man mowing grasstest

By Mike Newland, Contributing Writer

April 2024

First impressions have a lasting effect on individuals’ opinions of a business or property, which is why high-quality landscaping is essential to the success of commercial facilities. Faced with rising fuel costs, labor shortages, and increasing emissions ordinances, facility and grounds managers are looking for ways to cut costs while improving efficiencies.  

Propane commercial mowers deliver high-power performance that grounds managers expect while offering a cost effective, environmentally friendly, and efficient solution. 

Cost-Savings considerations  

Maintaining or upgrading a commercial mowing fleet to meet environmental regulations doesn’t need to take a toll on annual budgets. From an operational standpoint, propane and gasoline mowers use approximately the same number of gallons per tank, but propane costs less.  

The price of propane traditionally falls between the prices of natural gas and oil, which greatly limits market price fluctuations compared to the price swings with gasoline and diesel.?To further reduce the risk of shifting fuel costs, negotiating a fuel contract with a propane supplier could lock in a set price. ? 

Additionally, the initial purchase price of propane mowers is lower than electric options. A new electric commercial mower can cost between $20,000 and $30,000 versus $8,000 to $12,000 for a propane commercial mower. 

Many grounds departments are not in a position to purchase a new fleet. Fortunately, there are propane conversion kits available for gasoline mowers. Depending on the engine, a conversion kit will cost between $1,000 and $1,500 — a small investment when considering the fuel cost savings in the long run. Plus, propane commercial mowers have a longer life expectancy than many other mowers and may provide a higher return on investment.  

Over the life of a propane mower, fleet managers often report seeing lower fuel costs, improved maintenance, and an increase in daily productivity, all of which add up to a lower total cost of operation and free up dollars to be used elsewhere.  

Environmental impact  

In addition to cost benefits, propane fleets are more environmentally friendly than their diesel- and gasoline-fueled counterparts. By using propane-powered landscaping equipment, operators can avoid spilling gasoline, which kills grass on contact and contaminates the soil.  

In many densely populated areas, there are restrictions around internal combustion engine fleets because of air quality concerns. However, propane mowers do not put off those toxic fumes, so contractors can continue operations as scheduled.  

Related Content: The Unseen Challenges Grounds Managers Face

Propane-powered?commercial mowers emit up to 19 percent fewer nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, 16 percent fewer sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, and 17 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline-fueled commercial mowers. These reductions don’t only benefit the environment;?they also?provide a healthier workday for crews, which could?lead to improved employee retention. 

Contractors can reach a growing market of green-minded customers by highlighting propane’s environmentally friendly attributes. Propane’s non-toxic profile and clean emissions may appeal to parents and schools to keep children safe on greenspaces. In commercial settings, business owners can call out that they work with contractors using clean equipment as they, too, seek to reach eco-conscious consumers. 

Productivity and efficiency 

For generations, propane has built a reputation as a reliable energy source. When new technology or innovations emerge, business owners can continue to trust propane to reliably provide power.  

Before investing in an electric mowing fleet, consider if the facility is capable of charging multiple commercial electric mowers. Most electric equipment requires at least 200-amp service, but many older commercial structures are still running 100-amp. Most electric commercial mower options are only offered in smaller configurations, with a 52-inch deck or smaller, requiring more time to get the job done. Regardless of the deck size, all electric options have a limited run time and if a crew member forgets to plug a unit in before leaving, that mower won’t have enough battery left to make it through the next workday.  

With propane, there’s very little downtime needed to refuel with easy-to-swap cylinders. Plus, propane increases crew productivity by reducing downtime spent at neighborhood gas stations. 

With on-site storage options available, grounds managers can work with their local propane supplier to coordinate a cylinder exchange program or teach operators how to refill cylinders from a larger tank on-site.  

For cylinder exchange programs, propane suppliers will take empty cylinders and restock the storage cage with full cylinders on a regular schedule. Suppliers will also inspect and replace broken or damaged cylinders with each service. Propane suppliers often offer additional safety training opportunities for customers to ensure all employees understand how to install propane cylinders and utilize refueling equipment properly. 

Overall, propane-powered commercial mower fleets are helping contractors improve their bottom line with lower costs and increased productivity, while addressing environmental concerns. Facility managers can explore cost-savings with PERC’s mower cost calculator. Use the calculator and learn more about propane-powered mowers, at Propane.com/Commercial-Mowers.  

Mike Newland is the director of agriculture business development at PERC.