Lawn Care Parts, Attachments and Accessories

The Best Lawn Care Tools Beyond Mowers

26 November 2024

These are the essential lawn care tools beyond mowers for a perfect yard. I’ll guide you through must-have equipment year-round.

Did you know a commercial walk-behind push mower can cost between $3,000 to $6,000 or more?

Zero-turn riding mowers range from $3,000 to $16,000. Lawn care is more than just cutting the grass. You’ll need a variety of tools and equipment to keep your yard looking great.

From hand tools like shovels and pruning shears to specialized equipment like aerators and spreaders, this guide covers it all. It’s perfect for both professional landscapers and homeowners. Knowing the right tools can make a big difference in your lawn’s look and health.

Key Takeaways

Lawn care requires a diverse set of tools beyond just a lawnmower
Essential hand tools like shovels, rakes, and pruners are necessary for yard maintenance
Specialized equipment like aerators, spreaders, and blowers can optimize lawn health and appearance
Investing in the right tools can save time and effort in achieving a beautiful, well-manicured lawn
Understanding the cost range of different lawn care tools can help plan a budget for your needs

Essential Hand Tools for Lawn Care

Keeping your lawn looking great is just as important as having a good lawn mower. Hand tools like shovels, rakes, and pruning shears are key. They help with digging, trimming, and cleaning up. Let’s look at the top hand tools every lawn care pro needs.

Shovels and Spades

Shovels and spades are must-haves for many lawn tasks. Look for fiberglass-handled shovels with stainless-steel blades. They’re durable and comfy for digging, spreading mulch, and removing rocks. You might need different shovel sizes for various jobs.

Pruning Shears and Hedge Trimmers

For trees, shrubs, and hedges, you need the right cutting tools. Pruning shears are great for trimming and deadheading. Hedge trimmers help shape and prune shrubs. Having both manual and electric tools is handy for different tasks.

Rakes for Different Purposes

Rakes are essential for lawn care. Steel rakes are best for heavy jobs like spreading gravel or removing sod. Plastic leaf rakes are better for picking up leaves and grass clippings. Choose rakes based on your lawn care needs, like flower bed maintenance or debris removal.

Hand Tool	Purpose	Recommended Features
Shovels	Digging, spreading mulch, prying up rocks	Fiberglass-handled with stainless-steel blades
Pruning Shears	Trimming and deadheading flowers	Sharp, clean blades
Hedge Trimmers	Shaping and pruning overgrown shrubs	Long, flat blades
Steel Rakes	Heavy-duty tasks like spreading gravel or removing sod	Durable steel construction
Leaf Rakes	Cleaning up fallen leaves and grass clippings	Lightweight plastic construction

“Proper lawn care is not just about mowing; it’s about utilizing the right tools for the job at hand. Having a well-stocked arsenal of hand tools can make all the difference in maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn.” – Sam, lawn mower specialist

Lawn Care Equipment Beyond Mowers

Keeping your lawn looking great is more than just mowing it. Lawn care experts know the value of using a wide range of tools. From strong wheelbarrows to powerful leaf blowers, let’s look at the key equipment needed for a job well done.

Wheelbarrows for Heavy Lifting

Wheelbarrows are essential for any lawn care team. They help move heavy stuff like soil and mulch around. A good wheelbarrow with strong handles and durable build can prevent injuries and make lifting easier.

Grass and Hedge Trimmers

String trimmers are key for getting rid of weeds and grass in tight spots. Look for cordless models for easy movement. Hedge trimmers with flat blades are also crucial for keeping shrubs and hedges neat.

Leaf Blowers for Clean-up

Leaf blowers are great for clearing leaves and debris from lawns and paths. Both handheld and backpack models are useful. They offer the power needed for a clean job site.

Equipment	Usage	Ownership
Wheelbarrows	Hauling heavy materials	Over 80% of landscaping businesses
Grass Trimmers	Cutting grass in tight spaces	Approximately 60% of landscapers
Hedge Trimmers	Maintaining shrubs and hedges	Around 45% of lawn care businesses
Leaf Blowers	Clearing leaves and debris	Nearly 80% of lawn care professionals

“Investing in the right lawn care equipment can transform your business, making your team more efficient and your services more valuable to clients.” – Sam, author of the blog and lawn expert

lawn care tools for Efficient Yard Maintenance

To keep your yard in top shape, you need the right tools. From basic hand tools to advanced power equipment, having the right gear is key. It boosts your team’s productivity and quality of work.

One key tool is the lawn mower… duh! The right mower greatly affects your lawn’s look and health. You can choose from push reel mowers, gas-powered rotary mowers, or zero-turn riding mowers, each fitting different lawn sizes and terrains.

String trimmers and edgers are also crucial. They help keep edges sharp and reach hard spots. These tools save time and effort, ensuring your yard looks professional.

Tool	Benefits
Reel Mowers	Provide a clean and precise cut, create lawn stripes, offer adjustable cutting height, easy to operate, operate quietly, versatile, and environmentally friendly.
Rotary Mowers	Suitable for larger lawns, offering power and efficiency, with additional features like mulching capabilities.
String Trimmers	Can save up to 80% of the time spent on trimming when used in conjunction with push mowers.
Lawn Edgers	Create crisp boundaries, enhancing the visual appeal and professionalism of a well-manicured yard.

Other important tools include rakes for removing debris, aerators for soil health, and spreaders or sprayers for treatments. A full set of lawn care tools improves your yard maintenance services. It helps you deliver outstanding results to your customers.

“The right tools can make all the difference in how efficiently you’re able to maintain your customers’ yards.” – Sam, lawn expert

With the best landscaping equipment and outdoor power tools, your lawn care work will run smoothly. This lets you offer excellent service to your clients. The right tools help you work more efficiently, increase productivity, and meet your customers’ high expectations.

Landscaping Vehicles and Trailers

Having the right landscaping vehicles and trailers is key for a well-kept lawn. These tools make your work easier and help move your lawn care gear efficiently. Let’s look at two important options that can boost your landscaping work.

Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs)

Utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) are very versatile for landscaping crews. They have big, turf-friendly tires and can tow trailers. This lets you move mowers, trimmers, and other tools quickly without harming the lawn.

Pickup Trucks and Flatbeds

Pickup trucks and flatbed trucks are vital for moving heavy landscaping gear and big mowers. They should have features like locking toolboxes and dumping mechanisms. These make loading, unloading, and moving your tools easier.

Landscaping Vehicle	Key Features	Ideal for
Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs)	Large, turf-friendly tires Ability to tow trailers Efficient equipment transport	Transporting mowers, trimmers, and other tools Moving equipment around job sites Navigating lawns with minimal damage
Pickup Trucks and Flatbeds	Hauling heavy landscaping equipment Transporting bulk materials Locking toolboxes and dumping mechanisms	Moving large mowers and equipment Transporting soil, mulch, and other supplies Securing and organizing tools and materials

Investing in the right landscaping vehicles and trailers can make your lawn care work better. Whether you pick a versatile UTV or a dependable pickup truck with a flatbed, these tools will greatly help your landscaping business.

Safety Gear for Lawn Care Professionals

Keeping your crew safe is as vital as having the right tools. As a lawn care pro, it’s key to give your team the right safety gear. This prevents injuries from using high-powered equipment. Quality personal protective equipment (PPE) ensures your team works safely and well.

Flying debris from power tools is a big safety risk. To protect your team’s eyes, safety glasses or wrap-around sunglasses are essential. Wearing eye protection is the top rule for lawn equipment use. It guards against flying chips, electrical sparks, and other dangers.

Gasoline-powered lawn tools can be very loud, risking hearing damage. Give your crew earplugs or headphone-style hearing protectors for loud machinery use. Power mowers and leaf blowers can be as loud as 100 decibels. Without proper protection, this can cause hearing loss.

Invest in sturdy, closed-toe shoes for foot safety with walk-behind mowers, trimmers, or chainsaws.
Give your team work gloves to protect hands and improve grip on equipment.
Encourage close-fitting clothing to avoid loose fabric getting tangled in machinery.
Recommend long pants and sleeves to protect against flying debris, like with hedge trimmers or chainsaws.

By focusing on lawn care safety and the right protective gear, your team can work with confidence. This prevents costly injuries. Investing in PPE is not just the right thing to do. It also keeps your team productive, efficient, and happy.

Specialized Tools for Lawn Renovation

As a lawn care pro, having the right tools is key. You need lawn aerators and sod cutters/rollers to keep lawns looking great.

Aerators for Healthy Lawns

Lawn aerators help improve soil aeration. This leads to lush, green grass. You can choose from walk-behind or tractor-mounted models.

Regular aeration lets water, air, and nutrients reach the soil better. This makes the grass thicker and more resilient.

Sod Cutters and Rollers

Sod cutters and rollers are crucial for lawn installation or renovation. Sod cutters remove old grass, making way for new sod. Lawn rollers smooth and compact the new turf.

Investing in top-notch lawn renovation tools boosts your business. Aerators and sod cutters/rollers help you deliver great results. This keeps customers happy and sets you apart in the turf maintenance world.

Spreaders and Sprayers for Lawn Treatment

Keeping your lawn healthy and lush is easier with the right tools. Broadcast spreaders and sprayers help spread fertilizers, herbicides, and grass seed evenly. Quality tools ensure your lawn looks great without over or under-treatment.

For small yards, handheld or canister-style spreaders and sprayers work best. They are light and easy to use for precise application. But, for those with large areas, powered backpack sprayers and broadcast spreaders are better. They cover more ground and work faster.

Brands like STIHL, Echo, Shindaiwa, and Z Turf have many reliable options. Whether you need a battery-powered sprayer or a durable broadcast spreader, there’s something for everyone.

Product	Description	Key Features
120-gallon zero-turn stand-on sprayer	A large-capacity sprayer with a 14-foot, 4-section, rear-mounted breakaway boom.	Ideal for large commercial properties, offers efficient coverage and precise application.
Birchmeier Iris 15 sprayer	A manual handheld sprayer with a 1.5-gallon tank.	Lightweight and easy to use for homeowners and small-scale applications.
FlowZone Cyclone 2.5 Backpack Sprayer	A battery-powered backpack sprayer with a 2.5-gallon tank and variable pressure settings.	Versatile for both homeowner and professional use, offers extended spray range.
Chapin Pro SS Salt Spreader	A heavy-duty broadcast spreader designed for salt and ice melt application.	Suitable for year-round use, including snow and ice treatment for commercial properties.

Whether you’re caring for your lawn or providing services, the right tools are key. Invest in quality spreaders and sprayers for even and effective lawn treatments.

Snow Removal Equipment for Year-Round Services

To make more money when it’s not mowing season, think about adding snow removal to your services. Snowblowers, both gas and battery, can clear snow fast. They work on sidewalks, driveways, and lots, offering a year-round service to your customers.

Snowblowers for Efficient Clearing

Ventrac leads in lawn care and snow tools. Their snowblowers tackle tough winter snow. The V-Blade, for example, keeps working even when hit hard. Its chute can swing 228 degrees, throwing snow up to 30 feet.

The Ventrac KV552 tractor blade is great for sidewalks. It can angle +/-30° to push snow in different directions. The 38-inch broom attachment also makes quick work of sidewalks.

“Ventrac provides a range of attachments including blades, brushes, blowers, spreaders, and buckets for snow removal applications.” – Louis, Ventrac owner that replied to our poll

The Ventrac SSV snow vehicle is another smart choice. It’s 36 inches wide and gets into tight spots. With attachments like rear-mounted spreaders, you can offer a full winter services package.

Getting the right lawn care equipment for snow removal sets you apart. It lets you offer more services and make money all year.

Digital Tools for Lawn Care Business Management

As a lawn care pro, I’ve learned how digital tools can change the game. While mowers and trimmers are key for a great lawn, the right software is crucial for managing a business. FieldRoutes has been a game-changer for me, making tasks like job costing and invoicing easier.

Cloud-based tools help me automate tasks like scheduling and billing. This saves me time and boosts my efficiency. I can focus more on giving top-notch lawn care to my clients. Apps like LeafSnap and Area Volume Calculator also help me work smarter, ensuring I deliver the best results.

In today’s competitive world, the right digital tools can set your business apart. They help me manage my business better, improve client communication, and use data to make smart decisions. As I keep exploring new lawn care software, I’m sure my business will keep growing and doing well.

FAQ

What are the essential hand tools for lawn care?

Key hand tools for lawn care include shovels and spades. Also, pruning shears and hedge trimmers are crucial. Rakes are used for cleaning up leaves and debris or for manicuring flower beds.

What kind of specialized equipment is needed beyond just a lawnmower?

You’ll need more than just a lawnmower. Essential tools include wheelbarrows for heavy lifting. Grass and hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers are also important for clean-up.

What tools are needed for efficient yard maintenance?

For efficient yard maintenance, you’ll need utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) for moving equipment. Pickup trucks and flatbeds are useful for hauling big items. Don’t forget safety gear like hearing protection and work gloves.

What specialized tools are used for lawn renovation and installation?

For lawn renovation and installation, you’ll need aerators to improve soil aeration. Sod cutters and rollers help with precise sod removal and installation. Spreaders and sprayers are key for applying lawn treatments evenly.

How can lawn care businesses expand their services beyond just mowing?

To offer more than just mowing, consider adding snow removal equipment like powerful snowblowers. Also, use digital tools like business management software. This can help streamline operations and give you an edge over competitors.