The Black Ink Team’s Guide To Outdoor Power Equipment For Landscapers
by Black Ink Team
If you are looking to get into the landscaping services game, you should start by learning the tools of the trade. Right out of the gate your clients will expect you to not cut corners and to be an expert when it comes to making outdoor spaces look nice. Not to mention, you can save a lot of time and money by knowing which machines will best equip you to accomplish certain tasks. Here are basic introductions to the topmost important pieces of outdoor power equipment that landscapers use on a pretty much everyday basis.
Chain Saws
Chain saws are woodcutting machines. They range in size: some are designed for lighter cutting or pruning, whereas others are larger and can be used to chop down entire trees. Chain saws consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a bar, and a chain studded with sharp teeth. The chain, which can be removed and replaced depending on the job, revolves at a high RPM around the bar. Arborists and other tree cutting professionals use chain saws for landscaping purposes; also, first responders use them to remove fallen limbs and for storm cleanup. Some homeowners use them for firewood cutting.
Trimmers
Trimmers (or brushcutters) are plant cutting machines. They are designed for shearing off the tops of plants that are close to the ground. Trimmers consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a horizontally-aligned spindle, and a string attached to the spindle. Since it gets spun at a very high RPM, the string (usually made from nylon) can cut through moderately tough plant matter. A weekly use for trimmers is keeping weeds and other plants that may encroach onto driveways at bay.
Edgers
Edgers are digging machines. They can be used to accurately dig shallow, thin trenches that protect flower beds and driveways from encroaching plants. They consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a vertically-aligned blade, and a wheel for guiding where the blade cuts. The wheel can be usually be adjusted to alter the depth of the trench that the edger creates.
Hedge Trimmers
Hedge trimmers are shrubbery-cutting machines. They can be used for seasonal trimming of hedges, or for cutting shrubs into shapes. Hedge trimmers consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a set of blades, and a guardplate. The blades are moved at a high pace back-and-forth over the guardplate, allowing leaves and other parts of hedges to be cut when they fall between them.
Pole Pruners
Pole pruners are similar to chain saws, in that they consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a bar, and a chain studded with sharp teeth. However, pole pruners are also comprised of a long pole (which may or may not extend depending on the model) which grants the user the ability to use the machine to cut small limbs which are high off the ground, or in other otherwise difficult places to reach.
Blowers
Blowers (or leaf blowers) are designed to generate flowing air directed at the user’s spot of choice. They are most commonly used to blow leaves (hence ‘leaf blower’) but they are also perfect for any job which requires the removal of lots of small debris. ‘Backpack blowers’ are worn by the user on their back, which enables extended use. Furthermore, backpack blowers generally produce greater air flow, as their harness enables the user to carry a bigger apparatus.
Shredder Vacs
Shredder vacs resemble leaf blowers, except they have bags attached to the side. Instead of blowing, they suck. An internal blade chops debris coming into the machine into smaller parts, which get collected in the bag. Homeowners and professional landscapers use shredder vacs, especially where there are numerous trees, to dispose of large amounts of leaves in a relatively small amount of time. Chopping leaves into smaller parts allows for more of them to be placed in one bag.
Sprayers
Sprayers come in two varieties, manual and powered, but they both accomplish the same task: dispersing pesticides and other liquid agents across large areas in little time. Manual sprayers require the user to operate a hand pump throughout the process.
Pressure Washers
Pressure washers are water-spraying machines. They consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a pressure tank, and a hose. They deliver over fifty times the psi (pounds per square inch) of water pressure than regular garden hoses do. Some are equipped with special nozzles that allow the user to simultaneously spray soap or other agents. They have many uses, including washing driveways, path stones, and fountains.
Lawn Mowers
Lawn mowers are grass cutting machines. They consist of an engine (or an electric motor), a horizontally-mounted set of blades, and wheels. Some also include a bag which collects the grass clippings as you go. The blades rotate close to the ground, and shear off the tops of blades of grass. Most lawn mowers are adjustable, meaning you can change what height you are cutting the grass to. ‘Ride-on lawn mowers’ include a seat which the user sits in and controls the mower from.