Ditch Witch was one of the companies recognized for having American-made products.Photo: Ditch Witch
In order to spotlight his agenda of scaling back regulations and renegotiating trade deals, President Donald Trump has announced a week of highlighting American-made products.
Made in America Week has been designated as one that will celebrate the companies that manufacture their products in the United States. On Monday, July 17, which has been named Made in America Day, companies from all 50 states were invited to showcase their products.
“We want to build, create and grow more products in our country using American labor, American goods and American grit,” Trump said during the product showcase. “When we purchase products made in the USA, the profits stay here, the revenue stays, here and the jobs – maybe most importantly of all – they stay right here in the USA.”
Ditch Witch, which was chosen to represent Oklahoma, brought its JT20 horizontal directional drill to put on display.
“We are honored to represent the state of Oklahoma,” said Dennis Wierzbicki, Ditch Witch’s president. “Handcrafted in Perry, Oklahoma, Ditch Witch products are an important part of the history of American industry. We’re proud of the innovative products we’ve contributed to the global underground construction market and strive to continually evaluate customer feedback to evolve our products to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry.”
Other green industry related brands that were present for the product showcase include Caterpillar representing Illinois, Grasshopper representing Kansas, Altec representing Alabama, and Bully Tools representing Ohio.
Wright Manufacturing makes Aero Core decks standard
The Aero Core floating deck technology is now standard on all of its three-blade, side discharge riding mowers, including the Stander, Sport and Mid-Mount with 48-, 52-, 61- or 71-inch decks.
Photo: Wright ManufacturingThe deck is designed to tilt from side to side and front to back allowing the mower to follow terrain contours better. It also distributes weight for improved handling on hills. Aero Core is also designed to save space with its caster wheels recessed for a more compact footprint.
The deck height can be adjusted on the go by quarter-inch increments and the anti-scalp roller will also adjust the deck height to match the terrain. The Aero Core is designed for trimming with a flat guide plate on the left side for crisp cuts near hardscaping and other borders.
Aero Core is also engineered to have better airflow, cut quality and anti-blow out features. Debris build-up is prevented by anti-clumping baffles and air-tapered blade surfaces pull the grass up for a more uniform cut.
For more information on Wright’s Aero Core deck, click here.
Golf and sports turf conference returns to GIE+EXPO
The Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference will be held during GIE+EXPO for the second year in a row with education opportunities on both Thursday and Friday, Oct. 19-20.
The conference is sponsored by the Kentucky Turfgrass Council. Golf related sessions will take place Thursday morning while sports turf sessions will be held in the afternoon, allowing golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals to enjoy visiting the tradeshow for the other half of the day. General sessions will be offered Friday morning.
“With 900 exhibits – indoors and out – that showcase the newest turf management equipment, lawn and garden products, light construction equipment and UTVs, it’s a natural fit for golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals,” said Warren Sellers, show director. “Having the conference sessions in conjunction with the tradeshow makes GIE+EXPO their one-stop shop for new products and education.
Golf sessions
Thursday, Oct. 19
8:30 a.m. – noon
- Surviving a Natural Disaster as a Golf Course Superintended, From Disaster to Rebuild – presented by Josh Pope
- Inside the Ropes on the PGA Tour – A Look at Course Conditioning Goals and Maintenance Practices – presented by Paul Vermeulen
Sports turf sessions
Thursday, Oct. 20
1:30 – 5 p.m.
- Oversight and Management of High-End Sports Fields – presented by Dan Bergstrom
- Healthy Soils, Better Sports Fields, Fewer Pesticides – presented by Tom Samples
- Fundamentals of Sports Field Specifications – presented by Laith Ross
- Sports Turf in the Region – Past, Present and Trends for the Future – featuring panelists Carla Hagan, Greg Munshaw, Paul Woosley.
General sessions
Friday, Oct. 21
9-11 a.m.
- Real World Advice for Twitter and Social Media – presented by Pat Jones and Guy Cipriano
- Golf, Sports Turf and Landscape Irrigation Trends – Where Things Are Headed – presented by Bob Scott
Pre-registration is required for the Golf and Sports Turf Management session. The fee for each Thursday session is $99 and the Friday sessions are $89.
