Coming off of the momentum of last year’s stellar tradeshow event, GIE+EXPO along with Hardscape North America (HNA) are set to give attendees more bang for their buck with even more exhibits, educational opportunities and event features. GIE+EXPO and HNA are set for Oct. 27-29 in Louisville, Kentucky.
With added exhibits, educational sessions and demonstrations, the co-location of HNA offers landscapers and contractors a unique learning opportunity to explore how hardscaping services can benefit their business. Attendees can upgrade their GIE+EXPO trade show admission for $25 to include live educational demonstrations.
“Having the HNA at GIE+EXPO last year added a number of new dimensions to the show. It brought a synergy that we are building on for the 2011 show,” says Warren Sellers, GIE+EXPO show director. “HNA brings thousands of additional attendees to Louisville from their own show with buying power for on-the-job equipment, as well as exposure to all of the educational opportunities that will be available throughout the show.”
GIE+EXPO is the industry’s largest marketplace and offers landscapers a long list of features and benefits together in one place including:
• 750 exhibits showcasing their latest innovations in a 425,700 square foot exhibit hall and in the adjacent 19-acre outdoor demonstration area. The Demo Area will be open the first two days of the show.
• PLANET’s Green Industry Conference, PGMS’s School of Grounds Management and the GIE+EXPO workshops – a comprehensive lineup of educational sessions for green industry professionals
• A full HNA educational program, which will include approximately 124 hours of hardscape-specific sessions, starting Oct. 25
• New Products Arena for innovation displays and press conferences
• Two free concerts featuring chart-topping entertainers Charlie Daniels Band and Stealing Angels
• Networking events
• Giveaways, including the Trucks of the Industry Gas Card Giveaway
“GIE+EXPO is the industry’s show. With the combination of new products, exciting exhibitor-sponsored events, educational opportunities and the co-location of HNA, GIE+EXPO is a valuable business investment,” Sellers says.
GIE+EXPO is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). HNA is produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association and National Concrete Masonry Association.
Here are products to be on the lookout for at the 2011 GIE+EXPO.
HYBRID POWER
The Honda Power Equipment HS2336i snowblower combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. The engine drives the snowblower auger and fan apparatus, and the motor controls the track drive forward propulsion. This hybrid model also includes a 36-inch clearing width and 23-inch clearing height. It can clear up to 71.7 tons an hour.
www.hondapowerequipment.com
REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT
Powered by either an 852 or 999 cc Kawasaki engine, the Cub Cadet Commercial Tank S LP meets all current EPA and CARB emissions standards. Fueled by liquid propane, this zero-turn commercial mower has steering-wheel control and cuts up to 7 1/2 acres an hour.
www.cubcadetcommercial.com
GAIN TRACTION
Bobcat offers replacement rubber track patterns for Bobcat compact track loaders, compact excavators and mini track loaders. The EarthForce H-pattern rubber tracks for compact track loaders have a pyramid structure for even weight distribution and wear. The EarthForce compact excavator rubber tracks are matched to the equipment application to provide less vibration and a smoother ride.
www.bobcat.com
SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION
The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America N-Series truck is powered by the Vortec 6-liter, small-block V8 engine. The engine produces 297 horsepower at 4,300 rpm and generates 372 pounds per foot of torque at 4,000 rpm. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive and lock-up torque converter. The N-Series trucks complement the diesel-powered Isuzu N-Series trucks.
www.isuzucv.com
SELF-PROPELLED
The Earth & Turf Products Model 60SP self-propelled topdresser spreads dry or wet compost, sand and other materials. It has a 6 1/2-cubic-foot hopper, as well as optional loading chutes. The 60SP is powered by a 190 cc Briggs & Stratton, 875 series engine and can handle up to a 600-pound load weight.
www.earthandturf.com
REST HANDS
The Finn BB-302 bark blower applies mulch and other bulk material to landscapes, eliminating labor-intensive hand application. It’s also efficient for small mulching projects such as residential and commercial mulch beds, slopes, public gardens, playgrounds, mall interiorscapes and other applications that require precise placement of bulk materials.
www.finncorp.com
PERMEABLE PAVERS
Pine Hall Brick’s StormPave permeable clay pavers look like traditional pavers but meet the ADA requirement for maximum joint width (less than 1/2 inch). The pavers are colorfast, have a compressive strength about 12,000 psi, freeze/thaw durable and have a life expectancy of more than 100 years. They also help with stormwater runoff issues.
RECYCLED RESTRAINTS
Oly-Ola Edgings’ paver restraints are made of recycled vinyl and feature specially designed keyhole cuts for durability and flexibility. They are anchored by non-bending steel stakes and have an L-shape design. The paver restraints are available in six styles and a variety of sizes, keyhole placements and backside configuration styles.
BLOW AIR 236 MPH
The Husqvarna 570 commercial backpack blower has air speeds of 236 mph and air volume of 971 cubic feet per minute. Both the frame-mounted and tube-mounted models feature a formed back pad for added comfort. The 570’s throttle lock allows the operator to set the throttle speed without maintaining finger pressure on the trigger. The blower also uses a commercial grade air filter.
CLEAR SIDEWALKS
The 52-inch-wide Ventrac KX523 snow blower clears sidewalks, driveways and other areas. A two-stage snow blower, the KX523 features a 16-inch diameter solid auger and a 20-inch diameter fan. It can move 4,500 pounds of snow per minute at distances up to 40 feet.
TWO-BLADE DECK
The Billy Goat HomePro 3400 is ideal for 1/2 to 3/4 acre landscapes and uses a 10.5-horsepower Briggs engine. The mower features a 34-inch, baffled, two-blade deck and a belt cut and belt drive system with an integrated blade/brake clutch. The HomePro 3400 fits in sheds or garages.
PLACE PAVERS
Move and place small and large paving stones with Pave Mor by Gro Mor’s paver placer. It features a rugged design, engineered suction system, variable head sizes and runs on compressed air. With three models to choose from – the PM-1AIR single-man tool, PM-2AIR accessory and PM-3AIR two-man tool – the paver placers can lift from 60 to 180 pounds.
MOW 10 MPH
The Ferris IS 2500Z mid-mount zero-turn mower line-up includes three models with Yanmar three-cylinder, in-line diesel engines with cast iron blocks. The models – 20 horsepower with 52-inch iCD cutting system, 24 horsepower with a 61-inch iCD cutting system and 24 horsepower with 52-inch iCD cutting system – have top speeds of 10 mph. They also feature a four-wheel suspension system.
PIVOTAL DRUM
The Turf Teq power rake can be used for seedbed preparation and turf renovation. The unit features a 36-inch-wide drum, and the drum’s pivot angle can be adjusted to the left or right. The power rake has a hydrostatic transmission, 13-horsepower Honda engine and an on-the-go differential lock.
HYDRAULICALLY EXPAND
Blizzard Snowplows’ Power Plow adjustable-wing snowplow can hydraulically expand its moldboard. It can be used in compact straight-blade, wide-pass extended straight-blade, angled-windrowing and bucket-blade-scoop mode. Unlike V-plows, the Power Plow can fully angle in the scoop position to maintain a full load of snow when maneuvering around corners or obstacles.
SEGMENTED CUTTING EDGES
The Boss Snowplow BX-12 box plow attaches to loaders or backhoes with a Quickhitch system. During plow operations, a vertical hitch float lets the box plow slide up and down, reducing wear. A 12-foot-wide sectioned trip edge features segmented cutting edges that trip individually, keeping the remaining cutting edges in contact with the surface.
REDESIGNED CLASSIC
The redesigned Dixie Chopper Classic T & W zero-turn mowers have engines from 27 to 35 horsepower and deck sizes from 50 to 60 inches. Weighing from 1,094 to 1,445 pounds, the Classic mowers have a cutting height of 1 1/2 to 5 inches. The cutting deck size ranges from 50 to 72 inches and can cut up to 6 1/2 acres per hour.
GROW PORTFOLIO
LandOpt nationally licenses the use of its business systems and processes, providing a territory-based solution for landscape contractors nationwide. They give these landscape contractors a portfolio of business systems, including integrated sales and marketing, human resources, operations and business management modules.
SEED, MULCH, SPRAY
Turbo Technologies’ line of jet hydroseeding systems ranges from 100 to 750 gallons. They also carry hydromulchers with aggressive paddle agitation that will mix heavy slurries of wood mulch. Turbo Technologies also offers ice control sprayers and compost tea sprayers.
MANAGE SIDEWALKS
The Earthway Products S25ss Spray-Pro push sprayer has an all stainless steel chassis. Designed for spraying ice control products, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, the S25ss has an adjustable spray system, which helps manage sidewalks and parking lots.
COMFORTABLE BLOWER
The Stihl BR 430 backpack blower has back padding, an anti-vibration system, broad shoulder straps and a rubberized grip for operator comfort. The tube-mounted throttle allows for single-handed operation, while the 4-inch wear area on the tube nozzle provides durability. Weighing 22.3 pounds, the BR 430 has an air velocity of 183 mph.
FLARED WINGS
The Hiniker VF Series flare-wing, trip-edge V-plow features deep-curl flared wings. Double-acting hydraulic cylinders provide positive hydraulic control of moldboard positioning, whether plowing forward or backdragging. Available in a conventional level-top configuration, the VF Series has either 8 1/2- or 9 1/2-foot widths.
PURE PIPE
The Cleveland Tubing Flex-Drain is a complete drainage system made using no-break co-polymers. The “peak and valley” design provides more surface area for weight disbursement. Flex-Drain’s pipe and fittings exceed ASTM standards, and the system is composed of pure-grade materials.
ADJUSTABLE SPRAY RATE
Ground Logic’s line of ride-on spreading and spraying equipment feature Honda engines and 100-percent stainless steel construction. Adjust the spray rate from 1/8 to 1/2 gallon per 1,000 square feet. Spreading capacities range from 120 to 220 pounds with spraying capacities from 12 to 16 gallons.
ENGLISH, SPANISH DESIGN
Drafix Software’s landscape design software package, Pro Landscape Version 16, includes realistic photo imaging, 3D photo rendering, night and holiday lighting, CAD, 3D CAD rendering and professional customer proposals. There’s also a Spanish version, which includes all of the functionality of the English version.
SHARPEN BLADES
The Magna-Matic MAG-8000 sharpens left- or right-handed blades, conventional (flat) mower blades and mulching (curved edge) blades. The sharpener also consistently sharpens cutting edges at 30 degrees in one to two minutes.
CROSS-PORTING SYSTEM
The John Deere ZTrak Pro Z925 with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) has a closed-loop fuel injection system that constantly monitors engine performance. It also features a 27-horsepower engine, 13-cc piston-style pump transmission and 54- or 60-inch mowing deck. Its cross-porting system routes the coolest hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump doing the most work.
VERTICAL LIFT
The Bobcat T770 compact track loader has vertical-lift-path arms and a height-to-hinge pin measurement of 132 inches – 3 1/2 inches higher than the K-Series loader. With an operating weight of 10,887 pounds, it has a rated operating capacity of 3,100 pounds and is powered by a 92-horsepower, water-cooled diesel engine.
DON’T GET STUCK
AlturnaMats’ ground cover mats are manufactured from recycled plastic and were designed to keep equipment from getting stuck in wet, muddy, sandy and snow situations. The ground cover mats feature a diamond cleat tread design on both sides for maximum tracking and are available in black or white in sizes from 2-by-4 feet to 4-by-8 feet.
COMPACT POWER
Big things can come in small packages. The Grasshopper Model 321D-48 mower is compact with precision maneuvering in close quarters, a 48-inch cutting deck and a diesel engine that maintains blade tip speed in thick grass. The mower uses less than one gallon of fuel every hour.
EASY TRANSPORT
The Dosko 200-6H mini stump grinder weighs 134 pounds and uses a 200 cc Honda engine. With a fold-down handlebar, this unit can fit in an SUV, minivan and some car trunks. The grinder also features Leonardi teeth for efficient cutting capability.
THINNER PROFILE
Belgard Hardscapes’ Lafitt Patio Slab premium concrete interlocking pavers resemble natural cut stone with a slate-like texture. Similar to the Mega Lafitt paver line, Lafitt Patio Slab provides a thinner profile for greater overlay opportunities and more economical usage. It’s easy to install with a three-piece modular system.
