Am I too old for this stuff

[harperservices]

Today did a huge leaf job (i do not like doing leaves that much but it pays the bills when grass is not growing and landscaping is slow)


Getting up there in age after being laid off a couple of years back.

Shins hurt, back hurts, wrists hurt, but I still like what I do.

Investing more $$$ in better equipment

Making a living but not a killing yet.

Just wondered what the average age was on this site.

[coonman]

Did I miss your age in your post? I will be 40 in may and my partner is 40 already. We mow all day with 21's... a 30 and a 32. My partner runs road races, after we mow he will go run about 5-6 miles. I play competetive tennis and am an avid weightlifter. We believe the mowing helps us to be in top shape when competing in our sports.

[darryl gesner]

Yup, you're too old for this stuff.
:D

I'm 40 also and used to ask myself the same question. Then I found the answer. Advil in the 250 count bottles!

[SJR Lawncare]

I just turned 30, and after being in this business for 10 years, I find myself asking the same question. I just keep plugging away & so look forward to winter when I am usually off for about 10 weeks.....COME ON WINTER!!!!

Steve

[BigJim]

:D us old guys are winning so far.I know some guys here in there 70s still at it with pushmowers.

[HarryD]

yes sir winter time is the time to recoup the old bones and relax NO snow plowing for me I hate it

[TJLC]

I'm 43 and sometimes ask myself the same question. That's about the time I remind myself of what I could be doing for min. wage. I plan to do this as long as I am able. Heck, I'm in the right state, soon I will be an "old fart" too. LOL

[The Mowerdude]

46. Not only is my arthritis making me too old but I'm also really really disgusted with it all, as well.

When I got started, I thought that in 10 years, I'd surely be clearing $100,000 per year for myself after expenses. HA, what a pipe dream that was!!

So now, not only am I fighting my physical limitations, I'm trying to keep from falling into a deep depression over the realization that the day that I can no longer do this will be the day that I land in the poor house. And I'm well on my way, too. :cry:

[sheppard]

I'm 46. Will 47 at the end of Jan. When I stsrted this business (Aug of 2000) within a month my forearms, elbows and wrists were killing me.

Researched and found a book that worked wonders- it's Pain Free by Pete Egescue. Started doing the exercizes and man! What a relief!

My only remeining problem is that when I'm done for the day if I sit down my body stiffens up and I walk around like a tree until bed time. (If I have a couple of glasses of wine I don't care about the stiffness).

My concern initially was that my body would rebel big time. After doing those excercises I've found that my body actually craves work and excercise. If I sit down too long on the weekend my body starts "Screaming" foir excercize!

Cordially,
S.

[Bassman]

I'm 50. The mowing, edging & line trimming I like. The shrub trimming, raking, removal I've grown to dislike with extreme prejudice. I agree with Sheppard about being stiff after a hard day but the next days work makes everything limber right back up. I feel much better after the physical activity involved with this kind of work than if I sit at a desk all day. I noticed a benefit a couple weeks ago. Went on a hunting trip to Montana with 3 friends. Two are mid 40's in age and 1 is 52. They have non physical type careers. I was running circles around them, up and down coulees and ravines. I couldn't believe how out of breath the slightest exertion got them.

[Hawkeye5]

I'm now 55. After working at the National Cemetery digging graves in the rock, using a jack hammer to finish them off, and digging cremation holes with a spud bar to break the rock, I'm happy to just mow and trim. Sure the body hurts, but my grandfather was still farming in his 70s and our great-grandfathers worked harder than we ever will. Have a beer, drink some wine or take some advil, and consider the alternative. JD

[Westbrooklawn]

I have been in this business part time since 1990, and will turn 54 in January. I am planning to make it a full time job when I retire from my "real" job at age 55. Granted I look more and more to my help to handle more of the heavy labor, but I can still outwork most of them hour for hour.

Age is just a number!!!!.......yes you have more aches and pains, and you have to learn to work smarter instead of harder, but the rewards to my health and mental well being from being outside and performing physical work are fantastic!!!

Now I will have to agree that I may be singing a different tune if I was doing this 10x6, but my point is that as you grow older you may need to ride and delegate more.......change from a worker to a manager and you should be able to go well into your "golden" years!!!

[GroundKprs]

LOL LOL LOL!! 58 yo, going on 15, LOL. Can still do 80 hour weeks in the springtime. LOL. Asked my doc few years ago if I was wearing out the bod. Laughed himself silly, said high school kids should have my body.

Only riding I do is in the truck from job to job. Even snow work is on foot, outside doing the detail pedestrian areas that noone else wants to get out of the truck for. LOL. Have slowed some on the snow, used to do 23 places, down to 12 now. Heavy labor in the cold is a stress on the heart. Gotta remember common sense. Will probably quit snow in 2-4 years. But then how will I keep the belt from getting tight in the winter? LOL. How many guys over 40 (or gals) can look down and see their belt buckle?

And I know guys in their 70s who are still going. Not full steam, of course, but if you really have plants in your blood, you never stop.

[We do 4 U]

Me, I am only 28 and do this part time. My captian at the fire department is 62 and runs with us at the fire station nad then goes and cuts grass, trims shrubs and slings mulch all day. He is in great shape. I hope I am in as good as shape he is in. Hard work dosen't kill anyone. I also have arthitis in my ankle from an old injury and I have found that a glucoamine and chondroitin suplament works wonders but it takes a while (like 2-weeks) for it to start and you have to always take it. You can find it at Wal-mart, drug stores, etc.

[coonman]

Groundkprs, you are the man. I figure if I can do most of the work myself and stay in great shape, I can still do this when I am in my fifties. :D

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by harperservices
Today did a huge leaf job (i do not like doing leaves that much but it pays the bills when grass is not growing and landscaping is slow)

After my first "frozen shoulder" I realized you can't work if your hurtin'. Right then and there I decided whatever I needed to make job the easier on my body was worth the money. I've been through 4 mowers, until I found the Huster WB, which takes no effort on any muscles to operate. I went through 5 weedwackers, until a found the Redmax BT225 which weighs only 8.5 pounds and has basically absolutely no vibration. I learned to hold the wacker different to not impact my muscles and I stop wacking after 15 minutes and take a break, when I have a big wacking job. Last week I bought a "problow" blower which mounts in place of the deck on my WB. It's terrific. Since it's self-propelled, "and on the Hustler," you can blow leaves for hours and don't get tired at all. Finally, I use a custom made two wheeled velky, instead of a rider. For me, a rider "seems" good for a while, but after a few years, the bumping slowly starts to affect your whole body. I'm 52 and with the equipement I have, I don't see why I can't do the same thing at 65/70 years old.

Pete

[bilbo7021]

Man I feel like I'm a toddler around here, I just turned 37 back last Wednesday :D

I hope I can move around as good as you all do when I get to my 50's and 60's.

[lawnworker]

I am 37. not to old for the work. Although I might do somethiong else one day just for a lifestyle change.:dizzy:

[lawnworker]

By the way, shouldn't there be more catagories on the poll. It looks like we are discriminating against the over 50 crowd.

[scott's turf]

I'm 25 and have a FT desk job and do the lawn care PT with some help from two other guys one being my 54 y.o. father. He has a labor intesive job working at a dairy and I will tell you that he has more energy and stamina then I do. The human body was built for physical work that is why so many are over weight now. After a full day of fall clean-ups I feel better than I do sitting in front of the cumputer all day.

[Lawn-Scapes]

Man I feel like I'm a toddler around here

This is what I first thought.. but not in those words exactly. I said to myself.. What a bunch of old farts :p

I am 37 and I must admit.. some of you odler folks are probably more fit than I am! I am lazy and a big time procrastinator.......

BTW.. I didn't participate in the poll. I don't want to be grouped with the over 40 (and really old 50) club! :D

[Just Cut]

I am 41 and I would not be in any other profession, Ive enjoyed running a mower since I was a kid, The best part is getting paid to do what I enjoy doing:)

[Mark]

Ill be 53 on Thanksgiving day and really don't think this work is any harder than my brothers, he is the owner of Pro Masonary, and bricking in the hot sun all day is just as hard, ive helped him by carrying hod and striking joints all day, and its a pita, Ive been in this business now for 12yrs and plan on working at it untill im comfortable with my IRA prob around 10 more yrs. Marks Mowing Service ps working for myself is so nice after 19yrs in Management with Sun Oil Co.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Just Cut
I am 41 and I would not be in any other profession, Ive enjoyed running a mower since I was a kid, The best part is getting paid to do what I enjoy doing:)

If I didn't say, I do this PT. I have a FT job that is my "core" salery, pays my medical and offers a retirement fund. It's not much money, but the "bennies" are what does make it good. After 20 years at the same job, I now get almost a month vacation, and that's real nice.
As far as mowing, I must admit, some Saturdays that I have to work all day to catch up on my accounts, I actually look forward to it, and don't miss having to spend the day behind my machines. I guess it's the best feeling to have fun doing something, "and" getting paid for it, too.........

[dhicks]

I'm 49 and in good health but everything I have hurts to include my neck, shoulders, arms, hands. After riding the Z for an hour or more and when I get off I walk back to my truck limping like grandpa Walton. 2003 is the season that I will be cutting back on clients, no weekends, and limiting my services to include mowing and lawn renovations, and pesticide/fert. applications only. Any other work such as clean-up, mulching I'll contract out. Thanks God, winter is here and I can rest until April. :sleeping:

[CLM1103]

I am 63 and mow with a walkbehind with velke approx. 6 hrs.per day. Never felt better in my life.
:blob4:

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by CLM1103
I am 63 and mow with a walkbehind with velke approx. 6 hrs.per day. Never felt better in my life.
:blob4:

Everyone is built different, but on the average, ask a Doctor what's the worst position to be in it's "sitting". Just ask the average truck driver, with his $600 custom suspension seat, he still has back problems. I have a rider for very limited use, and for me, my "good" velky is actually fun to use, while the rider just wears out my whole body. Again, we're all different, they still haven't made a seat that cushions the bumps like two "good old human" legs:p

Pete

[Expert Lawns]

0-18 ?? hmm, they sure are starting young. do they use the bubble pop lawnmower? i loved that toy when i was a kid!! :D

[nhasenfus69]

Im 16

i wish i was older like you guys and had alot more expierence!

Nick

[Raff246]

46 next month. Had to retire from my full time job beginning of this year after a heart attack. Was doing landscaping part time for the last two years. Started up full time after got back on my feet. Doctor put a couple of stents in... good as new. Keep on thinking that I'm still 25. Rotator cuff going in left shoulder and tennis elbow from line trimmer. Other than that lovin' every minute of it. Beats sitting at a desk sucking down maalox and pepto all day. Best time of my life so far. Not making alot but the pension helps out and the rest is gravy.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Raff246
and tennis elbow from line trimmer. Other than that lovin' every minute of it.

I had TE twice... and the second time it would hurt just letting the vibrations buzz the joint. Then, after a new trimmer, and seeing a sports medicine Doc, who between the two of us, showed me how to change my grip, motion swing and grip pressure, I'm now healed and totally pain free.
If you'd like that pain to go away, even though you think you have to live with it, I'd be happy to offer how to cure it.
Pete

[dr grass]

i have came to the conclusion that lawnsite containg a large number of unhealthy people. im 26 and i feel like im 12 years old. i have more than enough energy. i dont look at work as "work". its fun to me. i take care of myself though. exercise, good diet, and vitimins! gotta go get some rest now though....




shep :sleeping:

[yourlawnguy]

38, but feel like 17. For the last 4years I've been couped up indoors working fulltime as a nurse ( my EX - wifes idea )
sure is great to be back outdoors and any little aches and pains just let me know I'm alive.
BTW I'm still working FT at the hospital until I get this business off the ground.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by dr grass
i have came to the conclusion that lawnsite containg a large number of unhealthy people. im 26 and i feel like im 12 years old. i have more than enough energy. i dont look at work as "work". its fun to me. i take care of myself though. exercise, good diet, and vitimins! gotta go get some rest now though.... shep :sleeping:

What else is new? :p I'm 52 and still think I'm 17, but there are some things the 50 year old body just can't do. On the other hand, the 50 year old "mind" has learned you don't stay 17 forever..... It's called experience :D :D
Pete

[SpudsM15]

I just turned 19 last week. During this season I got my self a partner and started working lawncare ft and at home depot ft. basically 17 hour days 6 days a week. When I took a vacation for week in aug. (because the drought slowed the work down). I would wake up at 7am and not goto sleep till 2am my girlfriend hated me for that week, because i kept her up so much.

[JimLewis]

No offense to HarryD, but this should be a wake up call for younger guys who insist on staying solo. Solo careers leave no relief for when your body just can't take it any more. Eventually, everyone will get too old for this stuff. What are you going to do then? Retire on Social Security? Just go get another job???

But if you'll build up your business where you don't have to be the one mowing day in and day out year after year then it's simple to just keep running your business. Not to mention more profitable. It's simple [in terms of physical need] for anyone at any age to run a business if you have lots of employees doing it for you and you are just managing things.

I had people working for me when I was 24. By 30 I only had to work when I wanted to.

[David Haggerty]

Originally posted by sheppard
Pain Free by Pete Egescue

Thanks for the tip.

I've been doing an oddball collection of streching exercises I picked up at the YMCA etc.
They're not quite doing it for me.

That must be a popular book.
Barnes & Noble have 5 different editions of that same book!

I'm with everyone else, it's not your age, it's your health.
I'm 56 and just hitting my stride.
Finally making a little money at this.
I'd hate to quit now!

Dave

[Russ]

52--With age comes wisdome---But it's a lot easier to get older.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Russ
52--With age comes wisdome---But it's a lot easier to get older.

If the youngin's are really that smart, at age 26, then they should realize at 52 "we" are "twice" as smart:p

[The Mowerdude]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com
If the youngin's are really that smart, at age 26, then they should realize at 52 "we" are "twice" as smart:p

I think it was Mark Twain that said that when he was 21, he was astonished at how stupid his father was. But then when he was 30, he was amazed at how much his father had learned. :D

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by jimlewis
I had people working for me when I was 24. By 30 I only had to work when I wanted to.

That's no fair....even at 30, I didn't know what I wanted to do:) :) You happen to be one of the lucky ones. Also, after all these years, I've realized I could never take the pressure and uncertainty of making this PT business full time.
Pete

[WayneO]

At age 58, so far tie for oldest. Went full time 12 years ago. Prior to that had a corporate desk job. Stressed out, took blood pressure medications, drank too much, various aches and pains, not very happy.
Now I take no medications or drink, satisfied with where I am, maybe a little sore and tired after a day of honest work.
I work solo, and like being in complete control, and answerable only to myself.
To reflect others: Get the best and most efficient equipment for the type of work you do. Keep looking for the best way to do any task. This occupation does not have to be physcially demanding IMHO.
Another suggestion: Stay on the cutting edge by subscribing to the various lawn care and landscaping magazines, and most important use and contribute to this forum.

[Highpoint]

Still work circles around the youngins. Ok I'm still young compared to these guys in 50s and up. BUT I FEEL like I'm in my 50s and up! Kudos to the over 50 crowd:)

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by WayneO
This occupation does not have to be physcially demanding IMHO.

Yeah....I hear ya.......

[Bassman]

I didn't realize how many guys my age are doing this for a living before this thread, (50+ yrs.) I just assumed I was a rare old guy doing what is widely perceived as a younger mans work. I know we older gents have a lot of diverse experience in different areas but for one reason or another ended up being LCO's at this point in our lives. It's interesting to find there are so many in my age range doing this for a living. I'f I stay in the game a few more years, will probably go from solo operator to managing a crew. But then again, one of the reasons I started was to avoid the employee hassles of a previous business. AHH YES, the independence & freedom of it all. :blob3:
Wait...it's coming back to me...the time between my previous business and this one...when I had to go to work for the man to pay the bills...the man... ARGHHHHH!!!!

[Greenstar Services]

What keeps this 38 year old running is a trip to the chiropractor once a week and an aspirin every morning.I love when mid afternoon rolls around and these 18-25 year old all of a sudden slow down. Thats when you tell them its a long walk home.:D

[awm]

nick . sure wish there was a way i could trade u some of my yrs experience
for some of your future yrs. id do it in a heartbeat. we all got just so many of them and u probably got a lot more left than myself. enjoy them bud.:)

[VLM]

Just checked my address window to make sure this isn't the AARP web site! Hehe, just turned 37 and hope to be doing this another 30 years.