21" push mowers

[Earthscapes]

I swore to myself, I would never go this route again, but after the contract I signed today I have no choice. Property has 3 courtyards inside of the 2buildings. In order to mow the yards the mower must be taken through the halls and rec rooms. The last crews used to drag a grassy and sometimes wet muddy mower through the carpeted buildings, making an absoulte mess. I suggested they put a little shed in each courtyard so I can store a mower for the season, they loved the idea. So that brings me back to the point that I need (3) 21" mowers by next week. They must be mulching mowers as I'm not dragging cans of grass through the building. The areas are somewhat small and won't take more than 15 min. every week. I set it up so one guy can mow the 3, then trim, edge and blow the rest of the property while the other 2 guys mow the 4.5 acres.

If you have any ideas of how to get 15 yds of mulch into each courtyard I'd like to hear them too LOL.

[Rocket]

No kidding this is exactly the type of work I love. Blow the mulch in with hoses, wheel it in or drop it in via crane like we would on roofs. Use rolls of weed fabric or painters cloths on the floor. Cleaning should be a part of the bid. Do it on Sunday if it is closed or at least quieter. I am jealous!

The Toro heavy duty 21" Pro mower is great for this type of work.

[GMC Driver]

I'll second the Toro - great mower that hasn't let me down.

As for the mulch - Don's got an idea with blowing it in. Or you could do it Shawshank style - going to have to get them to sign a multi-year!

[Landgreen]

For that kind of hassle, you must be making some good coin on that account. What about a little cart to set the mower on so you can wheel through the buildings yet it will catch whatever falls off the mower?

Sounds like you'll be blowing mulch in. Might be lots of clean-up if you have to wheel it through the buildings or don't fill them very high. Just how far do you have to walk through the building to get to the courtyard?

Dave- Ok. I'll bite. What is "Shawshank style". If it has to do with the movie I'm not sure I want to know.

[Earthscapes]

Yep it's good coin, actually great coin, biggest contract I have ever signed. 3 year deal and the plowing/salting. Funny though I priced it back in Dec. and they just called me last night to come in today and sign all the paper work. I almost didn't accept it, as i'm already loaded to the gills, but I'm greedy so I had to have it. I'll most likely sub out a days mowing to concentrate on this property. The spring cleanup will be the worst part 200+yds of mulch, but once we get through that, the mowing should be pretty simple.

Anyway the courtyards are about 330 ft. through the buildings. I put a call into a local co. with a mulch blower. It would be easier to run the hoses over the roof, as it's a much shorter distance about a 100 ft.
I'll go Toro shopping this weekend. The cart idea came up, but it the long run, much easier to leave a mower in each court and I already figured in the price for 3 new 21" mowers. I may even go pick up a 72" rider, though the 60's should be fine for now.

[GMC Driver]

Dave- Ok. I'll bite. What is "Shawshank style". If it has to do with the movie I'm not sure I want to know.


In the movie, Tim Robbins put soil in his pockets and shook it out every day in the compound. That's how he excavated the tunnel.






I know, pretty lame. It seemed alot funnier last night - must have been a combination of heat stroke and :drinkup !

[Mark Oomkes]

Definitely the bark blower. The only problem in the building is if a hose blows, then you may have a mess. My sub does it all the time through buildings. At 200 yds, I'd let them do the whole thing, but I'm lazy.

Sounds good on the mower, haven't had a Toro 21" in years, so I can't help on that.