Managing a landscaping or gardening business means heavy tool use. You’d never be able to tackle the sheer amount of work without electric, wired, or gas-powered tools. Manual toolwork just takes too long, is too energy-intensive on your laborers, and is less efficient overall.
What you gain in speed and efficiency with motorized tools, however, you lose in maintenance. These tools need to be cared for, maintained, repaired and, eventually, replaced. Knowing when to replace over repair, however, can be a tricky balance, so use these tips to help you know just when to make the upgrade:
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Your Tools are Too Worn Down
One of the main reasons to invest in new tools is because the existing set you currently have is wearing down faster than you can repair. These tools might have frequent downtime periods, might break in ways that increasingly become more expensive, or just seem to be falling apart whenever you touch them.
If the cost of repairs is increasing, and the time between fixes is decreasing, then you will need to buy another unit.
Your Tools are Slowing Down
Another key sign you need to replace your garden tools is that they have started to slow down. This means they either work more slowly or alternatively are operating with less power. Both can mean it’s harder to do your job, but more worryingly, they can actually end up being a danger because it takes more effort than it should for the operator to use them.
Performance Isn’t What It Could Be
If your tools are breaking down frequently, you need a new unit, but technically, you could just aim to buy the same unit as before. Sometimes, opting for the old, reliable machine can be just what you need. In others, you need an actual upgrade.
One of the key signs you need an upgrade is that your tools are simply working with older technology. Take lawn mowers, for example. You might think any riding lawn mower that can handle the specs you need is good enough, but newer zero-turn mowers can turn on the spot thanks to their four-wheel drive, allowing you to get into awkward corners and do a much faster and more efficient job overall.
It’s specs like that you want to watch out for. Big changes in how fast and how efficiently you can use a tool are always a bonus.
They Aren’t as Safe as Newer Models
Safety should always be a priority for you as a business owner. As such, it’s always a good idea to upgrade old tools if there are significant increases to the safety features on the new models. In some cases, new, safer designs can be as simple as having more ergonomic handles, so they’re easier to use.
You Struggle to Meet Project Demands
If you struggle to get the lawn cut on time, or can’t tackle the job you were hired to do, then your business’ reputation will struggle outright. Not only should you consider upgrading your current toolset when this happens, but you should also consider adding to your roster to take care of those big-ticket jobs.
