Grounds Care Equipment Options

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This is Chris Matt, Associate Editor of Maintenance Solutions magazine. Today’s tip is understanding grounds care equipment options

When grounds managers are preparing their budgets, equipment analysis is a critical part of the planning process. What equipment needs replacement? What equipment will improve productivity? What equipment will improve the grounds’ appearance?

Attachments for mowing equipment and tractors can be a cost-effective answer to these questions. Mowing decks are the most obvious attachments for use with mowing vehicles and tractors. Rotary mowers are the most popular option for general grounds maintenance. Gang-reel mowers attach to a tractor and are ground-driven, and a flail mower also is pulled behind a tractor and is power-take-off driven.

Mowers and tractors are very costly, so to have one sit for four or five months out of the year makes little sense. Snow-removal equipment, leaf vacuums, aerators, brooms, trailers, seeders and many more attachments all can increase the versatility of mowers and tractors.

For improved efficiency, manufacturers also have developed arms that can hold an edger, a line trimmer and a blower so workers can perform several operations while mowing without leaving the seat. The most important thing in the selection process is to make sure the vehicle’s engine and hydraulics can support the attachment.