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PRODUCT NEWS |
Bri-Mar Manufacturing LLC introduces two deckover equipment haulers for transporting attachments, materials, landscaping equipment and more. The EH824-14 and EH824-16 units feature a longer 24-foot bed length and a 101-inch deck width in response to requests from customers and dealers, the company says. The EH824 series gives customers the choice of standard ramps or available split landscape gates that are spring-loaded for easy loading of equipment and attachments. Materials on pallets can also be loaded onto the deck. With a 6-inch tube mainframe and 3-inch channel crossmembers, the trailers feature decking lumber with liquid coatings of primer and topcoat. Other amenities include a rub rail with 12 stake pockets on both sides, six foot ladder ramps, dual Dexter EZ-lube axles, a break-away kit, a sealed wiring harness with a seven-way RV plug and rubber-mounted LED lights. Contact Bri-Mar Manufacturing LLC, 717-263-6116 (www.bri-mar.com).
The Toro Co. has unveiled its new Pro Force debris blower with a turbine-type fan assembly. The device’s nozzle is a single piece of roto-molded plastic that’s impact-resistant and less prone to damage than metal ductwork, the company says. An electronic governor is designed to give the operator precise engine speed control, which is activated by a hand-held wireless RF controller. The wireless device can start and stop the blower, adjust the engine throttle up and down for a range of low to high RPM and rotate the nozzle 360 degrees, all from the seat of a utility vehicle. Contact The Toro Co., 800-803-8676 (www.toro.com).
A new Web site from Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power allows users to find engines, locate product support and read other user-generated content on commercial engines. Available at www.vanguardengines.com, the site includes a vault with information on Vanguard engine specifications and detailed engineering documents. Users can search by a number of criteria such as engine configuration, cylinders, horsepower range, displacement and weight in both SAE and metric units. A revised engine section contains information about every Vanguard engine. Visitors can also respond to or submit questions on industry topics. Contact Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power, (www.vanguardengines.com).
Winston Co. Inc. announces its full line of eco-friendly pond and lake treatment products. The company’s CrystalClear line includes an EPA-registered algaecide, pond clarifiers, blue dye, pH products and all-natural bacteria and enzyme treatment. All products are engineered to be an alternative to copper sulfate products. Contact Winston Co. Inc., (www.winstoncompany.com).
The new Turfsaw aerator from Earth & Turf Products LLC is a rolling aerator with a design that attaches to the buckets of tractor loaders. Slide it onto a bucket and tighten the mounting bolts to attach. The weight and down pressure of the loader furnish most of the working weight, the company says. About 200 pounds come from the aerator while several hundred pounds come from the bucket. Solid blades are easily adjustable to permit increases in penetration from 2.5 inches to 2.75 inches. The Turfsaw can be operated at speeds up to 10 mph under favorable conditions. Able to aerate with proper soil disturbance in just one pass across the turf, the Turfsaw is also said to aerate areas as large as a football field in less than an hour. The rolling aerator also has a shattering action that produces little to no compaction, the company adds. Contact Earth & Turf Products LLC, 888-693-2638 (www.earthandturf.com).
Rain Bird Corp. says its DB series wire connector features a smaller and more durable single-piece construction to allow installers to make reliable wire connections in less time. Ideal for installing below-ground decoder control systems, the DB series can also be used when working with standard controllers, valve boxes and soil moisture sensors. The series also includes a simple snap-tight strain relief mechanism that keeps wires from pulling apart, the company says. Waterproof silicone grease protects wires against corrosion, and an integrated wire nut automatically seals wire securely in one step. An indicator also ensures that wires are stripped to the desired length. Made of UV-resistant material, the connectors resist degradation from exposure to the sun. Contact Rain Bird Corp., 520-741-6100 (www.rainbird.com/golf).
An apparel company owned by a superintendent is expanding into uniforms for maintenance crews. Buddha’s Closet LLC offers a line of gear made especially for maintenance crew members that includes shirts, jackets, hats, sweatshirts, pants and shorts. A wide variety of customization such as logos is also available for all garments. The company also says it can customize a package to fit any budget. The Michigan-based company is owned by Rob Steger, a Superintendent Member of GCSAA. Contact Buddha’s Closet LLC, (www.buddhascloset.com).
The new Ansell Cut Protection glove is certified with an ANSI level 4 cut protection rating, a level that offers users eight times more cut protection than many gloves typical in the industry, according to Ansell Ltd. Constructed with Intercept Technology stretch armor yarn, which is developed jointly by Ansell and DuPont, the gloves are designed to ensure high comfort and dexterity. Contact Ansell Ltd., 800-800-0444 (www.ansellconstruction.com).
Sioux Corp., manufacturer of industrial cleaning equipment, water heaters and steam generators, introduces its Dakota II series of redesigned steam cleaners and hot water pressure washers. The new line features an improved coil and burner design for higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions and a water-tight NEMA 4 electrical enclosure for reliability in wet environments, the company says. Other features of the Dakota II series include adjustable digital temperature control, ETL/UL third-party testing and steel frames. A variety of options and accessories also are available. Contact Sioux Corp., 888-763-3333 (www.sioux.com).
Avocet PLX herbicide is the newest product in Phoenix Environmental Care’s lineup. With 54 percent glyphosate, Avocet PLX provides post-emergence control of a wide variety of aquatic and noncrop weeds. The broad-spectrum herbicide can be used on shorelines, landscapes and turf in addition to aquatic environments. The herbicide requires no additional surfactants and is tank-mixable with imazapyr, triclopyr, diquat and others. Avocet PLX comes in 2.5-, 30- and 275-gallon containers. Contact Phoenix Environmental Care LLC, (www.phoenixenvcare.com).
The TurfGro line of fertilizers from Horizon includes Landscaper Plus 16-0-8, a non-phosphorus high-iron blend. The fertilizer line also features Pro Starter 6-20-10, a high-phosphorus fertilizer with reduced potash levels, Cool Season 21-0-7, TurfGro 15-5-10 in Texas, Winterizer 21-2-15 with Dimension herbicide and a dozen more blends in Washington and Oregon. Contact Horizon, (www.horizononline.com).
Ariens Co. introduces its Gravely Turf product line to offer its products and services through independent dealers. The initial launch of the Gravely Turf brand, which includes a combination of turf-related products and technologies from the Gravely, Lock and National brands, will focus on the Southeast region. The line includes 15 products currently and will expand as needs are identified in the marketplace, the company says. The line currently includes mowers, a vacuum and precision sprayer. Contact Ariens Co.,
(www.ariens.com).
Turf-Tec International’s precipitation/uniformity gauges have recently been redesigned in a head-to-head or grid pattern to determine how much water is applied from an irrigation system and to show the water coverage uniformity. Particularly useful in performing water audits with companion tools like infiltrometers and moisture sensors, the set of 20 gauges are calibrated in tenths of an inch and millimeters for easy reading on each gauge. The set, which comes equipped with plastic measuring cups and stainless steel brackets, includes 16 large gauges and four small gauges. Contact Turf-Tec International, 800-258-7477 (www.turf-tec.com).
AutoBlanket unveils its AB 150-200 pneumatic stapler designed to install geosynthetic bunker liners. The company says the stapler can make a bunker liner installation three times faster than with conventional methods. Able to hold 200 zinc-coated staples, the AB 150-200 stapler can eliminate the need to bend over to pound staples into the ground. Contact AutoBlanket, (www.autoblanket.com).
The 2009 Because Green Matters calendar is now available from Project EverGreen. The third annual edition of the calendar, the 2009 version features a different way to enhance green space in a community for every month of the year. The photos, which range from a golf course to a ball park to landscaping projects, were selected from hundreds of submissions to the Project EverGreen calendar photography contest. Project EverGreen is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the benefits of public and private green spaces. Contact Project EverGreen, 877-758-4835 (www.projectevergreen.com).
Two new wheeled excavators from John Deere Construction & Forestry, the 190D W and 220D W, feature 5.2-liter diesel engines that are Tier 3-certified. Both units are equipped with two-piece booms and front and rear outriggers. The 190D W weighs 44,974 pounds, while the 220D W, weighing 51,368 pounds, has a greater dig depth at 20 feet, eight inches. Both models are available with mono booms for long-distance work and backfilling. The units also feature Deere’s exclusive Powerwise III engine/hydraulic management system designed to maximize engine output and deliver multifunction operations while saving fuel. Contact John Deere, (www.johndeere.com).
Club QAP for Golf is an online quality assurance program for gauging member satisfaction. Customized for each club’s golf amenities, the program enables management to design questionnaires to address golf course conditions, golf operations and related issues. Club QAP for Golf can keep management informed of member satisfaction on an instant access basis, says its developer, McMahon Group. The program also is adaptable to measure satisfaction results for specific events. Contact McMahon Group Inc., 800-365-2498 (www.mcmahongroup.com).
NaEx Corp. introduces Soyaplex-G, an all-natural, food-grade soybean granular fertilizer, soil amendment and plant growth regulator. Made from whole bean, Soyaplex-G can be used year-round on fine turf and lawns. The formula is said to promote increased microbial activity in the soil, produce vigorous plants with sustained growth and improve yield and quality of production. Soyaplex-G provides plants with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc in granular form. It also contains L-amino acids, vitamins, folic acid, thiamine, biotin and riboflavin. Especially useful in the rainy season, Soyaplex-G is a highly concentrated carbohydrate-protein product that provides slow-release nutrition. The company adds that it can result in virtually zero loss due to leaching or enzymatic/microbial degradation. Contact NaEx Corp., 281-879-0932 (www.naex.us).
A new roller suspension system option on two Bobcat compact track loaders uses all-steel components to increase operator comfort. The company also has improved the design of the solid-mount undercarriage on the T250, T300 and T320 machines. Now an option on the Bobcat T250 and T300 units, the new suspension system includes rollers suspended by high-strength steel leaf springs to reduce vibration. The system requires less steering-level effort to turn the loader and does not require greasing or adjusting. Permanently sealed and lubricated, the rollers are constructed of forged steel, and the springs are shot-peened steel for strength and durability. Additionally, the area around the drive sprocket of the undercarriage has been increased to make cleaning easier. The design enhances debris shedding and prevents materials from clogging the rollers. Clean-out holes have been added to allow access for pressure washers. Contact Bobcat Co., (www.bobcat.com).
LebanonTurf announces three new tall fescue varieties from 2008 crop seed production — Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne Rz. All three varieties are available in Winning Colors tall fescue blend or Winning Colors Plus mix. Monet tall fescue offers improved disease resistance, fine leaf texture, high endophyte level and a dark green genetic color. Also drought- and heat-tolerant, Monet also requires less water and inputs to maintain quality turf. In NTEP trials, Van Gogh tall fescue ranked high for overall turf quality, drought tolerance, sod strength and spring green-up. With a medium-fine leaf texture and dark green genetic color, it also is said to offer very good traffic tolerance. Cezanne Rz tall fescue exhibits rhizomotous traits, the company says, and ranked No. 1 in NTEP trials for sod strength. Also drought-tolerant, Cezanne Rz features a medium-fine leaf texture and excellent turf density and mowing qualities. Contact LebanonTurf, 800-532-0090 (www.lebanonturf.com).
A water dispersible granular formulation of ProStar fungicide from Bayer Environmental Science is available for golf course and lawn turf care. ProStar 70 WDG eases measurement and mixing and eliminates dust, the company says. Built-in compatibility agents are said to offer better mixing with other products and won’t interfere with standard plant growth regulator programs. A curative control for fairy ring, ProStar also controls many common diseases such as brown patch, large patch, brown ring patch and fairy ring. It also provides control without phytotoxic bronzing effects during hot weather, Bayer adds. Contact Bayer Environmental Science, (www.backedbybayer.com).
Four new models have been added to Kubota’s B series of compact utility tractors. The B2320, B2620, B2920 and B3200 machines are engineered to give the operator enhanced power and control with three-range transmission speeds to choose from, hydrostatic transmission and more horsepower. The B3200 (pictured) features a four-cylinder, 23 PTO horsepower Kubota diesel engine with a three-vortex combustion system, power steering and standard mid-PTO. The B2320, B2620 and B2920 come with three-cylinder Kubota liquid-cooled diesel engines. Maximum traveling speed ranges from 11.2 to 12.3 mph. All models are equipped with such safety features as multireflective headlights for better visibility, a backlit dash panel for tracking functions and a slanted metal hood for visibility of front loader operations. A foldable roll-over protection structure comes standard, while the operator cab features a high-back seat and large flat deck platforms for more leg room and a wider step area. Contact Kubota Tractor Corp., 888-458-2682, ext. 900 (www.kubota.com).
Eagle One Golf Products recently redesigned its Closest to the Pin product so that it measures from the hole to the ball as opposed to the opposite way. Made of engraved laminated plastic, the marker features a 4½-inch bottom ring that fits in the hole with a larger outer ring for extra stability. The user inserts the small ring into the hole and uses the included tape measure to determine the distance to the ball. Recorded distances can be added on the reverse side using an included grease pencil. The markers also can be customized with club logos or special wording. Contact Eagle One Golf Products, 800-448-4409 (www.eogp.com).
A new and improved computer workstation from Lyon Workspace Products LLC is intended for shop floor use in maintenance facilities and any place protection against dust, dirt and other contaminants is needed. The workstation can handle a 21-inch monitor, keyboard, CPU, printer and supplies. Features include an ergonomic, sliding keyboard shelf, keyed-alike built-in locks to secure to the doors and rear access door, a Lexan upper door insert for easy screen viewing, a power surge suppressor strip and a lower shelf that rides on ball bearing slides and is adjustable on ¾-inch centers. Five-inch Performa rubber casters are vibration-resistant. The workstation is available with a forklift base or mobile base. Contact Lyon Workspace Products, 800-323-0096 (www.lyonworkspace.com).