When I first started my lawn care business, I came from a white-collar background—accounting, to be specific. I knew nothing about how machines worked. In fact, I still tell myself "righty tighty, lefty loosey" just to remind myself which way to turn a wrench! And, let’s be honest, even then, sometimes I still get it wrong.

So, it’s safe to say, I didn’t start this business with a mechanical background. The world of small engines, mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and all those moving parts was completely foreign to me. I had to quickly learn that running a lawn care business requires a fair amount of mechanical know-how. However, the good news is that it’s not as complicated as it may seem, and with a little patience and resourcefulness, you can tackle most issues yourself.

The Learning Curve: Trial and Error

I’m not going to lie—when something broke, I didn’t know how to fix it. Whether it was my lawn mower, truck, weed trimmer, or leaf blower, each breakdown was a new challenge. The process often involved a lot of research—thank you, YouTube! I found plenty of step-by-step videos that helped me understand what needed fixing and how to do it. And if that didn’t work, I’d give my dealer a call to ask for advice. Luckily, lawn care equipment isn’t the most complicated machinery out there. It's not like I had to replace a transmission. And the dealers, especially when they see you’re young and just getting started, are usually happy to help or point you in the right direction.

Key Tools You’ll Need

Now, if you’re worried about not being mechanically inclined, don’t panic. A few basic tools can go a long way. The most essential tools I recommend are a socket set, an impact wrench, and a regular wrench. The basics will get you through a lot of repairs and maintenance tasks.

But, a word of caution—don’t use an impact wrench on your lawn mower’s bolts. I learned this the hard way when I accidentally stripped the motor blades using an impact wrench. Trust me, it's a rookie mistake, but it’s easy to make. Always use the right tools for the right job, and take your time with maintenance.

Routine Maintenance and Care

Routine maintenance can save you a lot of headaches down the road. I recommend keeping a log of when you change the oil on your equipment, and also tracking the number of hours you’ve used it. This way, you’re not running your equipment with old, gunky oil full of particulates. A simple oil change can make a huge difference in your machine's performance and longevity.

That being said, buying high-quality equipment, like a Honda mower, can give you some peace of mind. Even if you forget to change the oil or don’t stay on top of every single maintenance task, good equipment is built to last. I learned this firsthand. I ran my mower for over 300 hours without changing the oil (I had no idea I was supposed to!), and guess what? The thing still works just fine. It’s a bit of a “don’t try this at home” story, but it just goes to show that with solid equipment, you can get away with a little neglect—at least for a while.

Sharpening Blades and Beyond

Another thing I neglected was sharpening my blades. I didn’t do it for over a year, and honestly, the grass was getting torn up, not cut. But at the time, I was mostly mowing ditches, so the condition of the grass didn’t matter too much. Eventually, I did get around to it, and it made a huge difference in the quality of the cut. But, like I said, if you’re just starting, don’t get too caught up in perfecting everything right away. The important thing is getting out there and doing the work.

Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Be an Expert

So, to answer the question: how mechanically inclined do you need to be to run a lawn care business? The short answer is: not as much as you think.

You don’t have to be a mechanic, but a little knowledge and the willingness to learn can take you far. The basics—knowing how to change oil, sharpen blades, and perform routine maintenance—are important. But the truth is, most of the time, you can rely on online resources, dealer support, and your own trial and error to get you through. And with reliable equipment, you’ll be in a much better position to avoid breakdowns and costly repairs.

Remember, the most important thing is to get started. Don’t let a lack of mechanical knowledge hold you back. Over time, you’ll get more comfortable with the gear, and you'll build confidence as you go. As long as you're committed to maintaining your equipment, you’ll be fine.

If you’re ready to make that leap or want more advice on building your lawn care business, contact me today.