Forum Widgets
Recent Discussions
You down with PPE? Yeah, you know me!
Google AI explains it as "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to any clothing or equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards in the workplace and protect the wearer's health and safety. PPE is considered the last line of defense when other controls cannot eliminate or reduce the hazard adequately." I've always viewed personal protective equipment (PPE) as my primary shield for staying safe and healthy on the job. With machinery that can spin at speeds up to 10,000 RPM, it’s essential to prioritize my protection. What about you? What PPE do you typically use in your work? For me, I rely on: Ear protection: Since most of our tools operate at high decibel levels, it’s crucial to safeguard my hearing. I personally prefer foam earplugs over earmuffs for comfort. Eye protection: When handling equipment like line trimmers, mowers, chainsaws, and blowers, debris can go flying everywhere. I want to ensure my eyes stay safe from any potential hazards. Safety boots: I opt for high-rise boots with steel or composite toes and plates to protect my feet. Long pants: These are important for shielding my legs from rocks and other materials that can become projectiles. Sun hat: Keeping my head and shoulders covered helps shield me from the sun's rays while I work. Remember, taking these precautions not only keeps us safe but also helps us enjoy our work without worry! One more important type of PPE—at least in my view—is knowledge! It’s really vital to have as many staff members trained in First Aid as possible.
The $10,000 Flush: Why Your "Flushable" Wipes are Killing Your Septic System
We see it every week. A homeowner calls us out for a backup, swearing they’ve done everything right. They don't put grease down the drain, they don't use the garbage disposal, and they even use those expensive "septic-safe" additives they found at the big-box store. Then we open the tank. What do we find? A "mat" of flushable wipes that looks like a wet wool sweater and a system that is literally choking to death. At First Turn Grading & Septic, we’re tired of seeing good people waste thousands of dollars because of clever marketing. It’s time to set the record straight. The "Flushable" Lie Manufacturers can call a wipe "flushable" simply because it disappears when you pull the handle. That doesn't mean it breaks down. Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to dissolve in seconds, these wipes are reinforced with plastic or synthetic fibers. In a septic tank, they don't disintegrate. They float, they clog your inlet pipe, and eventually, they make their way into your drain field. Once they’re in the drain field, you aren't looking at a simple pumping job anymore—you're looking at a full system replacement. Stop "Seeding" Your Tank with Junk We’ve heard it all: "Flush a dead mouse," "Add a packet of yeast," or "Use this monthly chemical booster." Here is the truth: Your body provides all the bacteria your septic tank needs. Most additives actually do more harm than good by breaking down solids too much, suspended them in the liquid, and allowing them to flow into your drain field pipes where they cause permanent clogs. The Only Three Things You Should Flush If it isn't one of these three things, it belongs in the trash can: **bleep** Poop Paper (Toilet paper only!) Let’s Settle This in the Comments: We know some of you swear by your additives or "flushable" wipes. Have you ever had a tech tell you your tank was "clean" while using them? Or have you been the victim of a "flushable wipe" backup? Drop a comment below—tell us your worst septic horror story or tell us why we’re wrong about the wipes! We respond to every single one.How do lawn care and arborist businesses mount hedge trimmers inside enclosed trailers?
Hello lawncare / arborists, I have a new Echo Gas hedge trimmer that I want to hang up in my enclosed trailer. How does everyone transport them around? Any home made hanger ideas or store bought ready to go options? Thanks, ~Jon - Blue Phoenix Yard Care~What tools do service professionals carry every day beyond their main equipment?
I’m not just referring to the basic tools of the trade. Every Day Carries (EDC) are those essential items you simply can’t do without. I always ensure I have my wallet filled with business cards, my cellphone, sunglasses, Felco pruners, a Leatherman multitool, a reliable folding knife, a working pen, a notepad, a small flashlight, and an irrigation adjustment tool. There have been so many moments while I’m out providing quotes where my EDC items truly help seal the deal. For instance, if I’m walking a property for a landscape maintenance job and I spot a broken branch on a Linden, I can quickly pull out my pruners to snip it off. Or if I see that a corner of a lawn is looking a bit dry, I can take just a couple of minutes to adjust an irrigation head. Potential customers really appreciate noticing your attention to detail and your proactive approach to caring for their property, even before you finalize a contract! What do you carry on your person every time you leave the house/business?New, Used, or Lease? And WHEN?
As a small business owner it has been nothing short of challenging to build a business from nothing. I came from nothing and have built this thing from the ground up. I didn't have a lot of money. When I first started I couldn't afford company vehicles. I eventually bought used vehicles in the $20K-$30K range and financed them and that was fine until I unexpectedly slowed down and had to sell off my trucks just to survive. Once I rebuilt from the slow down I decided to buy used vans around $9K to $10K cash. Right now I have 6 vehicles. One of those vehicles needs major work done. And the others are all 100K miles or more and I feel like they are just ticking time bombs. I want the reliability of newer, or leased vehicles but the risk intimidates me after my struggles in 2022. Is there a formula for when you should go from paying cash for used, to financing newer/new, and to finally leasing? Is there a revenue metric, a number of vehicles in your fleet, or some other sign that going one route over the other is more advantageous or less risky? Thanks for taking the time to read this and share feedback!
Tasks in Jobber for Equipment Maintenance
Is anyone using tasks in Jobber to track/schedule regular maintenance on equipment? Oil changes, new tires, etc. If so, I'd be curious to hear how it is working for you. How easy is it to pull up the maintenance history on a particular piece of equipment? Before looking at a separate solution, I'd prefer to use something we already have.
