Your Landscape
Asset Manager
Asset Manager
Through propane-powered riding mowers, low-emission outdoor power equipment, and exploring battery-operated equipment options, our company continues to prioritize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Propane Riding Mowers
We upgraded our riding mowing fleet to the new propane-powered John Deere with Mulch on Demand (MOD) mower decks. We tested out these revolutionary mowers in 2012 with tremendous success and have replaced our six riders.
We are reducing the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 48% compared to the previous gas powered mowers In addition, we are reducing our fuel costs as propane is cheaper than unleaded. In addition, the revolutionary new MOD deck allow our operators to vary the mulch setting throughout the day. In wetter thicker conditions, they will set to mulch less and bag more than during dryer and thinner conditions, mulch more and bag less. In our demo last year, we were able to reduce clipping removal by over 60% vs normal mowing. The more efficient and variable mulching helps us reduce disposal while allowing us to return nutrients back into the lawn. View video.
These new mowers were a significant investment, but we believe they will also improve our efficiency and reduce our disposal costs, providing good ROI. Sustainable initiatives need to be economically sustainable and we believe this is a great example.
Electric & Battery-Operated Equipment
Historically, commercial landscape equipment including blowers, edgers, hedge trimmers, and weed eaters have been powered by two cycle engines. Although two cycle engine technology is improving, electric and battery-powered equipment technology is developing in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As with all new technologies, battery equipment that is strong and efficient is more expensive than traditional two cycle equipment; the technology is rapidly developing, and we believe will eventually replace two cycle engines. We have some battery-operated equipment in our fleet and continue to monitor and work with manufacturers to improve the efficiency of these pieces. Based on customer requests, we currently provide battery-operated equipment, but due to their increased price and lower productivity and efficiency, there is a cost impact when these appliances are used. However, we believe the technology will develop over the next decade to make it a cost-effective option on all properties.