Time Saving Tricks

[Mueller Landscape Inc]

Hello Friends,

I haven't seen this thread before. I thought it would be interesting to see what others do to save time on the job.

For instance, buying a used ice-machine and providing ice for your crews can save countless hours. When you add up all those 10 minute stops to the local carry out store by 1,2, or 3 man crews.... well do the math!

How about you?

[kutnkru]

We always fuel all trucks and equipment at the end of the work day before going back to the shop. I would rather pay a little extra for windshield time after operations have ceased then loose precious time during the day.

Kris

[ronslawncare]

thats the best tip you can get fuel everything up b4 u call it a day equiptment your truck i always do that .i hate haveing to wait to pull in with my triler so i fuel up definately the nite b4 unless im being real lazy .

[Mueller Landscape Inc]

Ok, Does anyone have any tricks for servicing properties. Lets say that you perform all the duties at a commercial complex or a residential house. You mow, edge, trim, deal with the weeds etc. I know most of you probably carry some hand held pruners on your belt. Does anyone carry anything else that you could use without having to go back to the truck? How about the order in which you perform the tasks. Do you trim shrubs after you mow or before? etc...

Every trade has "tricks of the trade" what are yours?

[Fantasy Lawns]

great ? no doubt "windshield" time is hard to beat....but here's a thought.....I try to trade services with any vendor or way I can .....it may sound silly but this creates a non taxable income...I trade with my truck detail guy to keep the trucks nice....my CPA is paid for by doing her lawn....I know a great mechanic - welder I can trade with when I need repairs ....sky's the limit if you can sell the idea to another business owner ....I got lots of printing by doing a side job as payment

[1MajorTom]

Some things that work for us:

Pack our lunch for the day.

Keep an inventory of parts for minor breakdowns with us on our trailer.

Definitely fueling up the night before.


Have at least two trimmers on your rack so you never have to wind a spool.


And NO convenience store stops.


Jodi

[Mueller Landscape Inc]

Alright now were talking...

How about this.... using a seperate belt to hold your pruning shears you can also attach a cordless drill holder. In that holder you can hang a hedging shear. Saves time when you need to trim those bushes that have grown out of shape a little. No more need to walk back to the truck and start up the gas-powered shears just to trim that one bush. The time it took to walk back to the truck was all the time needed to trim that bush.

[kutnkru]

Make sure that you are utilizing your equipment properly.

If you could use a 36 instead of a bobcat 21" DO IT! If you can jocky a 48 through a gate instead of driving a 36 right thru ... DO IT! Each minute you save goes to the bottom line.

As for refreshment breaks, furnish a 5 gallon cooler for water breaks and some cups. We also put a BIG cooler with gator/power aide and energizer bars on the trailer. They're thirsty or hungry after mowing ... They grab an item and jump in the truck ... Thirst quenching mini break between jobs!!!

Kris

[Edited by kutnkru on 01-07-2001 at 11:39 PM]

[kutnkru]

Keep your hedge shears/loppers behind your seat in your cab,

Keep a tool box full of generic brand tools on your truck, with spare filters, throttle cable, wd40 and plugs too.

Kris

[Hardy Enterprises]

I you have padlocks on you equipment racks use the 4 tumbler combination locks. Their faster than dial combination locks and you don't have dig in your pocket for your key every time you need something off the rack. Plus you can easily change the combination if you fire someone on the crew.

Jay

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by 1MajorTom

Have at least two trimmers on your rack so you never have to wind a spool.

I keep extra wound spools for my trimmers, when the line runs out just swap spools. They run around $3 each from the dealer. Wind the empty ones while watching TV at night.

My biggest time saver is ensuring that I have at least 2 accounts per stop, to cut down on no-profit drive time and load time.

[jaclawn]

Don't collect money from customers during working hours. 5 min per customer times 10 customers per day... Well, you get the idea. Send an invoice and let them mail it to you.

[YLC1]

I carry a Leatherman tool on my belt to make minor repairs.
Saves a lot of time not digging thru the tool box.It seems that whatever I need,it's always on the bottom.

[Groundcover Solutions]

I have a gas rack on my trailer and i put a box like one that you put on your truck right on top of it. I have a bunch of tools that i use most of the time in it and extera string and spools. I have two shindowa limated, two redmax back pack blowers and a redmax edger on each trailer. I use three man crews. that is what i have to save time.

matt

[JML]

i bought extra weed whacker heads and the guys wind them up while we are driving so when we are stopped we don't waste time spooling heads...

[rdh]

i dont know much on lawn bis.
i lay black top and i do the hardest jobs first.
you have more energy at begenning of the day .
at close to end of day when dragging my but im glad i
got the hard jobs over . hope this heps

[G & S LANDSCAPING SERVICE]

I am self contained all tools and equiptment, in my enclosed trailer,I also have a electric jack for the front of the trailer,for easy hook -ups its great to have after a long hot day,always have a supply of garbage bags in my rubbermaid trash can on wheels.I even cary a full size floor jack ,in case i have a flat, time is money.

[TurfMan]

Take an old Airtank (the kind from Wal-Mart) 12 gal and what i did was stand it on edge tapped a hole in the top which was the side and i installed a ball valve on the other end and mounted this to my trailer. Inside this tank is where I kkep my mixed fuel. You simply walk up to the tank hold the weed eater under it and open the ball valve and Poof your filled on on your way. It is better than carring mixed fuel in a gas can and faster. Plus there are no lids to be lost.

[BUSHMASTER]

Look at some of the threads:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=7480
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=7434
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=5660
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=5402

[Jusmowin]

I keep a air tank and a tire patch kit in my truck box,along withthe other normal stuff.

[rdh]

do job right the first time
no come backs

[Hardy Enterprises]

Turfman,

The fuel tank idea is great. The only problem is that OSHA would likely frown on the use of such device. Of course they would also frown on the plastic cans you see most people using.

Jay

[John DiMartino]

I love the 12 gallon tank idea,and who's going to tell OSHA or anyone else there's fuel and not air in that tank.Im solo anyway,so i dont care what OSHA thinks of it,only the DOT,hopefully they wouldnt open the valve.I think its safer in that steel tank than a plastic jug strapped to an open trailer or strapped in the bed of the truck.

[kutnkru]

Just an after thought.

Plastic fuel containers and plastic pickup liners have been known to create static electricty thus resulting in bursting containers.

Just as John mentioned the DOT in our area had a field day last fall when leaves were heaviest writing up infractions for non steel fuel containers.

Also MSDS sheets info was like pulling teeth trying to get DOT to let us know what we needed. We've basically copied labels and put them into a binder thats kept behind the benchseat of each truck.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by TurfMan
You simply walk up to the tank hold the weed eater under it and open the ball valve and Poof your filled on on your way. It is better than carring mixed fuel in a gas can and faster. Plus there are no lids to be lost.

How do you agitate the fuel/oil mix before filling the weedeater tank?

[bobbygedd]

no problem needing ice, my guys just drink their beer warm.jac has a very good point, dont collect payments at the door, this turns into socializing, which turns into a freindly(non profesional) relationship, which then turns into, "oh, hey bob, can u do me a favor....."

[Cutter1]

I have string wrapped up and clipped onto my weedeater handles(cable clips) Beats walking the whole way back to the truck.

[kutnkru]

I never thought of that always pack about 3 spools worth pre-cut in any and all available pockets.

Kris

[Eric ELM]

Good point Lawnguy, how do you keep it mixed up TurfMan? I guess if you filled your trimmers after going down the road, it may be OK, but you said it's mounted, so you wouldn't be able to shake it up like a can could be. If you run out on a big job and come back and just open your valve, it wouldn't be mixed up properly.

Do you have it vented on top and is the opening big enough to get a hose from a pump in it to fill it? Is it hard to tell how much is in it so you know when to fill it up again since you have it mounted to your trailer? Another thing about these steel tanks is a rust problem, does the oil keep the metal from rusting, unlike straight gas would be?

Sorry about all these questions, but the idea sounds good and I just had these concerns.

[Runner]

Fwd Rev. Fwd Rev. Fwd Rev. Fwd. Rev................

[Green Acres]

To help save time on flats I keep one of those air pumps that plug into the lighter. They take up alot less room then an air tank but you have to be by the truck to air up the tire. Also I was thinking of getting a 50-100 gallon fuel tank to mount to the trailer. Does anyone do anything like this? Do you have to have a special permit from DOT to carry that much fuel at one time?

[Cutter1]

We hae talked about this before and I am pretty sure you need a permit to carry that much fuel with you.

[TurfMan]

As far as the fuel being mixed correctly, The road takes care of that. When you first fill the tank I add about 1 gal of fuel and then the oil. topped off with fuel (I only fill up to 10 Gal) The opening in the tank is large enough that a gas pump hose fits in. I taped it out to fit a 1-1/4 Gav plug. (Standard plumbing plug). As far as telling how full the tank is. On the ball valve is a T one part of the T is flow in. Part 2 of the T is a 12" hose for Flow out. 3rd part of the T is a vertical Clear tube the goes up along the side of the tank. (You can see how much fuel is in the tank)
My tank is 2 years old and there does not appear to be any rust on the inside. I hope this info helps.

[kountryscape]

What do you mean by not talking to the customers. i think that 5 to 15 minutes talking with the customer really helps. if your a friend not joe blow rusty truck drivin, weed wackin, grass choppin see ya later kind of guy, you"ll get further in life. you go ahead and do it if you want but i'll be picking up more jobs from their friends,kids and others. you'll be the guy they replace next year because your not a people person. try this one go to the donut shop before you go to your commercial jobs and get a dozen donuts give them to the office and watch them stand up for you in the bidding of next years mowing or how about some hot chocolate before you plow the lot at that office. you guys stop or don't start doing P.R. your going to be like everyone else in this business . set yourself apart...

you never stumble on anything setting down!

j. morgan countryscape landscaping

[Ssouth]

Turfman, any way I can get a picture of this setup. Sound like it would work for me.
Thanks

[Hardy Enterprises]

Turfman,

I believe I have a pretty good idea what this tank looks like, but is it any chance you could post some pictures. Their have been some good ideas posted to this thread but your tank idea has got to be one of the most original and interesting post so far.


Also somebody said they carry a small 12v compressor instead of an air tank to air flat mower tires. I use to also just carry a small compressor since it was so much more compact. The problem I ran into was that on the small front tires when they go flat the bead will sometime break loose from the rim. If this happens the small air compressor will not supply enough air fast enough to make the tire reseat on the rim.

Jay

[Toroguy]

Jay, That was Green Acres with the small compressor idea. The portable air tank can also be brought to where you need it. The front caster wheels dilemna took me away from the mini compressor after several trips to the filling station.

[bobbygedd]

well, i dont mean ignore the customer, hi mrs smith, how r u..... but 5 to 15 min, per cust? thats 2 hrs a day spent chatting. cant do it, if u can great! i just noticed they get much to friendly and start asking for "favors" , very counter productive for me

[thelawnguy]

i agree with kountryscape, if more of you took the time to get to know your customers you wouldnt have to spend $250/ month on yellow page ads, nor 2 hours/day bidding new jobs to replace the ones you lost, cuz the owner decided to re-bid to see if they can beat "faceless joes" bid.

People pay more money to service people they know and trust and can relate to.

[jaclawn]

I WOULD NEVER, NEVER, NEVER HAUL GASOLINE IN AN UNAPPROVED CONTAINER. YES, I KNOW I AM SHOUTING, BUT THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

It is illegal, not to mention extremely dangerous to haul gasoline in a container than was not designed specifically for that purpose, and that was approved by the Fire Marshall (U/L?).

Those air tanks were not designed to haul gasoline. They were designed to hold air.

You said that you use a galvanized plug to cover the fill area? How does the thing vent? Pressure will build up in the tank with tempature rises. Also, don't you worry about a spark when removing/installing the galvanized plug? I would at lease use a brass plug.

What would happen if it became loose during transport, and the valve/T assembally hit something and broke off? 10 Gal. of gas going everywhere.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but I don't think that most people realize the dangers of gasoline. I don't have a relative because of gasoline.

I haul gasoline in a type IV (V?) DOT Transport container. This is a metal, 5 gallon container that has two openings on the top, that are controlled by a handle. When you go to pour gas, the one with the fill tube and the one with the straight cap open together. When you set the can down, it automatically closes both. It also has a "roll cage" welded to the top, so that in the event that the can does roll over, the opening mechanisims cannot open accidentally and spill any gasoline.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU REMOVE THIS SETUP IMMEDATLY, FOR YOUR SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT ANY OTHER MEMBERS TRY THIS SETUP.

BTW- I seem to remember that we have a bunch of fire department guys on here. Where are you guys on this one???

[jaclawn]

I didn't say not to chat with customers while on the job. I try to at least see every one, and say hi once a month or so. If you get into a 5 minute chat session every week, with 20 customers, that is just over 1.5 hours per week, over a 30 week season, that comes out to 45 hours. It is like a week spent chatting.

You give them that oppertunity when you have to go to the door wna collect your money every week.

[Paradise Yard Service]

If you have workers. Make them meet at the office or a specified pick-up location. Otherwise your 'bird doggin' starts too early in the morning. Use a PDA like a Palm Pilot to alarm you where you should be, when you should be. Did you know that you can get CPR instructions downloaded to your Palm?
Hey kountry, I do that PR stuff selectively. One of my accounts always (since 1985) gives me an extra $15.00 and a couple Dr. Peppers (no need for the 7-11) for spending a few minutes (15 tops) talking about his health problems. He is 85. I'm sort of a sounding board. They always give me extra work.

[KindGardener]

Great thread!

Here are mine...

I used to stop at a deli to get sandwiches for me & my 2 guys($5 bucks each, with a coke).

Now I pack a loaf of bread (3 loafs of giant Wonderbread for $2.20 @ the bakery thrift store), little packs of mayo (mayo) & a pound of lunchmeat (prepacked ham / turkey from whatever super has it on sale). Also a big bag of tortilla chips & a quart of Tapatio ($1.69 @ Smart&Final). I also take a 6 pack of soda ($1.00 - $2.00 each). Each guy has a 1 gal water bottle. When it was hot - I'd put their 2 (part filled) in the freezer overnite - kept the cooler cold (no Ice purchase).

Cut my food cost by over half, almost 2/3.

At first, I thought "what a cheap screw I am", but the guys don't mind making a couple sandwichs each.

And it seems to save time - we break out lunch wherever we are - and it seems we're back in the truck within 25 minutes (my guys get impatient sitting around)

Now - this takes a bit of time, so it's not for everyone, but I'm still real new & trying to pinch pennies.


ROUTING

My route is dialed in, as best as possible. Including the fact that I have a combination of weekly, bi-weekly & monthly accts. Of course, all my accts are within a few miles, but I have almost NO backtracking any more.
This took about a month & a half to get it dialed in - and I was able to get my Friday to be my lightest day. All the customers who demanded Friday - I told them, I will promise Thursday, and if I can "do them Friday, I will" As a result, Thurs is BUSY, and Fri/Sat is pretty open for extra jobs.

I use an Excel spreadsheet & have columns that allow me to sort. It sorta sucks, but it's what I've got for now.


Anybody use ACT! ???

[Stephen]

hardy enterprises-

as far as seating the bead on those small tires, I learned a neat little trick once. Put a rachet strap around the tire and pull it tight. then crank it until it gets really tight, until you can't get it any tighter. this helps spread the tire and seat the bead. then put the air to it and it will inflate. Once it takes air and fills up some undo the rachet strap and fill it up to your desired pressure. It seems to work real well for me, and it alleviates the problem of taking the tire and rim off the machine to mess with.

[Mueller Landscape Inc]

Wow! great tips everyone. Thanks for the input.

John

[jeffyr]

Stephen,

I use the ratchet strap myself....I was without one and used my belt once and it worked fine.


As for the gas tank/ air can......Nifty....but I think unsafe. How about using one of those coffee brewers like the lunch trucks have? The tap and clear tube are already installed !!! Plus, the top has a nice big opening to fill and mix---if your tank needs mixing, just roll up your sleeve, stick your arm in and swish it around a bit. Of course OSHA may want rubber gloves and goggles worn then ! Are they a thorn in our side or What ?

jeffyr

[Edited by jeffyr on 01-12-2001 at 07:21 AM]

[SMB]

Get a RadioShack digital tire pressure gauge. One of the handiest tools I have!

[BCLawncare]

I allways wanted to rig up a 8 gallon beer keg for 2 cycle gas. you would have to take it to a welding shop that can weld alum. and make the modifications there. no sparks no rust and less condensation this might work better than the air tank for gas.

[Mueller Landscape Inc]

Here's another one someone just reminded me of: If your line trimmer line is old or brittle, try soaking it in water for a day or two. The brittleness should be gone. I know this works!

John

[turfsurfer]

jaclawn, as for the fireman's opinion on the gas setup, I agree with you. Especially if this setup has no way to vent built up pressure. Try this for an experiment, close all the vents on a regular plastic gas can on a 90 degree day and watch it swell up with pressure in less than an hour, or maybe don't try it and just take my word for it, pressure needs to be vented.
As for time savings:
1) try to combine gas, bathroom, food into one stop at a multiservice station.
2) train crew to use effective patterns when mowing so as not to go over areas repeatedly, and not missing opportunities to make a swipe.
3) carry extra trimmer line on you, line always seems to end when you are furthest from the truck.
4) train crew to always have discharge side awareness so time is not wasted blowing grass out of flower beds.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Drive the speed limit! You'll be amazed how much time you save not being pulled over. Also, getting into accidents tends to take alot of time, not to mention wrecking your day/week/month/life/truck. In Hawaii, you will never get somewhere that much faster as you usually end up at a traffic light, and the people you passed, pull right up next to you. Trim/weedwack,blow/mow. Unless you see rain-a-comin, then mow first as you can always trim/blow in the rain. However, mowing in the rain is a different matter altogether. Get a good nights sleep. Drink in moderation,and eat/drink consistantly throughout the day. Use a Chopper/Lazer or get one as soon as possible. In Hawaii, you don't need either as we don't have the acerage. Mulch rather than bag whenever possible.
Take time to smell the roses.
Aloha,
P.Y.S

[Likestomow]

A trick that I learned from a seasoned friend of mine
is to use the discharge blast from my Dixie Chopper
as a pavement blower. When I finish mowing,
I start blowing grass from the street and driveway
by going BACKWARDS. The mower creates a tremendous wind
that usually cleans everything. I do parking lots like this as well, and then finish up doing the nooks and crannies with my backpack blower.

Also, I hate restringing a trimmer spool on the job.
It is simply a waste of time. I carry several (like 5-8) spools that I had wound the night before,
off the job and in comfort, while watching a bit of TV. Just carry a replacement spool on your belt
if you are going to be far away from the truck.

[mmorgan]

In Illinois, you can carry less than 105 gallons without having to be placcard or cdl w/ hazmat. I have a 100 gal fuel cell with an electric pump in the bed of my truck. Most days that we mow, we need to refuel before the day is over. It saves a lot of time. Also, the string trimmer spools are a must. I carry 8 spares. Also carry trimmer head parts. While replacing a spool, the cap may get put on wrong and parts go everywhere. $10 in parts is cheaper than downtime. I also carry a tire plug kit, portable air tank, and plenty of tools. P.S. zip ties can be your best friend!!

[Paradise Yard Service]

I bring along a can of 'Fix-A-Flat' as a temporary flat fix. They help you get off the road and to a place where you can service the tire safely. In Hawaii, we have far too many crazy drivers to be changing tires on the freeway! Sometimes you can go the whole day without servicing the flat tire until you get home.

[TurfMan]

Sorry I can not post any pictures. No way of getting them into my pc. As far as the keg idea, That is even better. We always have used the kegs on our old style Buggies, But you can also get a 10Gal fuel cell from any of the dune buggie sites as well. I have used this idea hanging on the side of my trailer for 2 yrs. I have never been stopped because of it. Perhaps I should change to a fuel cell. And It is vented. If it was not vented it would build up to much pressure. My is vented through the Cap on the top with a 1/8 hole.

[Barkleymut]

I find the time when I really get lazy is when I go to lunch. So I always pack a lunch now. I also freeze 1 gallon jugs to take as a full days waters supply. The best tool I have found has to be the 10 cu. ft. wheelbarrows. They cost about $120 and hold so much mulch that they save you at least 25% in labor.

[lawrence stone]

Lunch ala stone:

three pint bottles of water one frozen

one can of soda (canned ice tea prefered w/o co2)(sugar group)

A mixed green salad in a 16 oz container with croutons and a packet of dressing (veggie and bread group)

two oz of cheese (protein group)

one bag of potoato chips (strach group)

one pie or cake from the drakes factory store (sugar group)

one rubbermaid six pack cooler w/o the ice pack

So what we have here is a easy to pack lunch that won't spoil in the heat that hits all the major food "groups" that travels well and cost about $1.25.

Above is from the book
the frugal LCO by lawrence stone
available at amazonwomen.com


[Edited by lawrence stone on 01-27-2001 at 08:35 AM]

[dmk395]

packing a lunch and then eating in between jobs or even in the truck is a big time saver, plus once u sit down to eat somewhere after working hard, its tough to get back up.

[Island Lawn]

My effeciency goals this year include fixing lunch the night before!
But epescially, get the truck A/C working!!!
I suffered through my first year without it!
By lunch, it was near 100 deg and I would go home for a sandwich, enoy the A/C, nap...

Seemed to get dark out real quick last summer.

This was THE reason I was only p/t last year.

My theory is taking multiple short breaks throughout the day will get more accomplished than taking off.

[TGCummings]

I ate on the run every day for five years. Yes, I accomplished more in a single day but it was a stinker on my morale. This last year, I made sure to take a lunch break (most often with the wife during her lunch hour) at least 2-3 days a week. At the end of the day, or work week, I'm much more relaxed and in higher spirits.

Don't work yourself to an early grave. Take a load off when you need it, and remember to add enjoyment of your life to your bottom line.

You'll thank me for it later. ;)

-TGC

[awm]

The idea for seating tires is good to know.
Id never thought of that one.

[nlminc]

During the season I go to Walmart and buy myself some armystyle pants (17.00/pair solid green color)with plenty of pockets for trimmer line and some tools that are used often. These pants last longer and are cooler to wear than jeans. I carry a leatherman and my employees are supplied with one also for quick repairs away from the truck and trailer. Bring a lunch, it helps you to eat healthier than the quick stop stores and saves time. Do the hardest job first thing in the morning.

[Toroguy]

Originally posted by lawrence stone
Lunch ala stone:

Above is from the book
the frugal LCO by lawrence stone
available at amazonwomen.com



One of the funniest things Stone has wrote.

This is a very good thread, alot of good posts by everyone, its worth another view.

[eslawns]

I work alone most of the time, so what I do to be efficient may not work for everybody.

1. I route things so that the day is on 2 or 3 parts, each ending somewhere near my house, so I can use the head or get a bite to eat, and check the answering machine, or sometimes take a break. During the summer, I take a long break from 1:00 or so until 2:30 or 3:00 2 or 3 days a week, and take a dip in the pool. I can't even begin to tell you how good that's been.

2. I try to use rainy days to spool trimmer line, sharpen all blades and do filters and oil changes. I won't not do stuff because we haven't had rain, but I will do it early sometimes when we get rain.

3. Try to keep the office, shop, trailer, and truck neat and orderly. I also use rainy days to stay on top of this. IMO, there aren't many things more frustrating than not being able to find something you know you have 2 of because the area it was left in is a mess. This is especially true of paperwork.

4. I also tend to do work or quotes for talkative clients during the hottest part of the day. I'm dirty, so they don't want me in the house, and it's too hot outside for them. It tends to keep endless conversations to a minimum.

5. I use 3 liter soda bottles in my 2 gal. water jug. I cut the top off at the point where the neck ends so they are close to the original capacity, and fill them with water. At the beginning of each day, I put one (frozen) in the jug upside down so that as the ice melts, it adds to water. I used to get ice by the bag but it was too time consuming, and the commercial ice machines are over $1000.

6. Mulching. I try to set the mulch jobs so that I can take the mulch trailer during lunch on one day to be filled with mulch. I do it so I can basically let my food settle while I ride to the nursery. When I finish mowing that evening, I unhitch the mowing trailer and hitch up the mulch. The next day I go do the mulch when it's cool.

7. Spare equipment. Except for the ZTR, I have 2 or more of everything. If something breaks down, I get another one and fix the broken one after dark or sometimes, yes, on rainy days. It won't take less time to fix, but it won't keep me at a lawn longer than necessary.

[David Gretzmier]

On Fuel- we use the super lawn trucks, but I have seen guys buy the 60 gallon $600 fuel/tool box from northern tool catalog and a $200 pump/hose combo from the same company. sure it is 800 bucks, but it is safe and serves two purposes. the fuel cell idea with a fuel pump seems cheaper and still safe, but most pumps are too powerful to fill a weedeater. i'd just carry alot of reg. gas and use the 2.5 gallon self venting pushbutton cans for around 20 bucks. dave g

[AndyL]

I keep seeing "bring trimmer line with you" why not go one better, heads are pretty cheap... We always use the Stihl Auto cut heads (still require tapping out) hold a HUGE amount of line, they're great. But, don't just keep line with you, have it on a spare spool, so when you do run out, its a simple pop the sparkplug wire, flip it over, take off the cover, push twist, put the new spool in place, clip the cover back on, replace sparkplug wire, start and go!

One of my favorite time savers, thats hard to 'beat' into helpers, is when the job is pretty much done, and one of us is still working... The jobs not quite done yet... There's paperwork to fill out, machinery that probably needs a fuel top up, line trimmers could be checked for how much line is left (if its only a couple wraps, swap the spools). Lots better things to do than to plop your butt in the truck and light a smoke!

Also getting a helper to re-string a trimmer spool while you're between jobs, makes sure you've always got trimmer line ready to go when you need it!

Andy

[Doogiegh]

Just found this thread, thought I'd move it to the top, has lots of good stuff to go over again that really never changes..

Gary

[robert payer]

Have lunch (30Min) begin the moment crew's leave job to go eat. Have them back on the job at 30min mark. With this target if they run a little over at least you are still ahead than with out this policy. Also do not pay them a wage at lunch time. These added hours could contribute into overtime. Overtime or not they should not be paid a wage to dine. Sorry we are not white collar executives in a high and mighty ivory tower who can afford to entertain there workers appetites.

[robert payer]

Another great time saver is having the 5 day weather report posted in plan sight daily in the truck. This removes the question of the weeks weather. Get the work done and get the hours while the weather permits. 5 day reports can be found in the newspaper or on the internet.

[Sooners]

1. I use Roundup whenever possible. Cuts down on a lot of weed eating, blowing, etc.

2. Went to (1) 60" ZTR instead of (2) 42" tractor mowers. Much faster than previous 2 combined.

3. Added fog lites and mow at nite sometimes when cooler.

4. Keep bottles of frozen water on Mower.

5. Make a trash pick up tool with a sharp point on one end and a hook on the other. Takes too long to pickup trash after mowing over it and too long getting on and off of a ZTR.

[leadarrows]

Originally posted by Stephen
hardy enterprises-

as far as seating the bead on those small tires, I learned a neat little trick once. Put a rachet strap around the tire and pull it tight. then crank it until it gets really tight, until you can't get it any tighter. this helps spread the tire and seat the bead. then put the air to it and it will inflate. Once it takes air and fills up some undo the rachet strap and fill it up to your desired pressure. It seems to work real well for me, and it alleviates the problem of taking the tire and rim off the machine to mess with.
============================================
Has any one here ever used starter fluid to seat a tire? The first time I ever saw anyone do it was on a front floater of a tri axle dump truck, It jump a good six inches off of the floor. You just quickly (don’t over do it!) go around the bead of the tire with a shot of ether and throw a match at it and POW your tire is seated. Be ready to put the air to it right away or you’ll lose it. Be careful and it will save you some times.

[MJStrain]

Originally posted by Runner
Fwd Rev. Fwd Rev. Fwd Rev. Fwd. Rev................


That's a real knee slapper!!:jester: :D

[lasher66]

This only works on some lawns, where you have to trim far away from the truck. I wear my backpack blower while I am trimming. So when I am done with trimming I can start blowing on the way back to the truck. This beats walking back to the truck putting on the backpack, then walking going back out. But this depends on the lawn.

Lasher

[Phishook]

the best way to save time is too have a game plan before you start.
Anything to eliminate doing a job twice will save time.

[dr grass]

kountry - JOE BLOW RUSTY TRUCK DRIVING, WEED WACKING, GRASS CHOMPIN SEE YA LATER TYPE OF GUY!!!!! LMMFAO!!!!!! i nearly fell outta my chair laughing when i read that. you have to patent that and get some bumper sticker or shirts going with that saying. That has got to be the funniest thing ive read in a looooooooong time. omg!!! i cant stop laughing!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH

Shep :D

[Likestomow]

Last year I started carrying a 7 gallon water jug, similar to the Jerry Can. It has a spigot at the bottom, and when I’m finished trimming and blowing, just before getting into the truck to move on, I rinse off. It feels sooo good to get the grass off the arms, neck and face.

I always break out a fresh, clean towel each morning, and the smell of that fabric softener is nice. It looks bad by the end of the day, but they always come clean in the wash.

When I get in the truck (sometimes I pre-start it to let the A/C begin), my skin is still moist and that helps cool me down faster than when it’s dirty.

[darryl gesner]

I always let one piece of equipment cool down while anyother is warming up. So if I finish mowing, I idle down the mower while I'm staring and warming up the trimmer. Also, as soon as my mower is loaded, I raise and latch the gate while I'm there. I try to gas up all my handhelds at the same time too, rather than waiting for each to run out. And, as so others mentioned, I always pack a lunch (actually my wife packs it for me).

[mountain man]

Schedule crews to work 4 - 10 hour days when possible. This cuts out extra overtime, windshield time, 1 extra lunch time, and lost time at the shop on the fifth day. Also it is a great motivator to get the work done so they have a 3 day weekend. The extra day also allows for a back up rain day if needed.

[Darb]

Originally posted by robert payer
Another great time saver is having the 5 day weather report posted in plan sight daily in the truck. This removes the question of the weeks weather. Get the work done and get the hours while the weather permits. 5 day reports can be found in the newspaper or on the internet.

Must be nice to have some good weather reporting, around here the weather pukes are always wrong. I learned a long time ago when I owned a different business never to schedule my day around them or put much faith in them. The ones around here are wrong so often... I even called one television station and recommended that they pay the weather puke only when he was correct. I know they would save so much money. So my time saving advice is to never listen to the weather puke unless you can see for yourself the weather changing (hurricanes are the exception).
Darb

[Nomoslowmow]

Good Ideas!


We keep hand tools, spare mower blades, spare recoil assemblies for the trimmers and mowers, fix a flat, etc.

We always have a backup of every piece of equipment. My guys are good at mowing, I don't want them troubleshooting a trimmer!

We also keep some sprinkler heads, a head tool, risers, etc. so we can fix any heads we might break while mowing. This saves a trip back to the site after the crew gets back and tells you what they broke. Also put some marker flags in the truck so the crew can mark any problems they could not fix so you don't waste time looking around.

We use Ready Spool spare spool holders on our trimmers so each trimmer always has a spare spool of line clipped to it. What an improvement over stuffing line or a spool in your pocket! At about $4 each this was one of the neatest things we did this year. No more walks back to the truck for another spool!

Routing and scheduling offer the biggest efficiency boost, but these are hard to optimize. If you can get each nieghborhood on the same day, you will be flying compared to having them split up!

Finally, if you have employees, make sure that they realize that they need to work hard AND smart in order to get raises, come back next year etc. Once I got my crew to start thinking about how they could do things better and/or faster I was amazed at how many details I took for granted, and after I made changes based on their suggestions, they felt better that they had a say in how things are done.


Good luck!

Bob

[ksland]

I agree, same here. We look at the weather report as what could happen not what will. I make my own judgements by the radar each day.

YES! this is a great thread.:blob2:

[LonghornShortgrass]

OK, I saw all the ideas on the air tank converted to a fuel tank, but I have an empty beer keg that I would like to convert to an air tank. That way, I can keep it at my garage to re-fill my small (5 gal) tank without stopping @ the gas station. Any ideas on how to convert it?

[timsjeep]

I have a 10# CO2 tank and regulator. This will run air tools for about a 1/2 hr if needed. The best part is that you can crank up the air to 175 psi and re-seat a tire with ease. This is a stolen idea from my Jeep hoby. It really is useful. I can also turn it down to about 100psi and blow out the motors on the blowers, trimers and mowers. Its very important to keep the motors on the Walker mowers clean and blown out. This is a great way to do that. Oh, the best part, it is only the size of a small fire extinguisher.

[Lawntycoon]

We keep a (1)spare tire ea. for the front and rear for our lazers and walkers ,trailers and trucks along with the tire patch kit and portable air compressors.and 2 ton jack Our experience is a tear in a tire could be devastating. Along with a few essentials ....plugs,belts etc. We got away from bump and manual feed heads.....wear too quickly and end up being too costly to replace (down time for a weed eater and the employee) we use fixed heads and cut our own cord in the field. as you go or you can pre-cut them. The harder carbon heads last longer than the typical plastic. No problems anymore!
grounds by gordon inc.

[Duncan Lawn Care]

I always start with the account that furthest from the the shop and work back to it. If you have a 45 minute drive to the furthest account, you could leave at 8:15 and be mowing right at 9:00 Instead of starting at the closest account at 9:00 and ending up at the same time, but with a 45 minute ride home. More time with the family is priceless.

[Gordons Landscape]

I always schedual acounts by factoring in traffic we have a lot of traffic that can mess up are day if not schedualed properly. So during rush hour were always mowing something close.

[GTLC]

I am thinking of one of those large enclosed trailers with built in bathrooms.

[alpine692003]

Bring cellphones so you guys can contact each other! or walkie talkie's in case of separation!

[Premium Services]

scag sw walk behind with a bager even with the cage off the mounting plate still makes the mower to big for some back yard gates so instead of mounting it with bolts and nuts put it on with bolts and wing nuts for on and off with no tools

[alpine692003]

I use a bagging system for my mower, have an extra bagger so you can just disengage the full bag and throw the new bag into place and cut away immedately!

[J.Gordon]

Originally posted by Paradise Yard Service
If you have workers. Make them meet at the office or a specified pick-up location. Otherwise your 'bird doggin' starts too early in the morning. Use a PDA like a Palm Pilot to alarm you where you should be, when you should be. Did you know that you can get CPR instructions downloaded to your Palm?
Hey kountry, I do that PR stuff selectively. One of my accounts always (since 1985) gives me an extra $15.00 and a couple Dr. Peppers (no need for the 7-11) for spending a few minutes (15 tops) talking about his health problems. He is 85. I'm sort of a sounding board. They always give me extra work.

One of the best post I have read in a long time. Thanks

Did you know that you can get CPR instructions downloaded to your Palm?

This could be the best thing you could ever do!!!!

He is 85. I'm sort of a sounding board. They always give me extra work.

This is one heck of a perk! Caring for other people could open other doors for you! Maybe the most important one!

[J.Gordon]

I am not a full time LCO. But I do like to be efficient. Here are some of the timesavers I use. Now some things that I do are very dangerous! So please use common sense!!! (And if your are unsure in your capabilities, don’t try the starter fluid.)


One thing that has saved me a lot of time is switching to Gator magnum trimmer line. This stuff has outlasted any brand that I have used so far.


Originally posted by Stephen
hardy enterprises-

“as far as seating the bead on those small tires, I learned a neat little trick once. Put a rachet strap around the tire and pull it tight. then crank it until it gets really tight, until you can't get it any tighter. this helps spread the tire and seat the bead. then put the air to it and it will inflate. Once it takes air and fills up some undo the rachet strap and fill it up to your desired pressure. It seems to work real well for me, and it alleviates the problem of taking the tire and rim off the machine to mess with.”

“Has any one here ever used starter fluid to seat a tire? The first time I ever saw anyone do it was on a front floater of a tri axle dump truck, It jump a good six inches off of the floor. You just quickly (don’t over do it!) go around the bead of the tire with a shot of ether and throw a match at it and POW your tire is seated. Be ready to put the air to it right away or you’ll lose it. Be careful and it will save you some times”.

If you’re looking for a fast tire repair, I keep an air tank, tire plugs, and starting fluid in my truck. On the small tires it is super fast. Also works on any tubeless tire that I have came across. As stated above if you use common sense this can be a great help!


As far as the air tank-gas can is concerned, I would say it could get you into trouble because you can over fill it. Not giving the gasses room for expansion. You don’t need to vent it. You just don’t want to fill it above 80% of its capacity, which is 9.6 gallons. I myself wouldn’t put more than 8 gallons in it.

Jeff:waving:

[summergrove]

Do any of you guys use growth inhibitors to reduce trim and edgeing time?

[brucec32]

From what I've seen of most commercial and multi-family maintenance firms...the number one time saver seems to be skipping doing things that are in the bid or taking other quality shortcuts. For example, I find it hard to believe that the apartment I've living in temporarily charges a small fortune in rent, has them come out twice a week to mow in the warm weather so it always looks its best, but also tells them to never properly edge the bed borders (they do it at a 45 degree angle with a string trimmer, looks terrible and browns the grass) or mulch the beds. Or to blow the clippings into the street. Or suck the mulch out of the tree rings because the guy on the 60" Lazer wants to mow the tiny strips of grass around them w/o pulling a 21" off the trailer. The time differential in doing it and doing it right has got to be HUGE on a large property like this. I would go insane trying to compete in that market with people who promise the world and deliver less. The impression I've got over the years observing this type of market is that the profit margin is in the shortcuts.

Can't get away with that as often doing residentials.

[JVS]

We use the Compass system

[Critical Care]

For mowing large areas and collecting grass, layout one or more tarps at the far ends away from your truck. Dump out on those tarps instead of riding back and forth to dump, and after mowing, use the mower to pull the tarps back. On a 44" walk behind I had a welder make a simple frame on the cutting deck where I could place a plastic trash can.

Two wheeled wheelbarrows can hold more mulch and will not tip over on you.

Fill some 5 gal buckets with sand. Dump some of your used oil into the sand. Mix it around and then at the end of the season put shovels and hand tools in the oily sand to keep them from rusting.

Final tip... use a nitrous injection system on your rider. My Walker went from an 8.5 mph mowing speed to over twenty. Reverse gets a little hairy...

[alpine692003]

bring extra gas cans to fill your equipment up with gas.

[darryl gesner]

Originally posted by alpine692003
bring extra gas cans to fill your equipment up with gas.

Now there's a revelation for you! Hope you didn't have to stay up all night thinking of that one.:)

[alpine692003]

LOL ... I learnt my lesson!

Nothing like running out of gas for your equipment and running to the gas station to fill it up!

[Fareway Lawncare]

Get rid of those ungodly trailers & slip into something with better fuel economy, smaller turning radius & maneuverability & much bigger bed width.

[proenterprises]

excellent ideas guys.

spools, gas, lunch, good routing, effective billings...etc

all good ideas to cut down on time.

[GrassBustersLawn]

We keep extra pre-wound trimmer spools in a milk crate. When someone runs out they just load up a new one. Hate to see the guys winding them when they should be trimming.

Have one big office complex with about 2 hours worth of trimming. The trimmer gets a belt with a couple of pockets hanging off of it. One holds 2 pre-strung spools. The other holds a "water bottle" with pre-mixed gas. Saves walking back to the truck several times.

Mike

[alpine692003]

Bring contract forms!!!!

[SodKing]

I like those trucks and I am considering testing one out on a crew but what do you do with the clippings?

[alpine692003]

Who you talking to?

[craigs lawncare]

Originally posted by kutnkru
Make sure that you are utilizing your equipment properly.

If you could use a 36 instead of a bobcat 21" DO IT! If you can jocky a 48 through a gate instead of driving a 36 right thru ... DO IT! Each minute you save goes to the bottom line.


[Edited by kutnkru on 01-07-2001 at 11:39 PM]

Great advice kutnkru. My theory exactly!

Craig :)

[craigs lawncare]

Originally posted by 1MajorTom



Have at least two trimmers on your rack so you never have to wind a spool.



Jodi

I follow this practice as well.
It's also nice to have the extra trimmer in case one breaks, you have a back-up to use while its in the shop.

Craig

[bob]

Eat snacks while driving, fueling up the night before, if someone gets done before the rest of the crew then they fill the equipment up with fuel. Also have trimmer line spools wound up and I carry an extra spool in my pocket on large jobs because you always run out of trimmer line when your furthest from the truck. I also use a floor jack (instead of tongue jack) to connect and disconnect trailer ,because its easier and faster. Make an efficient route. Use the right mower for the areas were it will be most effcient.

[craigs lawncare]

Here is another....

I use my Z to blow grass off parking-lot areas, sidewalks and driveways.
It works best when you are backing-up and does a very nice job!
Just pay attention when you are backing up!... especially in parking lots. I still have to use my blower here and there but it definitely saves time. Safety before speed!


Try avoiding mowing businesses during high traffic times such as lunch-time, start and quiting time, for saving time, and safety reasons. It seems like I spend a lot of time shutting my mower down waiting for people to pass by on the sidewalk or driveway.

Round-up along fences and around stones saves time as well.

There are some excellent ideas in this thread. :) :)

Craig

[Green Gopher]

Air Tanks Converted to Gas Cans!!!!!!

I think we just discovered why our insurance rates are sky-rocketing.

Safety standards are not put into place just to be a pain in the ass. The few minutes you save by cutting corners will seem like a waste, if you end up spending the rest of your life without eyes, arms, or in a wheel chair.

[kris]

We have one man coming in early to load the trailers in the morning.Crews are expected to be pulling out at 7 sharp. We have our own regular fuel and diesel at the shop... The time saved from not going to gas stations is unbelievable. Every thing is fueled, cleaned and sharpened at night...notice how quicker everyone is when they want to go home?! On our construction crews we started using Porta- Potties. At $100.00 a month it practically pays for itself the first day.

[TotalCareSolutions]

Originally posted by GrassBustersLawn
[BThe other holds a "water bottle" with pre-mixed gas.

Mike [/B]

ME LIKE! Way Cool... Jr.

[Expert Lawns]

When blowing off large areas with your Z, bring along a hand held blower to blow under cars and those hard to reach places. it fits snug on the floorboard. you can blow on your z as you go.:cool2:

[AMAC]

I had my tires filled with foam, I will wear the tread off of the tire before I have to replace it. This should save time!

[Daveffemt]

Jaclawn, you are right, Firefighter for 19 years you DONT want to mess with gasoline in the wrong way, the fumes from 1 gal. of gas is like 2 lbs. of dynomite. I have had some bomb classes, you guys would be shocked at what the gas can do, like burns, missing arms and legs etc.

[TotalCareSolutions]

This is an excellent post. Coming off of this cleanup season, I say...I might rather dance with my parking lot blower, than my wife. You push her away and she does her job blowing and comes right back. Seriously, you can handle her rough, she keeps on. Always cleans up nicely. I think when the Lot Blower is handled correctly, with a Backpak Blower, have them both blowing, no competition only harmony. Keep the peltors on and listen to the hummm... while they go to work. Truly effective are the more advanced techniques: Set the larger of the blowers in a comfortable spot and go to work with the versatile backpak. Push against the Lot Blower backing it up and vigorously work the smaller BackPak, one helping the other...both helping you.

[Critical Care]

Turfmans idea of converting an air tank over to a gas tank is entertaining except for the idea that one fart and you could end up in Greenland.

Keep the fire screens on your 2 stroke engines clean, that is if you still have them on your engines. If they're clogged up, the engines will run like crap. I clean mine with a butane torch. A few seconds and the carbon is burned off and the engines are happy again.

Have a carabiner attached onto the end of a 10' long piece of rope. When you have a pile of limbs or prunings in a back yard and have to carry them to your truck, slip the carabiner end of the rope under the limbs and then back over top where it snaps onto the rope. Like a slip knot, pull on the rope to cinch things tight, then throw the rope over your shoulder and haul off the load like ol' Saint Nick.

[dishboy]

This doesn't save any time but keeps me entertained for endless hours working alone. Sony earbuds inside my Sthil ear protectors with either a walkman or tape player in my back pocket. Run wire inside T-shirt.

[Lbilawncare]

Get an enclosed trailer with everything you need for repairs right there waiting for you. Put empty pop bottles in it for bathroom breaks, don't try to hide behind a bush- someone is always looking:eek: We use a 97 gal aluminum aux. tank in the truck for gasoline. We fill it up twice weekly at night and don't have to stop at the gas station during the day, pumps 15 gal/minute and saves the back- safer than cans too. We use 2.5 gal cans for 2 cycle with a tip-n-measure bottle to save time. I've seen the tire seating trick where you fill the tire with butane or starting fluid then throw a lit rag at it, while it is entertaining- it is also stupid! It works, but the tire jumps up about 6 feet in the air.

[J.Gordon]

Originally posted by LonghornShortgrass
OK, I saw all the ideas on the air tank converted to a fuel tank, but I have an empty beer keg that I would like to convert to an air tank. That way, I can keep it at my garage to re-fill my small (5 gal) tank without stopping @ the gas station. Any ideas on how to convert it?

I would not convert a keg to a air tank unless I knew for sure what kind of pressure ratings it had!!!! I know they are pressure rated but I don’t think it is high enough for an air tank. This could be very dangerous!!! Don’t do this without knowing how much it is rated for!!

Originally posted by Lbilawncare
Get an enclosed trailer with everything you need for repairs right there waiting for you. Put empty pop bottles in it for bathroom breaks, don't try to hide behind a bush- someone is always looking:eek: We use a 97 gal aluminum aux. tank in the truck for gasoline. We fill it up twice weekly at night and don't have to stop at the gas station during the day, pumps 15 gal/minute and saves the back- safer than cans too. We use 2.5 gal cans for 2 cycle with a tip-n-measure bottle to save time. I've seen the tire seating trick where you fill the tire with butane or starting fluid then throw a lit rag at it, while it is entertaining- it is also stupid! It works, but the tire jumps up about 6 feet in the air.

Good post about the enclosed trailer can’t wait till I get one!
You actually saw the tire jump six feet off the ground! Wow how many cans of starter fluid did the person spray in the tire? It takes less than a second to get more than enough fluid in the tire. Of course the ambient temperature will have an effect on the outcome.
I generally leave the tire on the equipment that needs aired up. Just raise the tire off the ground. That is where I save the time, by not having to take it off! Then reseat the tire with the starting fluid. Then I air the tire up and check for leaks. Plug the leak if necessary.
This can be done very safely, if done the right way. As I have stated before use common sense!! Not everybody was blessed with it so they should not try this. :dizzy:


Jeff :waving:

[alpine692003]

label gas cans, lol.

[1grnlwn]

Originally posted by Green Gopher
Air Tanks Converted to Gas Cans!!!!!!

I think we just discovered why our insurance rates are sky-rocketing.

Safety standards are not put into place just to be a pain in the ass. The few minutes you save by cutting corners will seem like a waste, if you end up spending the rest of your life without eyes, arms, or in a wheel chair.

This is funny. I have read back and saw all the doom posts about this and at GIE saw a company that is producing this exact item. A vented filler cap on top and a hose with filler nozzel on bottom.

[Green Gopher]

I am not sure if you mean you saw a company that converts air tanks into fuel cells or you found a company that produces a large fuel cell.

No one is debating that an on board fuel tank is a bad idea, the fact is that the DOT and OSHA all have strict guidelines when it comes to transporting combustible liquids. If the company you found is converting air tanks they would be required to meet those standards.

I spent four years in the Coast Guard and have been a firefighter for three and have seen people place fuel in every kind of container. Just because they didn't get hurt today, does not mean they'll be so lucky tomorrow.

I would like to see this commercial air tank conversion company. I'll bet they have to get some certification on them before sale.

[MTM & S Lawn Service]

I have to agree with kountryscape. I have maintained friendly relationships with all of my customers, some of them for as lon as 22 years. I hate to be treated like a number and I think my customers probably feel the same way. Here's a bonus! Word of mouth goes a long way and the better my customers know me and my service the more good thing's they will have to tell others.
Regard's MTM

[mbricker]

You don't have to be unfriendly with your customers for them to be aware that you have other jobs you need to get to. I don't collect, I bill with a mailed itemized monthly statement, and customers know I expect mailed payment, not check handed to me when I'm there to work. Some of the older customers who are home during the day can't resist coming out to visit, or bring me my check to save a 37 cent stamp. But I've managed to get this controlled to probably only 8 or 10 minutes per day average for visiting. My customers mostly don't feel they are being slighted--all of my new business comes from referrals, no advertising, and I very rarely lose a customer, except when it's by my choice for some reason.


My timesaver, which some of you might disagree with--I trim before mowing, and trim bigger areas around some obstacles, because a lot of tight back and forth with the ztr is just as time consuming, and also can leave tire scuffs over time.

[mh1314]

I use beach towels on any of the seats in the truck that someone sits. They are washed as needed and really help keep the truck cleaner for other uses.

I also leave a self-addressed envelope with the bill on the front door of clients that I don't bill monthly. Most of my clients aren't home and it saves having to run them down later.

Also as Bobby G said, sometimes it's hard to get away from some customers that want to talk, want a favor or just want to discuss the fact that they're paying $30 and you were only there 25 minutes.

[smlavin]

Mr. C asked "How can I increase the efficiency of my service?" Good question and there is still a lot of useful information in this old thread so I thought I would bump it back to the top! Hope this helps. :waving:

[1grnlwn]

Now it's for sale.

[ChadA]

I ate on the run every day for five years. Yes, I accomplished more in a single day but it was a stinker on my morale. This last year, I made sure to take a lunch break (most often with the wife during her lunch hour) at least 2-3 days a week. At the end of the day, or work week, I'm much more relaxed and in higher spirits.

Don't work yourself to an early grave. Take a load off when you need it, and remember to add enjoyment of your life to your bottom line.

You'll thank me for it later. ;)

-TGC

Thats some of the best advice i've read on the site. And i've read thousands of posts in my short time here .
I'll be 25 next year and it wil be my first full year solo. I was going in the same mindset as most people in this thread. Less lunch time means more work. That means more $$$$. But what good is all of the money if you can't enjoy it with your family.

[Sir mowsalot]

Thats some of the best advice i've read on the site. And i've read thousands of posts in my short time here .
I'll be 25 next year and it wil be my first full year solo. I was going in the same mindset as most people in this thread. Less lunch time means more work. That means more $$$$. But what good is all of the money if you can't enjoy it with your family.



Yep, i agree too. If you keep your debt low, and keep your priorities in order you will remember that family time is the most important.

[PR0 TURF]

How much string does everyone go thru when trimming?? On this post it sounds like people carry up to 7 or 8 extra spools with them or carry string in there pockets. We don't go thru nearly that much. We carry 3 trimmers to save time when the string does run out...but its not nearly as often as it sounds with everyone else. Just wondering...??

[grass_cuttin_fool]

I have thought the same thing, I use 1 spool a week. When I get a helper sometimes they like to use a spool a day

[PR Fect]

I agree with TGC, Chad A, and Sir Mows allot. Re-string spools wile watching TV, or Driving? Dam, you guys are cracking me up. Hell I like it when I run out of line on the job. Gives me a chance to take off the ear protection, get a drink of water, and take a breath. Done allot of 1 to 1 with clients or potential clients when I was winding away. Remember, If you do something you like for money, you will never have to work a day in your life.

[lawnsplus]

I know this is an old post but I thought I would resurect it.

I find that the empty gatorade bottles make for really convienient urinals, Truck or enclosed trailer work well for concealing this activity.

Also, carry a can of wasp and yellow jacket spray.

And finally all of my guys carry a can of weed killer in there pocket, we get this from Lesco and it is an aerosol can that foams. It is great for that rogue dandelion that weed and feed just wont kill.

Finally, we never unhook our trailers from our trucks.

[SEKscag]

1. Never unload or unhook trailer. Back into shop and lock up.
2. Mount a "truckbed" toolbox on front of trailer, along with misc. toolboxes on sides to carry anything you might need during the day.
3. Fuel up the night before.
4. Always carry extra spools of line already wound.
5. If you can afford it carry a back up for everything. Most of the time I'm solo, but I carry two trimmers, two blowers and 3 mowers with me at all times.
6. Keep organized. Cuts countless hours off. Trust me on this.:weightlifter:

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting....

[LawnBrother]

Use gator magnum trimmer line. Lasts forever compared to other lines.

Blow off walks with the mower on the way back to the truck. Not perfect but saves time with the blower later.

When trimming fencelines, if you can, trim lower than you cut the grass (but don't scalp it), on your next visit sometimes you can skip it altogether.

For guys in the city/old neighborhoods with tight parking, use ramps and put your WB in your truck. Be safe and use ramps made for this, not planks of wood. You will be amazed at how much time you save by not having to maneuver a trailer or look for a place to park.

For those who do small/med residentials, if you find yourself not going through all the gas in your equipment every day, fill everything up and leave the gas cans at the shop. I realize that not everyone can get away with this, but for those who can, it is safer to not have a gas can on the truck. I mow up to 15 props a day regularly and never run out of gas. On the very few occasions I ran out of 2 cycle in a trimmer, I use some from the blower to finish the day.

Don't run your trimmer and blower wide open throttle all the time, it wastes gas, and it is just not neccesary. Use only enough throttle to accomplish the task.

[Lawnmedics]

Great info on this thread but nobody mentioned using a qwickchute on your mower. This has saved me time on a lot of properties that have tight clearances between beds and houses. These are places where we could not discharge but not worth the time to attach a baffle. This cut down on trimming and time attaching a baffle.

Roundup along fence lines and hard to trim places is invaluable. This is great for commercial accounts but not so great on residential's. Especially around AC units or water softeners.

Once again great info hear that will help me. Thanks.

[Shuter]

My best time saving trick is...

40 properties in the same neighborhood.

[Roger]

I have scanned many of the suggestions in this thread and have done a search, but found nothing that speaks of multiple bags for bagging with a hand mower.

We use a LawnBoy commercial, 2 cycle, offset wheels -- with side bagger. The machine is used 80% of the time bagging (weekly use is 30-35 hours). We have four bags for the side bagger and use them all. When working behind a house, it is easy to take an extra bag or two with you. When returning to the trailer, one can be carried while still working the mower, with another full bag. Or, two bags can be dragged behind while still working the mower. Or, leave a bag or two in the rear, and pick them up when finishing with the blower.

The side bags work so well for these multiple bag situations. They have very little bulk, only the plastic handle. Therefore, they are easy to lay over the handle bars, over the side support rod, or just carry. Likewise, when full, they can be carried, dragged, or whatever.

With my w/b mower, two can be carried on the front deck, one can be stood up vertically between my legs while standing on the BullRider sulky. In those situations, take 3 extra ones, fill them, set them aside, and carry them to the dump pile, trailer, or ??? when finishing with the w/b.

I have used LB rear baggers (2 at a time), but they are more bulky and don't lend themselves to the same kind of handling (also spill out). Also, I have used two bags from a Toro ProLine 21" hand mower, but they also don't work nearly so well -- too bulky with the plastic front, and they cannot be handled two or more at a time.

The best: LawnBoy side bag -- using four or five bags all the time has saved huge amounts of time.