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[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve Andy, How does cutting speed factor into this? How do they compare and is this an important issue? The X749 is just as fast as my ZTR 997, I watch speed, I will not allow my staff to go full speed on any lawn, to me, and again this is just my personal opinion and based on customer comments, go med speed, do good work as people are watching. I see ZTR's on site and they are flying, more power to them, clients you know actually do not care for this even if it's not their property, don't take it from me, this is feedback from talking to customers and I have to agree. We picked up another mowing contract yesterday, why?? Mowing season is finished.....the company that was doing this ladies place didn't wear safety gear and she said they had removed the guide from the trimmer, she was upset by this and didn't want them on her property.

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Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

I have advertised services a few people asked about and it was a flop, didn't cost me a dime, I suppose if one was still unsure you could rent the equipment for a few jobs. This is interesting because I am sure a lot of readers find themselves buying equipment first and then advertising for the service. What services do you feel were a flop? Mowing season is finished.....the company that was doing this ladies place didn't wear safety gear and she said they had removed the guide from the trimmer, she was upset by this and didn't want them on her property. This is a fantastic lesson! I bet many don't consider this to play a factor in whether they will be rehired or not in the next season. No home owner wants a contractor hurt on their property. Those that show safety comes first, project professionalism. Those who don't look like amateurs. No one wants to hire an amateur.

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[lawncrafter56]

I couldn't agree more Andy with your experience of showing concern about mower speed & safety detail. It just looks so much better
My mower carries a pair of fire extinguishers on the roll over bar.
An attention getter as some have noticed. along with eye & ear protection and the most important item of equipment to me are the dust masks that I wear when ever temps allow while mowing and shredding as chemical applications could be hot for days..
had a dear friend who was a weed chemical applicator in the yard and property biz for many years..he died several years back from a cancerous tumor he felt was from his occupation.
Attention to details along with wanting to be the best has only helped me stay booked all summer

[Steve]

My mower carries a pair of fire extinguishers on the roll over bar.

I'd love to see a picture of your setup!

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

I'd love to see a picture of your setup!

Me to!!!

As most of your know 90% of my staff is University students, to help them out I buy all the safety gear including boots, if you are on a tree crew you also get safety pants and we have a discussion, there is no second chances with my company, if I catch anyone of my employees on a site without safety gear on for the job, you no longer work for us.

The guys know I am serious, I have never had an issue.

I personally found it interesting this lady noticed this about her previous provider, very, very few people would take notice and many would not even care.

[lawncrafter56]

No need for fire prevention today, it's pouring with rains forecasted for the area till the weekend, much need but very untimely for leaf pickups. I will get some pics up soon as the weather clears just a little when time permits. I buy fire extinguishers at garage sales, auctions and now buying the new disposables available at the big box like stores. I Velcro them on to the ROPS, then wrap a couple of rounds of electric tape to hold them in place until possible use. They strip off easy when needed. Several are also carried in my trailer and pull truck, I keep them at home also. Considered life savers...Often have I have thought they could some day be of importance in a roadside emergency.

[Steve]

you also get safety pants and we have a discussion

I would think there are a lot of topics one would need to cover as far as safety goes, not only for operating mowers but for tree services as well. How do you make sure you cover all the issues you want to go over with the new employees?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

I would think there are a lot of topics one would need to cover as far as safety goes, not only for operating mowers but for tree services as well. How do you make sure you cover all the issues you want to go over with the new employees?

This is just about what put me under stress wise in May as we were growing to fast and I didn't have anough people trained up however, I worked with every new employee for at least one week, that is now about two days as I have people in place that know their job well and know what I expect and how to train new people.

[Steve]

How do you go about making sure the new employees are trained on specific topics? Do you keep a check list the crew chief has to check off one by one as they go or what would you suggest to be the best way to do this?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

How do you go about making sure the new employees are trained on specific topics? Do you keep a check list the crew chief has to check off one by one as they go or what would you suggest to be the best way to do this?

I wouldn't say we have a check list per say but there is one very experienced top quality result person on each site, they are responsible for the job and ensuring the staff helping them work towards those results.