Help a Brother Out - Quick Tips that Make a Difference

[bruces]

I bring several pairs of gloves as well ,and put them across my dash with the defroster going while driving so they are dry and toasty when required .

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by bruces I bring several pairs of gloves as well ,and put them across my dash with the defroster going while driving so they are dry and toasty when required . I place the pair I'm going to wear when I get out between my a$$ and the heated seat between jobs.

[CHEESE2009]

I put my pair of gloves in a place I forget, then go to the store and buy new WARM ones every time!

[Steve]

You know, I always wanted to get one of those portable refrigerator units but figured they wouldn't work worth a damn.

Do they really keep food nice and cool?

[CHEESE2009]

I think I'm the only one here who never packs a meal.

I spend a lot of gas just driving around procrastinating, and going the distance for restaurants.

I should really change my ways, LOL.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by Steve

You know, I always wanted to get one of those portable refrigerator units but figured they wouldn't work worth a damn.

Do they really keep food nice and cool?

I think we used it once for a long car trip just to keep cans of soda in and it did OK, but I have my doubts about it staying really cold if the car isn't running - like a parked car in the summer heat.

I mostly used it in the office because I hated my drink getting warm if I didn't drink it right away. Rather than going back and forth to the office fridge, I just kept it next to my desk.

The one I have (not the one in the photo) is just a "cheapie", so maybe a better quality one would work better.

[yourscape]

Originally Posted by Steve

You know, I always wanted to get one of those portable refrigerator units but figured they wouldn't work worth a damn.

Do they really keep food nice and cool?

I have been using one for the last 10 years; a suggestion is to freeze a bottle of water to help it out throughout the day. But yes they work pretty good except the cords melt at the plug but I replace them and cool still works.

[Hedgemaster]

Unless your phone takes REALLY good, high resolution photos, pick up an inexpensive camera to keep in your truck at all times!

I took a ton of pics last season with my cell phone - I thought I could use some of the before/after pics in my marketing material. Well, 90% of them are not good enough. They just aren't in focus the way they should be and now they are useless to me.

Don't miss out on getting that great pic that could be used to promote your business. Have a decent camera available.

[Hedgemaster]

If you react to poison ivy - be prepared!


I keep a "Poison Ivy Kit" in my truck. A few years ago I had a pretty bad reaction to poison ivy that I had unknowingly come in contact with while pulling weeds by hand. I never, ever want to go trough that again.

I carry the following items:

- A bottle of Ivarest for cleaning after possible contact.



Tecnu is a popular cleaner, but requires more effort/water to rinse. I like the Ivarest because it foams when you pump it and it seems to go a long way. It's also easy to rinse off, which brings me to the next item...


- Bottled water.



For rinsing the medicated cleaner/poison ivy oils off. I just take empty bottles and fill them with tap water and put them in the box for rinsing, or whatever else I may need it for, like washing hands.


- Paper towels/rag.



For drying off after washing.


- Ivy Block



I rarely use it because I hate the way it feels, but it's good to have handy just in case.




You guys that are immune to the stuff are lucky. I have to say that up until that bad case I had, I had never had poison ivy before. If you knew the hell I went through, you'd understand why I keep a box of supplies on hand. If I even think there was a CHANCE I had come in contact, I wash up as soon as I finish the job. I had a mild case on my legs and forearm last year after hitting some with the trimmer, but I think that by washing often, I prevented a serious case of misery.

[CHEESE2009]

I grew fond of the stinging sensation of poison ivy.

As for always keeping a camera handy, I agree. I always friggen forget!

We can even do little competitions, "Take a picture of where you pee on the clients lawn when you really gotta go, best place wins".