Wow orange... afraid of the competition? Everyone makes mistakes dude, I'm sure you did too at one point and time before you became the "archangel of mowing".

Justin I will agree though that working for someone else would have been the better route to go. BUT... that's in the past. Let's deal with the present so you can get to the future. Also, just make sure that when you are turning you don't just "yank and bank" the drive handles to try to spin as fast as you can. Do 3 point turn arounds. Tears up less grass that way.

 

Justin, I think the very first thing I would do would be to sharpen and balance the blades (or get new blades if needed) and then follow the directions of the other posters. You'll learn from trial and error.
Stan

 

Wow orange... afraid of the competition? Everyone makes mistakes dude, I'm sure you did too at one point and time before you became the "archangel of mowing".

Justin I will agree though that working for someone else would have been the better route to go. BUT... that's in the past. Let's deal with the present so you can get to the future. Also, just make sure that when you are turning you don't just "yank and bank" the drive handles to try to spin as fast as you can. Do 3 point turn arounds. Tears up less grass that way.

Not afraid at all. I haven't made any mistakes so far because I went about owning and operating a legitimate business the right way. I studied, did research on equipment, talked to accountants and a few lawyers, got schooled by my brother-in-law who manages a 100mil a year lumber company. He helped me understand the business side to a point where I felt I was ready to go all in and open my company. I did so with new equipment that I bought so I could offer the services I wanted to start out with. It was paid off the second season because I had a business plan and a budget I had to stick too. All this and I managed to keep the mortgage paid, food on the table for my family and a much easier life to deal with.

I guess the only mistakes I've made was the first time I operated a ztr. I torn the grass some before I figured out "ON MY OWN" how to operate the thing safe and not tear up the grass.

 

Well crap, after doing this gig for over 30 years I just found out you can't mow at full speed.

Huh, wish someone would have told me that a long time ago.

No, you can't go full speed all the time. But you don't have to go slow all the time either. It depends on the lawn, the height of the grass, whether it's dry or wet, etc.

I have no idea what a Cub Cadet will or won't do, but some of these guys advice is ridiculous, some of it is OK and some of it is right on. Most of it is getting a feel for the mower and what it can and can't do.

As for mowing in circles, those ballparks with circles look pretty awesome. Besides, it beats the crap out of raking the whole lawn.

And orangemower, you haven't made a single mistake? Whether business related or the actual work? A manager of a lumber yard knows everything about the lawn business and prevented any and all mistakes. Wow, better watch out Donald Trump. That is truly amazing, that you have never made a mistake.

 

Well crap, after doing this gig for over 30 years I just found out you can't mow at full speed.

Huh, wish someone would have told me that a long time ago.

No, you can't go full speed all the time. But you don't have to go slow all the time either. It depends on the lawn, the height of the grass, whether it's dry or wet, etc. I agree completely with this.

I have no idea what a Cub Cadet will or won't do, but some of these guys advice is ridiculous, some of it is OK and some of it is right on. Most of it is getting a feel for the mower and what it can and can't do.

As for mowing in circles, those ballparks with circles look pretty awesome. Besides, it beats the crap out of raking the whole lawn.

I have never seen a ball park where they mow in circles in the same direction for every pass. Every single one I have seen where they made circles used alternating passes, which will not keep blowing the clippings in towards the center to make raking easier like the OP mentioned trying to do. Mowing in circles in the same direction until you reach the center of the lawn looks like crap when you are cutting grass that can and will stripe easily. Down south it may not matter which way you mow, but on northern turf it does, if you want repeat business.

And orangemower, you haven't made a single mistake? Whether business related or the actual work? A manager of a lumber yard knows everything about the lawn business and prevented any and all mistakes. Wow, better watch out Donald Trump. That is truly amazing, that you have never made a mistake.

I agree with being a little easier on the new guys. We all have/had to start and learn somewhere.

 

i think we should all just quit now and give orangemower our businesses

 

So that's the 19 HP 48 inch Cub you were considering buyin? I think slowing down will solve a lot of your problems. If you're moving full speed with that thing it's probably bogging down and slowing your engine and blades, causing lousy dispersal of the clippings.

 

i think we should all just quit now and give orangemower our businesses

No, that's OK. I have enough to keep me busy.

My point was that you don't just buy a mower you've never even tried to operate and actually cut a private residential property to "see" if you want to do this. That's totally the wrong way of going about it wouldn't you say? Sure I've made mistakes but I didn't dive into a empty pool either. I knew what I was up against before I even got a mower. I sat down and loaded the dining room table with papers stacked up with notes and other info that I felt I needed. I covered the entire spectrum of lawn and landscape maintenance so I was completely aware of everything I was up against. When the time came to start digging deep into the equipment I'd need, I didn't just buy something used to see if I wanted to do this for a living, I already knew I was going to do it and knew what my income potential was going to be BEFORE I bought any equipment. In other words, I knew what size I needed because of the area. So I then shopped around (and yes I did make a few mistakes) and "thought" I made a good choice and bought a Cub Cadet. Wrong. It was the worse choice I to this day have made for my business. I within a month had a Scag Tiger Cub with collection system, striping kit and some other stuff. I had to go over budget but the return on the first season of leave clean ups that I had gotten, paid for the bagger kit 2 times over.

I think you understand where I'm coming from. Nobody including myself is perfect but if you have a plan drawn out, and we both know the numbers don't lie, you have a MUCH high chance of success in the business. Wouldn't you agree?

I have a sun up to sun down day tomorrow so if I find this thread on Sunday I'll see if I can answer your questions that you might be concerned with.

 

I do agree completely with this statement. Everyone does start somewhere. Some higher up than others. Buying a ztr and experimenting on clients lawns to see if you like mowing for a living isn't necessarily the best way to get started. But everyone starts in different situations. You (orangemower) seemed to start in a very organized and financially prepared/knowledgable manner. Which I do respect greatly. But not everyone can start that way.

 

No, that's OK. I have enough to keep me busy.

My point was that you don't just buy a mower you've never even tried to operate and actually cut a private residential property to "see" if you want to do this. That's totally the wrong way of going about it wouldn't you say? Sure I've made mistakes but I didn't dive into a empty pool either. I knew what I was up against before I even got a mower. I sat down and loaded the dining room table with papers stacked up with notes and other info that I felt I needed. I covered the entire spectrum of lawn and landscape maintenance so I was completely aware of everything I was up against. When the time came to start digging deep into the equipment I'd need, I didn't just buy something used to see if I wanted to do this for a living, I already knew I was going to do it and knew what my income potential was going to be BEFORE I bought any equipment. In other words, I knew what size I needed because of the area. So I then shopped around (and yes I did make a few mistakes) and "thought" I made a good choice and bought a Cub Cadet. Wrong. It was the worse choice I to this day have made for my business. I within a month had a Scag Tiger Cub with collection system, striping kit and some other stuff. I had to go over budget but the return on the first season of leave clean ups that I had gotten, paid for the bagger kit 2 times over.

I think you understand where I'm coming from. Nobody including myself is perfect but if you have a plan drawn out, and we both know the numbers don't lie, you have a MUCH high chance of success in the business. Wouldn't you agree?

I have a sun up to sun down day tomorrow so if I find this thread on Sunday I'll see if I can answer your questions that you might be concerned with.

I do agree completely with this statement. Everyone does start somewhere. Some higher up than others. Buying a ztr and experimenting on clients lawns to see if you like mowing for a living isn't necessarily the best way to get started. But everyone starts in different situations. You (orangemower) seemed to start in a very organized and financially prepared/knowledgable manner. Which I do respect greatly. But not everyone can start that way.

Funny, I heard a competitor speak at a banquet last week who has been in business for close to 60 years now. Bought his mowers from his brother and was in the lawn business. Didn't know squat about the business though.

I'm not knocking anyone for doing their research, good for them. Great in fact. But I'm also not going to knock someone for jumping in headfirst and learning by experience. The real world is a far better instructor than any book or college.

 

I do agree completely with this statement. Everyone does start somewhere. Some higher up than others. Buying a ztr and experimenting on clients lawns to see if you like mowing for a living isn't necessarily the best way to get started. But everyone starts in different situations. You (orangemower) seemed to start in a very organized and financially prepared/knowledgable manner. Which I do respect greatly. But not everyone can start that way.

Funny, I heard a competitor speak at a banquet last week who has been in business for close to 60 years now. Bought his mowers from his brother and was in the lawn business. Didn't know squat about the business though.

I'm not knocking anyone for doing their research, good for them. Great in fact. But I'm also not going to knock someone for jumping in headfirst and learning by experience. The real world is a far better instructor than any book or college.

Both of you are right. I just hate to see guys just dive in without knowing what they are getting into.

I appreciate the respect as I DID do tons of research and lots of number crunching and got lots of headaches before I knew I could make it work.

No, my brother-in-law doesn't know the specifics on operating a lawncare business but he knows how to "manage" a large business and make that business very profitable. A whole lot of the same thing goes on in a large business as does in a small business. He helped me on the administrative side of things with numbers and how to manage the business by reading the numbers. He was a huge help. Had he not stepped in and helped I might have went a different route. Either way, thanks for understanding.

To the OP. He should step back and take his time. I realize everyone has to start somewhere. I just hate to see guys jump in not knowing at all what they are getting into. I do agree, on hands training/experience is the best you can get. Anyone can read a book and say they know "how to" ..... but have they ever done it?

 

Thanks to everybody that provided constructive advice with respect to eliminating some of the lawn clippings while mowing. I will try all of these techniques: Driving slower, getting new blades, etc in an effort to improve my lawn cutting experience.

I mentioned in my original post that I was thinking about getting into the biz. Many of you assumed that this is all I would be doing to earn income. The fact of the matter is I have a good full time job where I earn plenty of money. I am a bit of a workaholic though and I was looking for additional ways to make money; I also was hoping to teach my son responsibility in owning a business; oh and I love to drive those zero turns.

I thought this forum was an opportunity to learn from others who have learned some of these lessons already; not an opportunity for those who feel they know everything in the business to showcase their knowledge in disrespectful and a condescending manner.

Again, thanks to everyone who provided constructive advice. I'll let you know how things turn out.

 

Yes, this was the mower I was researching. In the end, I believe the cub cadet was better for me as I won't be cutting nearly as many lawns as most people on this forum. I saved quite a bit of money and love using it.

Anyhow, I'll figure this lawn clipping issue out. Especially with all the help from posters on this forum.

Thanks again guys.

 

Thanks to everybody that provided constructive advice with respect to eliminating some of the lawn clippings while mowing. I will try all of these techniques: Driving slower, getting new blades, etc in an effort to improve my lawn cutting experience.

I mentioned in my original post that I was thinking about getting into the biz. Many of you assumed that this is all I would be doing to earn income. The fact of the matter is I have a good full time job where I earn plenty of money. I am a bit of a workaholic though and I was looking for additional ways to make money; I also was hoping to teach my son responsibility in owning a business; oh and I love to drive those zero turns.

I thought this forum was an opportunity to learn from others who have learned some of these lessons already; not an opportunity for those who feel they know everything in the business to showcase their knowledge in disrespectful and a condescending manner.

Again, thanks to everyone who provided constructive advice. I'll let you know how things turn out.

I have a feeling you're directing this at my post. Owning and operating a business takes a lot of time invested just to "learn" how to do it. You going out and buying a mower to see if you want to do this isn't the best way to go about it. Now you think if "fun" to ride around on a ztr. It was more then 8 years from the time I "thought" about doing this to the time I had my business name and all the other things in order before I even got on a mower to demo.

 

Yes, this was the mower I was researching. In the end, I believe the cub cadet was better for me as I won't be cutting nearly as many lawns as most people on this forum. I saved quite a bit of money and love using it.

Anyhow, I'll figure this lawn clipping issue out. Especially with all the help from posters on this forum.

Thanks again guys.

Good luck, there's just about as many ways to get rid of clippings as there are mower brands. Many have been mentioned and are valid methods. But it also depends on the mower and conditions of the turf as well. Some are hard to explain via text based communication. At least for me.

You'll get it figured out. The one thing no one mentioned is if these clumps aren't all over, as in a few here and there, is walking it with a backpack blower and blowing them out.

 

Thanks to everybody that provided constructive advice with respect to eliminating some of the lawn clippings while mowing. I will try all of these techniques: Driving slower, getting new blades, etc in an effort to improve my lawn cutting experience.

I mentioned in my original post that I was thinking about getting into the biz. Many of you assumed that this is all I would be doing to earn income. The fact of the matter is I have a good full time job where I earn plenty of money. I am a bit of a workaholic though and I was looking for additional ways to make money; I also was hoping to teach my son responsibility in owning a business; oh and I love to drive those zero turns.

I thought this forum was an opportunity to learn from others who have learned some of these lessons already; not an opportunity for those who feel they know everything in the business to showcase their knowledge in disrespectful and a condescending manner.

Again, thanks to everyone who provided constructive advice. I'll let you know how things turn out.

I'm all for helping someone out. Here's where I feel different. Do you think the CEO of Burger King goes on a forum and asks the CEO of Mcdonald's if they should raise the price of their Whopper? Or should they add more items to the menu?

Once you figure out how to use the mower. I can slap money on the table and bet you'll be asking "how much would you charge" to cut this yard along with all the other things you should have already studied up on when it comes to operating a LCO.

 

I have a feeling you're directing this at my post. Owning and operating a business takes a lot of time invested just to "learn" how to do it. You going out and buying a mower to see if you want to do this isn't the best way to go about it. Now you think if "fun" to ride around on a ztr. It was more then 8 years from the time I "thought" about doing this to the time I had my business name and all the other things in order before I even got on a mower to demo.

Just drop it already. Congrats to you for doing the background work that not everybody does. It doesn't make either of you more right or wrong than the other.

Remember, the guy who started FedEx failed or got a C or whatever on his business plan for FedEx. As I said, experience is the best teacher there is. One can be book smart and street stupid. I know a bunch of business owners that are book dumb (one didn't graduate high school) and is street smart and has a bigger business than the majority of folks on LS. Not in this business either. I am friends with a guy who has a grade school reading ability, but can design and build a machine that will replace 3 or 4 steps using individual machines.

So again, congrats on your way of doing things, but that isn't for everyone. Don't denigrate others for not doing it your way.

 

You are hardly the CEO of McDonalds and I am hardly the CEO of Burger King so maybe you should check your ego at the door before you walk into a forum that is designed for people to help one another.

Also, I already told you that I will not be working full time on this type of business. I do quite well in the industry in which I'm working and don't need your advice on how to run a successfull lawn care business.

I simply posted a question on this forum with the intent to pick the brains of experts in the field of lawn cutting on how I can mow a small number of lawns in a more professional and efficient way. So pick up the money you placed on the table and move on to bother someone else.

 

So pick up the money you placed on the table and move on to bother someone else.

Try to be nice. You are the new guy here.

What state are you located in. It makes a difference in my answer.

 

Try to be nice. You are the new guy here.

What state are you located in. It makes a difference in my answer.

Yes, he is. And he asked a question nicely and was ripped apart by another relatively new guy with all the experience and paperwork in the world and has never made a mistake......wait, he has. Or he hasn't. Someone with over 1,000 posts in 6 months. That tells me a lot.

And you'll notice as well, that unlike a lot of newbies that don't like what they are told because it isn't what they want to hear, this guy listened and thanked everyone. He only told one other poster off, who has an attitude.

 

Why the drama? Dont we get enough of it during the week? Sheesh!

 

Yes, he is. And he asked a question nicely and was ripped apart by another relatively new guy with all the experience and paperwork in the world and has never made a mistake......wait, he has. Or he hasn't. Someone with over 1,000 posts in 6 months. That tells me a lot.

I just wanted to make sure it stayed nice. That other new guy is anything but a new guy.

 

I just wanted to make sure it stayed nice. That other new guy is anything but a new guy.

Registered in Dec of 2011. First post was in January. Since then, over 1,000 posts. Unless it is topsites using a new name. I haven't checked, is topsites still posting under that name? Some of these posts sound familiar.

And if you want it to stay nice, someone other than me needs to tell orangemower to leave it alone, although he seems to be now.

 

If the clippings are thicker on one side of the lawn when you cut the second time or even on the first cutting. Since most mowers discharge more then a passes width you can work the excess clippings towards that side. I call it "migrating the clippings"....pretty scientific stuff! good luck.

 

I'm in the Western New York area so the grass can be pretty thick at times.