Walker Mower owners pride themselves in having a machine that does more than mow a lawn; Walkers, they say, actually “manicure” a lawn. As a manufacturer, we like to hear that, yet at the same time we understand that the way an operator uses the mower can mean the difference between an averagelooking lawn and a spectacular one.

If you purchased a new mower or two this spring, by now you’ve had a chance to grade performance. No doubt, some new owners are as pleased as they can be with their purchases. Others may question whether or not they made the right choice.

How much do you charge for your services? Do you have a minimum fee for maintaining a property? What criteria do you use when coming up with a pricing strategy? Do you have a different pricing strategy for different customers or when using different pieces of equipment? These are just a few of the questions Walker Mfg. asked in a survey sent to a random sample of 2,000 Walker Mower users in September 2002. More than 400 contractors responded to the survey. The results follow.

Can you recognize the signs that indicate you’ve grown too fast or that you’ve become too big? If you recognize them early enough, there’s plenty of time to take your foot off the business accelerator and regain control of your operation. If you don’t, there is the danger that your business, not you, will end up doing the driving.

We’re not bashful about saying that Walker Mowers equipped with GHS decks are among the most effective tools for collecting grass clippings and leaves in the industry. The challenge for most Walker users is not picking up debris, but finding a time-saving and cost-effective way to handle it once it has been collected.

Lawn maintenance contractors who operate without contracts may be missing out on one of the most effective ways to communicate with their customers. That’s right, because the reason for having a contract goes well beyond its legal definition.