Winter may be creeping around the corner, but right now, we’re in the heat of landscape and lawn maintenance season. Jobs are coming in left and right, crews are working dawn ‘til dusk and your equipment is running full throttle. With all this action, you can’t afford unexpected maintenance or breakdowns.
Peak-summer breakdowns come at a great cost to your operations. I’m sure you focus on pre- and post-season maintenance, but with so much happening this time of year, it’s easy to forget about in-season maintenance. Right now, your equipment is under real stress. Depending on your region, summer can bring excessive heat, dryness or both. Combine the extreme elements with extreme use, and you’ve got a formula for excessive wear and tear.
Mechanical issues happen slowly, degrading performance and placing excess stress on other components. You can avoid midseason surprises by paying close attention to your equipment. Here are a few simple tips to avoid those ill-timed issues.
Maintenance Tasks
For midseason maintenance, focus on the basic components taking the hardest beatings — blades, belts, tires and batteries, as well as oil and filters.
Of the items on that short list, your blades deserve special attention. Dull blades not only produce a poor cut, they put undue stress on engines and spindles, burn more fuel and force the entire unit to work harder. Sharp blades improve turf health, which helps maintain the high quality your customers have come to expect.
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Air filters are another high-priority item during the dog days of summer. Dry conditions, dust and grass clippings can accumulate in and clog filters, reducing performance and straining the engine. Inspect them frequently and replace them as needed rather than waiting for the set interval.
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Give your cooling systems a once-over. Grass, dirt and debris can build up around radiators, cooling fins and engine compartments, especially during long mowing days. Keeping these areas clean helps prevent overheating, a common and costly problem during peak season.
Crew Inspection
Nobody knows the equipment better than those who work with it day in and day out. Your crew is the first line of defense against midseason issues. Check in with them on a regular basis and ask specific questions. Are you feeling any vibrations? How is the equipment handling? Have you noticed any unfamiliar noises? These simple questions can go a long way in diagnosing a developing issue before it becomes a problem.
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If they aren’t already, crews should be performing visual inspections at the beginning and end of each day. It’s a simple and effective habit. Before crews start or leave a job, have them check for obvious issues: loose bolts, worn belts, low tire pressure, damaged blades, fluid leaks, clogged filters and buildup around decks or engine compartments. It doesn’t need to be overly involved. The goal isn’t to turn every operator into a mechanic — it’s to make sure small warning signs get reported before they become expensive.
The season is moving fast, and you’ll be busting out the snowblower before you know it. That can wait, but in-season maintenance can’t. Taking care of your equipment now helps ensure your crews can keep moving, your jobs stay on schedule, and your business finishes the year strong.
