A Landscape Contractor's equipment is what earns money for the business. Without the tools, the job can't be done correctly, and odds are if you can't do the job correctly, you won't be getting very many new jobs. It is important that proper care and maintenance be used when working with equipment. In this issue, we focus our attention on brick and paver saws.

For those who have used these saws in the past, you know there are four options; gas vs. electric and wet vs. dry. Each option creates different maintenance needs.

Bob Delahaut, owner of MK Diamond Products, explained the top problems encountered by Landscape Contractors. "The number one problem is the saw gets dropped or damaged in transit," Delahaut said. "Second, the equipment is not maintained properly as far as keeping the motor/engine clean. The filters on the gas saws are not changed frequently enough, and the oil should be changed frequently." Delahaut also mentioned that the tightness of the belts should be checked on both the gas and the electric models.

"The one thing that most people don't do is keep the machine clean. Cleanliness is so important," said Delahaut. If the saw being used does not use water, simply blowing the dust off will suffice. However, if the contractor is using a wet saw, he recommends using a wet sponge to wipe the saw clean.

Care should be taken when using water to clean the saw. Water should not be put into the motor. "You should scrub the saw off while avoiding putting excess amounts of water into the motor," Delahaut explained. "If too much water gets into the motor or engine, it can short out." The water pump should also be cleaned at least every other day when using the saw on a regular basis.

According to Delahaut there are other ways to assure the saw will perform well. Keep the length of the cord under 75 feet and have at least a 20-amp circuit when using an electric saw. The saws should be serviced on a regular basis.

Some contractors don't use their equipment for long periods of time due to seasonal conditions or just a lack of paving jobs. When storing these saws, Delahaut suggests covering the equipment with a tarp. This will prevent the machine from being exposed to any unnecessary dust or weather conditions. Furthermore, if the saw is gas-powered, be sure to drain the fuel from the equipment before storing. Once the saw is needed again, run the gas saw for 15 minutes before making any cuts or about five minutes for electric saws.

"This is not a piece of equipment anymore; it's a tool. You've got to have it to do the job right," said Delahaut. Since the price of these saws ranges from $1,000 to $2,600, maintenance is very important in making the equipment run properly for many years to come.

MK Diamond Products, Inc. manufactures a variety of saws for different needs. For more information about their

products, visit

www.mkdiamond.com. Images are courtesy of MK Diamond Products, Inc. LCM