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FLEET MANAGEMENT Routine maintenance, like an oil change, is good to perform at this time, ensuring that your machine will be ready to go once spring arrives. Refer to your service manual prior to performing any routine maintenance. Also, give tires a once over. Winter weather can affect tire pressure, particularly if machines have been stored for months. Check the tire pressure and examine treads for wear. Be sure to record the work you do. Proper service is key to keep the machine running smoothly. While you may believe that you will remember the work you performed in December, by the time March arrives you probably will have forgotten. Track mainte- nance in a logbook, which will give you something to refer to in the spring. 3. GIVE THE MOWER DECK A LITTLE TLC The mower deck and blade are the most important parts of your mower, and the longevity of your machine is directly tied to the maintenance of these parts. A busy mowing season can take a toll on a mower deck and blade, so it is a good idea to pay extra atten- tion to those parts in the offseason. A sharp blade is key to creating a clean cut when mowing. Check blades for dullness and corrosion. If the blade is dull, sharpen it to ensure a quality cut. Replace any blades that have logged too many hours. It is also important to check blade bal- ance for an even cut. Additionally, there are several other areas of the mower deck that you should be monitoring for wear and tear. The mower belt should be taut and in good condition. If there is any fraying or wear that changes the belt's profile, be sure to replace it. Also, look for any loose cords or chunks of the belt missing — you want to make sure that the belt can run smoothly when operating the deck. 4. PROPERLY STORE YOUR MOWER Storage is a key part of making sure your mower is ready for spring. As mentioned above, you should wash your equipment, especially prior to storing it for an extended period of time. This will remove dirt buildup, preventing rust and corrosion. Make sure to lubricate and cover grease fittings, per your owner's manual. You will want to use manufacturer-recommended lubricants, as they were designed to perform to the manufacturer's specification. Additionally, be sure to either add fuel stabilizers or remove fuel completely. A fuel stabilizer prevents separation that can lead to corrosion. After adding the fuel stabilizer, run the engine for five minutes. Also, change the engine oil and check coolant if your equipment is liquid cooled. It is also a good idea to check the tire pressure and correct, if necessary. Finally, remove the battery, clean up its terminals and charge it in the off-season. 5. EVALUATE YOUR FLEET The offseason is the perfect time to examine your fleet, as well as your business, and evaluate what you may need for the next season. The first step is to audit your equipment and note any aged equip- ment that may need to be replaced. Also consider any equipment needed for expected growth. Connect with your dealer, who can help you not only determine what equipment you need, but also guide you through the purchasing process. If you do need to pur- chase equipment, meet with your dealer to prepare a quote and consider all payment options, including upfront cash, financing offers, and leasing offers. In the event that you do need to purchase equipment, consider financing instead of leasing. You should first meet with your finan- cial advisor, taking an opportunity to discuss your business needs and determine whether it is best of lease or finance your equip- ment. Weigh the pros and cons of both options to determine which is best for your business. Work with your dealer and financial ad- visor to consider your needs, look for ways to get more bang for your buck and evaluate warranties to see if you can set up a plan to ensure that your machines are always under warranty. 6. REVAMP YOUR PARTS DEPARTMENT Parts management is vital to limiting machine downtime. Take some time this offseason to revamp your parts department, which will improve your profitability once the mowing season starts up again. First, assign inventory ownership, limiting the number of employees with access to parts storage. With one person overseeing the parts department, it ensures efficient management of the inventory. Organize and label bin locations, creating a designated, labeled part storage location so that the manager is aware of where things are and what needs restocking. Include a minimum stocking level on the label so the manager knows when things need to be reor- dered. Also, consider tracking parts usage by machine. By tracking what parts were used for each machine and the cost per part, pro- fessional landscape contractors can identify the repair cost for each particular model and help determine whether a machine should be repaired or replaced. Finally, create an immediate tracking process and schedule reg- ular inventory reviews. It may be tempting to wait until the end of the day to track parts that were used, but that actually increases the chances that a part will be used without notice. Establish an im- mediate tracking mechanism to limit the risk of forgetting a part through work orders or spreadsheets. Then, on a periodic basis, review the parts inventory, using the time to examine what is be- ing used and adjust minimum levels accordingly. Add or remove parts that are needed or not needed anymore. If new machines join the fleet, professional landscape contractors need to make sure that they have the right parts. As fleets grow, so does the need for parts. By revamping your business now, you can avoid unnecessary setbacks come spring. Take time to not only clean your machines, but also perform any repairs or maintenance now to avoid down- time in the busy season. Once you are ready, make sure that you are properly storing your fleet to ensure that damage doesn't occur while your equipment rests. Take advantage of the downtime to improve and streamline your business, evaluating your fleet, considering new equipment purchases and organizing your parts department. This will not only make it easier to pick things back up in the spring, but could possibly help you streamline your business and improve revenue. Weather is often unpredictable, and while you can plan ahead based on predictions, you never know when spring will hit. With a prepped fleet and business, you can jump headfirst into work as soon as the warmer weather arrives. Nick Minas is product manager at John Deere. www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2015 33 LI