Photo: ToroToro has expanded its TRX walk-behind trencher line with two new models, the TRX-250 and the TRX-300.
The company says the trenchers are designed for performance, serviceability, ease of use and operator comfort.
“We’re always looking for ways to help our customers save time and maximize productivity,” says Neil Borenstein, director of marketing at Toro. “With these updates, we’ve taken the proven TRX design and made it even easier to use and maintain. The TRX has always had the advantage of a low center of gravity and a large footprint, which gives it excellent stability and maneuverability while minimizing damage to existing turf. The new models deliver those benefits and more.”
The 24.5-horsepower Toro engine powers the TRX-250. It has a max forward speed of 2.4 mph. The TRX-300 has 26.5-horsepower Kohler engine and maximum forward speed of 2.3 mph.
The trenchers are both 82.5 inches long, 33.8 inches wide and 46 inches tall, with a ground clearance of 4.3 inches and a fuel capacity of 4.8 gallons.
Both models feature Intelli-Trench technology, which optimizes the machine’s hydraulic flow for the digging conditions. It automatically diverts hydraulic flow from the traction motors to provide more power at the trencher head.
This allows the traction handle to be held in one place rather than constantly adjusted, reducing operator fatigue. The technology also decreases track wear and maintains engine RPM for engine cooling.
The TRX-250 and TRX-300 also have a new hydraulic design that has fewer components and simplifies maintenance. The trencher also has differentiated traction controls, but these are easy to learn and use, according to Toro.
The boom lift function has a new hydraulic valve that allows it to move up and down slowly. These new walk-behind trenchers are now available from Toro’s dealer network.
Exmark introduces commercial 30 X-Series walk-behind mower
Photo: ExmarkExmark has expanded its line of 30-inch commercial walk-behind mowers with its Commercial 30 X-Series model.
The Commercial 30 X-Series has a new engine and transmission and is designed to give landscape professionals a productive option for smaller properties. The X-Series is an evolution of the original Commercial 30 model, introduced in 2013.
“With 40-percent more cut area per pass than the industry-standard 21-inch walk-behind mower, our Commercial 30 quickly found favor with landscape contractors looking to get jobs done faster without sacrificing cut quality,” says Lenny Mangnall, Exmark product manager. “The new Commercial 30 X-Series takes that proven formula to the next level with Kohler’s premier single-cylinder commercial engine – the Command Pro CV200, along with a powerful transmission, for increased performance and durability.”
The company says the Kohler engine provides 30 percent more torque for cutting through the thickest grass. The CV200 features cast iron cylinder liners, dual splash and pressurized lubrication and Quad-Clean air filtration. The engine also has a three-year limited commercial warranty.
The upgrade transmission delivers increased wheel toque to help with going up hills and tracking on side hills. The mower has top ground speed of 3.8 mph. The heavy-duty wet clutch transmission and self-tensioning belt drive are both designed for minimal maintenance, Exmark says.
The X-Series also features a parking brake. The timed, two-blade cutting system reduces power requirements. The timing belt system maintains blade position and isolates the engine from shock load.
A high-performance mulch kit is also available for the Commercial 30 X-Series, which improves mulching performance in conditions like wet, heavy grass.
John Deere offers high-lift option on 344L compact wheel loader
The 344L compact wheel loader can now reach new heights with John Deere making a high-lift option available to end users.
Photo: John DeereThe high-lift allows operators to have a higher and further reach when it comes to dumping, stacking, landscaping or snow removal tasks.
“The 344L High-Lift was designed to provide operators with increased hinge pin height and dump clearance,” sys Grant Van Tine, product marketing manager, compact wheel loaders, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “It’s important to provide our customers with increasingly versatile compact construction equipment to enable them to work with the variety of trucks, trailers, wagons, bins or hoppers they may encounter on any job site.”
The high-lift model has a maximum hinge pin height of 13 feet, 2 inches, giving it an additional 12 inches of reach compared to the standard 344L. When equipped with a quick coupler and bucket, the full-turn tipping load of the 344L High-Lift is 10,362 pounds.
This allows operators to lift heavy masses overhead while taking advantage of the machine’s tight turning radius.
Hardscape North America introduces Hardscape House at tradeshow
The Hardscape House is a new addition to the Hardscape North America tradeshow in Louisville, Kentucky. The building will be in a 42,000 square foot pavilion adjacent to the 20 acre outdoor demo area at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
The Hardscape House will feature the HNA 2019 National Installer Championship, hands-on testing at exhibitor displays and hardscape demos led by Frank Bourque.
“HNA’s outdoor demo space is always popular with attendees,” says Charles McGrath, executive director of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). “The opportunity to learn installation best practices from experts, watch or compete in the Installer Championships and test equipment to make your business more efficient before making buying decisions is invaluable. We’re excited to bring it all together under this open-air pavilion.”
The demos will be held over two days. Attendees can upgrade their tradeshow registration ton include all six demos for $65 or purchase a VIP pass. The demos are listed below.
Demo 1: Proper Takeoffs, VR Designs, and Layouts
Demo 2: How to Significantly Increase Paver and Slab Installation Efficiency
Demo 3: The New Technology to Increase Retaining Wall and Raised Patio Installation Efficiency
Demo 4: Integrating Water Features, Rainwater Harvesting Systems, and Permeable Pavements
Demo 5: Outdoor Kitchens and Technology for Rapid Installations
Demo 6: Hardscapes and System Automation: Outdoor Sound, Lighting, and Fire Features
Brick Industry Association opens entries for its 2019 Bricks in Architecture Awards
The Brick Industry Association (BIA) is now accepting entries for the 2019 Brick in Architecture Awards. It is the 30th anniversary of this design competition.
Entrants must be either an architect or designer employed by an architectural, design-build or landscaping design firm. The eligible projects can be any work of architecture completed from Jan. 1, 2014, in which new clay brick products comprise the predominant exterior building or paving material (over 50 percent) including: face or hollow brick, building brick, thin brick, paving brick, glazed brick, structural glazed facing tile, new clay brick products in special shapes and/or a combination of any of these aforementioned units.
The entires can be submitted in one or more of these categories: commercial, education K-12, education – colleges and universities, residential single family, residential multi-family, paving and landscape projects, historic renovation and international.
“We’re excited to showcase outstanding design that demonstrates brick’s virtually unlimited aesthetic freedom and sustainability,” says Ray Leonhard, BIA president.
Entries are due by Oct. 31. Judges will select Best in Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in December. The winners will be announced January 2020. Click here to enter.
Arborjet expands its position in the market
Arborjet and Ecologel have recently expanded their marketing division and customer service operations.
After joining Arborjet in 2014 as a product marketing manager, Kristin Nikodemski has been promoted to marketing manager. She will handle all messaging, branding, advertising, strategy and development of new and existing products, while continuing to support the needs of the national sales team. Nikodemski will also manage Arborjet’s horticulture website TheDirtOnDirt.com. Nikodemski graduated from Salve Regina University.
Cara Markiewicz has joined Arborjet’s marketing team in as senior digital marketing and design specialist. She has five years of experience in e-commerce with extensive design, analytical and digital marketing experience. Markiewicz will be responsible for developing targeted email campaigns, optimizing website content and supporting lead generation. Markiewicz is a graduate of Salem State University with a major in graphic design.
Allison Keir is filling the role of media marketing specialist, overseeing all online social media channels for both Arborjet and The Dirt on Dirt. With a strong background in film, she also handles all video production for the marketing and research department. Keir graduated from the University of California San Diego and holds a master’s degree from Boston University as well.
Arborjet has also continued to expand its customer service department to meet demand. It has created a new role at the company – customer success manager, which is filled by Zac Purinton, formerly inside sales and technical support representative.
Purinton will now take on the charge of all customer interaction. His responsibilities include managing and fielding customer technical product questions and AP/AR procedures. He will also assist in marketing, trade show management and sales to support all national technical team members. Purinton holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in plant, soil and insect sciences from UMass Amherst.
Jay Sigman will take on Purinton’s former role. He will assist with technical calls, equipment repair and Arborjet’s Winter Webinar series to educate the industry on Arborjet’s products and processes. Sigman is a Massachusetts and ISA certified arborist, has a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry and arboriculture from UMASS Amherst and an associates in horticulture Degree from North Shore Community College.
Finishing the new team is Janice Robichaud who will handle trade show coordination, including sponsorships, order entry and processing, customer service, print advertisements and overall marketing support. Robichaud has a bachelor’s degree in business management, with a concentration in marketing from Salem State University.
Equipment Dealers Association recognizes Ferris for fourth year in a row
The Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) awarded its Gold Level Award to Briggs & Stratton for the fourth consecutive year for its Ferris commercial mower products.
“The exceptionally high ratings in all categories affirm Ferris’s commitment to providing extraordinary care to dealers and professionals,” says Dan Roche, marketing director — commercial products. “Commercial landscapers expect high-quality, innovative mowers, parts and dealer support from Ferris. We are committed to caring about their needs by providing performance, productivity and durability.”
2,516 dealer contacts from across the U.S. and Canada participated in EDA’s dealer-manufacturer relations survey. Dealers are asked to score manufacturers on a scale of one to seven on their level of satisfaction. Some of the categories include product quality, parts availability, product technical support and over all satisfaction.
Survey participants said they are more than satisfied with the performance and built-to-last construction in the parts quality category for Ferris. EDA members also noted improvement in Ferris’s warranty procedures and payments.
Respondents also gave high scores on the overall support Ferris provides to dealers.
Pedigree Fungicide SC approved for use in California
Photo: PBI-GordonPBI-Gordon announced that Pedigree Fungicide SC has received registration from the State of California so it may be used in the state.
Pedigree has the active ingredient flutolanil and is formulated to provide control of brown patch, fairy ring, leaf and sheath spot, large patch, red thread, pink patch, yellow patch, southern blight and gray snow mold. Pedigree is a flowable suspension concentrate.
It has been successful on creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, annual bluegrass, annual and perennial ryegrass, red fescue, tall fescue, Bermuda grass, zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass.
It is labeled for use on golf courses, residential and commercial properties and sports fields.
