How many customers insist on push mowers?

[FrankenScagMachines]

How many of your customers ( like 10 out of 15 ) want you to use a push mower on the lawn? How many want it done on front only but let you use a big one on back? I'm wanting to really GROW the biz this year so I am curious how much time I need to figure for using different mowers on lawns and if I'll need a backup push mower. Thanks,
Eric

[lasher66]

I dont take any customers that I cant at least fit my 36" walk behind in their yard. If they want you to use a little push mower, Tell them FORGET IT!! Unless you charge them for all the extra time you are their with it.

Lasher66

[GreenQuest Lawn]

I agree, I just purchased a 36" to do away with my push mowers.

the score is:

push mowing = 0
36" or 60" mowers =38

[kutnkru]

I do this for those that are adamant that none shall use a tractor or heavy machinery on their lawns. I originally figured an average of $5-7 per m-sf would be suffiecient.

I have upped the ante to $7-9 per m-sf. If you would normally get $30-35 for a 10m-sf property, plan on sending out invoices for $70-90 for cutting them with a 21 inch unit.

You will want to charge more for this service not just because you will be spending quite a bit more time to complete the site correctly, but now it will fall into the category of special requests and everyone knows that we are more than happy to perform just such a service -LOL!!!

Unfortunately we have to charge for the extra time it takes to complete such requests.

[SLS]

ZTR: 33

22" pusher: 1

That "1" is a tiny 15 minute start to finish lot...@ $25. I like that one! :D

[MikeLT1Z28]

i'd insist they find someone else to use it.

[thelawnguy]

If you don't leave the door open that a push mower cut is an option, then it won't be an issue.

No lawns of mine are done with anything less than a 52, except for one small embankment 10x50.

[FrankenScagMachines]

Thanks guys. I wouldn't mind doing one with a push mower, but it would be more unless it would be too much pain with a bigger one anyway (like too many obstacles, too steep, etc) Kris-what's m-sf mean? Thanks,
Eric

[GreenIsland]

I operate in Western Kansas, the majority of people feel cheated if you don't push as well as remove clippings from site. Therefore I use Toro 21" equipment with the BBc system- For most of my Residentials. Although alot of commercial accounts will allow you to use zero turns or walk behinds. The residentials almost always have gates on their back properties that would prohibit the use of anything but the smallest deck walkbehind or riders. People out here like to see other people work I guess. I also have the uniqueness of operating a business in a area of very tight finanically people due to their german transpalanted to -russia hertiage - they have seen very tought times and are very old country in their nature-( The joke around here is that he or she has the first penny they ever made). This as well adds to the want to see you push- Unfortunately, until I find a better area I will have to push- as Pleasing the customer comes before comfort of the LCO. Out of all crews in this area that I only know of one crew that uses a zero turn on his accounts and he still uses his 21 inchers alot. I have noticed that elderly people in general want to see that lawn mowed via push- again I would chalk this one up to seeing tough times and tough work as well. I am not complaining just explaining how certain areas work or want you to work. I might add Toros have been the only mower that can stand the day in day out work that this area demands of it's pushers.

[Brickman]

You have several choices. I always either charge more, or tell them the Walker is the back bone of my business, and if they don't like it to call some body else. When I go out to give bids I try to feel them out, and see what they say. If need be I will ask them if they have an objection, if they say yes, the price can be adjusted, or tell them to move on.
One thing that has worked is to measure the gate to back yard. When asked what are you doing I tell them I am measuring to see if my rider will fit. Right away you will learn if they have a problem with that.

GreenIsland I feel sorry for you having to do all that walking, and some time you should try a JX 85 John Deere mower. I have one that has been around for 5 years, and is still running very strong. The first three years I had it it got used a ton. Not so much now the last couple, I have been getting lazy and using the Walker as much as possible.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I'm trying to phase out my push mowing accounts. Have 5 left, out of 60 total accounts. Waiting for these folks to either die or move!!!!

LAWNS AND MOWER

[TGCummings]

I use a 21" Toro Proline on most of my accounts out here still. We don't get anything much bigger than 5000 square feet around here, and most of what I do falls under the 2000 square range. Gates can be as small as 28". It's just the way things are out this way.

I have a 36" Exmark TTHP I use on some of the larger low-quality front yards, but even I prefer the 21" on my high quality yards. It mulches better without leaving a lot of grass behind, and on lawns under 3000 sf I can cut with a 21 about as fast or faster than a 36.

[Esby]

I had one account last year that still insisted on me using a 21". All I had to do this spring was threaten to drop her and she finally stepped down and let me use the Lazer. And believe it or not, when I finished, she liked the looks of her lawn better than with the 21". This is where the old line, "I told you so!" came in.:D

[ADMowing]

Esby -- that is what happened to us. We've got 1 customer out of about 90 that want push mower in front yard -- and bagged! It WEARS us out! We have to find room on the trailer for it and get around it to get our other equipment, we have to maintain it, we have to use it (even being self propelled in St Augustine grass is not easy). So, we brought our our new 34" Encore ZT and tried it in her yard and she LOVED it!!! No need to bag, clippings are dust! So, we're happy. She is happy and we keep our good paying customer. Sometimes it does good to show them that the ZT cuts the grass even better than the push mower can. We didn't tell her this, but we were going to have to drop the account if she didn't change her mind. But her yard is beautiful and a good selling point for others in the neighborhood because it looks so good!

So all ended well with that one -- and we know what you all mean about letting a good customer go! She always gives us bonuses at Christmas and always smiles and talks to us. She is a little picky, but we like working for customers who know what they want and really care about their lawns. We were dreading the thoughts of having to tell her she needed to find someone else to push mow.

[parkwest]

One day I noticed the crew on one of the trailers had loaded a 21" mower. I came close to firing the whole crew when I found out they were cutting an old man's property with it because that was what the old man wanted. I quickly got on the phone and gave the old man the new price for his requested service. He quickly saw the light. No more push mower. I calculated it was costing me $35 per cut to mow with 21" on that job.

Keep an eye on your operation.

TSG, How can your production rate on a 21" equal even a 36" wb let alone a 52" lazer hp? How is that possible?

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by MikeLT1Z28
i'd insist they find someone else to use it.

None. same here

[leeslawncare]

What is a push mower???My hands don't fit them any more!!LOL

[65hoss]

How many customers insist on push mowers?

NONE, its not an option.

[TGCummings]

Originally posted by parkwest
TSG, How can your production rate on a 21" equal even a 36" wb let alone a 52" lazer hp? How is that possible?

I assume you mean me? ;)

Well, I don't use a 52" lazer hp since everything here is so postage stamp so I can't comment on that. With the 36", however, it's just easier and quicker to use a 21" on small properties. Perhaps it's my years and years of experience with the small machines, but the 36" (which, after two years, I can use pretty quickly) just doesn't save me much time. When you're cutting most lawns in 20 minutes or less with a 21", and only half of that at most is mowing time, then you're only saving 3-5 minutes, maybe. Now, factor in having to trim corners where the the 36" won't fit (and the 21" will), the extra cleanup from all the blow out on walks and drives from the more powerful machine, the extra time spent blowing grass the bigger machine leaves behind (but the 21" mulches perfectly), I spend just as much time on a property, if not more, with my 36" as with my 21".

Now, factor in the extra time it takes to maintenance the bigger machines, the extra effort required to start the bugger on cold mornings (those Toro 5 hp Kawis always start first pull!), and the extra expense of upkeep for the 36" and it's mostly not worth it overall.

Now, if the average lawns out this way were measured in acreage that'd be a different story. ;)

[MikeLT1Z28]

i do a friend of mine's mother's yard. she had someone else doing it and said his mower was too big (not sure what it was). she asked if i was going to bag it and i explained how the mulch kit works. i used my 36 metro on it (only mower i own right now) and it was pretty tall due to rain getting it off schedule. i called her today and asked how she like it. her words were, "i love it, it looks incredible!" i then mentioned again how the mulch kit leaves it looking bagged without having to bag it and then how mulching can save up to 25% of fertilization needs per seaon.

if you guys are having trouble with there being clippings laying on the lawn after you cut with a mulch kit (exmark guys anyway), put 3 of the spacers between the top of the blade and the bottom of the spindle. this gets the blade lower in the deck and allows more airflow and room to pulverize the clippings. sometimes i have to run over a few areas twice to clean up heavy stuff that was damp, but never have to do the whole thing twice.

point is, she hated big mowers and wanted it bagged, now she says keep doing what i did.