Work and such

Tomorrow I am starting on a decent size grounds keeping project.
This time I am renting a trailer, well it is being rented for me to use.


It is a pair of lots with two duplexes on each lot. Grass cutting,
picking up dead limbs, raking up those dastardly balls the sweet gums
drop.

I tried to get my riding mower straightend out. No matter what I do I
can not get the mower deck to sit right from front to back. There is
supposed to be a 0"-1/2" difference from the front to the back. With the
front being higher.

The back sits about 2 1/2" higher then the front. Doesn't pick up grass
clippings that well.

I tried adjusting the level following the instructions in the manual but
no luck.

There are two adjusting bars, one on each side on the front of the
mower. I can not get the front of the deck to raise up any more. The
rods are maxed out. The back of the mower deck has no adjustment to fine
tune the height.

It is a older Murray riding mower if it helps any.

Anyway, I was asked what I wanted to do all this. I said $200. Guy that
owns the place said thats too little. That they had been paying $275. So
I agreed to that.

I was told they like my work so far. Thats a good thing.

Im not used to bidding jobs on my own. Ive always been payed a hourly
wage.

Sounds good! We had a hard time pricing our cleaning jobs too until we could estimate the time required better. Then we pretty much do an hourly charge.

Some mowers have one end of the mount with multiple holes. Might could level yours out. If you Google it you might find someone else had the same issue!

Wear sun-screen

Bill

Time to update this...

I ended up getting a leftover 2009 Exmark Lazer Z Advantage Series zero turn mower. 48" cutting path, 20 horse Vanguard engine. Marked down to $7999, further discounted to $6750, total out the door was $7222.

Also got a 6x12 single axle trailer.

Then a old walk behind edger off CL. $50.

Then the Ryobi trimmer/edger I have broke. Got a Redmax brand string trimmer. Pretty nice.

Pictures...

That Ex mark mower is made just down the road from me in Beatrice NE. Darn good mowers that will last a long time if you do your part. A buddy from down that way bought one several years ago and has loved it ever since he bought it. He does a lot of grounds keeping at the local little league feild and has a large acreage that he mows with it. He would buy another in a heartbeat if something happened to it.

Im really happy with the mower its self, but not so much the engine. Its had a oil leak develop on it and it is in the shop for the second time now. I dont even have 20 hours on the machine.

Looks like your all set up there Tim!! Those zero turn mowers are the best!! My dad has a Grasshopper mower and that thing will cover a bunch of ground in a hurry. It has a Kohler 24 HP engine. Not a spec of troble with it so far!!

I hope they get it fixed up for you.

Bill

Ok so now I am looking at getting either a 2010 or 2011 F250 diesel, 4x2 and auto.

Im getting a whopping 12.5 mpg pulling my trailer on a good day +-3000 lbs.

I know have access to a tractor to use for grading work and brush hogging. Weighs about 5500.

Im planing for future needs so this is why I am looking to go 3/4 ton diesel.

What do you guys think?

For doing a bunch of landscaping you may want to go with a 4x4. When you get a loaded trailer in dirt, 2wd just don't get it done.

Bill

I love having a 4x4! It's so nice when you are pulling a trailer and you get stuck. Just flip the switch and out you go. No more unhitching the trailer, pulling the truck out, then using the 4-wheeler to move the trailer away from the spot you got stuck in. (That's unloaded)

I'd wait and get one of those new F150 with the ecoboost v6 in a 4x4!

Thats alot of money to spend for a small business only towing 5500#..... I'd stick with a gas F150.

I agree w/Dave.Also ,if you buy a new expensive truck.All your profit will be going for a truck payment,for years and years.But,Thats just me,I hate payments.

how are these zero turn type mowers on step ground?are they any safer than the regular yard mowers?do they get stuck or spin easy when not exact level?i can do the mowing with a regular rideing mower but i need chains on the rear and you have to use body english on the real tough spots.i havent been able to talk with anyone who is useing them on anything other than semi flat ground.

I have a friend that paid alot of money for a Ferris,which is a good name brand one.He said it was great until he tried to mow the back yard which was pretty steep.He said he could'nt keep it from sliding. he had to sell it because most of his mowing was on a grade.

Mine does pretty good on hills. No real issues unless the ground is pretty wet.

As far as a truck...

Im seriously considering a 2011 F250 XLT Super Cab, long bed, diesel. Either a 4x4 or 4x2 with a locker. If things continue like they have been for the next 5 months I will probably then put my Ranger up for sale and have about a $8000 down payment saved up on top of that. Should be able to get my payments in the $550 a month range then.

I priced a 4x2 XLT like that out online at $40,200 list price.

Past two weeks I grossed $380 each week. I would like to continue that trend.