or family and time your work.

Pricing, who cares? Your selling labor and the mulch is just a tool to sell your time. Prie it to cover your material and earn $$$ you want per hour.

[kutnkru]

I have always given clients the option for either bagged or bulk. IMHO it all comes down to what the customer prefers. If they have a tight budget I try to advise against the bagged products because it makes bed clean-ups a longer process in the spring since you can just rake off the debris – so to speak.

Last season I bought the 3.5 cuft bags for $2.33 bag($20.97/yd) and charged $58/yd installed.

For the bulk mulch I bought it for $14/yd, marked it up to $28/yd, and then charged the clients $55-75/yd installed depending on site conditions.

Most LCOs in our area use the bulk, but are buying it from the Agway’s and local Nurseries for $30-$45/yd and then lose money to install it to stay competitive.

We can hammer out the bagged product for most installs ALOT quicker than the bulk products. My personal preference for aesthetics is the bulk hardwoods, but the moneymakers the bagged products!!!

[UGA]

We can get "untreated" mulch at our local land fill that is made from any amd all wood that people bring there for $10 a scoop (large loader scoop) which was all I wanted on my 6'x10' trailer
at a time anyway. In fact it had been $5 a load and they recently went up this year. For my own yard I prefer the black mulch because I just think its more appealing from the road but damn at this cost it's hard to pass up. JM.02.

[f350]

untreated mulch from the dump will rot and it's probly infested with termites and earwigs...

[heygrassman]

Just bought a coal shovel at Sears for $24. Aluminium with a poly handle, yes it is crapsman but it is guaranteed for life. Saved me about 1/4 time in moving mulch.

jf