Product roundup: Schiller Grounds Care brands add to their lineups

Photo: Bob-CatPhoto: Bob-Cat

Several of Schiller Grounds Care Inc.’s brands have introduced new products recently, including Bob-Cat, Ryan and Steiner.

Although Bob-Cat just launched a full line of new commercial mowers in August, it wasn’t finished there, as it has also officially introduced the QuickCat 4000 stand-on mower.

Photo: RyanPhoto: Ryan

The QuickCat 4000 has dual-speed control with a travel speed of 10.5 mph and a cutting speed of 8 mph. It has its fuel tank placed low to improve balance and stability when mowing on uneven or sloped ground.

Bob-Cat says it has improved handling with 13” x 6.5” front caster wheels and the operator comfort has been increased with thicker control levers and an enhanced operator platform and radial-bearing suspension.

It is available in a 36-, 48-, 52- or 61-inch deck and comes with a 6-year/2,000 hour limited warranty.

Meanwhile, Ryan has a new electric spreader attachment for its Lawnaire ZTS aerator. The attachment is manufactured by Spyker and the hopper can hold up to 120 pounds of material. Operators can variate the speed and spread a swath up to 16 feet.

“We built Lawnaire ZTS around the idea of increased productivity, and this new spreader package pushes that vision even further,” say Troy Blewett, director of marketing for Schiller Grounds Care. “With the ability to aerate and overseed with one machine, users will quickly turn daunting projects into manageable ones.”

Photo: SteinerPhoto: Steiner

As for Steiner, its newest tractor – the 450DX – is designed for small-business owners and contractors. Powered by a 25-horsepower engine and a single speed transmission, the tractor can handle slopes up to 30 degrees and can carry out tasks from lawn mowing to snow plowing.

“We pride ourselves on the versatility of the 450 tractors, and now with more tractor options, our customers can find the perfect Steiner for their needs,” Blewett says. “The 450DX is a perfect option for our customers who don’t need top-tier power but desire a wide range of applications.”

Ego touts commercial grade battery-powered equipment

Ego has spent 10 years researching its battery-powered technology and now it is offering its Commercial Series line of equipment that the company says has the power of gas equipment and can run all day.

A major feature Ego emphasized was the weatherproof construction of its products.

Photo: EgoPhoto: Ego

“Landscapers work in tough conditions,” says Sarah Hohman, brand manager for Ego. “Their tools are exposed to the elements daily, especially rain, dirt and dust. Research confirmed durability factors heavily in the purchase decision. We understand these tools are an investment for hardworking landscapers around the country, so we took construction to a new level with the Commercial Series backpack battery and earned an IPX56 rating, meaning it can be submerged in water for several minutes without harm.”

The backpack battery is 56 volts and 28 Ah and can power equipment up to seven continuous hours. Recharging the backpack only takes 3.5 hours and it weights 20 pounds.

The Commercial Series includes a 25 ½-inch hedge trimmer, a 15-inch string trimmer and a 600 CFM blower. They are all powered by the backpack battery.

The hedge trimmer can run up to 7 hours and has a cut capacity of 1 ¼ inches. It features a dual-action double-sided cutting capability and is IPX4 weather rated.

The string trimmer can run up to 5 ½ hours with backpack battery and features a carbon fiber shaft that is light yet durable. It is IPX4 weather rated.

The blower can run up to 5 ½ hours as well and has four different power levels. It has a maximum air velocity of 132 mph. It comes with a narrow and cone nozzle attachment for specialized airflow control. It is IPX4 weather rated.

All of the products will be available in April 2019.

Constructyv offers business management app for landscape professionals

Constructyv, a business management platform, is offering access to its app for free, allowing landscapers to increase their efficiency.

Unlike other platforms that require thorough training and high subscription fees, Constructyv says it is easy to use and provides total business management from one simple SaaS app (software as a service).

Photo: ConstructyvPhoto: Constructyv

“We’re rolling the clock back to when SaaS was easy and affordable,” says Scott Prince, co-founder and CEO of Constructyv. “We’re not in the Silicon Valley dictating how our customers should manage their business. Rather, our team is sitting in truck cabs with landscapers and walking job sites with general contractors in the Midwest to learn what they want.”

Users can quote quickly, invoice, create templates, schedule with ease, process credit cards and manage other aspects of the back and front-office tasks. Constructyv says it is the ideal solution for small and mid-sized businesses thanks to it having no annual subscription or contract.

“We’ve evaluated countless software, and nothing provided the functionality we needed in a quick-to-learn, simple-to-use and affordable way,” says Dan Wasson, landscape designer and president of Wasson Nursery Inc. “Constructyv is configurable to the way we work, while optimizing our efficiency. Free access is icing on the cake.”

The core functionality is free and additional services are available in a pay-only-for-what-you-use model. The app is available through Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

PBI-Gordon adds SpeedZone Southern EW

PBI-Gordon is now offering the new SpeedZone Southern EW, which is a broadleaf herbicide for turf that is an emulsion-in-water (EW) formulation.

Photo: PBI-GordonPhoto: PBI-Gordon

The company says it has a lower odor profile and a lower Volatile Organic Content compared to the original SpeedZone Southern. The EW formulation creates smaller particle sizes, increasing the amount of active ingredient impact on the leaf surface.

The herbicide can control more than 70 types of broadleaf weeds, including ground ivy and spurge. It is also specially formulated for sensitive southern turfgrass. It is most effective when applied from February to April and allows for reseeding in one week.

PBI-Gordon says there is a visual response within 24 hours and the weeds die within seven to 14 days.

Fisher Barton adds manufacturers offering LaserEdge EverSharp for 2019

Lawnmower blade producer Fisher Barton has increased the number of OEMs offering their LaserEdge EverSharp blades.

The blade is the first of its kind, as it can sharpen itself while in use and remove the need to sharpen mower blades and eliminate the downtime that comes with blade sharpening.

Grasshopper offered the blades widely in 2018 and the new brands currently available include Cub Cadet, Hustler, Husqvarna, Big Dog and Kubota. Brands that will offer the blades by January 2019 include Ariens, Ferris and Snapper Pro.

John Deere now offers the EverSharp blades on its 900 series commercial mowers.

“We continue to work closely with the top lawnmower manufacturers to bring LaserEdge EverSharp to market,” says Andy Strupp, vice president of sales and marketing. “We continue to receive tremendous response from lawn care professionals, especially in areas of the country where high wear and maintenance are key issues to running a successful operations.”

Hustler Turf enters the pressure washer market

Although Hustler Turf is mainly known for its products in the zero-turn mower market, it has recently been expanding, introducing UTVs in 2017 and now adding pressure washers to the mix.

Photo: Hustler TurfPhoto: Hustler Turf

It is currently offering five pressure washers that are powered by Honda engines. The frames and tubing are constructed with aircraft grade aluminum to make the pressure washers lighter.

A number of accessories are available for the pressure washers, including hoses, nozzles and scrubbers.

“The introduction of pressure washers under the Hustler Turf brand helps signify our commitment to offering our dealers and consumers a full range of products with the reliability and innovation they demand,” says Adam Mullet, vice president of sales and new products. “As Hustler continues to grow, we’re unwavering in our dedication to get dealers the products they need to be successful.”

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