Tips and Tricks

[maple city]

When I read the thread "Gator magnum trimmer line", it was mentioned that soaking trimmer line in water keeps it from becoming brittle. There were many experienced people who did not know about this trick.

I just thought it would be interesting to hear about other things that LCOs are doing to keep equipment running smoothly and to make their jobs easier, etc.

[awm]

12 volt impact for bld changing,cut out most of the work from that chore.
campbellhausfield puts out a good one.
echo 50-1 w 90 octane in all 2 cycle motors,ended my 2 cycle problems . havnt hadan engine failure since. crank first or second pull on 6 different brands
oh 2 cycle tools.
ztr when u are ready.

[robert payer]

Will some one please expand on this talk of soaking trimmer line in water? Any trimmer line? More info please if possible.

Thank You!

[Bob Minney]

Spay on automotive belt dressing -
to help keep wet drive belts from slipping

[KirbysLawn]

If you are having to soak your trimmer line to keep it from becoming brittle you 1) do not have enough business and/or 2) need to buy smaller spools of trimmer line.

To contribute to this thread I keep several spools of line wound and ready, when a trimmer runs out just switch and keep going.

[Doc Pete]

Simple but, my water jug is square and not round. I got tired of always having the round jug roll around or off the seat of the truck.
Pete

[Likestomow]

For hot weather relief, go to Walmart and get a Miracle Cool Bandana for $3-$4 and soak it in water. It will hold water for 2 days. Wear it around your neck --- it'll keep you much cooler in this heat. It's sort of like a Tree Gator for your neck!

[robert payer]

Hey Switchless,

Some times the simple ones are the best.

We keep a metal file with us to touch up mower blades on machine.

Check for deck buildup between each job to maximize discharge.

LawnSite : Helping us all to the top of our craft!

[robert payer]

Post 5 day weather report in truck. Work longer when needed if forcast is available.

[Sean Adams]

One of my employees insisted on cleaning all equipment with
WD-40. Not sure why or how but the equipment always looked great and he also said it helped the walk behind gas tanks from expanding in the heat. I rarely argued when someone was excited to clean equipment.

[corban]

I too use WD40 to spray under my decks. Grass build up comes off easier.

I only put the pin on one side of my trailer gate so I'm not going back and forth each unloading.

Something I would like to try is maybe changing my Jack handle to just a phillips head on the top and using a cordless drill to raise and lower my jack rather than cranking a handle round and round.

I have a spot light in the ball hole on my bumper to check on equipment at night. It's remote so I can check from inside my home if the trailer is left outside.

I don't know how much tree work you guys do, but I do a ton. I'm a one man team with a 16' trailer with side walls. When it is packed full of brush it can take an hour or more at the dump to unload. I invested about $1,000 in a grill guard/8,000 lb. strength winch setup. I simply unlatch the trailer, chock it, and drive around to the back of it. I wrap a tow strap under the brush toward the front of the trailer and hook it to the winch on top of the load. A few seconds later the whole load is off the trailer with a simple push of the button. It's a great toy to have. It also makes my truck look like it's on steroids.

[VLM]

:rolleyes: If youre trimming bushes as well as doing lawn do the bushes first and then u can mow over the trimmings u missed and only have to blow once. Also dont take any wooden nickles, the check is not always in the mail and never eat the yellow snow (if we ever get some). Sorry, couldnt resist.