Maintaining industrial landscaping equipment and tools requires a long-term commitment. But proper maintenance of industrial-scale landscaping tools cuts down the expenses and improves longevity. In fact, professional landscapers concur that continuous maintenance of equipment and tools is essential to run a successful business.

On the surface, maintaining complex industrial landscaping tools can come across as overwhelming. But a strategic and systematic approach will help you maintain your industrial landscaping components for a long time. Cleaning the equipment is probably the first thing that may have crossed your mind.

But in the past few years, industrial landscaping tools and equipment have become quite expensive. So, it makes sense to learn about best practices and standards that would allow you to maintain your industrial-grade lawn equipment safe.

Let’s dive into the essential guidelines to maintain your industrial landscaping equipment:

Adopt a Regular Cleaning Routine

Yes, cleaning your industrial landscaping tools on a regular basis matters the most. Think of the regular cleaning routine as a foundation to maintain your industrial landscaping tools. Your equipment is almost always in need of a proper clean-up, oil refill, and sharpening of blades.

You may not be aware of it, but industrial landscape professionals count on robust and reliable tools every day to perform a wide range of lawn care services. When it comes to adapting a cleaning routine, most industrial landscape companies try to go the extra mile.

For instance, you should establish proper replacement schedules and as well as maintenance routines for your equipment and tools. Simultaneously, keep an eye on recent maintenance and cleaning issues that might endanger or compromise the safety of your crew.

Why Cleaning and Tidying Your Tools Matters?

Following a regular cleaning routine will keep your team safe, increase work hours, and would foster a professional work environment. When it comes to maintaining landscaping tools clean, most operators require the crew to get rid of the debris before and after reloading on the site.

The cleaning process doesn’t have to be too complicated. Essentially, cleaning and tidying up tools offers landscape professionals an opportunity to inspect the equipment and look for potential issues.

Air Filters

A clogged or blocked air filter in an operational engine can lead to carbon buildup over time. In an ideal world, you should clean or replace your air filters to decrease dirt indigestion and improve air circulation. You should also keep a proper maintenance log of all your tools and keep an eye on machines that require immediate clean-up or replacement of air filters.

Also, not all air filters are the same. In fact, different applications require different types of air filters. You can consult with the dealer to figure out your needs. For the sake of convenience, you can also buy an extra filter along with the new filter.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that industrial landscape equipment under heavy use becomes susceptible in a dusty environment. So, if you had a busy season, make sure to conduct air filter inspections each week. Look for the saturation from fuel or oil and visible tears that require immediate replacement.

Blades

It is no secret that the sharp blades render the most manicured and healthiest lawns. But it takes some effort to maintain balanced and sharp blades. In fact, this maintenance practice determines the longevity of your machine.

Remember that unsharpened blades can result in added stress to edginess belts, gear boxes, spindles, clutches, and pulleys. An unbalanced blade can also create abnormal vibrations that might damage the gear box or spindle. In hindsight, if you want to prevent massive damage to your deck components, make sure to keep sharp blades.

Don’t Compromise on the Oil

The fact of the matter is that the engine cycles of your equipment items like trimmers and blowers are not permanent. In fact, these machines need a mixture of fuel and oil for lubrication. With insufficient oil lubrication, you may compromise the landscaping operation onsite.

In some cases, a high mixture of fuel and oil can also damage the equipment and reduce longevity altogether. In any case, you should follow the lead of professional landscapers and use a good sum of oil. This blend will help you save costly landscaping mistakes down the line.

In layman’s terms, less amount of oil in the machine leads to lubrication failure. And lack of lubrication may require a short block or engine replacement of the machine. In fact, this type of repair can cost up to $1000. So, change the machine’s oil after every 50 hours of use.

Reserve a Dedicated Place for Every Tool

It often takes years for industrial landscapers to transition to trucks from traditional trucks. But once you settle down in a space, you need to provide support to your crew. Think of it as a process and create and devise a specified spot for each landscaping piece of equipment and tool.

For instance, you can install a rack to provide added support for the trimmer that might be loose. It would ultimately hold it all together during transport.

Box Up Your Landscaping Equipment

It is easy to get used to the view of landscaping trailers and trucks moving around towns. Ideally, your crew should operate outside of your trailer or truck. It is a self-sustaining shielding mechanism that saves expensive equipment like mowers from road spray, snow, and rain.

When the essential equipment is locked in a secure spot, it decreases the chances of accidents. Plus, it allows you to convert from truck to trailer and improve parking visibility.

Tire Pressure

If you’re new to industrial landscaping, you may forget about tire pressure and levels. It is an essential maintenance aspect and requires professional landscapers to keep an eye on correct levels of tire pressures and improve the performance onsite.

It is also an effective way to minimize tire flats and tire wear for an extended period. But when it comes to mowers, an inflated tire can enhance the cut quality. Nonetheless, tire pressure is vital to check your deck level. On one side if there is a low tire, it would impact the quality and cutting level.

Belt Condition

Of course, belts are inexpensive but don’t equate inexpensiveness as a permanent solution. After all, belt condition over time is bound to deteriorate and that can cost a lot of downtimes. Consequently, it may force you to take more than one trip to an expensive service facility.

The best solution is to keep multiple belts in your trailer or truck. The instant access to more than one belt means your team can just put it on the site without halting the landscaping operations.

Lubrication

High-powered industrial landscaping components like wheel bearings and blade spindles are essential to grease. But there are various grease types that can improve lubrication. In most industrial operations, landscapers use high-temperature and premium-grade grease.

This type of grease is a cost-effective and solution and works for several purposes. Plus, it won’t dissipate quickly like low-temperature greases. However, equipment like hedge trimmers and string trimmers require special greases. You can reach out to your service dealer for suitable uses of different types of greases.

Track Your Maintenance Progress

When you work on extensive industrial landscaping work orders, monitor your overall maintenance progress in real-time. Besides, even routine avoidable maintenance can create more issues. The frustration of mountainous expenses is real.

So, keep a digital and paper record of maintenance progress. For instance, you can use a Google spreadsheet to combine data to get the full picture of expenses and maintain productivity.

Focus on Balanced Maintenance

Attention to detail matters but it doesn’t mean you’re sole focus of interest should revolve around maintenance. Instead, create and follow a balanced approach to maintain your industrial landscaping tools. Look for the common thread that ties together the maintenance of all your industrial landscaping tools.

In some situations, you will have to maintain and operate tools in a difficult environment. Whether its dust, wear, or snow, every piece of equipment ultimately needs a proper storage period and spot for maintenance. It will also help you enforce optimal safety standards on site.

Many professional industrial landscapers invest in an extensive training program to help staff operate and maintain the tools in challenging situations. In fact, the burden of responsibility lies on the shoulders of the commercial landscaping business to help employees get familiar with different uses of equipment and operating processes. The more your staff learns about the technical aspects of your landscaping equipment, the higher bar of maintenance you can set to save money and time.

Sum Up

If you ever asked a professional landscaper or lawn care expert, you’d find out that flawless finish is always visible. It is usually framed by clean, manicured, and crisp edges. In time, your well-maintained landscaping tools become your arsenal to render the best commercial landscaping services.

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Daniel Szwed - Marketing Manager

Daniel Szwed

Resourceful and innovative Marketing Pro, with 20+ years of progressive experience in the marketing and creative technology industry. Responsible for digital and traditional marketing efforts that promotes brand awareness, increases engagement, and drives revenue.