The folks at KOHLER Engines know how to attract landscapers to their booth at GIE+EXPO. The company’s custom UTV, called the KOHLER Command Center, certainly did the trick last week.Photo: KOHLER Engines
Manufacturers always hope to turn heads at GIE+EXPO and last week’s trade show was no different. KOHLER Engines succeeded on that front with a one-of-a-kind utility vehicle (UTV) specifically designed for green industry professionals.
Called the KOHLER Command Center, the vehicle is powered by a KOHLER Aegis EFI engine and loaded with custom features, including a tool rack for string trimmers and chainsaws and a large tow-behind mower. Not surprisingly, the mower was also powered by a KOHLER engine – in this case, the 7500 EFI.
“Our goal was to have some fun with this vehicle while drawing attention to our new KOHLER Aegis EFI engine,” said William Schnell, senior product manager for KOHLER Engines.
The KOHLER Command Center, a highly modified ARGO Extreme Terrain Vehicle, is outfitted with many exclusive features beyond the lawn-care specific tools and storage compartments, including the following customizations:
- Bluetooth MP3/radio with waterproof speakers.
- Extended axles for increased stability.
- Diamondplate skids.
- Custom rollover protection with equipment clamps.
- Integrated trunk storage compartment.
- Gas can storage rack.
- Four custom off-road seats.
- Smoked bulletproof windshield.
- Snorkel air intake.
- Chrome rims and engine detailing.
- Custom handle grips.
The vehicle’s tow-behind mower has a 50-inch deck, chrome lift bars and safety guards, custom deep-tread tires, a reinforced diamond-plate deck and a custom stainless steel fuel tank.
And speaking of KOHLER’s EFI engines, the company says its latest addition to that line, the ECH440LE, is significantly better than most competitors’ engines in terms of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
A V-Twin, horizontal shaft gasoline engine, the KOHLER Aegis EFI is available in a 30-horsepower model.Photo: KOHLER Engines
The new ECH440LE is a modified version of the KOHLER Command PRO EFI ECH440. The manufacturer says no sacrifice in engine performance was necessary to achieve the new model’s lower emissions.
“Low-emission technology is not only smart for the environment, but for the health and safety of equipment operators as well,” said Cam Litt, marketing manager for KOHLER Engines. “Our engineering team is continuously looking for ways to reduce emissions while improving overall engine performance …”
KOHLER also recently introduced the newly modified engine powering the Command Center UTV, the Aegis EFI. Designed for use in an array of landscaping equipment in addition to UTVs, the liquid-cooled engine joins more than 30 other KOHLER EFI models.
The Aegis EFI is a V-Twin, horizontal shaft, gasoline engine. It’s available in a 30-horsepower model.
The Aegis EFI’s liquid-cooling system helps maintain consistent running temperatures while keeping oil cool, the company said. The engine’s new EFI technology comes equipped with advanced sensors, which monitor engine running conditions and environmental factors to optimize engine performance.
