Briefly: Landscape industry news and product roundup

Updated Jun 16, 2016

 

Toro asked its followers on social media what they would like the Dingo TX 1000 to lift. Photo: ToroToro asked its followers on social media what they would like the Dingo TX 1000 to lift.
Photo: Toro

Toro came up with an interesting – and charitable – way to highlight the lifting capability of its Dingo TX 1000 compact utility loader. The company donated 1,000 pounds of canned goods to a local food bank after a social media campaign titled “What would you lift?”

After the campaign gathered responses on what customers would like to see lifted by the TX 1000, Toro narrowed the field down to 10 items. The company then asked followers through various social media platforms to vote for which one they would like to see the Dingo TX 1000 attempt to lift.

Among the items receiving the most votes were another Dingo compact utility loader, pavers, canned food and a boulder. Other suggestions included root beer floats, chocolate, paint, manure, a beehive and a vending machine. The lift event of the top-voted items was held on May 6, and the TX 1000 successfully lifted all of the items.

Immediately after the event, the canned goods were delivered to Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), a Minnesota charitable organization serving people in the Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and South Minneapolis communities. VEAP will distribute the canned food to families in need.

“All donations are not only much appreciated, but they also allow VEAP to maintain an inventory of quality, nutritious foods for clients,” said Lisa Horn, the nonprofit organization’s CEO.

The TX 1000 is the newest model in Toro’s Dingo product line. The manufacturer says the machine is the most powerful in its category, and its fully extended loader arms can reach over the side of dumpsters and one-ton trucks.

SnowWolf re-engineers snow tire for skid steers

SnowWolf has introduced a re-engineered version of its WolfPaws snow tires for skid steers, touting the product’s “highly aggressive tread pattern” and 10-ply rating.

With the new version of SnowWolf’s WolfPaws, significantly less rubber comes in contact with the surface compared with other skid-steer snow tires. Where snow and ice are concerned, less contact with the surface means greater traction, SnowWolf says. Photo: SnowWolfWith the new version of SnowWolf’s WolfPaws, significantly less rubber comes in contact with the surface compared with other skid-steer snow tires. Where snow and ice are concerned, less contact with the surface means greater traction, SnowWolf says.
Photo: SnowWolf

At a minimum, says SnowWolf’s general manager, Mark Holman, WolfPaws will double the traction of a skid steer with all-weather tires. He said the newly introduced version of the product provides significantly more grip than original WolfPaws.

The company says its new WolfPaw tires’ tread pattern is unique in the industry, featuring smaller tread blocks and more open space between the blocks. This improves flexibility and grip on snow and ice compared with the tread on any other skid-steer snow tires, including the previous version of WolfPaws, according to the manufacturer.

By increasing WolfPaws from an 8- to a 10-ply rating, SnowWolf says, the tires now have greater weight capacity, stability and durability without compromising traction, ride quality or tread flexibility.

Holman noted that flexibility is a key to maximizing grip on hard-packed snow and ice.

Graham Spray Equipment’s impact recognized

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has recognized Graham Spray Equipment for its contribution to job creation and the positive economic impact the company has both within Georgia and outside the state.

Graham Spray Equipment managers and employees were on hand for the recent presentation of the certificate from the Georgia Secretary of State.Graham Spray Equipment managers and employees were on hand for the recent presentation of the certificate from the Georgia Secretary of State.

Accompanied by representatives of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Kemp recently presented the Douglasville-based manufacturer of custom spray rigs with an Outstanding Georgia Business certificate.

Distributed across North and South America, the company’s spray equipment is used in turf and tree care, as well as agricultural applications. The company specializes in building spray rigs customized for buyers’ specifications.

Agribusinesses such as Graham Spray Equipment are a major driver of Georgia’s economy, with food and fiber production contributing more than $74 billion and accounting for more than 411,500 jobs, according to the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.

“It is a real honor to receive this recognition from Secretary Kemp,” said Dick Bare, owner of Graham. “I know the entire Graham crew feels the same, and it’s their dedication to our customers that makes it all possible.”

California approves Civitas Weedfree herbicide

Civitas Weedfree Brand Concentrate, a hybrid selective herbicide from Intelligro, is now available in California.

intelligro-logoThe company began marketing the product to lawn and landscape professionals last year in every state except California. Intelligro announced this month that Civitas Weedfree Brand Concentrate recently was approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and is now being distributed there.

When used as directed, Intelligro says, Civitas Weedfree Brand Concentrate kills more than 60 listed broadleaf weeds without harming lawns and with no offensive odor. The company says its patent-pending “Microtechnology+” improves absorption into weeds; thus, the use of fewer active ingredients does not reduce the product’s effectiveness, according to Intelligro. (The product should not be applied to Bentgrass or Floratam, a variety of St. Augustine grass.)

Intelligro is owned by a Canadian corporation, Suncor Energy.

New Holland backs Fisher House in Wisconsin

The first Fisher House in Wisconsin was officially dedicated recently by Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation, Andrew Roberts, president of Fisher House Wisconsin, and James McLain, acting director of Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

New-Holland-logoThe home was built with funding support from New Holland Agriculture, among other sponsors. New Holland’s contribution of $57,800 was presented at the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2014, bringing the total amount contributed to Fisher House Foundation to over $153,000. The funds were raised through the New Holland True Blue Salute program, which provides a discount for military, veterans and first responders.

“Fisher House Foundation is proud to have partnered with New Holland to support our military, veterans and their families receiving care at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center,” Fisher said. “Not all battles are fought on the battlefield.  A medical crisis, the most personal battle of all, can attack a loved one unexpectedly at any time.”

Fisher Houses provide a home away from home, free of charge, to enable the family of a veteran receiving treatment to be nearby.

The new Fisher House at Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center will provide lodging for up to 16 families of veterans and military at no cost. It is one of 70 such homes operated by the Fisher House Foundation at major military and VA medical centers in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

According to the foundation, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

“New Holland is humbled by the tireless efforts of Fisher House Foundation to provide comfort for the families of our military and veterans when they need it most,” said Bret Lieberman, vice president of New Holland for North America.

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