From innovative electric-powered equipment to an artful chair, these are the newest products for landscapers.
Groundbreaking Excavator
Takeuchi introduced the TB117e prototype – the first fully electric, hydraulic excavator – at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011 in Las Vegas. More than 120,000 industry professionals from more than 150 countries attended CONEXPO, which is held every three years, to see the latest products, equipment, services and technologies. Although many companies focused on upgrading their equipment to comply with Tier-4 Interim for the trade show, Takeuchi went above and beyond with their excavator.
With zero exhaust emissions and reduced sound levels, the TB117e compact hydraulic excavator can be operated indoors in places such as hospitals, schools and shopping centers. It uses a lithium-ion battery that can power the machine for up to six hours. A digital display keeps the operator informed of the machines’ existing battery power.
The TB117e has an onboard charger that allows it to be powered continuously when operated near a power source. The excavator also has a retractable undercarriage that allows it to go from 51-inches to 39-inches wide, ideal for confined spaces. The excavator has 4,079 pounds of bucket breakout force, 1,704 pounds of arm crowd force, 3,801 pounds of traction force and a top travel speed of 2.9 mph. It will be at least a year before Takeuchi starts production on the TB117e, the company says.
LOW-ODOR HERBICIDE
PBI/Gordon’s Trimec 1000 broadleaf herbicide contains a formulation that resists crystallization for more complete plant absorption and is low-odor. Trimec 1000 can be used in most cool- and warm-season turfgrass areas and is ideal for parks, sports turf, residential lawns and golf courses.
POWERFUL PICKUP
The Gravely Truck Loader is an efficient way to pick up leaves, grass clippings, mulch or various trash such as plastic bottles. It features a pickup wand combined with a steel-ribbed, flexible suction hose that has an automatic shut-off switch. The unit, with 20-horesepower and 22-horsepower Subaru engine options, uses a 5.8-gallon fuel tank and is available with either a 10- or 12-inch diameter hose.
SOLAR PUMP SHINES
ITT Flow Control’s RainPerfect solar-powered rain barrel pump system provides pressure to run water through hoses and most low-pressure sprinklers. Its solar panel eliminates the need for electricity, and the system can pump up to 100 gallons of water on an eight-hour charge.
CUSTOM DECK CHAIRS
Craftsman Robert Erickson, who has a rocking chair in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, builds an eye-catching variation on the classic Adirondack deck chair with salvaged wood from downed trees that once lined the streets of Sacramento, California. Erickson uses marine-grade fastenings, fittings, paint and varnish. The chair also has a powder-coated steel frame under the seat for extra stability and durability.
