Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
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Product News Charter Software introduces ASPEN Lite for smaller equipment dealers Charter Software Inc., a provider of business management system software for agricultural, construction and outdoor power equipment dealers, announced on Feb. 5 the availability of ASPEN Lite, an affordable, streamlined version of its ASPEN business management system. This software is ideal for smaller, singlelocation enterprises needing a business system. "We build our products to meet industry demand," said Charter Software President Anne Salemo. "The many features and capabilities of the ASPEN business system were more than what some smaller dealers needed to manage their business. "ASPEN Lite provides these dealers with an affordable business system to manage their parts, work orders, rentals, customers and sales while allowing them to retain their existing bookkeeping software," added Salemo. "Dealers can either utilize ASPEN Lite's built-in integration with QuickBooks or export their accounting data to use externally — it's perfect for dealers who don't do their accounting in-house or who just like using the QuickBooks program." Like ASPEN, ASPEN Lite features a system dashboard from where users can drill down to detailed data; send instant messages between dealership staff; e-mail customers directly from the system; and enjoy instant access to suppliers' parts pricing, eliminating the need to hand-key parts information. Using ASPEN Lite, these dealers will be able to track their customers' invoice and service history and fine-tune their inventory by always knowing what's in stock and on order for the shelf, work orders and their customers. In addition, ASPEN Lite interfaces with popular electronic parts catalogs, as well as online parts ordering systems, which will also save dealers large amounts of time. Because ASPEN Lite is hosted on Charter's secure web servers, there is no initial hardware investment. "Our mission is to provide affordable, powerful business tools that help dealers reduce costs and increase their profits — ASPEN Lite fits the budget of the smaller dealers while still meeting their business needs," said Salemo. "So far, the response has been very positive." Charter Software Inc. Billy Goat enhances overseeder Billy Goat's newly enhanced OS901SPS overseeder includes a new blade design that reduces thatch and improves blade life due to its sharpened leading edge and attack angle combined with a new foot-actuated height adjust that raises and lowers the reel effortlessly and provides more blade depth. The Billy Goat OS901SPS is hydrostatically self-propelled to reduce fatigue associated with pushing, and it features intuitive right and left operator drive controls. The unit is 22 inches wide with an exclusive 11-blade "floating head" cutting system that maintains contact with the contours of uneven ground, increasing seed-to-soil contact and improving germination rates. An exclusive Auto Drop system automatically starts and stops seed drop with bale engagement and disengagement, conserving seed and preventing end-of-run seed piling. The unit comes standard with a 30-pound seed box with excellent visibility from the operator's position and is generously elevated above the turf to eliminate clogging. Conversion kits are available to retro-fit the OS900SPS series with the new enhancements. Billy Goat Industries, Inc. Grasshopper unveils improved PowerVac collector Building upon nearly 50 years of airflow research toward the development of its PowerVac vacuum collection system for homeowners and turfcare professionals, The Grasshopper Company recently announced the introduction of its Model 8HT PowerVac collector. The improved design of the 8HT collector includes a hinged metal top with a spring-loaded metal latch that locks the top in place, allowing for easier removal and emptying of the twin 4-cubic-foot bags. Also new are tougher, reinforced, mesh bags that are more resistant to ripping and tearing. Combined with the powerful deck-driven Quik-D-Tatch vac drive, the 8-cubic-foot-capacity collector makes a clean sweep through everything from thick spring grass, wet fall leaves, and even pine needles and other yard debris for a picture-perfect finish with every pass. The 8HT collector is compatible with all Grasshopper mowers — including existing PowerVac collection systems — and is well suited for homeowners and landscape contractors maintaining small- to medium-acreage properties. The Grasshopper Co. Rotary offers a full line of snow blower parts and accessories for 2013 New paddles, shave plates and skids are among more than 125 snow blower parts and accessories featured in Rotary's 2013 catalog. Designed to fit most models, the snow blower paddles are built in the USA from recycled rubber that resists aging, abrasion and extreme temperatures. Other new items include a line of TerraGrip traction belts in a variety of sizes to fit most tires. These belts include an innovative traction aid that prevents steel from touching the driving surface. Multi-ply rubber slats surrounding the tire tread provide a secure fit and improved traction. Rotary also offers a wide range of other snow blower parts, including scraper bars and bolts, shear pins, axles, auger and axle bushings, bearings, shaft kits, "V" belts, drive discs, air vanes, ignition keys and tires. Featured items include SnoStik for removing slush and snow from the discharge chute, plus a full line of MaxTrac tire chains. To receive a free copy of Rotary's 2013 catalog, servicing dealers and distributors may call (800) 841-3989. Rotary Corp. Continued on page 34 28 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com