7 Signs You Need New Landscaping Equipment
As the snow begins to melt and wash away the winter blues, you start to think about this year’s landscaping: the new plants, flowers, trees, and maybe some new paving. You head down to the shed where all your equipment is stored, and something isn’t right.
After a harsh winter, it’s always best to check your equipment before you use it. It will help you identify any issues that could damage your landscaping and uproot your plans.
So, what should you be looking for?
1. Age Is Not Just A Number
The age of your equipment does matter, and the old faithful of a lawn mower that was the first one you ever bought may now be reaching retirement age.
As equipment ages, it becomes more prone to breaking down, developing faulty wiring and dull blades. All these things will lead to frustration. Your equipment cannot work how you want or need it to. It can damage the landscape by ripping instead of cutting the grass.
Old pieces of equipment will also have a lower trade-in value if retained. So, trading in before the age will help with the cost of replacements.
2. Engine Life Expectancy
When you invest in new equipment, using it for the first time is exciting. However, even the tiniest engine in your mower or trimmer has a shelf life. On average, a 23 HP engine will equate to 2,300 hours of life, giving you a good idea of how long you can use it without issues.
That brand-new piece of equipment may only last a couple of seasons. If you have anything older than this, it’s time to trade it in.
3. Did That Snail Just Overtake You?
Your equipment should function at its intended speed and efficiency to do the task properly. If you discover it is taking you twice as long as last season for the same job, this should tell you that something is wearing out inside and needs replacing.
Slow equipment won’t function as it was intended and can cause damage and take too long to complete a simple task.
4. If in Doubt, Give It a Clout
If you hear yourself saying, “Just whack it, and it will work.” then you can assume that this equipment has some issues and breaks more than it works. Spending time trying to fix a piece of equipment wastes daylight and money.
Duct tape can only do so much. Anything broken can cause a hazard if used. You run the risk of injury to yourself or other people using it, and it becomes an insurance issue.
5. Only Rent a Home, Not Your Equipment
If something breaks while in use and can ruin the day, then it makes sense to rent that same piece of equipment in an emergency. But this shouldn’t be a long-term solution. A benefit to renting is you get to try out a new upgrade to see if it works for you and your needs before you invest.
Should you rent the same thing day in and day out, it makes a lot more financial sense to purchase it now and save time and money.
6. Sitting Pretty
That oversized ride-on mower looked incredible in the store, and now it’s covered in dust, out of gas, and hasn’t moved for so long the breaks have probably seized. You don’t need to buy up every landscaping tool you see on the market. Anything you did buy and haven’t used is taking up space and costing you money.
It’s better to trade it in and invest in something you need to replace or upgrade to get a better deal for the money you put in.
7. Just Doesn’t Cut It
Blades and teeth dull and wear out. While you can get them sharpened, there will come a time when you can’t sharpen them anymore. It applies to anything in your arsenal with a sharp edge to it.
Chainsaws, older mowers, and shears all have these and require sharpening as maintenance. However, if the edge is closer to the handle or gears, it’s time to say goodbye and replace it.
Your Trusted STIHL Dealer
Remove broken equipment and replace it. For equipment with the best warranty, versatility, and range, STIHL provides everything you need, and Peel Exterior is the STIHL dealer you can trust with all your landscaping equipment needs.
STIHL isn’t found at your local big box stores. With its advanced technology and superior quality, it is stocked only by authorized dealers, such as Peel Exterior. With the knowledge and know-how in landscaping and more, the company you trust with your landscaping needs is the same one you can trust as your STIHL dealer.
Offering pre-delivery inspections, operation instructions, demonstrations, and maintenance services, you get the right tools for the job. They are the only tools you need.
The Right Tools For the Job
We offer a wide range of tools you could ever need right at your fingertips. With the benefit of being your authorized STIHL Dealer, Peel Exterior Maintenance is the landscaping professional that can help you get the job done.
We carry everything from mowers (battery, gas, and ride-on) to trimmers, blowers, and pressure washers. We always have the best tool right here. Even accessories such as fuel cleaners, gas cans, and more to ensure the tools work for you shouldn’t be considered a bonus but a necessity.
Whatever the size of the project, from small residential to large commercial properties, Peel has what you need when you need it.
Call 1-888-290-1216 or contact us here today.