Adjustable throwing ports: This option is useful to adjust the spread pattern based on the type of material you are spreading and the size of the area.
Hopper: The hopper holds the material you are spreading. A large hopper has obvious benefits. Plastic breaks down and becomes weaker in the sun, but fiberglass does not. Stainless steel is another good option.
Rain cover: An indispensable option for rainy areas.
5.2 Hand Pruning Equipment
It is wise to invest in all the proper tools you need for trimming and pruning; using the wrong tool makes the job longer and will shorten the tool’s life. For example, using your hand snips to lop off a 1½-inch branch will take its toll, and you will soon be in need of new snips.
• Hand pruners. The fancy and most correct name is “secateurs,” but you can call them hand pruners or, simply, snips. A gardener without snips is like a carpenter without a hammer. You are not complete without them. Buy a pouch (scabbard/holster) for your pruners and wear it at all times. Felco is the king of professional pruners, and there are as many models as you can imagine uses. Your supplier should carry a number of models and can provide assistance in selecting one that suits you. Visit the Felco website for more information at www.felco.ch.
• Loppers. These are long-handled, heavy-duty snips for cutting larger material than your handheld snips can handle.
• Hand saw. Make quick work of medium-sized branches with a hand saw. A folding model allows for easy portability as you can put it in your pocket or pouch.
• Shears. Even if you have power pruners, you will find that there are certain things that look better when cut with shears. Shears are also good for smaller jobs. Long-handled shears can come in handy.
• Pole pruners. These are like loppers on a telescopic pole. It is good to have them in your truck in case you need to reach something a little higher.
5.3 Rakes
Rakes are like golf clubs. They look much the same, but there are small variations that make them very different. As you become more experienced, you will learn which rake is best to use in which situations. Here are a few tips:
• Fan rake. This is a must-have. The generic variety has metal tines and is a multipurpose tool. There are so many different types; the one you choose will depend on your personal preferences.
• Lawn rake. This rake is plastic with wide tines and is great for rough-raking lawns (i.e., after power raking) and raking leaves on the lawn. It also works well on pavement and curbs.
• Leaf rake. This is much like the lawn rake except it’s huge. If the leaves are dry and plentiful, a leaf rake is a good choice.
• Hard rake. It is good to have a hard rake for miscellaneous tasks. As with the fan rake, there are many varieties of hard rake with subtle differences.
• Landscape rake. This is basically a wide hard rake and is used to level soil in preparation for lawn installation.
• Top-dressing rake. A top-dressing rake is invaluable if you will be doing lawn renos or top-dressing.
5.4 Other Hand Tools
Here are a few other hand tools that you may find useful in your work:
• Scoop. Use a scoop to pick up the debris you have raked. A scoop is also good for fanning out top dressing.
• Cultivator/hoe. Use a hook, a claw, or some type of hoe to freshen up garden beds.
• Shovels and spades. At the very least you will need a pointy shovel for digging holes and a flat shovel (spade) for edging garden beds.
• Litter picker-upper. This is a handy little tool if you offer litter control as a service. The long-handled pincers save you from bending down constantly, and your back will thank you.
6. Ladders
The best type of ladder for landscape maintenance is a tripod or orchard ladder. These are much like a stepladder, except on one side there is just a single pole. This makes them maneuverable, as they can be put inside and over trees, shrubs, and hedges.
7. Snowblowers
If you live in an area where it snows a lot, you might consider clearing snow as a way to make money in the winter. You will first want a snowblower; then, as you build your business, you may consider adding a blade to your truck so that you can get bigger snow-clearing jobs (e.g., parking lots, roads, etc.).
The snowblower (sometimes called a snow thrower) is a walk-behind machine and is ideal for residential walkways and short driveways. There are various sizes with differing degrees of power. The equipment dealer from whom you purchase your lawn care equipment will probably be able to help you select a snowblower too. Once again, use the Internet to investigate what is out there so you can make an intelligent decision when you talk to your dealer. Consider these options:
Size and power: The size of the machine (the width of the auger) and the amount of power you want will depend on where you live and how much snow you expect to move. Choose from 24- to 36-inch blowers ranging from 7 to 13 horsepower.
Single or dual stage: Single-stage snowblowers, with an auger that shoots the snow directly out the discharge shoot, are not for professionals. The auger in dual-stage blowers ingests the snow from the walkway and then tosses it against a rotating impeller, which drives it out the discharge chute. Definitely choose a dual-stage blower.
Propelling method: All dual-stage snowblowers are self-propelled. Some offer tracks instead of wheels for demanding snow conditions.
Auger type: Consider a serrated auger if you think you will be tackling compacted snow and ice.
Best names: Toro, Honda, Ariens, John Deere.
There is a multitude of truck-mounted blades to choose from, depending on the application you have in mind. For example, there are light-duty plows that will work nicely on a smaller pickup truck (4x4 drive is strongly suggested for any truck-mounted plow). There are also heavy-duty commercial plows that must be mounted on full-sized 4x4 pickups or larger one-ton trucks.
To choose the right blade, your best bet is to investigate the offerings of the major suppliers by browsing their websites or visiting local dealers.
Best names: Fisher Snow Plows, Blizzard Plows, Western Plows, Meyer/Diamond.
8. Equipment Maintenance
Would you like your lawn mower to last one year or three or more years? Would you like your equipment to start easily each morning, or do you prefer to break a sweat yanking the pull start? Do you mind unexpected downtime as you rush to your mechanic in the middle of the day for a quick fix? Your answers to these questions should be obvious.
To keep your equipment running well, you need to treat it well and implement a regular maintenance program. Weekly checks and preventive maintenance will greatly increase your equipment’s longevity. Owners’ manuals don’t make the most exciting reading, but it is important to refer to them; at least read the parts about how to maintain your equipment properly.
Here are some other tips to get the most out of your equipment:
• Sharpen blades every day. Keep a lot of spare blades so that you have a healthy rotation. Do your actual sharpening once a week so you have a fresh supply of blades always ready to go. Keep one or two in the truck in case you damage one on the road.
• Change