Work Smarter in the Heat: Summer Fuel and Safety Tips for Landscaping and Tree Care Crews

Your crews are out before sunrise. Trailers are loaded, engines are running, and the job list is long. Summer is prime time for landscaping and tree care but it’s also when fuel costs spike, heat wears out both people and equipment, and simple maintenance mistakes turn into big repair bills.

Whether you’re managing a few trucks or a full fleet of rigs, lifts, and mowers, here’s how to stretch your fuel budget, protect your crew, and keep jobs moving through the hottest part of the year.

1. Cut Back on Idling to Keep Fuel Costs Down
   Waiting for the crew to load up. Staging at a jobsite. Eating lunch with the A/C on. All of it adds up. A single work truck can burn about a gallon of fuel per hour while idling. In this line of work, idling is everywhere.

Encourage drivers to shut off engines if they’re stopped for more than a minute or two. Park in the shade when possible, and crack windows to let heat escape. If your trucks have idle timers or auxiliary battery packs for powering handheld devices and radios, use them. Even small changes here can cut fuel costs significantly over a month.

2. Use A/C Wisely Without Overloading the Engine
   A/C is essential, especially after a few hours of pruning, hauling, or mowing in 100-degree heat. But a poorly maintained system puts extra strain on your engine and fuel economy suffers.

Check cabin air filters monthly. Replace them more often in dusty environments. Make sure your refrigerant levels are in the right range and that compressors aren’t overworked. Teach your team to run the A/C while driving, not idling, and to avoid cranking the fan to max immediately. It all adds up to better fuel economy and a more comfortable ride.

3. Don’t Let Summer Bring Surprise Inspection Fails
   Even small landscaping companies fall under DOT rules when trucks or trailers cross certain weight thresholds. And during summer, inspectors are especially watchful.

Top warm-weather fails? Tire blowouts from overheated pressure. Brake wear from heavy stop-start hauling. And coolant leaks from cracked hoses. Make pre-trip checks mandatory: tires, brakes, belts, coolant, and trailer connections. It’s faster (and cheaper) than roadside repairs or unexpected fines.

4. Watch for Crew Fatigue
   Running chainsaws, lifting logs, or trimming in the sun drains more than sweat, it drains focus. And when mental fatigue kicks in, small mistakes become serious injuries.

Encourage hydration every hour, even if workers don’t feel thirsty. Create short mid-day shade breaks or rotate heavier tasks. Offer cooling towels, and if possible, allow crews to start earlier to beat the heat. A healthy, alert worker is more productive and far safer on the job.

5. Pay Attention to DPF Issues in Diesel Trucks and Chippers
   If you’ve got diesel work trucks or equipment like stump grinders and chippers, hot weather and high idle time are a bad mix. They can clog Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) fast, especially if equipment is sitting in one place running all day.

Watch for increased regen cycles, loss of power, or warning lights. These are signs it’s time to get your DPF cleaned. Routine maintenance in the summer saves major downtime (and cash) later on.

6. Fuel Smarter with the Energie Fuel Card
   Summer’s already expensive, so don’t let your fuel bill blow up too. The Energie Fuel Card helps landscaping and tree care companies save with discounted rates, track driver spending, and set custom controls for each vehicle. It works at retail and cardlock stations alike, so your crew can fill up wherever the job takes them.

Your trucks don’t get a break during peak season, make sure your fuel costs don’t break your budget.