As the mowing season comes to a close, the off-season is the perfect time for commercial landscapers to consider converting their equipment to propane. While the initial cost and installation of conversion kits can be a significant investment, landscapers can see a return on investment in as little as half a mowing season thanks to propane’s reliability, cleanliness, and cost savings.

Conversion Kits
Lawn experts should keep in mind any gasoline engine can be converted to run on propane with an easy-to-install conversion kit. Conversion kits typically range from $1,000 to $1,700, not including installation costs. These kits are typically designed for specific engine classifications from all the major manufacturers like John Deere, Briggs & Stratton, and Gravely. Conversion kits from reputable vendors, like Propane Power Systems and Alliance Small Engines, are also EPA and CARB certified, which ensures your fleet is compliant with local and federal air quality standards. Installing propane conversion kits is relatively straightforward for any mechanic familiar with gasoline engines, and some retailers will also install the kits as well. This winter, ask your local dealers about converting to propane and get a head start on the competition before next spring.

Cost Savings
Propane’s most obvious advantage over conventional options like diesel and gasoline is its cost. Propane prices average around 30-40% less than gasoline and diesel, which can save landscapers thousands of dollars a year on fuel alone. Propane is also far more price-stable than gasoline and diesel because it is produced domestically within the United States and not imported from foreign countries. For commercial landscapers, this cost advantage is especially true during prime mowing season. Propane typically sees price volatility in the winter, when it’s highest in demand; commercial landscapers who convert to propane have no trouble sourcing propane at stable prices during those peak spring and summer months.

Propane-powered equipment, like mowers, also provide more flexible refueling options. Unlike gasoline and diesel, propane can be stored in cylinders or accessed through on-site refueling stations. These closed loop systems mitigate spillage, groundwater contamination, and theft, providing even more cost savings. The flexibility of propane refueling also allows landscapers to maintain productivity without wasting time on frequent trips to the gas station.

Not only are propane mowers more affordable to refuel, they’re also less expensive to maintain. Propane engines experience less carbon buildup and engine wear compared to gasoline engines, resulting in lower maintenance costs over time. This efficiency not only helps save money but also reduces the frequency of repairs, further enhancing productivity.

Performance
­­­Companies specializing in landscape and turf management can enjoy all these cost benefits without making any sacrifices to their equipment’s performance. In most cases, propane mowers perform as well or better than their gasoline counterparts, especially when considering the advantages of using clean equipment. Propane mowers operate quietly and without the noxious odors of gasoline and diesel equipment, making for a more pleasant user experience. While electric equipment offers the same benefit, propane mowers aren’t limited to the duty cycle of the storage device the way electric mowers are. No matter the job, propane maximizes your crew’s productivity while also meeting air quality standards.

Sustainability
As environmental regulations become more stringent, the cost of operating diesel and gasoline mowers will increase. Switching to propane allows landscapers to lower their carbon footprint and stay compliant with regulations without sacrificing productivity or needing to purchase prohibitively expensive alternatives like electric mowers. Propane offers compliancy with these regulations now and well into the future. Unlike gasoline equipment, propane mowers are allowed to operate during air quality protection initiatives, like Ozone Action Days, meaning landscaping services continue uninterrupted. As customers become more environmentally aware, aligning business practices with sustainability goals can enhance a company’s reputation and attract new green-minded customers.

Propane Equipment is a Cut Above
With significant cost savings, performance advantages, and sustainability, propane equipment can positively impact landscaping and turf management companies for years to come. Learn more about how propane can power your landscaping business.