Need some equipment advice

tricitylawnenforcement · #1 11-06-2011, 06:46 PM

Hi all,

I am starting out next season (virginia) in a new business. Have decent equipment except for my mower. It is a 2 year old Craftsman yts 3000 (same person makes as makes Husqvarna AVP) cuts good and is in good order. I can get a practically new Cub Cadet ltx1046 for $1000 (14 hours). Looking at it from image point of view I am thibnking the Cub sittn on the trailer will look a little more legit/professional than the craftsman. Any pointers will help

Hedgemaster · #2 11-06-2011, 10:07 PM

Lawn care business tips

If you think that image is more important, just get a can of paint so nobody knows it's a Craftsman.

Use what you have until you can afford to upgrade. I started this season with all residential grade equipment - mostly Craftsman - and I now have a Stihl trimmer, Echo Handheld blower and Backpack unit that I purchased (all new) as replacements/upgrades to the original gear.

nickeckes · #3 11-07-2011, 01:35 AM

I started out with a old MURRY rider that i bought off a guy on craigslist, i used that for a year. . . looked like a POS but did the job. . .start out with what you have and upgrade when you can afford too. .

Steve · #4 11-07-2011, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Looking at it from image point of view I am thibnking the Cub sittn on the trailer will look a little more legit/professional than the craftsman.

This is a very interesting question.

Looking at it from a consumer's point of view, what do you think they would see and why? How would that effect their interaction with you?

tricitylawnenforcement · #5 11-07-2011, 09:30 AM

Well as a customer i can hire any kid with a mower to do it. but if i am looking at signing a contract i want the firm to look professional. when I look out on the trailer i wanna see equipment that looks like it will last the whole season of doing my lawn(and others). and from a business owner just starting out i wanna have any advantage I can over the 'fly-by-night' firms. I am also a police officer and in my experience when u look like u can do the job correctly and efficently .... it helps (think of the fat cop eating the donuts... perception IS reality to most people)

thanks

Mike

wandfsmall · #6 11-07-2011, 11:30 AM

I would save your money for when you can afford to get a mower that is commercial grade. The Cub that your looking at is not really any better then the mower you have.

Hedgemaster · #7 11-07-2011, 05:18 PM

A solid 80% of my clients are not home when I mow. They have no idea what equipment I use. The only people I'm going to impress with "good stuff" is the other landscapers who see me while I'm on the road and I'm not trying to impress any of them.

wandfsmall · #8 11-07-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

A solid 80% of my clients are not home when I mow. They have no idea what equipment I use. The only people I'm going to impress with "good stuff" is the other landscapers who see me while I'm on the road and I'm not trying to impress any of them.

I can see how running around with a nice truck and a commercial grade ztr would help you gain some customers. However a cub vs a craftsman is not going to make enough difference to warrant the money your talking about. Save your cash if you want to look like a pro and buy a good ztr or walk mower.

jasonw · #9 11-07-2011, 08:07 PM

Why is a police officer running around mowing lawns? I am sorry you all were thinking it, I just said it. Ok that being said F all that. I use ALL MTD stuff, mostly TB and my push mower is Bolens, they are all made by MTD. My truck is a 1996 Dodge, nice truck but by no means new, my trailer is a 10yo converted boat trailer. Its not about the size or color, its how you use it. My tractor is a 2009 TB and still runs and looks like new, just take care of your crap and it will last forever, if you go out trying to look "Legit" you will be out of business in 3 years for spending all your money on shinny new needless equipment. Steve, Can you please link the article you wrote about the rig I started with? I think that can help greatly here.

Hedgemaster · #10 11-07-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonw

Why is a police officer running around mowing lawns? I am sorry you all were thinking it, I just said it. Ok that being said F all that. I use ALL MTD stuff, mostly TB and my push mower is Bolens, they are all made by MTD. My truck is a 1996 Dodge, nice truck but by no means new, my trailer is a 10yo converted boat trailer. Its not about the size or color, its how you use it. My tractor is a 2009 TB and still runs and looks like new, just take care of your crap and it will last forever, if you go out trying to look "Legit" you will be out of business in 3 years for spending all your money on shinny new needless equipment. Steve, Can you please link the article you wrote about the rig I started with? I think that can help greatly here.

Top of my head? Because it pays better?

May not be the case here, but have you ever seen what police officers get paid? It's insulting.

"tricitylawnenforcement"... That's awesome. Is that your business name too?

Need some equipment advice

Starting a lawn care business.