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Easy refueling, through propane cylinder exchange or an on-site no-spill dispenser, is making the transition to propane-fueled mowers easier for commercial lawn and landscape companies. cage where it’s most convenient on the lawn and landscape company’s premises. The propane provider subsequently re- places empty cylinders with full ones dur- ing regularly scheduled deliveries, a process that becomes virtually transparent to lawn and landscape company manage- ment and employees alike. In addition to conserving time and resources, such pro- grams also typically offer a variety of fuel contract options. For lawn and landscape companies re- quiring large propane volumes, a propane provider can install a no-spill dispenser on site. The dispenser can be used to refuel both propane cylinders and work vehicles fueled by propane autogas. Also, there are thousands of public propane autogas refu- eling stations available in the United States, so lawn and landscape companies that rely on drivers to refuel work trucks every day can maintain that approach. Refueling methods There are two ways to refuel a propane-fueled commercial lawn mower: Exchanging an empty propane cylinder for a full replacement, and on-site refuel- ing with an installed no-spill dispenser. In either method, appropriately trained per- sonnel should conduct a comprehensive inspection of the propane cylinder in order to ensure good working order. That includes looking for leaks, cracks, bulging, denting, gouging and rusting, along with investigating the cylinder’s valves and fit- tings. The valves and fittings are found on www.landscapeirrigation.com the cylinder’s service end, located within a special protective collar. Those valves and fittings include: * Filler valve, which allows the cylinder to be filled with propane. * Fixed maximum liquid level gauge, which ensures the cylinder is filled to the proper amount. * Fuel gauge, which displays the propane level within a cylinder. * Service valve, which connects the cylinder to the mower. Both refueling methods should always be completed by personnel with appropri- ate training and adhere to all safety meas- ures. That includes using proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and also en- suring that the mower’s engine is off and the parking brake is set. Like refueling with conventional fuels, personnel exchanging propane cylinders should make sure the mower is away from all sources of ignition. Step-by-step descriptions of both refu- eling methods can be found in the Video Library portion of www.poweredbypro pane.org. Note that those descriptions should not be considered a replacement for a formal training session with a propane provider, mower manufacturer, or equipment dealer. 1 Easy refueling, through propane cylin- der exchange or an on-site no-spill dis- penser, is making the transition to propane-fueled mowers easier for com- mercial lawn and landscape companies. Ef- fective fleet management has always been one of the most important aspects of run- ning an effective lawn and landscape com- pany, and will continue to be just as important after a transition to propane- fueled mowers. Owners and managers must place emphasis on appropriate train- ing and safety measures, especially with regard to refueling. Getting started is a simple matter of contacting propane- fueled mower manufacturers, propane providers, equipment dealers, or the Pro- pane Education & Research Council. LI Brian Feehan is vice president of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104- 284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. PERC’s mission is to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized propane gas as a pre- ferred energy source. Valves and fittings found on a propane cylinder’s service end should be inspected before installation to ensure proper working order. Propane Education & Research Council, “Video Library,” www.autogasusa.org/video-library/ (accessed Feb. 22, 2011) 1 Propane Education & Research Council, “Video Library,” www.autogasusa.org/video-li- brary/ (accessed Feb. 22, 2011) has gone mobile! Now you can access all the latest news and events anywhere, anytime. Simply visit www.landscapeirrigation.com/mobile to stay connected. Landscape and Irrigation 15