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re: Mowing economics: How many times a year do you think you mow your lawn per year?
Posted on 8/19/21 at 9:34 am to Galactic Inquisitor
Posted on 8/19/21 at 9:34 am to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
I'll bite. What's the 1/3 rule?
The One-Third Mowing Rule
quote:
Many turfgrass professionals recommend the one-third rule, which states: Never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade height in a single mowing. Although widely known as a “rule,” it is more of a general guideline. The benefit of this rule lies more in regular mowing than it does in measuring and removing exactly one-third of turfgrass height. Regular mowing at the appropriate height can prevent scalping and reduce weed encroachment. In Louisiana, follow the recommended mowing heights (see table) per turfgrass species to promote a healthy, vigorous turfgrass.
This post was edited on 8/19/21 at 9:36 am
1
Posted on 8/19/21 at 9:54 am to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
Again, I'm 100% done dealing with gas-powered lawn equipment.
Just curious as to why.
I went battery for weed eater and blower, but will not go battery for mower. Main reason being they don't cut well when wet. There was a thread on the H&GB covering all this.
As to # of cuts a year, it depends on the type of grass you have. In florida when I had centipede, I could easily go every other week without cutting. At my current house I have a hybrid bermuda and have to cut twice a week at least during the summer months.
And all the paths you would have to weed eat around, you can always go with something like Roundup 365 to cut way down on your weed eating.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 10:03 am to Galactic Inquisitor
As I've mentioned before, I cut for hire in BTR as a solo operator. Here in South Louisiana, my non-irrigated biweekly (every other week) is March through November at 20 times / year but of course I charge more. Irrigated and weekly cuts are at 35-40 times / year. In the off season, and early spring, I'm doing leaf cleanups which still uses equipment and adds to the number.
When I'm servicing a suburban 1/2 to 3/4 acre yard, only about 25% of the time is running mower hours. Riding a mower is the fun part and everyone wants to do that. The other 75% of the time is spent on detail work, cleaning up, trimming, edging, blowing. My equipment reflects that, I have more $ in trimmers, edgers, blowers and leaf vacs than I do mowers. My estimating also reflects that, the acreage rarely dictates the price.
If you got a quote of $90 for 0.67 acre lot, you probably have a PITA yard with trimming and edging.
Your economics of cost of mower should mimic what commercial guys do for operating costs of a mower. Which is to include price of mower, consumables/maint (gas, oil, filters, lube, blades, belts, plugs, tires), and small amount of saving for replacement cost.
You don't need a $5k mower for 0.67 acre lot unless you are trying to keep up with the Joneses and see a mower as a toy, not a tool. Also, on a 0.67 acre, a $3-$4k ZTR is not going to net you much faster overall mowing time compared to a $2k lawn tractor.
When I'm servicing a suburban 1/2 to 3/4 acre yard, only about 25% of the time is running mower hours. Riding a mower is the fun part and everyone wants to do that. The other 75% of the time is spent on detail work, cleaning up, trimming, edging, blowing. My equipment reflects that, I have more $ in trimmers, edgers, blowers and leaf vacs than I do mowers. My estimating also reflects that, the acreage rarely dictates the price.
If you got a quote of $90 for 0.67 acre lot, you probably have a PITA yard with trimming and edging.
Your economics of cost of mower should mimic what commercial guys do for operating costs of a mower. Which is to include price of mower, consumables/maint (gas, oil, filters, lube, blades, belts, plugs, tires), and small amount of saving for replacement cost.
You don't need a $5k mower for 0.67 acre lot unless you are trying to keep up with the Joneses and see a mower as a toy, not a tool. Also, on a 0.67 acre, a $3-$4k ZTR is not going to net you much faster overall mowing time compared to a $2k lawn tractor.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 10:17 am to Galactic Inquisitor
But a 1500 dollar riding mower
Posted on 8/19/21 at 10:23 am to tigerinthebueche
quote:
If you have a kid, put his/her arse on the detail and make that a teachable moment.
When I was 10 years old we moved into a big 7,000 sq ft old plantation home that needed to be restored. The yard still had the big circle driveway out front and beyond that a large lot where sharecroppers homes once were. Still had a standing train depot from the 1800s in the yard where a railroad used to run next to the property.
Anyways yard was grown up about 2 ft tall when we started renovation on the house. It was 5 acres. My dad went to wal mart bought a 100 dollar push mower and told me “get to work son”
Fun times
Posted on 8/19/21 at 10:31 am to Chad504boy
quote:
The best cut is when you get that quick mow in 2-4 days after a cut.
Fact. I cut every 3 days, weather permitting on that 3rd day.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 11:38 am to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
If you got a quote of $90 for 0.67 acre lot, you probably have a PITA yard with trimming and edging.
My yard is an absolute PITA. I mentioned previously, but I have probably about 200 linear feet of flagstone/pea gravel walkways on the property that you have to trim both sides of. It's like trying to do your trim work with a 12 year old taking pot shots with his Red Rider.
quote:
You don't need a $5k mower for 0.67 acre lot unless you are trying to keep up with the Joneses and see a mower as a toy, not a tool. Also, on a 0.67 acre, a $3-$4k ZTR is not going to net you much faster overall mowing time compared to a $2k lawn tractor.
I used $5K because it's basically the nicest lithium ion mower on the market. There is a more traditional tractor type battery mower from Ryobi, but they use lead-acid batteries, which require more maintenance.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 11:39 am to PillageUrVillage
quote:
The One-Third Mowing Rule
Got it. I typically mow to 2.5 inches, anyway.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 11:58 am to Galactic Inquisitor
April through September I have to mow about every 4-5 days to keep it looking good. In the winter once a week at most. You could get a 52" cut Bad Boy for about $3800, that thing is a beast.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 12:41 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
I used $5K because it's basically the nicest lithium ion mower on the market. There is a more traditional tractor type battery mower from Ryobi, but they use lead-acid batteries, which require more maintenance.
I have an honest question as I've recently thought alot about battery lawn equipment. What are the repair costs and who, if anyone offers repair services for them when they shite the bed? Also can they be repaired or do you just replace them?
Posted on 8/19/21 at 12:47 pm to bj0969
quote:
I have an honest question as I've recently thought alot about battery lawn equipment. What are the repair costs and who, if anyone offers repair services for them when they shite the bed? Also can they be repaired or do you just replace them?
I have owned an Ego push mower, trimmer with accessories, and blower for 4 years and the only maintenance has been replacing trimmer line and sharpening the blade. I absolute love that I can get it out in the spring and not have any concern about it starting.
As for repairs, most of the riding mowers have a motor for each blade, so there are no pulleys to adjust/replace, etc. For the lead-acid options, you go from oil changes, plugs, carbs, etc to eventual battery replacements.
They are not really an option for lawncare companies, but I love it. Because of the size of my yard and the amount of trimming it requires, 2 batteries isn't quite enough, but getting a riding mower will take care of that part.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 2:49 pm to X123F45
[quote]36-45 per year. Few acres. 2.5 hours per mow.
There are only 52 weeks in a year, so unless you are mowing 2-3 times a week ( which you ain't ) you not even mowing 35 a year.
There are only 52 weeks in a year, so unless you are mowing 2-3 times a week ( which you ain't ) you not even mowing 35 a year.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 2:56 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
My yard is an absolute PITA. I mentioned previously, but I have probably about 200 linear feet of flagstone/pea gravel walkways on the property that you have to trim both sides of. It's like trying to do your trim work with a 12 year old taking pot shots with his Red Rider.
I have to refuse service if it gets too bad. At some point you can only tackle with maintain with chemicals. I almost offered blow torching on some of my accounts but Im not too experienced with it yet. That may be an option for you. Posted on 8/19/21 at 4:29 pm to AutoYes_Clown
Now, add in the fact that the previous owner added landscaping that blocked the 48" gate leaving only a 30" gate to get to the back, so you could only get a push mower to the big back yard. Definitely not an easy yard for a lawn crew
Posted on 8/19/21 at 10:37 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
With that tiny of a yard, wait till the end of the season and buy a Honda self propelled from Lowes for $200.
Posted on 8/19/21 at 11:23 pm to greenbean
Have you looked into the Husqvarna Automower?
Posted on 8/20/21 at 6:43 am to will1883
quote:
Have you looked into the Husqvarna Automower?
No sir, i have a 14 year old, so i won't have to actually worry about mowing again for another few years.
Posted on 8/20/21 at 6:55 am to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
disregarding my time and effort and looking at it purely economically,
I think I found the problem.
Posted on 8/20/21 at 8:17 am to Galactic Inquisitor
I understand paying somebody to spray weeds and fertilizer……it takes a decent amount of effort and education to figure out.
But I can’t comprehend paying someone to mow. If you want your shite to look nice you need to mow and mow often. Twice a week during peak growing season. Get yourself a small zero turn and use enthanol free gas. Electric mowers are not there yet. The cut quality is not nearly as good as gas.
But I can’t comprehend paying someone to mow. If you want your shite to look nice you need to mow and mow often. Twice a week during peak growing season. Get yourself a small zero turn and use enthanol free gas. Electric mowers are not there yet. The cut quality is not nearly as good as gas.
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