Aeration - suggestions please

[1mowlawn]

I would like to add core aeration / overseeding to my services this fall, could you guys offer suggetions on how to start up this service. The basic equipment that I will need. I'm solo and have approx. 15 mowing customer currently, they all are very pleased so far with my services, but all I do now is mow & trims. Most of the Lawn services in my area do not offer any aeration / overseeding or leaf removal, so I'm thinking this would be a good service to start offering (help please) Thanks


Gravely Z250 23p Kaw
Honda pushmower
John Deere Trimmer/Brushcutter
Ryobi - Blower/Vac
96 - GMC Z71

[Runner]

If you have 15 accounts at this time, line up your work ahead of time, and figure out how much seed and what types you will be needing. Then, since you only have 15 existing accounts at this time, just rent an aerator for the day or two. This is preferabally done on the wekend, for two reasons. First, many rental places offer discounts for the weekends, especially if they are closed Sundays. Some may even let you have that extra day free. The second reason, and probably the biggest reason why weekends are good for this, is that this is when many people are home. People home = exposure. When Mr. Johnson sees Mr. Jones getting his lawn done, there is a much better chance that he will inquire about the service. The main thing is, is know your facts, know all the benefits forward, backward, and inside out so you can explain this to people. When you can give an assured image, and are confident in what you are saying, you can sell this stuff. People eat this stuff up. I didn't see where you were from, before I started writing this, so I can't really tell what kind of season you've had. We've had severe drought conditions, so My selling point would be that due to the drought conditions, the ground is very hard and compact, and would certainly greatly benefit from aeration. On the other hand, if you have had much rain this season, then sell it on a drainage issue. Anyway, good luck with it, and I hope this helps.

[1mowlawn]

Runner thanks for your suggestions, rental is probably the best way to go at this point until I can get more customers. Thanks

[Hawkeye5]

My local Lowe's rents aerators and slit seeders. A local hardware store also rents aerators, and then there are the true rental equipment dealers. You won't have any problem finding equipment to rent. JD

[dlandscaping]

I bought a bluebird aerator at auction for $200. Has a 3.5 tecumseh on it i think. Paid it off in three jobs. Look for a used one it might be better than renting for$65 a day.

[GarPA]

****WARNING*****
****WARNING*****
"Man beaten to death by Bluebird Aerator...found dead on 5 th property of the day..arms found ten feet from torso"

Seriously though...be careful what you rent....some of these machines are VERY hard to use(physically) and I'm no weakling.
I used to rent Bluebirds and dreaded aeration...now I own a Lawnaire and I can almost do it all day...almost...good luck

[Sean Adams]

I agree with Runner for sure. Educate them on the value and benefits of aeration. Plus it is something that people can see the results (the plugs laying there). May sound silly, but people really feel better knowing that something you are doing is actually being done as you said it would.

[Jimbo]

Question about aerators, and slit seeders.

I have seen both items, and I was wondering if you were going to purchase only one which would you buy?

The aerator I saw was in Northern Hydraulics catalogue. Has anyone ever seen these? They are pull behind units that use the wheel to drive the tines. The cost was under $200.00. Think these will do the job?

Jim

[dforbes]

Also make sure people completly understand what they are getting. Before I went out on my own an aeration job got sold by one of the salesmen. We went out and aerated, the customer called and complaned about all the cores on the ground, we tried to explain that they would break down but the customer is always right. My boss made us go out and pick up every core. This was an 11,000 sq ft lawn. Believe me it wasn't fun.
Dennis

[Premo Services]

Definitely what Runner said.
If you want to try to get more jobs, make flyers to pass out about the ways aeration benifits their lawns, bla-bla-bla. At the end, list other services that you will offer. Try to talk to as many ho's as you can while putting flyers out. I started doing this, and the first day, had passed out about 40. Landed 4 good sized aeration and seeding jobs.
I hope it keeps going this way.SHOW ME THE GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!! Their new lush lawn that is growing, and the lush green stuff that pays my bills.. :D



Originally posted by kitzy
****WARNING*****
****WARNING*****
"Man beaten to death by Bluebird Aerator...found dead on 5 th property of the day..arms found ten feet from torso"

Seriously though...be careful what you rent....some of these machines are VERY hard to use(physically) and I'm no weakling.
I used to rent Bluebirds and dreaded aeration...now I own a Lawnaire and I can almost do it all day...almost...good luck

:eek: YES, the bluebird will beat the, well you know what out of you. They will wear you out fast.
Last year I rented a lesco split drive unit and was able to do a lot of aerations and not be as tired as when I did just my lawn with the bluebird.(I rented a bluebird and tried it on my lawn and decided that it would not be what I wanted to use). The split drive is what I will be using this year also...

Jimbo---- Don't sound like a commerecial model to me, or anything that would last and most important, do the job you was expecting it to do.. I might be wrong but would be cautious about spending the 200 clams for something that will end up in the back of your garage collecting a lot of dust. JMO

[LAWNGODFATHER]

The Feldman for around $500 is the lowest I would go for a commercial duty tow aerator.

[Tony Harrell]

Kitzy, Which Ryan do you have? I'm trying to decide between the 4 and the 5. I'd rather have the 28 with the cam action but it's out of range right now.

[GarPA]

Tony...I bought a 28 used...$2000 in good shape...I like it but its slow...but the plugs it pulls in ANY soil condition are awesome...I have to charge more than if i were doing a 4 or 5 becuase it takes me longer with the 28...I sometimes see guys almost running with the 4's/5's....but then the plugs look like they ran too...I actually 'freeze dry' plugs and put them in baggies and show it to the customer when I'm selling the service...they usually roll over at that point and want their belly scratched!...har har

[captdevo]

Classen!!



i'll have some at the bar bq...a TA-25D split drive and 48rt for demo!!

these are the most maneuverable, commercial aerators built!!



Click here for pricing!! (http://www.rpm-co.com/prod08.htm)


http://www.rpm-co.com/images/ta17_25.jpg


can't be beat!!

[GarPA]

the split drives are nice...borrowed a friends....turning is soooo ez...and turning is the part I hate

[TurfGuyTX]

If I ever buy another one, it will be a split drive too. Turning is really a pain. I am looking forward to the Spring. That's when I'll do alot of aeration. One neighborhood is going to be calling us. They got to see the benefits of aeration on a couple of well placed lawns. I always fertilize when I aerate too. Talk about some quick green. ;)