Are you a landscaping service provider specializing in enhancing the outdoor spaces of businesses?
In that case, you know that the landscapes you create are not just green spaces – they’re the first impression of these organizations.
Whether it’s a bustling mall, a thriving office complex, an inspiring college campus, or a well-maintained municipal area, your work leaves a lasting mark, influencing countless visitors’ and employees’ impressions and experiences. And in this competitive arena, having the right tools for landscapers can be the key to your success.
Therefore, considering size, cost, and practical use, we’ve created a list of the top 10 landscaping tools. None of the landscaping power tools will break the bank, and they should fit nicely alongside all the tools you’ll use for landscaping.
Table of Contents
1. A Lockable Toolbox Keeps Everything You Need Organized
The chances are you’ve already got a toolbox on your landscaping truck. This one serves a different purpose, however. Grab a separate, small toolbox filled with specialized tools exclusively for the vehicle. The box should include things such as:
- Wrench set
- Gloves
- Flashlights
- Screwdriver set
- Replacement parts
The key here is that these are not tools you’ll use for landscaping. Instead, this box is your savior if you or your team get stranded on the side of the road. It’s a roadside assistance toolbox that should never need to leave the truck – it’s designed exclusively for getting you back on the road and heading toward your next client quickly.
Luckily, most tools you need for quick fixes are minor, meaning you don’t need an enormous box. If you have an open truck bed or can’t safely store the toolbox, we recommend locking one. It’s even better to get one that slots safely into the truck and can’t be removed!
2. Landscaping Route Planner Makes You More Efficient
A route planner is one of the critical tools to keep your landscaping business running smoothly. While you could just plug every client address into a standard navigation app and hope, it’s nowhere near the best option. Dedicated landscape routing software saves you gas, time, and money.
Even the most basic landscape route planner can shorten the mileage driven on your truck and prevent you from returning to the same place multiple times in one day. Some of the best lawn care routing software can calculate the most efficient routes to save on gas or even manage your clients.
The good news is that plenty of landscape route planner exists. Many even offer free trials or free versions with limited features for companies on a budget.
However, expect to pay a monthly subscription if you manage a fleet of vehicles or want additional features like GPS tracking, reporting, and analytics.
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3. First Aid Kits Fix Injuries on the Job
A first aid kit should be in any vehicle, but especially one that carries heavy tools with sharp edges. Grab a versatile kit that fits neatly in the landscaping truck. You want to ensure it’s easy to grab and has a permanent location. Searching for a first aid kit in a medical emergency isn’t the priority.
There are plenty of options available for first aid kits. You can even build one with essential supplies and a small bag. However, we recommend buying a nice pre-stocked kit as a great first option. One will provide you with a great, organized bag you can refill. If your business has multiple trucks, get an individual kit for each.
Here’s a general guide for what each first aid kit should include:
- A variety of adhesive bandages
- Gauze pads
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Instant cold pack
- Cotton-tipped applicators (Q-tips)
- Vinyl gloves
4. Tire Pressure Gauges Help You Stay Safe
While a tire pressure gauge is a simple tool, it’s one of the most important. Avoiding a blowout from a low tire or unexpected leak will save you money in the long run and keep the job going.
Landscaping trucks often ride on rough and uneven terrain, which can wreak havoc on tires. Sometimes, this can cause a leak or just quicken air loss.
A tire pressure gauge will help you ensure that all your tires are ready to go at all times. We recommend keeping multiple per truck, one in the glove box and one in your roadside assistance toolbox.
5. Client Management Software to Keep You on Track
You may need access to your client management software in your vehicle. Combined with the route optimization software mentioned earlier, these two tools for landscapers should keep you guided and earning money throughout the day.
Good client software should help you track clients, what work they need and when, and their contact information. Access to the software on a phone or tablet in the car will help you quickly adjust to changes in schedule, like a client canceling for the day.
If you’ve got a fleet of vehicles, everyone having access to the same software becomes even more essential. You can communicate between drivers and assign new lawns as necessary if plans change.
Depending on your software, this may integrate directly with your landscaping route planner. These solutions can be prohibitively expensive. However, if they don’t fit your business, take a few extra minutes between jobs to ensure everyone is on the same page.
6. Emergency Blankets in the Cold
You’ll want to keep some emergency blankets in your landscaping truck if you work outside the summer or anywhere with harsh autumns and winters.
These can help save lives and introduce comfort if your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road. While thick blankets will help, consider splurging for a survival blanket if your active months get cold.
These blankets are crafted from specific materials that retain body heat. If your landscaping business also involves snow removal and winter maintenance, these blankets have the added benefit of helping your workers stay warm on breaks and between jobs.
7. Weather Dependent Tools for the Rough Months
Weather-dependent tools will eventually prove their worth, especially for landscaping businesses with three or more seasons. Having some additional options can make or break your timetable on rough days. These include things like:
- Ice scrapers
- Snow brushes
- Tire chains
- Sand or cat litter
While most of these are for use in winter and spring, you never know when sweltering heat may become a problem. Stock your landscaping truck with extra water and sun protection if you get stranded in the beating sun.
We recommend taking stock every season and considering what tools you need to get back on the road.
8. Jumper Cables in Case of Emergency
A set of jumper cables is one of the essential tools for landscapers. If anything happens with your battery, ranging from human error to a faulty connection point, jumper cables can help. Get a small pair that fits cleanly into the truck bed or back seat.
If landscaping often takes you into far lawns or on long trips, consider grabbing an external battery charger. While they’re more expensive, they guarantee you don’t need to wait for a nice person to come and help.
Having some jumper cables on you can also help others with the unexpected. Wouldn’t it be nice to be known as the local landscaping company that helped a future client get back on the road?
9. Bungee Cords & Zip Ties to Organize the Small Things
Even in the most organized landscaping truck, things always need to be tied down. Two of the best landscaping tools are bungee cords and zip ties. Having both types of tie-downs available prepares your team for almost anything.
Driving around with tools, boxes, and waste carelessly swinging around the trunk bed is just asking for an accident. Keep a few bungee cords of various lengths and a pack of zip ties to gather everything before setting off on a journey.
As an added benefit, zip ties are also helpful for quick repairs if a tool breaks. They’re cheap and easily replaceable. Bungee cords cost a bit more, but they’re reusable and highly versatile. While neither is the best option for giant loads (the next item), they can be lifesavers for the small stuff.
10. Hooks and Tie-Downs for Everything Else
What if you need to secure something too big and heavy for bungee cords?
Enter tie-downs, pulleys, and hooks. Even if you don’t change out your standard equipment, you’ll need a few of each. They can help secure your lawnmower, weed whacker, and more. Almost any tool you bring to a job site should be tightened up and secured using these options.
The options for tie-downs and pulleys are vast. Suppose your truck has a rail system allowing additional hookups. In that case, you can create specific areas for your commercial landscaping equipment and landscaping hand tools like rakes, shovels, and trowels to help with organization.
This will also make driving safer, as you don’t have to worry about tools flying out of place from a loose fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Essential Landscaping Tools
What tool do landscapers use?
What kind of technology do landscapers use?
Final Thoughts about Landscaping Tools and Equipment
The professional landscaping equipment list shared above is not exhaustive, but it’s a great start. If you want to expand or reduce what your truck has, there are some important things to consider.
Think about how each landscaping equipment, including the power landscaping tools, can help you stay on the road safely, get you back on the road quickly, or make your business easier. If the tool doesn’t help, it’s probably not worth putting on your truck – save the space for some necessary landscaping tools.
If you’re considering adding a new digital lawn care tool, consider whether it will complicate or simplify your business. Remember that everything here is meant to make landscaping the focus, not take away from it.
Want To See For Yourself How Route4Me Can Plan Efficient Routes for Your Landscaping Business?
Whether you want to plan routes, reduce driving time and fuel costs, or keep your customers satisfied knowing that you will show up on time… Route4Me helps you achieve that!
