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24 September 2016 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com LANDSCAPE AND TURF MAINTENANCE ■ BY JEREMY WISHART Purchasing new commercial mowers is always a hefty investment for a professional landscaper. And for companies looking to invest in alternative fuels such as propane, rather than continue operating gasoline or diesel mowers, there's likely an additional upfront cost associated with the equipment — sometimes as much as $1,000 per mower depending on the model. Fortunately for contractors, the additional upfront cost of a propane machine can be reduced or recouped over the lifetime of the mower if the propane mower purchaser takes a few actions. By combining fuel contracts, equipment incentives, OEM rebates and special pricing, using conversion kits for existing machines, and factoring in a propane mower's higher lifetime productivity, contractors can purchase a clean-burning mower for the same as or less than a gasoline or diesel engine of a similar model. Tip 1: Take advantage of alternative fuel contracts A lot of landscape contractors are initially attracted to propane because of the low cost of the fuel. That cost can actually be further reduced for a contractor purchasing propane in bulk over an extended period of time using a fuel contract. Through a fuel contract with a local propane retailer, contractors can negotiate a fixed price for their propane delivery and propane cylinder leases, and have that agreed-upon price locked in for a year or more. Building a contract for a set price is a budget-friendly practice to prevent headaches associated with fluctuating oil prices. Companies, such as Rotolo Consultants Inc., in Louisiana, are saving up to 40 percent on the cost of fuel for their mowers in comparison to what they were spending on gasoline. A good partnership with their propane retailer helps the company keep fuel costs steady by settling on a fuel contract. Another example, Davis Mowing Service, in Sauk City, Wis., reported saving as much as $2.70 per gallon of propane compared to gasoline when gasoline prices were high. Stay Green Inc., a company with 66 mowers in Santa Clarita, Calif., estimated that running its fleet on propane costs half of what it cost with gasoline. Tip 2: Use equipment incentives Certain states and organizations offer incentives or rebates for using alternative fuels. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), for example, has helped fund equipment purchases and conversions of more than 3,500 machines since starting the Propane Mower Incentive Program in 2012. The program essentially removes the initial cost difference by offering either a $1,000 rebate on a new propane mower or $500 on a qualified conversion kit. It will likely be offered to contractors again starting in October. Ringers Landscaping in Fox River Grove, Ill., got a new propane mower fleet — 10 Gravely commercial mowers — at 60 percent of the retail cost by applying for the program while PERC was offering double incentives. Owner Erik Ringstrand said Ringers also received a rebate from the state of Illinois that supplemented the purchase. Tips for Lowering the Cost of Commercial Propane Mowers Building a contract for a set price is a budget-friendly practice to prevent headaches associated with fluctuating oil prices.