In Episode 76, I sit down with Ryan Gratton to talk about a side of the lawn and landscape industry that a lot of contractors overlook — small engine repair and prevention.

Ryan’s path in the industry is unique. He started out as a park manager overseeing mowing crews, working directly in the field and managing large-scale maintenance operations. While doing that, he realized something important: understanding the equipment side of the business could open a lot of doors.

That led him to obtain his small engine repair license, giving him deep knowledge of the engines that power the lawn care industry.

Eventually, that experience helped him move into the dealership side of the industry, where he now works as a mower dealership manager, helping contractors choose equipment, maintain their machines, and avoid costly breakdowns.

In this episode we talk about:

• The most common small engine failures he sees from contractors
• Simple maintenance habits that prevent expensive repairs
• Mistakes lawn care businesses make with their equipment
• How understanding small engines can save thousands of dollars
• The difference between how contractors treat equipment vs. how dealers see it
• Why mechanical knowledge can give you an advantage in the lawn care industry

Whether you’re running a lawn care business, managing mowing crews, or just want to keep your equipment running longer, this conversation gives real insight from someone who works with commercial equipment every day.

Understanding your equipment can make the difference between making money or constantly fixing machines.

lawn care podcast,small engine repair,small engine maintenance,lawn mower repair,commercial mower maintenance,lawn care equipment,lawn care business tips,landscape business,lawn mower engine problems,small engine tips,lawn mower dealership,lawn care industry,lawn care business podcast,commercial mowing equipment,lawn mower maintenance