ProParts Direct Learning Center | Helpful articles and instruction on small engine, lawn care, and snow removal.

How to Find Your Hurricane Blower Model Number.

17. August 2017 Ed Model and Serial Number Finder (0)

	The model and serial number on a X3 Blower or Z3 blower can be found on the left hand side of the machine if you are standing on the machine. The tag might even have a bar code on it and you can scan that to get info about your machine.
On Most models the tag is located right by the engine. To determine the year of the machine it is based on when you bought it.

Time is Money - Keeping Extra Parts On Your Trailer

10. September 2016 Ed Landscape Contractor Articles, Quick Tips (0)

If there is one thing experience can teach us in running a landscape business it is the importance of time. It doesn’t matter if you run a multi truck operation or you are just a one Truck one trailer kind of guy. Your time is worth money.

If you’re the one truck one trailer I would think your time is even more valuable as you do not have the same resources a large scale operation would have. In most cases landscaping is a part time job for you so the days you are out mowing you cannot be dealing with down machines or something breaking on the job.

If you are the mid to large scale operation every time your crews are spending more time hanging out at the dealership versus on the job site the money you are billing for is going right out the window.

Think about this for a second. You are on a lawn and break a belt or recoil. If you are lucky it happens as you are putting the machine back on the truck but if it happens when you get there or in the middle of the job your whole day just changed, causing you to lose time which equals money. A trip to the dealer to pick up the repair part could be 30 minutes, because as you know when you have to be somewhere you will get stuck behind someone who hasn’t figured out yet how to push the gas pedal. So now you are at the dealership, it could take another 15 to 20 minutes to get the part provided it is in stock. Then another 30 minutes back to the job. So if you are lucky you only wasted and hour and a half getting the part never mind installing it.

So where does that Hour and a half maybe two go? Well, you either need to hustle to make it up or it is lost forever. What do you bill an hour? Does throwing out $60 maybe $75 dollars sound good?

Now imagine if you had kept a few repair parts on your trailer. In the case of a belt breaking simply walking to the trailer and putting on a new one just saved you an hour. Not only did you save time and money by not leaving the job you also maintained a level of professionalism that does not go unnoticed by your customers that could lead to future business. So Not only did you save that $60 dollars in waste travel but you may have also preserved future income.

This just scratches the surface of the other hidden little costs that you saved on just by having a few parts in stock. Wear and tear on the truck, traffic, gas, professionalism and your own sanity for the long haul are just some things to mention.

Take a small inventory of your machines, Look at the stuff that could break, items you always replace and keep and extra one or two. In most cases if you buy in bulk you will save a few extra cents here and there. Most big companies think like this and make great profits, No reason you can’t do the same.

As the saying goes. Time is money. Corny but seems to make sense here.

Easy Summer Lawncare Tips to keep Your Lawn Green

12. July 2016 Ed Lawn Care Tips, Quick Tips (0)

The summer is here! Because the summer heat can be so damaging it is crucial you change your lawn care routine accordingly. Here are 4 easy things you could start doing now to protect your lawn this summer.

1. Be sure to raise the deck of your lawn mower. This will make your grass blades longer. The extra density will protect the root from burning in the sun. Nothing ruin's a summer party like brown dead grass!

2. Water your lawn only in the morning or at night time. If you water your lawn at midday you will burn your grass. The beads of water will act like a magnifying glass and burn your lawn at the height of the day.

3. Control the weeds with all natural pet safe solutions. Did you know you can create your own weed killer? All you need is some vinegar. Douse weeds with white vinegar (or even the leftover liquid from a jar of pickles) and they'll be dead a few days later. This is a good method for exterminating weeds with long taproots, like dandelions, dock, and plantain.

4. Sharpen your lawn mower blades now. This will not only cut your lawn mowing time in half. It will also slice your grass clean, allowing it to recover quickly.

8 Tips and Tricks to the ProParts Direct Website

4. May 2016 Ed ProParts Direct Website News (0)

Below are some of the Cheats and Tricks to make using the ProParts Direct website even easier when searching for a part for your beloved Bertha, Cindy Sue or whatever you call your machine.

1. The search tool at the top of the page.


This tool searches our product catalog when you type in a part number. You can also type in a name of the part and it will also search for it. The real secret is the little box to the left of it that says brand on it. If you select a brand first then enter your part number the tool will also search our parts diagrams. Make sure you include dashes in your part number if it has them.

2. Using the Parts Diagram Look Up tool.

There are a few different ways to get to this tool but the most efficient way is to choose a brand from the Shop by manufacturer tab at the top of the page. That will select the brand for you.

- Go right to the Quick Part search and enter your model number. The Trick here is to enter it SLOWLY. The site will search every option and display it underneath allowing you to choose your model or something close. You can also enter in the name and search that way for example under MTD enter in Ranch King as your model number.

3. Loyalty Points

When you order online, you earn loyalty points. Once you collect 75 points they automatically deduct from the total on future orders. It’s always nice to get something in exchange for your repeat business. We track point balance with your customer login – so make sure to sign in with username or Facebook when you shop.

4. Facebook Login

ProParts just added a new way to log into the site through Facebook. Most people nowadays are always logged into their Facebook account so ProParts made it seamless to access your account online on the site. No need to make up a new username or password and your parts stay in your cart for up to 30 days. I can’t think of how it could be easier. Don’t worry ProParts does not post anything to your Facebook account Sign in to ProParts using your Facebook account.

5. Previous Orders and order Status

This feature only works if you create a login, but use the “Your Account” tab, view your old orders and check the status of current orders. It is in the order details you can see your tracking number, re-order a past order if you don’t remember the part numbers and you can even apply for a parts return. If you need to print a receipt you do that there as well.

6. Live Chat Help

Not many replacement part sites have a live chat with a parts specialist, but ProParts offers the highest rated part support available. No cut and paste, canned replies – just real-time help from experts that want to get you the right part. Simple and easy.

7. Quick Order Tool

On the Home page they have a tool called the Quick Order Tool. This tool is very helpful if you know your part number already. Just enter in the part and the Quantity you want. It will add it to your cart right away. No need to search around for the part. They keep adding parts everyday so if it does not add the part. Let them know using live chat and they can add it.

8. The Refer a friend Program.

Refer a friend and they will send you a coupon for $25.00 off your next order. Word of mouth is always helpful to any business so if your friend buys over $100.00 of parts and mentions you, they will send you a coupon for your next visit. The second thing I have found on this site that gives back to the customers!

Thanks for Reading and making it this far. Share this article on Facebook or Twitter and ProParts will send you a coupon code, use #shoplikeapro. Trust me, Try it!

ProParts Direct is your one-stop parts store for Lawn Mowers Parts, Chainsaw Parts, Engines Parts, Snow Blowers and all landscaping equipment parts.

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