Crew Chief Success Guide - Volume 2 (PDF 2.62 MB)

Crew Chief Success Guide

Dear Crew Supervisor,

Every day, we hear more and more about "going green" and the need to be environmentally responsible. Government and special interest groups continue to pressure the Green Industry with a variety of requirements including moves to ban equipment usage. Here are some steps you can take to keep your crews productive and efficient while lessening your impact on the environment:

Use low-emission, fuel-efficient outdoor power equipment and other environmentally responsible products.

Many manufacturers make claims about emissions and fuel efficiency. Borrow an idea from Bland Landscaping in North Carolina and put the equipment to the test. Bland found that by replacing their entire fleet of older model backpack blowers with one of the new low-emission STIHL models, the fuel savings alone would pay for the changeover in less than two years. (For more details, see the ad on the inside back cover of this issue). Also, investigate other environmentally responsible products, such as highly biodegradable engine oils and bar and chain oil that are available on the market. Finally, keep your equipment in optimal running condition with regular maintenance from your servicing dealer.

Train your crew(s) how to operate the products for best performance.

Always follow the manufacturers' instruction manuals. What may be best for one product or brand may not be for another. Also, following operating tips like those contained in A Guide to Safe and Courteous Use of Leaf Blowers from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) can counter community complaints about noise and particulates. You can download the file at: http://www.stihllibrary.com/pdf/LeafBlowerTraining.pdf or order copies from OPEI online at http://www.opei.org/order/index.asp or call 703.549.7600.

Working together we can all be part of socially responsible environmental stewardship.

Wishing you continued success,

John Keeler
National Training Manager
STIHL Inc.

Previous Crew Chief Success Guides

Crew Chief Success Guide - Volume 1 (PDF 620 KB)

Crew Chief Success Guide - Volume 2 (PDF 2.62 MB)