Landscape & Irrigation

September 2016

Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/714108

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 24 of 51

www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation September 2016 25 Davis Mowing Service also used the Propane Mower Incentive Program alongside an incentive through the state of Wisconsin to remove $1,500 from the upfront cost of three new Ferris mowers. And U.S. Lawns, a commercial landscape franchise in Hampton Roads, Va., received nearly $34,000 through PERC's program and a state incentive program. Other organizations, such as Clean Cities, local environmental groups, and locally based propane councils, may offer rebates or grants to businesses considering alternative fuel equipment. Tip 3: OEM rebates and special pricing A strong relationship with OEMs can also bring down costs associated with new equipment. Some OEMs offer rebates or special fleet pricing incentives if several machines are purchased at once. Many OEMs currently offer propane equipment, including Gravely, Exmark, Toro, Walker, Big Dog, Bob-Cat, Cub Cadet, Dixie Chopper, Ferris, Husqvarna, Hustler, John Deere, R&R Products, Kubota, Scag, Snapper Pro, Ventrac, and Zipper. It's worth asking a dealer about propane when considering new equipment. There are, in fact, more than 150 models of propane mowers on the market today, including stand-on, zero-turn, and walk-behinds. OEMs can also help companies save by offering training on mower maintenance and cylinder exchange to employees at a contractor's home office, which saves time and money for business owners seeking training, and opens an opportunity for employees to learn and develop skills. This was one of the benefits RCI had in purchasing its mowers from John Deere. Between its propane retailer and John Deere representative, all employees at RCI were quickly educated in switching out propane tanks on the mowers. RCI's maintenance shop became more efficient and detailed by focusing on the one brand of propane mower, rather than the mash-up of makes and models that previously made up the fleet. Tip 4: Consider conversion kits If a contractor doesn't have a budget for new propane equipment, a less expensive way to convert an existing mower fleet to propane is with certified conversion kits. Five companies offer certified conversion kits that meet the highest environmental standards from the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. More information about Alliance Small Engines, EnviroGard, Hendrix Progressive Fuel Technologies, Metro Lawn and Propane Power Systems is available at propane.com/commercial-landscape/ propane-conversions. Russo Lawn & Landscape in Windsor Locks, Conn., has used PERC's $500 rebates to convert its fleet to propane over several PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE PROPANE EDUCATION & RESEARCH COUNCIL years. The company started with converting four mower engines in 2013 — two Exmark Vantage stand-ons and two Exmark Lazer Z zero-turns — along with buying two dedicated propane Exmark Lazer Z mowers. Tip 5: Offset upfront costs with an increase in productivity Improved productivity is an often-stated benefit when contractors switch to propane. Propane creates less downtime for fuel-related maintenance and repairs, so equipment stays out in the field working (and making money for the landscaper). Refueling occurs onsite, and fuel delivery can be tailored to the company's specific needs. There's no more crew time wasted refueling at gas stations in the morning and zero chance of fuel pilferage, something so common for contractors that they build a pilferage line item in their budgets. All of these benefits lead to more productivity, which means more lawns are cut each day. That additional productivity can help a contractor make up the increased upfront equipment costs fast. For more information on how propane can save money, visit propane.com/commercial-landscape/ to read full case studies, watch testimonial videos, learn about propane retailers and OEMs offering propane equipment, and even determine savings generated by switching to propane with PERC's cost calculator. Jeremy Wishart is deputy director of business development at the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at jeremy.wishart@propane.com.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Landscape & Irrigation - September 2016