Archive for April, 2010

Cloudy with a Chance of Downtime

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

If you’re a seasoned landscape professional, you already know that rain doesn’t make for great mowing conditions. Heck, it doesn’t even make for so-so conditions. But if you must mow in the rain, there are certain steps you can take to make the best of the situation and continue to deliver a cut you can be proud of.

  • Always start with a clean deck and keep it clean between jobs to maximize airflow. This is good advice for mowing in any weather, under any condition.
  • Change the blades as needed.  Blades with greater lift tend to generate more airflow and provide better discharge power when the grass is wet.
  • Keep the deck at ¼” positive rake, so the blade tip cuts the grass.
  • Make sure your engine’s level is at the right RPM in order to reach maximum blade tip speed.
  • Check blade drive belts for wear and tear.  Replace any that might be slipping or reducing blade tip speed.
  • If you frequently mow in wet conditions, pack your fuse and electrical connections with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion.

Now that you’re ready to mow, keep in mind that the grass is slick and you should practice safety measures. For one, stay clear of steep embankments and areas where your rider can lose traction; use your walk-behind instead. And slow down, especially in pivoting turns.

Once you finish mowing, you should always turn off the blades while the mower is still in the grass, so that clumps, mud, and debris fall into the grass for easier cleanup. And have a good exit plan so you’re not tracking anything through your customer’s property.

Since water is your mower’s enemy, when you’re done for the day, run your mower for 2 to 3 minutes in a dry area so water doesn’t sit on bearing surfaces overnight. And keep your machine stored indoors.

There will be times when postponing mowing is a good idea – a really good idea.  If the forecast calls for heavy rain or if you notice standing water, it’s best to call it a day and wait until the rain has stopped and the grass has had time to dry.   At least then you won’t be wasting time and resources.

If you have anything to add, please leave your comments below. We would love to hear from you.

This post is courtesy of Exmark Sales Manager, Dan Dorn.

The Latest and Greatest Exmark Accessories

Monday, April 26th, 2010

We get excited about exceptional mower accessories. Okay, let’s rephrase that – we get excited about almost anything relating to mowers and the art of mowing. But at least we know we’re not the only ones; our customers get just as pumped. So for those who want to be the first to learn about new products, here are two of our newest accessories that can be found at your nearest Exmark dealership:

Operator Controlled Discharge:

It quickly and effectively helps you manage your mower’s discharge around mulch beds, parked cars, homes and other objects.

  • Fits all Exmark side-discharge, walk-behind mowers from model year 2002 and newerOCD_Walk_Behind
  • Innovative design for quick and easy transition to multiple Exmark units within a fleet
  • Easy-to-use handle mount lever allows for quick discharge management decisions
  • Rugged, commercial design and durable blocker door reinforces reliability
  • Multi-adjustable blocker door for more effective discharge
  • Operates in conjunction with discharge chute in the down position for safe, controlled discharge.

Power Deck Lift:

It enhances the unit’s ease of ue without compromising safety by giving you the ability to quickly lift your deck at  any moment.Power_Deck_Lift (3)

  • Quick response time, lifting your deck to transport lock position in 2-3 seconds
  • Convenient, hands-free foot actuator allows you to safely lift the deck while mowing
  • Robust, electric actuator lifts 72” cutting decks with ease – even with the UltraVac Collection System blower installed
  • Commercial-grade hardware for years of reliable use
  • Low-profile design provides better trim side visibility

Find Your Zen in the Art of Mowing

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

We’ve heard it time and time again from both pros and homeowners: there’s just something relaxing about mowing. About getting out in the fresh air with the scent of freshly mowed grass holding the air captive.

There’s also a feeling of pride and a sense of accomplishment that comes with looking at a perfectly cut lawn. And when you take mowing seriously, you naturally move into the ranks of being an artist, because you’re creating something beautiful. Every lawn is your canvas.

We don’t mean to get overly Zen on you, but it is undeniable that there’s a certain Zen-like feeling that can come from mowing.

As calming as mowing can be, there are still mower operators who are less than gentle on their equipment. Not that machines are sensitive by any means, but an aggressive operator who manhandles the mowers will wear the equipment down at a much quicker rate, as well as tear up the turf. This forceful handling causes an enormous amount of strain on the hydraulic system and will also compromise the quality of cut.

Another way to compromise the mower is to try to jump over things. If you need to go up or down a curb–don’t jump it. Take your time in finding another way to move the mower. Jumping off a curb results in free-spinning tires and, upon landing, creates excess weight and pressure on the machine.  It doesn’t matter what type of equipment you have, none of these systems are designed to deal with a force that strong and can cause an immediate failure of the hydraulic system.

So when you get out there, remember to extend the tranquility to your equipment. Not only is it pricey to fix, but a broken machine can shatter the peaceful balance of being outdoors and creating your lawn masterpiece.

Author: David Martin, customer service manager at Exmark

It’s Tax Time!

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

It’s April, which means you can basically count on two things: rain and taxes. Both affect your business, but one comes with some major headaches. You can probably guess which one. We’ve compiled some current tax tips that will help minimize the confusion and, hopefully, do away with the headaches.

  1. 1. There are new rules for business losses, so take advantage of them if you can. Decide whether you want to carryback or carryforward net profit losses.
  2. 2. Depreciation is not a dirty word. Section 179 allows for immediate deductions of certain fixed assets and a 50 percent bonus depreciation for new assets. A word to the wise: a current deduction is better than a deferred one.
  3. 3. Know the rules in your state. Each state has its own filing requirements and is very strict in enforcing them. Read up on your state’s rules and if you’re required to file in another state, know their policies as well.
  4. 4. Extensions happen. Since you can report taxes close to the deadline, expect extensions to happen to your business and individual returns. And don’t worry—if you file for an extension, it doesn’t mean you’ll be targeted for closer examination by the tax man.
  5. 5. Switch things around. This would be a good year to accelerate income and defer expenses. Though it’s the opposite of what you’re used to doing, it could help minimize taxes through a different account method.
  6. 6. Wishful thinking. Unfortunately for small businesses, taxes will be going up. You can take certain steps to minimize taxes now and in future years when rates go up. Of course, each state is different.
  7. 7. Don’t throw it out. Good record-keeping can save you a lot of time, money and hassle. Copies of business tax returns, licenses, incorporation papers and capital equipment expenses should be kept indefinitely. As for tax-related documents like expense receipts, client 1099 forms and vehicle mileage logs, they should be kept for a minimum of seven years.
  8. 8. When all else fails, pick up the phone. If you have any questions, you can call 800-829-4933. It’s a trouble-shooting hotline set up by the IRS specifically for small business, corporations, partnerships and trusts.
  9. 9. Tick tock. When it comes to doing your taxes, the best thing to do is not procrastinate. Getting a head start means you’ll have more time to work out any problems that may come up.

Hope this information is useful and will help to keep you on your Exmark rather than in the office doing paperwork. Now go fill out those tax forms, if you haven’t already.

Note: Exmark Manufacturing are not tax experts. For specific tax related tips, you will want to contact and leverage your tax consultant.

Dealer-scheduled Maintenance is Key

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

This is the final post in Exmark’s ten part Service and Maintenance Series.

Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, it is important to realize that the dealer is your best friend when it comes to extending the life of your mower.

Your local dealer knows the conditions you mow in, your local area, your machine and how you use your equipment to get the job done. Your local dealer can also recommend a customized maintenance routine for your unit that ties directly to how you use it, which is going to be better than any generic manufacturer maintenance program available.

It may save you money to do things yourself in the short run, but since dealers are factory-trained to fix and spot issues before they become serious problems, they could save you time and money in the end. Dealers are also aware of any out-of-the-ordinary maintenance routines or new and improved repair methods sent directly from the factory. Exmark recommends that even the do-it-yourselfers make the effort to find a dealer they trust. And then making that dealer their best friend.

Regular maintenance cycles are important for the longevity of your equipment. Whether you are a homeowner or a commercial landscaper, knowing the most important parts to check and what types of maintenance needs to happen regularly is key to having beautifully cut grass this spring and a successful landscaping season.

That concludes our maintenance series. Hope you found it helpful in getting ready for a positive and profitable mowing season. The series will be archived on this site so you can refer back to the posts at any time.

Walk-behind Versus Riding Mower Maintenance

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

This is the ninth post in Exmark’s ten part Service and Maintenance Series.

While there aren’t major differences in the mower maintenance of walk-behind and riding lawn mowers, it makes sense to look through your individual unit’s manual for recommended maintenance schedules. The frequency and proper methods for maintenance will need to be a marriage of the manufacturer recommendations and your regular machine usage conditions. Typically, mowers differ in the hours needed between scheduled maintenance including oil changes, hydraulic fuel checks and greasing of the joints and connections.

Since your equipment may have been in hibernation for the last three to four months, it’s probably time for a bit of a refresher. After you run it for 50 hours into the season, try conducting another maintenance cycle to refresh the fluids and check the nuts and bolts. This will help your equipment last longer and kick-start your season successfully by getting the cobwebs off the machine.

Next we’ll be talking about dealer-scheduled maintenance, so check back soon.