10 Essential Tools for Your Landscaping Business

The day starts out like any other… 

You login to your computer and begin viewing your crews’ routes for the day.

Before you know it, one of your foreman comes in and tells  you that he was doing his routine morning equipment check, and he discovered your blower stopped working… for the third time this week… and you’re starting on a huge project today.

This is why reliable landscaping gear is so important.

To help shortcut your search for equipment, I’ve created a list of essential tools for you to choose from.

By the way, if you hadn’t had a chance to read the rest of our Lawn and Landscaping Gear Series, you can check out Part 1 here. It’ll give you a list of the best lawn mower options.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out… or you’ve been in the business for years… this list is for any landscaping business owner that’s looking for tools to run their business.

WARNING:

Remember, that with the operation of ANY power equipment, you MUST provide and enforce the use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). This keeps you in compliance with OSHA regulations.

1. Multi-Task Tools 

Dedicated Hand Tools vs. Multi-task Tools

“Dedicated Hand Tools” are the regular hand tools without multi-tasking abilities. Whereas, the “Multi-Task Tools” are the hand tools in which you can purchase different attachments.

Within the last few years, Echo and Stihl have begun creating their own versions of multi-task tools.

This means you can purchase the “Multi-Task Tools” (AKA the motor) separately, so that you only have to buy the attachments. This can save you hundreds of dollars.

Who’s it for?

As you try to decide which one you should purchase, consider this: 

Are you primarily in lawn care or landscaping?

If you’re primarily in lawn care, you’ll want to purchase “Dedicated Hand Tools”.

You don’t want to waste time and energy switching between string trimmer and edger attachment heads while you’re on the job.

However, if you’re primarily in landscaping, you’ll want to purchase “Multi-Task Tools”.

Typically, landscapers aren’t going to be switching between different attachments as frequently as lawn care professionals.

And so, you can potentially save a lot of money (especially starting out!) by purchasing a “Multi-Task Tool”.

Wide Variety of Attachments

Models

**Price includes the motor ONLY. All attachments and accessories are sold separately.

ECHO PAS-2620

Stihl KM 131 R KOMBISYSTEM

2. Blowers

Blowers are essential to landscaping because of their versatility.

They can be used to remove leaves and debris from:

• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Grass
• Flower beds
• And just about anything else you can think of

They’re just one of those staple items you need in your landscaping business.

While backpack blowers are the industry standard, you’ll also want to remember to purchase a handheld blower too.

Handheld blowers will help you reach those tight spaces (e.g. flower beds).

Best Options

**All CFM is based on round nozzle.

Echo PB-8010T

Husquvarna 580BTS Mark II

Redmax EBZ8550-RH

Stihl BR 800 C-E MAGNUM

3. Hedge Trimmers

While lawn care businesses might be able to get away without hedge trimmers, landscaping businesses cannot.

Hedge trimmers are useful for cutting or pruning bushes.

Trimming bushes is a fairly easy upsell you can pitch to your clients to make more money on a job. It’s also a simple, quick task your crew can complete in no time.

Best Options - Dedicated Hand Tools

**All of these hedge trimmers have a 30-inch blade option.

Echo HC-2420

Husqvarna 522HD60S

Stihl HS 82 T

Attachment Options

 Echo PAS-2620

• Articulating Hedge Trimmer Attachment
• Hedge Trimmer Attachment
• Mid-Reach Hedge Trimmer Attachment

Stihl KM 131 R KOMBISYSTEM

• FH-KM 145° Adjustable Power Scythe
• HL-KM 0° Straight Hedge Trimmer
• HL-KM 145° Adjustable Hedge Trimmer

4. Chainsaws

Chainsaws are highly individualized and largely depend on how you’re going to be using them.

However, for most typical lawn and landscaping businesses, battery chainsaws will do the trick because they’re:

• Just as good as gas chainsaws (depending on the make and model)
• It’s safer because it’s silent when it’s not in use
• Less of a liability (they have more safety features)
• Less of a learning curve (they’re easier to operate)
• Faster (easier and more lightweight to operate)
• No engine choking in between breaks (just press the button again)
• Less expensive
• Less maintenance (no mixing gas and oil!)
• Quickly chargeable (just switch out the batteries!)

In most cases, primarily tree businesses would truly benefit from using gas chainsaws.

If you’re mostly only grooming/pruning trees, a battery chainsaw should do the trick. 

So unless you also do tree removal, you may not want to invest $1,000+ on a chainsaw that can remove trees.

Plus, you’ll be working in quiet neighborhoods, so electric chainsaws are more ideal in noise-restricted areas.

Now, let’s talk battery chainsaws… 

Best Options

**Stihl calibrates their run time differently than the other contenders.

DeWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX

Echo Cordless Chainsaw 58V

Milwaukee M18 FUEL

Stihl MSA 200 C-BQ

5. Pole Pruners/Saws

Pole saws are useful for trimming trees and brush in hard-to-reach places.

Tree trimming is a pretty typical service, and it can also hold a fairly high price tag. 

… And since pole saws are fairly inexpensive, this means they can be quite a lucrative tool.

Best Options - Dedicated Hand Tools

Echo PPF-2620

Stihl HT 133

Attachment Options

Echo PAS-2620

• Pole Pruner Attachment

Stihl KM 131 R KOMBISYSTEM

• HT-KM Pole Pruner

6. (Enclosed or Utility) Trailer

Buying a trailer for your lawn and landscaping business is extremely personal.

So I can’t recommend whether you should buy an enclosed or utility trailer.

However, I CAN help you come to your own decision.

Deciding between these two trailer types depends on:

• Where you’re at in your business (just starting out vs. landscaping pro)
• Your business size (solo act vs. entire crews)
• Your budget wiggle room
• The variety of services you want to offer
• Your personal preference

As you’re looking to find the right equipment trailer for your landscaping business, all of these factors come into play.

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer. The choice is yours.

Best Options

When it comes to trailers, there are a wide variety of options to choose from. It’s probably best to stop by your trusted dealer in your area to explore the trailers in person.

Your local dealer will be able to help you find what best suits your needs. And if need be, you might be able to go to them for assistance or repairs.

Additionally, purchasing from your local dealer allows you to get a hyper-personalized trailer that’s exactly perfect for you and your business.

7. Dump Trailer

Once your business starts to grow - I mean really GROW - you’ll want to look into getting a dump trailer.

As a landscaper, owning a dump truck is important because it allows you to save money… BIG time.

Dump trailers allow you to:

• Save money on product deliveries
• Transport debris to your local dump
• Transport soil, sod, rocks, etc… 
• Transport large equipment (that doesn’t fit on normal hauling trailers)

… And guess what?

Just by owning a dump trailer, you can offer more services. Plus, you won’t have to rely on paying other companies to deliver products.

Dump trailers truly have the potential to quickly pay for themselves.

Best Options

The purpose of your dump trailer will determine which one is right for you.

This is why it’s best for you to reach out to your local dealer to find the best option for your landscape business.

Based on things like your truck and budget, they’ll be able to personalize a fit that’s right for you.

8. License + Sprayers

First off, if you’re offering fertilization and weed control, you’re going to need a license.

Every state is different, so contact you local government to find out the steps you need to take to get properly certified.

Then, you need to decide whether you want to purchase a skid sprayer.

Skid Sprayer

Primarily, skid sprayers are used for weed and pest control. They can be a serious investment, but it’s likely they’ll yield you some serious profits.

When priced correctly, you can make as much as $1,978 gross daily profit and $9,890 weekly gross profit - just with this sprayer.

However, you should only consider this investment if you’re an established lawn and landscape business.

There’s no sense in committing to such a huge investment if you don’t have the satisfied clients to purchase your new services.

Best Options

Graham GSE Unit

NorthStar Skid Sprayer

Solutions Pest & Lawn

Don’t Forget Mist Blowers (AKA Sprayers)!

No matter where you’re at in your business - backpack sprayers are great.

They’re somewhat of an easy investment that allow you to provide more services to your clients.

Backpack sprayers can be used to treat special problems. For instance, you could use it for a specific bug or weed infestation.

Usually, these backpacks can hold between 2-4 gallons of product.

Based on the types of insects you want to treat, you’ll be able to determine which backpack sprayer is right for you.

For instance, if you want to treat flying insects (like mosquitoes) you’ll need something that has a high spray range. 

However, if you’re not treating for flying insects, you could probably choose a less expensive model.

Also, I recommend purchasing a gas-powered sprayer, because it will spray faster, farther, and more efficiently than a manual-operated backpack sprayer.

Makita PM7650H

Solo 451 Backpack Mist Blower

Stihl SR 450

9. Spreader

If you’re applying dry fertilizer or other ingredients to the property, you’re going to need a spreader.

Depending on the type of product you’ll be spreading, the distance, terrain, etc. will all determine the type of spreader you need.

Check out these spreaders to find the right one for you:

• Agri-Fab Spreaders
• Brinly Push Spreaders
• Brinly Tow Spreaders
• Chapin Spreaders
• EarthWay Spreaders

10. Software

In order to really give your landscape business the boost it truly needs, you should choose a software solution.

You need a software that provides:

• Client accounts
• Payroll reports
• Expense reports
• Client scheduling
• Employee scheduling
• Route condensing
• Estimate templates

While you can technically operate without a software, it’s definitely going to grow your business much more quickly and profitably if you have one.

And even better?

Service Autopilot gives you that and so much more.

With Service Autopilot, when you choose a partnering credit card processor, you can set it up to automatically charge your clients and email invoices.

Plus, if you have automations, you can automatically notify clients when there’s an alert on their account.

This means you don’t have to take time to hunt down your clients to get their updated account information.

So stop wasting time and money, and start utilizing Service Autopilot.

Grow Your Lawn Care Business... Faster (and with Less Stress)

• Instant invoicing
• Better scheduling
• Manage your clients and employees all in one system

Start Software Tour

Conclusion

In the landscaping industry, there are so many potential tools at your disposal.

As a result, your consistent need for new equipment will never end.

This is why it’s important you choose specific areas of expertise and then add more services later.

You can’t do everything at once, so just do a few things you’re good at and have the right equipment for.

Then, you can gradually expand your services as you can afford the proper equipment and training.

While the lawn and landscaping equipment mentioned in this article is just the beginning of what you need - It’s enough to keep your landscaping business afloat.

Every landscape business is different.

So it’s important to evaluate what kind of landscaping business you’re aspiring to be. Then, choose the equipment that’s right for you.

If you follow the tips in this article, your landscaping business will likely be lightyears ahead of your competition.

Catch up on the Lawn Care Gear Series!

• Part 1 - Lawn Mowers
• Part 2 - Edgers
• Part 3 - Trimmers
• Part 4 - Uniforms

Originally published Sept 17, 2019 7:00 AM