Here are the latest product and news announcements from some of the companies at the Green Industry and Equipment Exposition, held Oct. 25-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Agrotain, which manufacturers stabilized nitrogen fertilizers, will open a new $20 million granulation production facility in St. Louis in the next few months, the company announced. Also, HYDREXX, a nitrogen stabilizer fertilizer additive, was introduced specifically for the lawn and landscape market.
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Douglas Dynamics’ three brands Blizzard, Western and Fisher introduced new products in the snow plow market. Blizzard has a new Power Plow designed specifically for skid-steers, a new lightweight straight blade for use with Kubota models and a new LP-8 Tailgate Spreader, which features a low-profile design for better rear visibility and a 8.0 cubic foot capacity. Western and Fisher enter the expandable-wing plow category with the new Wide Out – with a 9-foot scoop, 8- to 10-foot straight blade and high capacity windrowing. Fisher also changed the XtremeV v-plow from a “V” to a straight blade and into a scoop position for maximum plowing efficiency.
Parker Hannifin Corp. presented The Grasshopper Co. with a “Partnership Award for Excellence in Pioneering Innovation” in recognition of Grasshopper’s collaborative design and test efforts in the co-development of a new hydrostatic drive system – dubbed T2 by Grasshopper.
Husqvarna introduced a variety of new or updated products which include: 235 and 240 chain saws; 445 and 450 chain saws; 355FX clearing saw; K750, K960 and K1250 power cutters; K3000 power cutter; 326ES straight-shaft stick edger; 123HD65, 226HS75 and 226HS99 hedge trimmers; LS Series tractors; Mega Series zero-turn mowers; Z4619, EZ4624 and EZ 5226 zero-turn mowers; 7021RS walk-behind mower; 180BT backpack blower; 150BT backpack blower; 130 BT backpack blower; 125 series handheld blowers; 420GN and 1055GN generators; and Combi-Deck deck design.
The company also announced the expansion of its accessories product line with the addition of the XP Force trimmer line, Husqvarna Pro wearables, axes and hand tools, and enhanced chaps packaging.
Isuzu Commercial Truck unveiled its first gas-powered crew cab low cab truck. The medium-duty truck, made with a larger cab, was designed to present a cost savings over the diesel model. The first gas-powered trucks will be delivered in early 2008.
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Kawasaki introduced the FX series commercial engines, which are available from 27 to 37 horsepower and feature an overhead V-valve design. Until now, the company had had mainly one engine series (FH) for the entire market, which consists of commercial, consumer and residential segments.
Kawasaki Power Products introduced its new or recently introduced equipment, including a string trimmer, a hede clipper, a handheld blower and the prototypes of handheld equipment engines that will be available next spring.
The Kohler Co. entered the push-mower turf market with its first walk-behind engine models, Courage XT-6 and XT-7. The new Courage XT-6 and Courage XT-7 engines will be available on OEM push-mower brands in early 2008. The company also introduced the Command PRO 40 horsepower engine, designed to perform and withstand the elements of demanding commercial and industrial applications.
Kubota Tractor Corp. launched an exclusive hydraulic utility valve system as standard equipment for its RTV900 Worksite Utility and Turf Utility models. In addition, eight complimentary heavy-duty hydraulic tools are now available for the RTV900s, which equip the RTV900 Worksite Utility and Turf Utility models to break concrete, cut lumber and brush, prune orchards, drive posts, bore holes and perform other tough tasks.
Lawn Shark demonstrated its leaf and litter collector at its outdoor demo booth. The machine is powered by either a 13- or 17-horsepower Kawasaki engine and collects litter in a ¼-cubic-yard zipperless bag.
Recent Michigan State University tests, conducted by university staff and USDA associates, named Mauget’s Imicide and Inject-a-cide B effective for the control of emerald ash borer on trees in south-central Michigan, the J.J. Mauget Co. announced. Both products are micro-injection insecticide applications. The company also plans to release new products and a new injection method in 2008.
The Scotts Co. added six new combination fertilizers to its Landscaper Pro line. The combination fertilizers incorporate pest control ingredients, herbicides or vital micronutrients with Scotts Poly-S controlled release technology.
The Toro Co. announced that all model year 2008 diesel-powered commercial mowers will be biodiesel ready. This is a result of the company’s commitment to exploring new technologies that are both customer-valued and environmentally responsible. The biodiesel ready mowers will include the 2008 Toro Z-Master Z580-D Series and Z590-D Series zero-turn riding mowers.
As part of this initiative, Toro also announced it has created biodiesel upgrade kits for diesel-powered Z-Master mowers produced prior to the 2008 model year. Expected to be available in early 2008, the kits will convert diesel models already in the field to be compatible with biodiesel fuel.
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Toro introduced new T2 T-Bar controls on its line of floating deck hydrostatic drive mid-size walk-behind mowers. The new controls incorporate a split version of the classic T-Bar operation with the addition of dual-reference bars for more precise maneuvers, making Toro mowers easier to operate and giving operators a leg up on productivity.
The company also announced it is developing a new stand-on mower to be released in 2008 for the 2009 model year. The latest addition to the Toro line will cater to landscape contractors who seek a compact, maneuverable stand-on machine that minimizes operator fatigue through exceptional handling, enhanced operator comfort and ease of use.
Valent Professional Products will begin marketing and selling Arena Insecticide, a white grub control product with the active ingredient clothianidin, beginning on Dec. 1, the company announced. The product was formerly sold by Arysta LifeScience. Valent’s Safari Insecticide, which received a new label this spring to include interior plantscapes and many new invasive pests, received a special local needs (SLN) label in Michigan and Ohio for the control (bark treatment) of Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest attacking ash trees.
Vermeer Mfg. debuted the S400TX mini skid-steer, designed for landscape contractors and rental centers. It features a 23 hp gas engine, produces only 3.8 psi ground pressure and a hydraulic flow rate of 11.5 gpm. Vermeer also revamped the S600 mini skid-steer’s control package for enhanced operator comfort and safety.
Walker Mfg. held its first-ever press conference at such an event to announce the creation of the Super B riding mower. The front-mount mower is designed with the speed and maneuverability usually seen in mid-mount mowers.
Walker also announced it will host its second Walker Family Reunion Aug. 1-2, 2008 in Fort Collins, Colo. in honor of the company manufacturing its 100,000th mower. The company had a similar event in August 2000 when the 50,000th mower rolled off the assembly line.
Yanmar introduced its MiniMax Series of diesel engines for lawn and garden equipment. The 3TNM68 model is the first in the series. The 784cc three-cylinder Tier IV compliant engine utilizes Yanmar’s proprietary indirect injection technology to achieve low fuel consumption and low emissions levels. The engine block for this ultra compact and high performance power plant employs Yanmar’s latest structural technology to achieve low vibration, noise and size.