(08-31-2021, 09:09 AM)jagibelieve Wrote:

(08-30-2021, 07:39 PM)Jags Wrote: We usually only let them warm up in the winter and on the first lawn. The mower, I may let warm up in summer a bit but our route is super tight.  After that first stop of the day, there really isn’t much time in between stops for the equipment to cool down. When we had enlclosed trailers our equipment couldn’t cool down. Made for fun times trying to start them. Sweating more to get it started than running it.    If the route is tight that equipment is probably still warmed up before the fire it up. We use stihl and the bigger units they offer.  I started off with shindaiwa. Their slogan is/was “first to start, last to quit”. I found that to be not only a lie but pretty funny after I switched brands.  I’ll get 2-3 years out of my equipment by just doing the bare minimum.  Air filter/fuel filter/plug and grease if it’s not a blower.  2-3 years may not sound like much time when you buyit at 4-500+ /piece of equipment, but when in any given week that piece of equipment would have done what a homeowner would do in roughly 3.75 years if they mowed 40 times a year, I’m happy.  Especially when you factor in the amount it cost per lawn cut that it does. We use and abuse them, that’s for sure.   A couple pennies per  lawn depending on the equipment.  I’ve found blowers and edgers last the longest, that’s taking the mowers out of the equation.we’ll replace the mowers ever 3-4 years.  Better to sell off the old and have new ones than risk sitting one in the shop and being out a 8-13k piece of equipment.   String trimmers, yeah we tear them up.   The commercial warranty is half the residential warranty.  And I’m sure for that reason.  And yes, the right or “wrong” employee can cut a piece of equipment’s lifespan in half.  Or in a matter of months as I’ve experienced.  But being warm, our equipment has no issues being such. They were made to run all day and do a good job of it. 

Now, I have bought “residential use” stihl products in the past here or there as a backup.  And we killed them.  Quickly!

Having said all that, I think I’ve bought 5-6 new pieces this year alone. 370-500 a pop.   Sometimes it’s easier to buy a new piece when under the gun when one needs repairs.  I know mowing a lawn sounds easy on a singular basis.  On a business level, it’s not that easy.

I just bought a Stihl FS-111 trimmer last week for a bit over $400.  I got tired of killing "residential" class tools.

I don’t think you’ll regret that.  Should suit you fine.  I almost bought a 111 a few weeks ago.  Went to 3 dealers and couldn’t find the 131’s. Last place I went I told the guy I wanted the 111 since no one seems to have the 131.  He says hang on.  Comes back with 2 of them! Score!   Anything fc100 or higher will do what I assume you’re needing it for. You might even be able to put a small brush blade on that one.  

If your needing a blower, I recommend the BR-600.  A favorite amongst us as well seem to be an industry favorite from what I see from others.  Lightweight, super easy pull. Very nice anti-vibration.  It’s not the most powerful one out there.  But when I can blow a 2” rock up a curb and blow open an aluminum gate, I’d say it’s got enough [BLEEP].  I initially bought one years ago for myself.  It was my “old man” blower.  I can’t have nice things.  All the kids want your cool stuff. Now we’ve got 4 of them 

I still can’t find anyone with edgers.  But I try not to venture out further than I have to.

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(08-31-2021, 01:44 PM)enigma Wrote:

(08-31-2021, 01:35 PM)homebiscuit Wrote: Wait a minute, I thought that was the deal guys were shopping for.

That's what they think they get but in reality its probably more like:

A cheap date is temporary, herpes is forever.

I read that like one of those Zales/Kay commercials.

That reminds me of a Canadian show.  Guy said “I took a prostitute out to dinner.  I gave her my peas she gave me her peas.” 

I’m not sure I spelled that like they did in the script.  But that is how it was said.

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