What do you do to get ready for the coming season

[TaussigLawnCare]

What does everyone do to get ready for the next mowing season as far as stocking up on parts and getting equipment ready. I am fairly new and want to make sure I am not forgetting something. I serviced all the mowers and trucks and painted decks(more for looks then anything). Should I order extra blades or anything. I also changed air filters on alot of my echo stuff too. Does anyone have any tips or advice for me or just tell us what u do whatever is cool. I also have some holes in my bagger is there a good way to fix that just sewing it up works I guess hmm I might be able to do that lol.

[crawdad]

Change or check all belts, buy spares, carry them with you, don't leave them home. Sharpen your spare blades. Carry a spare pull-rope.
Crawdad
I just noticed your sig line, and thought of some more. Check to see that your first aid kit is full.

[SLS]

Don't forget your tire plugging kit, tank of compressed air, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and wasp/hornet spray.

I too carry a spare belts and a set of blades with me, and tools needed to change them. You never know when one is going to get bent. :blush:

[CO.d 502nd]

I Change all the fuel filters and hydro filters ON ZTR'S and hydro walkbehind's .
I keep a good battery power air compressor also works on cig lighter.
Make sure you Got a spare tire for the trailer to and the tire plugging kit mentioned is mandatory .

And as mentioned keep spare belts and blades handy and also some good variaty of hand tools for fixing stuff in the field.

O yeah dont forget some sun screen for yourself belive me it is worth the aggravation of the stuff getting in yiour eyes. I came down with skin cancer this past summer.
So im gonna be putting on the sunscreen every two hours and also ware a broad brimmed straw hat no matter how corney it looks

[Gravely_Man]

Hopefully you have most of the work already done from when you but the equipment to "sleep" over the winter. All you should have to do is start everything up and be ready to go. I always attend the spring dealer day sales to take advantage of discounted filters, belts and so forth. The best plan of attack that I have found is to get as much as done early as possible to avoid any surprises.


Gravely_Man

[MOW ED]

Looking at your signature line you should be telling us.;)

[bobbygedd]

btw, u have to be licensed to carry wasp/hornet spray

[SpudsM15]

Really???? I've been breaking the law for a couple years now

[drobson]

Wasp/Hornet Spray:

Don't you only need to be licensed if you are going to charge for the service and not just use it for your own protection?

[brucec32]

Inspect your vehicles and make sure they're not going to need anything during your busy times. Better to toss some brake pads or tires that still have a little life left than to have to replace them in the middle of July when you're really too busy to pull a truck out of service. I try to eliminate any non-earning tasks during the busy season.

Stock up on spare belts, blades, oil, transmission, tubes, tires, and air filters, etc. as needed. Better to carry a spare around for two years than not have one handy when you need it in the field.

Make sure you have stamps, paper, envelopes, invoices, brochures, etc as needed before you run out.

Do any tasks around your home that will need doing in the next year before you get busy with work.

[IBGreen]

pray:angel:

[Toroguy]

I change the oil, filters, spark plugs on everything. Buy the stuff to do it again during the season. Buy two quarts of Amsoil 100:1, boxes of shop towels, tubes of grease.

Also pick up nine new blades, remove the mulch kit from last Fall.

Buy two pair of cheap mowing shoes, four pocket tees from Wal mart.

Calculate office equipment needs for the year and buy now.

Determine new opportunities, and how to financially and mentally prepare for them. This year the focus is away from the green industry.

Since my expenses are so great I then plan Winter activities from November to April.

[TaussigLawnCare]

THANKS

[65hoss]

I thought I had most everything covered. Even did some work on the trucks. Just get started and several new problems came to light. AND VERY QUICKLY. Already bought a new set of tires for one trailer and having front end work done on one of the trucks. We have only been back to work for 1.5 weeks. Hopefully we get past this phase very quickly.

[darryl gesner]

Man, you guys are making me nervous. I'm still trying to straighten out last years books and get my taxes done.

[mklawnman]

Well going to make a trip to the dealer tommorow cause they have a big sale going on, gotta get a Peco Bagger and a Trimmer Trap for the trailer. Then put out some flyers this weekend, already got the ad in the paper for this coming week. Then gotta get the mowers actually running by putting the batteries in them. Then, change hydro filters/oil, change oil/filter, greese everything up, tire pressures, blades sharpend, check deck height, check belts. Change air filters on the Echo's. Put sides on trailer, buy Dump truck in two weeks.
Thats the easy stuff, then comes all the clean ups and then the lawn mowing season :cool:
Matt

[Doogiegh]

I plan on doing alot of the stuff mentioned here on Saturday or Sunday this weekend coming up.
I made a list just from reading this thread of stuff to remember to do or to pack.. like it's going on vacation. <G>

Gary

[Shuter]

Besides equipment prep., make sure that you still have accounts from last season. Never assume that they are staying with you, always confirm.

[Nozzleman]

By reading the above replys I am curious to know how many of you wait until spring to service your equipment. Even though by the end of the fall I am beat I still service all of the equipment before storing it for the winter. Storing mowers and other 4-cycle engines with dirty oil in them is a no-no. The oil is dirty, could have condensation in it, and most of all it's acidic. Also, In the spring I don't want to try and remember any little problems that need to be repaired from last season. I just want to gas up my equipment load it on the trailer and get to work.

As far as on hand parts/supplies I have numerous spark plugs(at least 3 for each piece of equipment), belts, blades, air filters, oil filters, hydro filters, oil, trimmer line, starter rope, grease cartridges, and anything else I need to maintain every piece of equipment for the whole season.

Just so you guys know my wife thinks I am a little crazy. The funny thing is she gets a little crazy herself when the bill comes in for my parts inventory.

[Turfcutters Plus]

My mind never sleeps.That's the secret to success!:blob3:

[lawnboy dan]

lots of good advice here. i once put off getting new tires too long and had to take the truck in for a new set in july! who has time for that! add a can of fix a flat to your kit-it could come in handy-some times it will work when nothing else will .dont forget about spark plugs for your machines too.

[Justcutitshort]

Man, you guys are making me nervous. I'm still trying to straighten out last years books and get my taxes done.

The $400 I spend on my account is well worth it. I stopped doing my own about 8 years ago. I do my books monthly so I don't get behind.
I hate getting behind:)