Applying for a roadside mowing contract requires considerable experience, a knowledge/understanding of those contracts, the right equipment for the job, and a good working relationship between the governmental agency and the tractor mowing services company.

Let’s look at each of those qualifications for government mowing jobs.

Experience:  Not only are we talking about years of mowing experience, but we are specifically talking about years of experience with roadside mowing.  Roadside mowing calls for specific skills which can only be attained through years of practice.  It can be dangerous work.  It is, most definitely, precise work.  And without the necessary experience, it will be very costly work.

A knowledge/understanding of contracts:  One look at a governmental contract for roadside mowing will tell you that “faking it” is not an option.  These acreage mowing contracts are detailed and specific.  They categorize jobs according to general mowing, large machine mowing, slope mowing, intermediate machine mowing, and small machine mowing.  They dictate the frequency of mowing, the mowing cycles, the equipment required, the methods of operation, the limitations of operation, and the quality expected.  They cover the maintenance of traffic within the mowing area. Without a complete knowledge of these terms, one should not even bother bidding on such a contract.

The right equipment:  Roadside mowing contracts quite often require equipment for right of way mowing, equipment for         bush hog mowing for heavy jobs, and small job equipment.  That equipment must be able to mow at the same height consistently.  There must be no streaking or scalping.  There must be no accumulation or piling of cutting.  There must be a smooth flowing transition between mowing of different widths.

A good working relationship:  If, on the off-chance, one wins a bid to do roadside mowing for a municipality, future contracts depend on establishing a good relationship with the governmental workers.  Deliver on promises, meet deadline, and do quality work. That is how subsequent bids will be secured.

On top of all that, liability and safety must be considered, as well as the ability to meet deadlines consistently.

These are not jobs for the weak-of-heart or the unreliable, nor are they jobs one learns on the fly.

The best advice one can give to a mowing company who is about to bid on a roadside mowing contract:  Make sure you are qualified or don’t bother bidding.

One company in the Fort Worth area which is qualified is Keith’s Tractor Mowing Services.  Servicing a seventy-five mile radius around Fort Worth, Keith’s has been there, done that, and continues to secure the trust of all agencies it works with.  That kind of track record only comes from experience!

ABOUT KEITH’S TRACTOR MOWING SERVICES

Keith’s Tractor and Mowing Service is owned and operated by Keith Sturgeon, a life-long resident of Dallas Fort Worth. He has been a successful business person in Fort Worth for more than 20 years. Customers enjoy working with Keith because of his friendly customer service and his outstanding quality of work. Specializing in large acreage mowing, government contracts, vacant lot mowing and channel mowing in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Keith’s Tractor Mowing Services is the gold standard in acreage mowing.

Acquiring “right of way” mowing contracts requires more than just the proper equipment. An experienced knowledge of mowing requirements and specifications is also crucial in obtaining those contracts.

Let’s take a look at one such highway mowing contract in a southern state.  Those bidding on this right of way mowing contract were required to understand the following points:

• Acceptable mowing – the height of the vegetation must be six inches maximum height and the mowing must be neat and acceptable in appearance.
• Back slope – the area from the bottom of the roadway ditch to the top of that same ditch
• Mowing Cycle – a continuous mowing effort until designated area is completely mowed
• Mowing Height – Six inch maximum height uniformly cut
• Right-of-Way – within the boundaries of access control
• Roadside Obstacles – obstacles within the roadside infrastructure to include sign posts, light posts, guardrails, headwalls, bridges, abutments, mailboxes, etc.
• Roadway – the entire portion of the designated roadside
• Roadway Ditch – the depressed area parallel to the highway or roadway
• Slope Mower – a tractor with articulated arm mower attached
• Slope Mower Mowing – used for mowing sloped area deemed unsafe for wheel equipment
• Trimming – the reduction of vegetation in a designated area

All of these activities must be performed according to the specifications of each municipality, meaning a                        commercial tractor mowing service must have a working knowledge of all government biddings processes within their area of expertise. Failure to meet just one requirement can result in the loss of the contract and a poor reputation.

Contractors must certify in writing that they posses these abilities.  They must also have proof of liability insurance, and all operators must  be trained and certified to operate the specific mowing equipment needed for a given job.

Those aforementioned requirements were for one jurisdiction in one state.  The requirements change with each jurisdiction, meaning that a mowing service must have an intimate knowledge of various local governments.

Keith’s Tractor Mowing Services covers a seventy-five mile area in and around the Fort Worth Area.  Within that are is the DFW Metroplex including Kennedale, Arlington, Irving, Fort Worth, Haltom City, and many other towns and cities, each with their own requirements for right of way mowing contracts.

When the best is required, trust government mowing contracts to the best in tractor mowing services.   There are many commercial mowing companies out there, but few can meet the stringent needs of city and county governments.  There are many companies which can cut grass, but few with the ability and knowledge necessary for government mowing contracts.  Keith’s has that knowledge and experience.

ABOUT KEITH’S TRACTOR MOWING SERVICES

Keith’s Tractor and Mowing Service is owned and operated by Keith Sturgeon, a life-long resident of Dallas Fort Worth. He has been a successful business person in Fort Worth for more than 20 years. Customers enjoy working with Keith because of his friendly customer service and his outstanding quality of work. Specializing in large acreage mowing, government contracts, vacant lot mowing and channel mowing in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.