To get you started, let’s go over the various tools and equipment the maintenance teams use regularly.

If you have worked in landscaping before, this will be a basic list. If you are new, this list will help you with a basic understanding of what you and your team will be using regularly and you will quickly get on track with the language. Either way, you will have a foundation as we will get into more detail on some of these items later in this lesson.

Our maintenance teams rely on a variety of tools and equipment to efficiently and effectively perform their tasks.

These tools are essential for everything from mowing lawns to trimming bushes, and addressing various landscaping needs. Here are some common tools used by our professional landscape maintenance team:

1. Lawn Mowers:

   • Walk-behind mowers and riding mowers are used for cutting grass to maintain a well-groomed appearance.

2. String Trimmers (Weed Eaters):

   • String trimmers are used for edging, trimming grass along fences, sidewalks, and other hard-to-reach areas.

3. Hedge Trimmers:

   • Hedge trimmers or shears are used to shape and trim bushes, shrubs, and hedges.

4. Pruners and Loppers:

   • Pruners and loppers are essential for cutting and shaping trees, shrubs, and branches.

5. Leaf Blowers and Vacuums:

   • Leaf blowers are used to clear leaves, debris, and grass clippings from lawns, driveways, and walkways. Our tow behind leaf vac is used for vacuuming up leaves and blowing them into the back of the truck.

6. Bed Edger:

   • Our Bed Edger Machines create clean and defined edges along lawns, gardens, and flower beds.

7. Rakes and Shovels:

   • Rakes are used for gathering leaves and debris, while shovels are necessary for digging and moving soil, mulch, and gravel.

8. Aerators:

   • Lawn aerators create holes in the soil to improve water and nutrient absorption for healthier lawns.

9. Spreaders:

   • Seed spreaders evenly distribute grass seed, fertilizer, or other soil amendments.

10. Pruning Saws:

    • Pruning saws are used for cutting larger branches and limbs on trees and shrubs.

11. Wheelbarrow:

    • This small cart with a single wheel at the front and two supporting legs and two handles at the rear, used typically for carrying mulch, soil and other bulk materials.

12. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE):

    • Safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses, helmets, and hearing protection to ensure the safety of crew members. If you do not have proper PPE see your manager.

13. Sprayers:

    • Handheld or backpack sprayers are used for applying herbicides, pesticides, deer control, and fertilizers.

14. Trucks and Trailers:

    • Vehicles and trailers are used to transport equipment, tools, and crew members to job sites.

15. Mulch Blowers:

    • For larger landscaping projects, mulch blowers can efficiently and evenly distribute mulch across large areas.

16. Tarps:

    • Tarps are used for transporting relatively light bulk materials such as leaves, branches, and grass clippings.
17. Mantis Tiller
    • The Mantis Tiller is a popular brand of small, lightweight, and versatile garden tiller used for preparing soil for planting and cultivating gardens. These tillers are known for their ease of use and effectiveness in turning over soil.
18. Seeder / Renovator 
    • This machine aerates the lawn like an aerator but also has the option to drop seed during the process.  This is used primarily for lawn renovation and overseeding projects.

Professional landscape maintenance crews often have a diverse array of tools and equipment to handle different tasks efficiently and maintain the health and appearance of landscapes for their clients. The choice of tools depends on the specific services provided and the scale of the landscaping projects.