Shooting for the Green

Getting a Smart Green Start with Outdoor Power Equipment
By Kristen Delaney

Everywhere you turn these days, there’s something new being constructed. New subdivisions, new athletic centers, new office buildings and new retail complexes. As these structures rise amidst huge piles of dirt from behind silt fences, everyone usually looks forward to the day when the construction equipment falls silent and developers turn to the landscaping of the properties.

Without question, a little green goes a long way in bringing tranquility and aesthetic beauty to brick, concrete and waves of asphalt, especially in urban environments. Let’s not forget about existing properties where regular grounds upkeep is just as important. New, old and anywhere in between, commercial properties call for attractive landscaping that’s properly maintained.

Enter the grounds professional, always eager to provide that sought after turn-key solution to the installation and maintenance of the grounds. In any given city, it seems that there are almost as many commercial landscaping outfits as there are coffee shops. Maybe not that many, but there are quite a few companies out there that rake in the dollars by beautifying green space. The successful teams know the most important tricks of the trade; chiefly, that the right tools for the job help save time and money. Before heading outside, take a hard look at the power of the purchase: knowing how to stock an outdoor power equipment arsenal with the latest generation of landscaping machinery and tools.

"When it comes to commercial landscaping, practitioners should concentrate on investing in three fundamental equipment types: the tiller, the trimmer and the lawnmower," says Clay Yeatman, senior engineer at Honda Power Equipment. "Achieving beautifully landscaped property starts with the sensible and skilled purchase of outdoor power equipment, specifically tillers and trimmers. By extension, the buyer should do some homework, knowing that there are many makes and models available with countless features and benefits."

The Tilling Kind

When it comes to blazing paths, especially for new landscape installations where the ground can be hard or rocky, landscape professionals know that the job usually starts with tilling. A tiller actually acts like a power shovel — but unlike a shovel, this piece of power equipment quickly breaks up compacted soil and preps holes for planting.

"Tillers work well for home garden cultivating as well as for deep earth turning in industrial landscaping," says Yeatman. "Ideal for pre-planting ground preparation, today’s models are designed and manufactured in three main types — handheld lightweight and portable mini-cultivators, rear-tine machines for medium-sized areas and front-tine tillers for heavier-duty jobs."

Choosing the right tiller depends on a number of factors. What’s most important to remember is that the size and type of job are directly proportional to the size and power of the tiller. Start by measuring the square footage of the area to be tilled, as well as the grade and hardness of the soil. For instance, a lightweight, maneuverable tiller with a tilling width of approximately 9 in. is ideal for cultivating in several small beds or plots where operation close to plants and other structures would likely be the case. Bigger jobs, such as prepping soil to lay sod or creating a bed for the first time, require a reliable, powerful earth-churning machine with extra size, durability and strength.

"The advanced, heavy-duty design of a rear-tine tiller with a tilling swath of 20 in., for example, meets the extreme durability requirements of commercial and rental consumers," says Yeatman.

Different tiller models come with a multitude of features and benefits that are useful for various aspects of a given job. Depending on the model, many rear and front-tine tillers are designed with multi-speed transmissions and have drag bar operation, as well as adjustable tilling heights or depth stakes that help the operator adjust to the level of earth. In addition, tillers often incorporate edgers, aerator tines, dethatchers, tine extensions and furrow attachments.

"Each of these items can alter the depth, appearance and width of the sections of earth being cultivated or cleared," offers Yeatman.

"Tillers range from about $300 to $3,000. Regardless of cost, a tiller is an investment and landscape professionals should select carefully to make the most of their purchase," says Yeatman. "In surveying the available options, landscapers should consider ease of starting, low emissions, high fuel economy and simple, quiet operation."

A little common sense in purchasing the right tiller goes a long way. Before leaving the dealer or retail outlet with any new earth-moving companion in tow, be sure to purchase the correct safety equipment. When operating a tiller, for instance, it is essential to wear eye protection and gloves for safety.

The Right Cuts for the Right Lines

No matter the expanse of the area — whether an entrance to an apartment complex or a park next to an office building — every green space looks better with manicured borders and clean lines. That’s why string trimmers and stick edgers for commercial and residential applications are always an integral part of any landscape artisan’s power equipment collection.

In most markets, string trimmers/brushcutters and stick edgers range from $300 to $500 and are often used in residential and industrial applications to clear thick grass or brush. In short, the difference between these two machines is vertical vs. horizontal.

"Trimmers are ideal for horizontal cutting challenges presented by grasses and weeds that grow around walls, fences, shrubs, trees and mailbox posts where lawn mowers can’t reach," Yeatman explains. "The stick edger is the popular choice for producing deep, vertical cuts along hard surfaces, planting bed lines, driveways and walkways, and it is ideal for preventing the unsightly creep of aggressive grass varieties."

In surveying the different trimmer models on the market, it’s important to know that the engine powering a trimmer actually drives most of the differences in technology among models.

"The ability of an engine to operate in a 360-degree inclinable orientation is very important to the overall ease of the trimmer’s operation," says Yeatman. "In addition, a trimmer or edger incorporating a four-stroke engine design is inherently quieter, virtually smokeless, more fuel-efficient and produces considerably less vibration than most two-stroke engines. Unlike the two-stroke engine, it requires no special gas and oil mixtures, so there’s never a chance for improperly mixed fuels."

Getting the right cut also starts with selecting a trimmer or edger that offers commercial landscapers a number of technologically-advanced elements that contribute to ease of use, dependability and most importantly — a precise cut.

For example, many new trimmers incorporate multi bearing-supported, hardened steel shafts housed in an aluminum tube with a centrifugal clutch. Not to mention, a final drive through bevel gears, an electronic ignition with primer systems for quick, reliable starts and an advanced anti-vibration system that isolates controls from engine vibration to deliver the most accurate cut possible.

While most trimmers and edgers come fully equipped with all the necessary tools for operation, buyers should check to be sure that the model is sold with the proper safety equipment for operation. The use of a safety harness and eye goggles are key to safe and efficient trimmer and edger operation. The equipment keeps crews safe, healthy and on the job.

And Then There’s the Mowing

Where there’s green space, there’s generally grass, and where there’s grass, a walk-behind lawnmower isn’t too far behind. For the commercial landscaper, the right lawnmower plays a significant role in grounds upkeep, so the selection of the right model for the job is paramount.

The many walk-behind mowers on the market today offer a variety of choices to suit both residential and commercial mowing needs, versatility and convenience. It should come as no surprise that walk behind mowers ― manufactured with a variety of transmissions, drive trains and mulching technologies that differentiate one model from another — can range anywhere from $400 to $2,000. The selection of the proper lawnmower starts with sizing up the area to be maintained.

"There’s a direct correlation between the square footage to be mowed and the cutting width required in a lawnmower," says Yeatman. "For example, a lawnmower with a 20 in. to 22 in. cutting width is the right choice for a lawn that’s less than a 1/2 acre. If the area is greater than a 1/2 acre, start with a model with a cutting width that’s at least 21 in."

Another important factor to consider is the type of terrain in question. Knowing whether the area is flat or hilly, rough or relatively smooth, dictates whether or not the lawnmower should be self-propelled, should have higher wheels, or should have a rear or side bagger.

No matter how you cut it, properly maintaining a lawn has everything to do with environmental responsibility. As regulations continue to tighten on disposal of grass clippings, savvy landscape professionals know that a lawnmower’s performance is just as important as deciding when to bag or mulch.

"Mulching is a cost effective and environmentally sound part of mowing. Because mulched clippings return natural nutrients to the lawn, they reduce the need for expensive chemical fertilizers," says Yeatman. "Mulching also helps maintain moisture in the soil, extending the time between waterings."

This most definitely is food for thought when it comes to a landscaping company’s operational expenses. Mulching diverts valuable grass clippings from landfills, reduces the volume of waste and can save money for landscape companies in municipalities that charge extra to landfill yard waste.

Bagging is occasionally necessary, particularly when grass is too wet or high. The most economical choice is a model that can both mulch or bag or even mulch and bag simultaneously, depending on the scenario. When it comes to bagging, it’s important to know that blade configuration has everything to do with how tightly grass clippings can be packed in a single bag.

Depending on the model, lawnmowers offer a number of other technologically-advanced features that help a landscape professional work quickly and safely. Honda, for example, offers a blade brake clutch system on many of its models that allows the operator to quickly stop blade operation without stopping the mower. A clutch system like this allows the user to pass over sidewalks, driveways and even empty the grass clipping bag without wasting time to stop the mower.

How about whether or not the lawnmower incorporates an ergonomic design?

Increasingly, ergonomic industrial designers are creating functional, comfortable and easy-to-use products inclusive of outdoor power equipment.

"Lawn mowing should be as productive and effortless as possible. Productivity suffers when the operator has to constantly grip the handlebars to increase speed, adjust a jerking mower on an incline or wrestle to maneuver it onto a truck or into storage," says Yeatman. "With ergonomics in mind, be sure to take a close look at the lawn mower’s transmission and how easy it is to operate the model at a variety of speeds without fatigue."

"Tilling is the first job. Once the ground is cultivated and the plants are in the ground, edging first, followed by trimming and then mowing allows for quicker cleanup. Because clippings are picked up and mulched along with the grass clippings while mowing, the result is reduced raking and bagging."

Purchasing the right equipment for the job saves today’s landscape pro time, money and energy — and produces a perfectly groomed green space to satisfy the commercial customer and those who live and work in the area.

Kristen Delaney is manager of marketing and product planning, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. in Alpharetta, Ga.