TLC’s top 10 stories for December 2018

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As part of Total Landscape Care’s look back on 2018, here are the top 10 stories during the month of December.

10. Pantone names “Living Coral” as the 2019 Color of the Year

Photo: PantonePhoto: Pantone

Pantone recently reached a decision on its color of the year for 2019: Living Coral.

Pantone says this color choice is both vibrant and mellow, and it provides warmth, nourishment, comfort and buoyancy in an environment that’s continually shifting.

Click here to read the full story. 

9. Radial-lift vs. vertical-lift skid steers

Vertical-lift Photo: BobcatVertical-lift
Photo: Bobcat

This is part two of a four-part series. Click here to read parts one, three and four. As far as capability and ability to get the job done, there is virtually no difference between radial-lift and vertical-lift skid steers. In terms of application, however, it is necessary to split hairs a bit. In general, both versions of the skid steer are able to perform jobs such as loading, clearing debris and leveling or clearing of work sites.

Click here to read the full story.

8. Steps to take when switching to propane

Photo: PERCPhoto: PERC

This is part one in a two-part series. Click here to read part two. Many landscapers are familiar with propane and the fact they can run propane mower fleets, but when asked why they haven’t tried it out, most simply say they haven’t had the time to do the proper research to see if changing fuels is right for them.

If you are considering switching to propane, below is a roadmap of sorts to guide you in your transition, as well as landscapers’ firsthand experience with propane.

Click here to read the full story.

7. Challenges to expect when using the H-2B visa program

Workers holding Now Hiring sign

This is part three in a three-part series. Click here to read parts one and two.

In a survey conducted by Total Landscape Care, landscapers who use the H-2B program shared some of their common concerns and troubles with the system. The reoccurring complaints included the cost, the time, the paperwork and the unpredictable nature of the program.

Click here to read the full story.

6. The skid steer market is far from dead

The John Deere 332G has a bucket breakout force of 13,904 foot-pounds. Photo: John DeereThe John Deere 332G has a bucket breakout force of 13,904 foot-pounds.
Photo: John Deere

This is part one of a four-part series. Click here to read parts two, three and four. Some would say skid steers have run their course, and that compact track loaders (CTLs) have replaced them. “Fake news!” cry the manufacturers, and they have the facts to prove it.

True, CTL sales have soared, but depending on the manufacturer and the size category, skid steer sales have at least held steady and, in many cases, have slightly increased.

Click here to read the full story.

5. Safety watch: Preventing equipment theft this holiday season

Person with gloved hands holding a flashlight in the dark

As a business owner who’s invested an ample amount of time and money into landscaping equipment, it would be devastating to have a piece of said equipment stolen, especially during the holiday season.

Equipment theft, most commonly considered a crime of opportunity, can occur at any time of the day and can range from something as small as a string trimmer to larger pieces like mowers.

Click here to read the full story.

4. Making the transition: What you need to know about going paperless

Man and woman discussing business over a tablet

Technology plays a crucial role in running a business nowadays, and more and more small businesses are transitioning to the way of paperless practices in their everyday operations.

Not only can going paperless help cut down on wasted paper and supplies, it can also help streamline operations, cut costs and save you and your team members time.

Click here to read the full story.

3. H-2B advice for first time users

Magnifying glass focusing on Help Wanted

This is part two of a three-part series. Click here to read parts one and three. Earlier, we covered questions you should ask when deciding if H-2B is a good fit for your business. If you have decided to give it try, there are still many questions you may be wondering and here are a couple you should be asking.

While plenty of landscaping companies use the H-2B program, none of them would advise you to depend on it. When deciding how many visas to request, consider the processing fees and how your company will cope if you don’t receive those workers.

Click here to read the full story.

2. Wildlife photographers capture animal shenanigans

STOP…Hammer time! Photo: Mary McGowan/The Comedy Wildlife Photography AwardsSTOP…Hammer time!
Photo: Mary McGowan/The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

To help break up the monotony of your Monday, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards (CWPA) have rolled out another batch of funny, furry friends that are sure to give you the pick-me-up you’ve been craving.

Now in its fourth year, the CWPA were founded by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam who say they wished to spotlight wildlife conservation while adding humor to wildlife photography.

Click here to read the full story.

1. Questions to ask when evaluating whether to use H-2B for your business

This is part one of a three-part series. Click here to read parts two and three.  As the year winds down, you might be examining your financials and evaluating your workforce.

Like many other landscaping companies, you may be hurting from the labor shortage and looking at your options. One prominent possibility that often gets wrapped up the political sphere is the H-2B non-immigrant visa program.

While in theory being able to hire foreign workers to come to the United States to perform temporary, non-agricultural work on a seasonal basis sounds like it would be a rather straightforward process, it is anything but simple. The program is also constantly becoming further complicated as more government regulations are required.

Click here to read the full story.

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