Yeah, I don't use the bag much at all, but "half full" sounds about right.

Is/was yours a Super Recycler, or a Recycler?

Do you have a model number for the high-lift blade you speak of?

Not a super recycler but it a personal pace, I will have to look on the model. I will also have to look at the blade number as it was just on a rack with a bunch of other common blades.

 

Not a super recycler but it a personal pace, I will have to look on the model. I will also have to look at the blade number as it was just on a rack with a bunch of other common blades.

Ahh, cool. I always ask because everyone says "I have the exact same mower", and usually that's not the case. I don't think you can buy the Super Recycler in box stores and that's where most people seem to get the Recyclers.

Not sure if they use the same blades or not - never compared them.

 

My do-it-myself vinyl lettering install.
Designed by me, ordered online, and installed by yours truly...

(warning: LOTS of pics)

Temporarily tape with a small tab to line up vinyl. Measure from the bottom (straight) edge of the glass to the bottom of the text and once it is positioned properly, run a strip of tape along the top edge creating a "hinge"...

To make application easier, cut the long strip of lettering into smaller, more manageable sections between words, or letters...

Lift one section and peel off paper backing exposing the sticky side of the vinyl and transfer sheet...

Using the squeegee (supplied by 696 signs with order) press out, away from center.
Since I've never applied vinyl before, I'm not exactly sure how hard to "squeegee", but I applied even pressure and worked over each letter multiple times, as well as lightly "burnishing" them to be sure it was sufficiently "pressed" onto the glass.

Note that I did NOT use the "soapy spray bottle method - I did it all "dry".

Slowly peel away transfer sheet at an angle leaving the vinyl adhered to the surface...

Repeat for text on other side...

Ta-DA! The easy part is completed successfully!

Now for the fun part - the "big stuff"...

I knew that there was no way I could apply ALL of that at once working alone, so I started planning how I could tape it in place and then start cutting it into "sections", each with their own "hinge".

Again, just use a few tabs of masking tape to help hold it while positioning. Be sure to line it up and measure at several points to be sure it is "level" before securing with more tape...

I cut each leaf from the main sheet and used the long diagonal edge for the hinge. (Note: use caution, as cutting against glass CAN scratch the surface. After my first cut, I slipped my ruler behind the paper and used it as a backing to cut against for the remaining cuts)

Hinge applied...

I wiped the glass with a microfiber cloth right before application for each section just to be sure no dust got on the glass during the process...

Leaves applied...

The phone number was next...

Saving the most difficult for last I moved to the top to do the "Oak Leaf" section.
The two words were cut into separate pieces...

I trimmed a bit more of the backing from the top edge of the "Lawn Care" section so I could run the hinge along the top edge without getting tape on the lettering above...

Ta-da!

Well, there it is. It took forever to finally get around to doing it, but I'm really happy with the finished product. It's not the design I had initially imagined, but it's a good compromise between design and practicality.
I'm planning on doing something on the side windows next.

I look like a legitimate LCO now instead of "some guy with a mower and a truck" and this can only help in gaining new clients.

Hope you enjoyed the show and for the love of God, if you quote this post, EDIT OUT whatever is not necessary! Nobody needs to scroll through this again and again and again just to see something like "Hey, that looks good!" typed at the bottom. LOL!

 

My do-it-myself vinyl lettering install.
Designed by me, ordered online, and installed by yours truly...

(warning: LOTS of pics)

Temporarily tape with a small tab to line up vinyl. Measure from the bottom (straight) edge of the glass to the bottom of the text and once it is positioned properly, run a strip of tape along the top edge creating a "hinge"...

To make application easier, cut the long strip of lettering into smaller, more manageable sections between words, or letters...

Lift one section and peel off paper backing exposing the sticky side of the vinyl and transfer sheet...

Well, there it is. It took forever to finally get around to doing it, but I'm really happy with the finished product. It's not the design I had initially imagined, but it's a good compromise between design and practicality.
I'm planning on doing something on the side windows next.

I look like a legitimate LCO now instead of "some guy with a mower and a truck" and this can only help in gaining new clients.

Hope you enjoyed the show and for the love of God, if you quote this post, EDIT OUT whatever is not necessary! Nobody needs to scroll through this again and again and again just to see something like "Hey, that looks good!" typed at the bottom. LOL!

Hey that looks good

 

Looks great..If I may ask what did they rack you for something like that?

 

Looks great..If I may ask what did they rack you for something like that?

Thank you.

$65 (there may have been a small discount applied)
$10 Shipping
$75 Total

I could have saved ten bucks by ordering the sides at the same time (instead of paying shipping two times), but I wanted to be sure the color I chose was a good enough match to the truck color before ordering ALL of the lettering.

I initially went to a local (chain) sign place and found the color in a sample book, but the sample was a tiny sliver and hard to tell for sure how closely it matched. I told them that if we could find good match, I'd order ALL of my lettering/signs from them. He kept pushing another color on me that was clearly "silver" and when I pressed the issue, he admitted that he did not have the other color in stock and it would cost more to order it.

I contacted 696 Signs with a request for a sample of that color and they were kind enough to send me a piece about 4" square that gave me a better idea of how it would look - not perfect, but close enough for me. And they had it in stock. They won my business.

 

Hey that looks good

ROFLMAO. You're such a d!ck.

 

Dude, you convinced me to get some signage on my truck... Would you say the 696 signs place did a good job with shipping and also getting you exactly what you ordered?

 

Dude, you convinced me to get some signage on my truck... Would you say the 696 signs place did a good job with shipping and also getting you exactly what you ordered?

This was my first interaction with them. He (or a rep for the business perhaps) posts on another forum and that's where I heard about them. (not sure if he's on here or not)

My honest "review" is that the transaction was "average".
There was nothing bad to note, nor was anything particularly outstanding.

I ordered/sent my art file via email. I received an email apologizing for a delay. I received my vinyl rolled up in a box with instructions for installation as well as a tool (squeegee) to apply it. (I want to say it took a week to get it)

The delay was a result of a problem with the way I saved my file. They caught it and had to correct the file - nothing was "changed" - it is identical to what I sent. They just had to make a change in the way that part of the file was saved.

Communication was decent and when they initially sent my sample color, a woman called to let me know it was being mailed that day.

I'm willing to have more done and I may try a few of their t-shirts to wear for off-duty promotion, as they offer small quantity orders.

 

"Spring" 2014...

Heh. I actually forgot I had started this thread. Over a year with no entries.
I'll have to go through my files and post up some of the stuff from last season too, but for now, here's some new equipment for this season...

Brand new Stihl FS90R and some assorted supplies for the upcoming season.



3 year old trimmer meets new trimmer...

Last fall the original FS90R started acting up, so I decided to get a new one this spring and keep the original as a backup. I was considering looking at other brands, but decided to just stick with what I'm used to using. Any time I've used a different trimmer as a backup, it made for a long day because I had to adjust to a different trimmer. Now if one goes down, I just pick up an identical trimmer and keep on moving.
I could also mount the hedge trimmer attachment on the old unit and leave it set up as an extended reach trimmer.









That guard won't be orange for long...



I prefer the Echo Cross Fire string over the Stihl brand - it just lasts longer and cuts heavy stuff better.



The only thing I can find that's different is the gas cap and the loop handle has a slightly different shape and "dimples".

New equipment feels good. Even if it's just a trimmer.

 

I picked up a lightly used Echo HC-150 the other day.

I had planned on getting a better trimmer with more power and a rotating handle for ease of use, but I can wait until next season to get one.
This winter brought a lot of unexpected expenses and the final blow was about $1,500 in vet bills in about a month's time, eliminating the purchase of several pieces of handheld equipment I was planning to buy.

 

Great looking stuff man. One thing I love about your setup is you seem to really buy as you need and that's what I think so many people starting out need to see. Do you run a trailer at all?

 

Looking good buddy, hopefully you get the truck all ready to go, and than your good to go.
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Great looking stuff man. One thing I love about your setup is you seem to really buy as you need and that's what I think so many people starting out need to see. Do you run a trailer at all?

Thanks.

Yes, I have a small 5x8 to haul debris and/or my equipment.
I have my routes scheduled as "trailer days", or "truck days", and take whatever is needed that day. My hand held equipment all fits in the bed and that's where I put it whether I take the trailer, or not - keeps things consistent. I tried keeping some things in the trailer, but it screwed with my routine. The trailer is for hauling the mowers and gas can.

When I started out, I wasn't sure what to do about the cap on the truck. This was my daily driver prior to starting my business and I didn't really want to take the cap off because I still needed the truck for personal use as well.
A mower won't fit in with the cap, so my solution was to get a scooter carrier with a ramp. Some of the best money I've spent - it worked out perfectly. Lifting mowers is for suckers, and young guys with strong backs.
The Toro SR4 handle folds/locks in the upright position allowing the ramp to flip up. If I had another brand of mower (or Toro commercial mower), I'd have to pull it up backwards, and let the handle stick out the other side.

 

I was looking for lettering like yours. Can you tell me the letter sizes you used for your phone numbers, website , and your name. I like the look of yours and have a design in mind but text size is hard to judge on a computer.

 

Love the Ferris Mower.

I have a 48" like it and a fixed deck 61"!

 

Thanks.

Yes, I have a small 5x8 to haul debris and/or my equipment.
I have my routes scheduled as "trailer days", or "truck days", and take whatever is needed that day. My hand held equipment all fits in the bed and that's where I put it whether I take the trailer, or not - keeps things consistent. I tried keeping some things in the trailer, but it screwed with my routine. The trailer is for hauling the mowers and gas can.

When I started out, I wasn't sure what to do about the cap on the truck. This was my daily driver prior to starting my business and I didn't really want to take the cap off because I still needed the truck for personal use as well.
A mower won't fit in with the cap, so my solution was to get a scooter carrier with a ramp. Some of the best money I've spent - it worked out perfectly. Lifting mowers is for suckers, and young guys with strong backs.
The Toro SR4 handle folds/locks in the upright position allowing the ramp to flip up. If I had another brand of mower (or Toro commercial mower), I'd have to pull it up backwards, and let the handle stick out the other side.

That's a great setup man. I started out of the back of my truck with wooden ramps I made. Took a while to get my trailer.
What are your plans with the company?

 

I was looking for lettering like yours. Can you tell me the letter sizes you used for your phone numbers, website , and your name. I like the look of yours and have a design in mind but text size is hard to judge on a computer.

Sure thing. I know that it's tough figuring out what size you can make the lettering in order to be legible from a distance.
I don't recall if I mentioned it, but I wanted to keep the design small enough to still allow me to see behind me - I didn't want to block my view more than necessary. The tinted rear truck window AND tinted rear cap window cut visibility enough as it is. The design was also restricted by the mounting points on the back glass - I had to work my design around them which ruled out some other ideas I had.

Anyway, here's a pic and measurements. Hope it helps.
Keep in mind that the sizes will vary depending on the typestyle (among other things) used. I did this myself in Illustrator - I measured the window dimensions and simply set my layout up actual size, marking the exact locations of the mounting points, and worked with that.



"Oak Leaf" 28 x 5 (all sizes are in inches - this is AMERICA! )
"Lawn Service" 31 x 2 3/4
"phone" 23 x 2 1/2
"web" 21 x 1 1/2
"estimates..." 19 x 1 1/2
"PA#" 4 1/2 x 3/4

 

Love the Ferris Mower.

I have a 48" like it and a fixed deck 61"!

Thanks. I got it at a dealer about 30 miles away. No regrets - great mower - easy to operate.
Everyone going by seems to crank their necks trying to figure out what it is because around here everyone runs Toros. (Toro Dealer here)

That's a great setup man. I started out of the back of my truck with wooden ramps I made. Took a while to get my trailer.
What are your plans with the company?

Thanks. It is what it is and nothing more - gets the job done.

My plans are to just keep doing what I'm doing and grow as I go, then I'll sit back and ridicule anyone on LawnSite who doesn't fit my definition of a professional. I can hardly wait!

 

Thanks. It is what it is and nothing more - gets the job done.

My plans are to just keep doing what I'm doing and grow as I go, then I'll sit back and ridicule anyone on LawnSite who doesn't fit my definition of a professional. I can hardly wait!

Haha hey man no ridicule here. I'm only on my second year myself. Hope you have a good year.
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I was moving things around in the garage yesterday, so I dragged all of my gas powered equipment out for a "spring 2014" group photo.



I'm sure I'll regret showing this, but...

The homeowner grade stuff in foreground...
Craftsman hedge trimmer (red - in front of big mower)
Yard Man 4 cycle split shaft (black - shown w/1 of 2 extensions and pole saw attachment)
Ryobi 4 cycle split shaft (green - shown with garden cultivator attachment)
Assorted attachments for use on above (edger/string trimmer/2 hedge trimmers)
Craftsman 18" chain saw (red/black on right)
Craftsman hand held leaf blower/vac (black - background behind orange Echo blower)
(Toro 21" mowers seen in other pics are SR4 Super Recyclers - snowblower is Craftsman 26" w/elec start & power steering)



Blowers...
Echo PB-770T backpack blower
Echo PB-251 hand held
Craftsman hand held (actually not a bad blower - it's a backup now, but have never had a problem with it - I can't say the same about the Echos although they see more use)



Commercial trimmers and commercial attachments...
(Top down)

Stihl FS90R string trimmer
Stihl FS90R string trimmer with trimmer head removed and Stihl adjustable hedge trimmer attachment installed
Echo HC-150 hand held hedge trimmer
Stihl edger attachment

Partially shown - 2 Echo blowers



Echo HC-150 Commercial hedge trimmer and backup Craftsman hedge trimmer



Ferris CCWKAV1536 36" dual hydro
Mulch kit installed to eliminate side discharge.

 

We have the same Toro 21", where did you buy yours? We got ours 7 years ago when we bought out another company, best push mower we have ever used. It is perfect for the hills we mow, and it is super light weight compared to other mowers. Good looking setup!

 

How much did the ferris set you back...? Also, is it worth getting the dual hydro compared to the single hydro?

 

We have the same Toro 21", where did you buy yours? We got ours 7 years ago when we bought out another company, best push mower we have ever used. It is perfect for the hills we mow, and it is super light weight compared to other mowers. Good looking setup!

Local Toro dealer eastern part of Pittsburgh.
Light weight, hills, and ease of use are the main reasons I haven't gotten a commercial 21. I've considered it on multiple occasions because according to all the "real" lawn guys, "that's what I should have", but aside from durability, I'm not coming up with any other pros that make me want to give up all the things I like about the SR4.

 

Thanks Man, Planned on using yours for a base then printing it out and sticking it on my window for test I will be using the same company you did.