Study: Propane Power Better for Landscape Contractors

Landscape firms typically choose a propane mower because of the fuel's low cost, low maintenance, and its environmentally friendly aspect. About 90 percent of U.S. propane supplies are produced right here in the U.S.

In a preliminary study from the Propane Education & Research Council, landscape contractors report that propane fuel for their mowers cost them 39 percent less than gasoline, and about 60 percent less than diesel. Nine out of 10 of the firms said they would purchase a propane mower in the future, and 10 out of 10 would recommend a propane mower to a colleague.

The study is preliminary and offers a limited sample, but contractors are learning that propane's high octane rating and low carbon and oil contamination can result in reduced maintenance costs and longer engine life compared to gasoline-powered counterparts.

Additionally, refueling gasoline-fueled equipment requires crewmembers to visit an off-site fueling station, which can lead to hours of lost production time. With propane, contractors can expect up to eight hours of production from a single fueling, and additional cylinders can be stored in work trucks for easy refueling on the jobsite.

More information is available in PERC's GallonGrowers Professional Landscape Toolkit. This free downloadable guide includes an overview of the propane market and its potential for landscape contractors.