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Redexim Charterhouse Inc.’s Verti-Drain aeration system features parallelogram action, giving forced heave to tines to relieve compaction and maintain a ready-to-play surface. The newest models are the 7215 and the 7416. The 7215 model features a working width of 61 inches and can aerate up to 10 inches, with reinforced front and rear rollers and lower horsepower requirements. The 7416 model provides 63 inches of working width and is lighter than the 7516, allowing operation with smaller tractors, the company says. Cranks are fully supported on each end, and the unit also can be fitted with solid and coring tines to a maximum depth of 14 inches. Each model has a three-speed gearbox. Contact Redexim Charterhouse Inc., 800-597-5664 (www.redexim.com).
Tycrop is offering customers a lease financing program for equipment purchases through Wells Fargo Financial. Leasing lets superintendents make payments tailored to their facilities’ budgets and new equipment purchases at the start of each lease term, the company says. Contact Tycrop, 800-845-7249 (www.tycropturf.com).
Turf Pride designed its vertical slicer aerator with a patent-pending dual rotor to handle two separate operations. The rear rotor can be adjusted to dethatch or verti-cut with the machine’s 1⁄16-inch-thick carbide-tipped blades set at 1-inch spaces to bring thatch and dead plant material to the surface. Spacing can be altered to attain a customized action on either rotor. A separate operation can be performed simultaneously on the front motor, which features 1⁄8-inch-thick blades on 4-inch spaces. The front rotor can penetrate the soil up to 2 inches deep in vertical slices to improve water, nutrient and oxygen intake. The machine is equipped with a Honda 5.5-hp engine and a single-belt drive system. A video clip of the vertical slicer aerator can be seen on the company’s Web site. Contact Turf Pride, 888-427-7605 (www.turfprideusa.com).
Now available from Turf-Tec International is the WeedAway, a heavy duty weed removal tool designed for turfgrass. Constructed of gauge steel, the WeedAway contains an ejection rod to remove the weed after plucking it out of the soil. Three 1⁄4-inch steel spikes twist weeds out of the ground without requiring the operator to bend over. The tool stands 39 inches tall and features vinyl finger grips for comfort, and spikes are replaceable. Contact Turf-Tec International, 800-258-7477
(www.turf-tec.com).
Varicore Technologies says its new Multi-Flow Rigi-Tap converts to rigid pipe in a process free from in-line tees. Access to the rigid pipe is attained using a simple hole saw, and the entire transport pipe can be installed at the correct grade and partially backfilled before the collector lines are attached. Contact Varicore Technologies, 800-978-8007 (www.varicore.com).
The Eagle Wireless Rotor from Rain Bird Corp.’s Golf Division communicates from a central control or handheld unit without underground wiring. Able to function as a controller and rotor in one unit, the Eagle Wireless Rotor minimizes turf damage and makes installing additions or retrofits quick and easy without the hassle of wire or satellite installation, the company says. The system has four components: a built-in controller, an internal battery, a solar panel and a handheld unit. Commands are programmable and sent from the central control system or through an independent handheld unit. The unit offers improved control and precision of irrigation on and around the green, the company says. The system also is capable of separating irrigation schedules for up to two different types of turf. Contact Rain Bird Corp. — Golf Division, 800-724-6247 (www.rainbird.com).
Three new models of golf shoes from Alias Footwear feature air- and nitrogen-filled heel chambers to reduce weight and maximize cushioning. The Sedan, Coupe and Slope Nose models also offer a wider heel for stability. A cushioned mid-sole and footbed for firmness and a top layer of latex are additional features. Replaceable soft cleats enable traction control, and a built-in rubber arch support provides extra comfort and durability to the exterior, the company says. Contact Alias Footwear, 831-465-9159 (www.aliasfootwear.com).
Phoenix Environmental Care LLC’s Avocet aquatic herbicide is its newest aquatic product. The active ingredient glyphosate accounts for 53.8 percent of Avocet and ensures post-emergence control of a variety of aquatic and non-crop site weeds, the company says. Avocet can control cattail, torpedo grass, woody plants like trees and brush, floating plants and other aquatic weeds. The herbicide can be applied aerially, by boat, backpack or other conventional methods. Contact Phoenix Environmental Care LLC, (www.phoenixenvcare.com).
A new computer workstation from Lyon Workspace Products is designed for situations like shop floors, cellular manufacturing, industrial machining centers and automotive service centers. The workstation features a 21-inch monitor, a CPU, printer, related supplies and an ergonomic keyboard shelf for tension-free keystrokes. A rear access door measures 531⁄2 inches high and 121⁄2 inches wide and opens on a full-length hinge. Additional amenities include a power surge suppressor strip, a full lockbar on front for the monitor and lower swing door security, an adjustable lower section for storage, a 200-pound capacity shelf and a retractable, flip-down keyboard tray. Contact Lyon Workspace Products, 800-323-0096 (www.lyonworkspace.com).
OvoControl “G,” a contraceptive for Canada geese from Innolytics LLC, was recently registered by the EPA. Concentration of the product’s active ingredient nicarbazin has been raised from 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. It reduces the application rate to one ounce per goose per day. The higher concentrated substance allows for quicker application, decreases the risk for non-targets and reduces cost by about 50 percent,the company says. Contact Innolytics LLC, 858-759-8012 (www.hatchcontrol.com).
Yamaha Golf-Car Co. has launched a new fleet of golf cars, The Drive. Its first all-new golf car since 1995, The Drive was unveiled to the market last fall with shipments beginning in November. Equipped with Yamaha’s fully independent front suspension, Tru-Trak II, The Drive features an automotive-style dash, a built-in drainage system, internal disc brake technology and the company’s HybriCore Chassis with a floorboard access panel and a high-strength polypropylene floor. A welded steel frame ensures a tough yet light and rustproof exterior. Batteries are separated from the steel, and corrosive chemicals are kept away from pedals and other metal parts. An ergonomics package offers a lowered seat made of high-density foam and ingress and egress adjustable for people of all sizes, the company says. Weighing in at 57 pounds, The Drive provides a 48-volt power system with Trojan 12-volt batteries. Contact Yamaha Golf-Car Co., 866-747-4027 (www.yamahagolfcar.com).
Walla Walla Sprinkler Co.’s line of MP Rotators now includes the 4-foot strip, a 30-foot solution, the company says. Its MP Corner, MP Strips, MP1000, MP2000 and MP3000 can be combined on the same zone to offer a wide performance range and maintain a matched precipitation rate after arc and radius adjustment. The rotators are designed to perform well in wind and eliminate runoff due to low precipitation rates and high uniformity, the company adds. Contact Walla Walla Sprinkler Co., 509-524-7415 (www.mprotator.com).
Designed for easy transportation, Mi-T-M Corp.’s portable air compressors feature 4.0- to 4.5-hp Honda or Subaru engines, single-stage compressors, aluminum oil crankcases and aluminum heads with cast iron cylinders. The compressors also include a portable 5-gallon twin tank, a powder-coated steel frame, rubber isolators, oil lubrication, drain valves, a pressure relief valve, protective pump/motor housing and quick connect fittings. A two-handled carrying function comes standard, in addition to a stainless steel braided discharge hose, roll cage design and pneumatic throttle control. Contact Mi-T-M Corp., 800-553-9053 (www.mitm.com).
The Toro Co. has added the Dingo TX 525 wide track compact utility loader to its line of machines. Powered by a 25-hp Kubota diesel engine, the TX 525 offers extra torque, a longer engine life and increased hydraulic flow, the company says. Compatible with Toro’s compact utility loader attachments, the unit is ready for many applications, including installing irrigation systems, preparing seedbeds, tree planting and demolishing structures. Four independent hydraulic pumps deliver 16.9 gpm of flow to each track, 13.8 gpm to the auxiliary and 6 gpm to the loader arm. Auxiliary hydraulics provide 24 hp to the attachment. The unit weighs more than 2,000 pounds with a standard bucket and features a rated operating capacity of 553 pounds. Overall length is 92 inches with a bucket width of 40½ inches that enables the machine to pass through a 42-inch gate. Contact The Toro Co., 800-344-8676 (www.toro.com).
GroundScape premium ground cover is a shredded rubber for a variety of landscape uses. Distributed by Parksite Plunkett-Webster, GroundScape can serve as a natural-looking alternative to sand, stones and pavers. The recycled product lasts for years without replacement, the company says. Non-toxic and safe to plants, animals and humans, it does not attract insects or pests. Chips and shredded landscape mulch styles are available in brick red or rich brown hues. Contact Parksite Plunkett-Webster, 800-338-3355 (www.parksite.com).
Aimed at helping clubs plan for capital expenditures and interruption in play, a chart of golf course components and their expected life cycles is available from the American Society of Golf Course Architects. From tee boxes and greens to cart paths and irrigation systems, understanding the life expectancy of a golf course and its components can help in long-term planning, the ASGCA says. The group recommends preparing master plans that encompass long-term budgets. Contact ASGCS, 262-786-5960 (www.asgca.org).
Foley United designed its new 460 automated rotary blade grinder for the turfgrass industry. The unit’s enclosure system for dust and noise control features two grinding heads, automated infeed cycles and a built-in blade balance system, which makes grinding safer and more productive, the company says. Contact Foley United, 800-225-9810 (www.foleyunited.com).
Available from Schiffer Books, Building Outdoor Environments with Retaining Walls is a 128-page installation guide on installing retaining walls. Hundreds of color images feature installations completed by Versa-Lok in back yards, gardens and walkways. Contact Versa-Lok Retaining Wall Systems, 800-770-4525 (www.versa-lok.com).
A new application technology from Quest Products Inc. is designed to treat woody plants for pests and diseases such as emerald ash borer, beech decline and scab. The product enables an application to be made via a backpack or conventional sprayer rather than through foliage, injection or root drench. Contact Quest Products Inc., (www.questproducts.us).
A multipurpose formula from Timber Wolf LLC combines a waterless hand cleaner, insect repellent and poison oak and ivy relief in one product. New to the golf course management industry, the biodegradable formula with no petroleum solvents can effectively remove fiber optic cable jelly, silicone gel, C-Cement, Kopper Bond, pipe dope, grease, oil, creosote and tar, the company says. It also works to dissolve and remove poisonous sap, prevent skin rashes and reaction and relieve itching caused by poison ivy or oak. Timber Wolf has also been found to repel mosquitoes. Contact Timber Wolf LLC, 704-442-7440 (www.timberwolfhandcleaner.com).
New Holland has modified its compact tractor cabs for a higher level of operator comfort, the company says. The SuperSuite TM cabs are available on two of New Holland’s Boomer TM models — the 40-hp TC40DA and the 45-hp TC45DA. Air-conditioned and heated, the cabs protect operators from weather, dust and noise. A nearly 49-square-foot glass area offers an unobstructed view in all directions for increased visibility. A high-visibility roof panel functions like a skylight to let operators keep an eye on the loader. The cab’s roof is designed low so tractors can clear an 8-foot overhang such as a garage door. Its interior space is 60 cubic feet with two large doors and 16.5-inch entries. Grab rails and a gas strut assist make the unit easily accessible. Other standards include dual external mirrors, front windshield wiper, cruise control and two-pedal hydrostatic transmission. Contact New Holland, (www.newholland.com/na).
University of Massachusetts Extension’s 2007 garden calendar, “Choosing the Right Plants,” features recommendations on choosing plants according to habitat characteristics and plant growth requirements, as well as the conventional preferences like color, shape, foliage and flowering. Plants featured in the calendar were selected by the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry staff. Daily tips on the management of landscapes, gardens and garden pests also are included. Contact University of Massachusetts Extension, 413-545-0895 (www.umassgardencalendar.org).
Available through participating Caterpillar dealers is the company’s Cat AccessAccounts system, a revolving charge account that gives customers online access and payment capabilities for machine rentals, parts and services. Whether customers are working with one Cat dealer or several, one account for purchases is maintained. Contact Caterpillar, (www.cataccessaccount.com).
SePRO’s new Octane 2% SC for U.S. golf, lawn and landscape markets contains the active ingredient Pyraflufen ethyl, which the company says can increase the speed of kill and broaden the weed spectrum when added as a tank-mix with post-emergence broadleaf weed herbicides. Results are evident within one to two days of an Octane application, SePRO says. Contact SePRO, 800-419-7779 (www.sepro.com).
Cutter & Buck is the first golf apparel company to offer Cocona Natural Technology, which embeds activated carbon from coconut shells into fiber to deliver a moisture-resistant protective material, the company says. The Cocono fabric technology, featured on Cutter & Buck’s CB ProTec line of products, also provides features like cooling and drying, odor control and UPF protection. The company will offer Cocona exclusively this spring in its CB DryTec women’s and men’s golf collections, including the Annika line and CBUK, a new line designed for the next generation of male golfers. Contact Cutter & Buck,
(www.cutterbuck.com).
A collection of uniquely designed golf accessories is now available from Shano Designs. The series includes divot repair tools and ball markers made of sterling silver and studded with diamonds, sapphires and rubies. The back of each item is engraveable for monograms and other custom markings. Contact Shano Designs, 800-310-7353 (www.shanodesigns.com).
A.R.E., manufacturer of truck caps and tonneaus, unveils its LSII fiberglass tonneau cover, which is designed to fit the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. The LSII Series tonneau is custom-molded to accommodate various design elements, including the vehicles’ style lines and the tailgate protector, the company says. The tonneau also features a patented lift assist system and palm handle, modular rail and composite clamp technology. Options include remote keyless entry and a fiberglass sport wing with a Hella light. Contact A.R.E., 800-649-4273 (www.4are.com).
Golf maintenance crews working in hot and humid conditions can cool off with the Fairway Fan, which its manufacturer, It’s A Breeze Portable Fans LLC, says is like a cold shower of wind for your face. Attachable to golf cars, the fan comes with two clips to hook on to the battery under the seat of the vehicle. Users can clamp the fan on either the front or back of the car, though the company recommends rear attachment. Contact It’s A Breeze Portable Fans LLC, 561-784-5540 (www.itsabreeze.net).
Injection-molded plastic Helix filters intended to filter irrigation water such as well water and pond water to keep sprinklers from plugging are now available from Miller-Leaman Inc. The filters can come with a polypropylene disc media or a stainless steel screen. As dirty water enters the filter housing, a high velocity spinning action occurs, which sends heavier particles like sand and sediment away from the disc or screen cartridge to the base of the filter housing. Accumulate particles are then flushed away from the filter through a ¾-inch flush port connection. Pressure gauge ports are included to allow users to monitor the differential pressure across the filter and when the unit should be serviced. The Helix filters are available in three sizes: 2-inch, 3-inch and a 2-inch super model that features 40 percent more surface area than the standard 2-inch model. Contact Miller-Leaman Inc., 800-881-0320 (www.millerleaman.com).
Winning photos from a Project EverGreen contest are now published in the organization’s 2007 Because Green Matters Calendar. The contest summoned the public to submit photographs of their favorite green spaces, and the entries included golf courses, lawns, landscapes, trees, gardens, parks and sports fields. The group is selling the calendar as a fund-raiser, and winning photographs are also available as a series of screen savers. Contact Project EverGreen, (www.projectevergreen.com).
A portable, modular putting green from Tour Links can be assembled and ready to use in as little as 15 minutes, the company says. Its modular system allows for versatile designs, allowing users to build larger or smaller greens as desired. Panels feature a patented design and allow the green to follow contours of the supporting surface, including dips, rises and slants. The green also will alter its contours when moved to a different terrain. Contact Tour Links, 866-921-7888 (www.tourlinks.net).
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