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Thread: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

  1. #1
    Traedayz's Avatar
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    Default Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Hi all,

    Trae here I am a former mature aged apprentice carpenter who has recently lost my license and job! decided with the wife that we would start a new venture so she is the driver and we do this part time around our kids 5-6 who are in kinder and prep.

    I joined this site about 6 years ago under a different name and couldn't remember the login details so created a new account paid for the membership and bought some stuff off the online store. I received the manual and stock yesterday, but yeah this has been an idea for the last 6 years and was put off back then as I was already working for myself as a sole trader in another field.

    I had already registered the business name and made a Facebook page (link in sig) we also had a logo and some flyers made up should be here by Friday to distribute locally, we have already done a few big yard clean ups and even a vacant block mow (took 4 hours with a pushie lol) we currently have 6 regular customers and some leads on 2 real estate agents who have seen our work and want to give us more which is good as we have only been active for under a month part time.

    I have noticed this forum was really hot when I first came across it 6 years ago, but now most of the threads are dated?

    I am needing some advise relevant to 2016 as to what are the best or should I say decent commercial quality whipper snippers, lawn mowers, multi tools etc. to purchase.

    At the moment we have a

    - 7x4 caged trailer was our camping one.
    - Victa 550e series mower our home one.
    - Makita RST210? bent shaft snipper our home use one.
    - Parklander hedge trimmer (cheap and heavy bought for one job have already used for 3 jobs!)
    - Tanaka blower (had a Makita 4 stroke was too heavy so sold it love the light weight tanaka)
    - Makita chainsaw mini one for camping.

    I'm looking to upgrade some gear and also to have spares have seen the tanaka brush cutters & multi tools which I quite like. Not sure on the mowers Honda was the go are they still which models etc?

    Honda brush cutters? I've also seen the multi tools on ebay for under $500 with the Honda gx35 engine any good?

    Quite a daunting and exciting experience especially the quoting part, have lost out on a few big full yard clean ups Mrs wasn't too impressed since she's the designated weeder but I think I'm getting better.

    Anyhow good to be here finally thanks in advance for any help.

    Trae & Candice


    LAWN 'N' ORDER VIC - Keeping Your Lawn Off The Neighbourhood Watch List!

    https://www.facebook.com/lawnnorder.vic/

  2. #2
    Senior Member kevinsuzanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    have a look at the husky 525 brushcutter can use as a multitool .rover commercial selfpropelled mower are
    a good investments.Goodluck and hope it all goes well

  3. #3
    Senior Member GardeningSolutions's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    x2 on the husky 525LST. Any of the husky gear is good. Stihl is good with great specials at the moment. Personally I found Honda power equipment too heavy for all day use, others may disagree. Best advice which I'm sure you're aware of since being a tradie. Don't buy cheap sh*t tools. Or homeowner quality. Stick with quality commercial brands & buy from a quality service agent.

  4. #4
    Member brett73's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Get a husky or shindaiwa multi tool, it's a big investment, but can be staggered over several weeks.
    It's how I got going yrs ago and was the best way I found to get quality gear, with out a big exspense up front.

    The rover mowers are up around $1000 now and even though they are good units, I almost think it is worth spending just a few extra $$ for the Honda now. Apparently they have just re released the old model mower with the full width rear discharge chute.

  5. #5
    Traedayz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Thanks for the responses all Generally I like getting the best tool for the job instead of the cheap stuff, I guess in this situation only a few weeks in and just starting out it's a bit nervy to think of splashing out on the best gear without much of a gaureentee of workload.

    I did some research about the rover sp and Honda sp mowers and sort of settled on the rover for the wet and Honda for the dry grass, but if what Brett is saying is true about the chute I may have to rethink this a bit.

    Another question that springs to mind is where you all buy your gear from at discounted prices? those of you in the south east of Melbourne would be a great help. Places like the red shed? Outdoor power equipment warehouse?

    In other news had an old workmate see my Facebook page and wanted a quote he's used another bloke twice recently don't know what happened but anyway quoted the job this morning and have picked up another regular sweet, he also has another bloke keen to get some work done.

    Got the flyers delivered earlier than expected so did a few blocks worth off letterbox drops this arvo didn't really put a dent in the 5000 worth we ordered but hopefullly get a few hits from the locals. Hopefully will slowly start gaining some momentum over the next few weeks to a month


    LAWN 'N' ORDER VIC - Keeping Your Lawn Off The Neighbourhood Watch List!

    https://www.facebook.com/lawnnorder.vic/

  6. #6
    Senior Member geoff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    just a little thing i would recommend is buy from a dealer that will service your equip,ment....if you stick to one shop they will look after you ..build up a good relationship..slap at Xmas time etc etc get to know them and you will find the will look after you..getting the cheapest price is good but its the after sales that important in this business.. ive been going to same place for nearly 30 years and they get my stuff fixed at a moments notice...

  7. #7
    Senior Member 4 Gardens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff View Post
    just a little thing i would recommend is buy from a dealer that will service your equip,ment....if you stick to one shop they will look after you ..build up a good relationship..slap at Xmas time etc etc get to know them and you will find the will look after you..getting the cheapest price is good but its the after sales that important in this business.. ive been going to same place for nearly 30 years and they get my stuff fixed at a moments notice...
    Great advice!!!


    I changed brands to get better equipment servicing and repairs
    The old supplier was great at selling...crap at servcing

  8. #8
    Senior Member kevinsuzanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    $899 recently i paid for commercial rover [stihl shop in mildura]

  9. #9
    Member Victoria PhilG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    More competition in Carrum Downs!!!! Lucky I am not into residential anymore otherwise I would have to run you out of town. Get your stuff from the Red Shed in Dandenong. Cheapest around. Well for us they are. They look after us. For servicing and repairs, after the warranty has run out of course take your stuff to Travis at Top Notch Small Engines in Carrum Downs. Best mechanic around.

  10. #10
    Traedayz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Some good advice there thanks geoff. 30 years bloody long time no wonder they look after you!

    kevinsuzane thanks I will be going into look at some more over the weekend

    PhilG yep I've checked out redshed dandy I'll most likely be buying from them when the time comes, and thanks yeah I already started going to Travis from top notch as I'm only a k up the road used to go to noble park lawn mowers when we lived down that way but getting a bit far now we're here.

    As for running me outta town haha yep I've noticed more than just a few lawnis in the area, driving around they just seem to be everywhere haha!

    Had a look at your Facebook and website looks the goods and you do good work! Nice setup you got going there also.


    LAWN 'N' ORDER VIC - Keeping Your Lawn Off The Neighbourhood Watch List!

    https://www.facebook.com/lawnnorder.vic/

  11. #11
    Traedayz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    I'm still a little undecided when I get my license back in February of whether to go back and finish my apprentice in carpentry or landscaping and keep this going part time as we're running it now, or go in it full swing by myself (my mrs wants to get back into realestate in the future) the thinking behind going back and pursuing landscaping/carpentry etc is I could eventually offer more specialised services than just mowing etc.


    LAWN 'N' ORDER VIC - Keeping Your Lawn Off The Neighbourhood Watch List!

    https://www.facebook.com/lawnnorder.vic/

  12. #12
    Member Victoria PhilG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Get the qualifications. Finish the apprenticeship

  13. #13
    Senior Member seliment's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Quote Originally Posted by PhilG View Post
    Get the qualifications. Finish the apprenticeship
    +1. .

  14. #14
    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    Quote Originally Posted by PhilG View Post
    Get the qualifications. Finish the apprenticeship
    +2

    "a good relationship..slap at Xmas time etc"

    And Geoff are you giving your lawn mowing shop bloke a slap or a slab for Chrissie? Whatever works i say.

  15. #15
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newbie from Carrum Downs. VIC. HELP!

    +3 .....get qualified




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

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