My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs. I need advice on purchasing a
mower for average sized suburban yards. I assume I need a ride-on
mower if I expect to mow a large volume of lawns, but I don't know
what I should get. Is a tractor better then a rear-engine mower???
Also, Toro has zero turn radius mowers. Please help me.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCa...ry/HO_RLE.html

PS. What brands/models would you recommend for a weed whacker, &
blower.

P.P.S. What is a general good price to charge if I cut, bag, weed
whack, and clean up sidewalk clippings for an average lawn?

I know I should just ask the competition, but I figure alot of people
don't shop around for lawn mowing companies, and I might be able to
charge more for person who lives in a richer area. How much do you
think a person would be willing to spend?

"Derrick" wrote in message
om...
My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs. I need advice on purchasing a
mower for average sized suburban yards. I assume I need a ride-on
mower if I expect to mow a large volume of lawns, but I don't know
what I should get. Is a tractor better then a rear-engine mower???
Also, Toro has zero turn radius mowers. Please help me.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCa...ry/HO_RLE.html

PS. What brands/models would you recommend for a weed whacker, &
blower.

P.P.S. What is a general good price to charge if I cut, bag, weed
whack, and clean up sidewalk clippings for an average lawn?

I know I should just ask the competition, but I figure alot of people
don't shop around for lawn mowing companies, and I might be able to
charge more for person who lives in a richer area. How much do you
think a person would be willing to spend?

If your really serious about it not just "going to try it" then either
Ferris, Swisher, Toro or Cub Cadet for a good Zero turn rider. (unless
the areas are real hilly then your going to want a tractor) For the
large lawns. For smaller lawns or gated areas you will want a good push
mower as well. Makes no sense getting a big machine off the trailer for
a little strip of grass.

Ferris- http://www.ferrisindustries.com/
Swisher- http://www.swisherinc.com/riding_mowers.html
Toro- http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/index.html
Cub Cadet- http://www.cubcommercial.com/BrandHome.jsp

Weed trimmers and blowers I say Stihl for both, simply because they are
hard to beat for reliability and versatility.

http://www.stihlusa.com

Pricing is dependant on two things for me size of yard and amount of
work done. I don't care if they are rich or poor they get the same
service for the same price.

Oh and to throw in another item, if your going to do lawns what do you
plan to do when there is snow on the ground? I also do snow removal and
sand/salting in winter, again price depends on area and service
rendered.
That is where planning in advance helps you out, Your going to need a
truck and trailer to haul the lawn gear anyway, might as well set it up
as a plow / tow truck from the start. Buy a good tractor and blower with
cab, a good walk behind for sidewalk and narrow areas. Plows are great
in open areas that have room to push snow out of the way but a blower
wins hands down in most cases.

Steve W.











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"Derrick" wrote in message
om...
My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs. I need advice on purchasing a
mower for average sized suburban yards. I assume I need a ride-on
mower if I expect to mow a large volume of lawns, but I don't know
what I should get. Is a tractor better then a rear-engine mower???
Also, Toro has zero turn radius mowers. Please help me.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCa...ry/HO_RLE.html

PS. What brands/models would you recommend for a weed whacker, &
blower.

P.P.S. What is a general good price to charge if I cut, bag, weed
whack, and clean up sidewalk clippings for an average lawn?

I know I should just ask the competition, but I figure alot of people
don't shop around for lawn mowing companies, and I might be able to
charge more for person who lives in a richer area. How much do you
think a person would be willing to spend?

If your really serious about it not just "going to try it" then either
Ferris, Swisher, Toro or Cub Cadet for a good Zero turn rider. (unless
the areas are real hilly then your going to want a tractor) For the
large lawns. For smaller lawns or gated areas you will want a good push
mower as well. Makes no sense getting a big machine off the trailer for
a little strip of grass.

Ferris- http://www.ferrisindustries.com/
Swisher- http://www.swisherinc.com/riding_mowers.html
Toro- http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/index.html
Cub Cadet- http://www.cubcommercial.com/BrandHome.jsp

Weed trimmers and blowers I say Stihl for both, simply because they are
hard to beat for reliability and versatility.

http://www.stihlusa.com

Pricing is dependant on two things for me size of yard and amount of
work done. I don't care if they are rich or poor they get the same
service for the same price.

Oh and to throw in another item, if your going to do lawns what do you
plan to do when there is snow on the ground? I also do snow removal and
sand/salting in winter, again price depends on area and service
rendered.
That is where planning in advance helps you out, Your going to need a
truck and trailer to haul the lawn gear anyway, might as well set it up
as a plow / tow truck from the start. Buy a good tractor and blower with
cab, a good walk behind for sidewalk and narrow areas. Plows are great
in open areas that have room to push snow out of the way but a blower
wins hands down in most cases.

Steve W.











-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
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In article ,
Derrick wrote:
My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs.
[lots of questions omitted...]

You should ask these questions at http://www.lawnsite.com. Lots of
pros hang out there, and I think you'll learn a lot.

In article ,
Derrick wrote:
My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs.
[lots of questions omitted...]

You should ask these questions at http://www.lawnsite.com. Lots of
pros hang out there, and I think you'll learn a lot.

In article ,
Derrick wrote:
My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs.
[lots of questions omitted...]

You should ask these questions at http://www.lawnsite.com. Lots of
pros hang out there, and I think you'll learn a lot.

"Derrick" wrote in message
om...
My name is Derrick, and I am thinking of starting up a yard care
service in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs. I need advice on purchasing a
mower for average sized suburban yards. I assume I need a ride-on
mower if I expect to mow a large volume of lawns, but I don't know
what I should get. Is a tractor better then a rear-engine mower???
Also, Toro has zero turn radius mowers. Please help me.

Derrick,

Since you are going to be using it for commercial purposes, you really need
a commercial grade lawn mower. Look around at professional lawn maintainers
and you'll see most of them use very high-end commercial products. Toro,
Snapper, and John Deere residential products are designed to be used for
about 16-20 mowings per year. You might be doing that many in 2 days.

PS. What brands/models would you recommend for a weed whacker, &
blower.

I've used several different gas trimmers. Presently I have an Echo 2400cc
model which I've used for the past 8 years on my 1/2 acre lawn. It still
runs just as good today as the day I bought it and it does an excellent job.
In my area most of the commercial lawn people use Echo trimmers. What you
want to look for is a model that handles larger sized line. Mine takes .095
which is a good size. I load it once with line and it lasts almost all
season. I also have an Echo blower which I like, but if you are going to
use one commercially, you'll want a backpack model.