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.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/605091
COVER STORY duplicate listings to ensure that only desired listings are public, and there is no confusion for the shopper or the search engine. Online reputation reporting: Dealers can get access to what people are saying about them online. Exclusive clickable featured messages: Dealers can add featured messages on the top online directories that click through to their website to drive more qualified leads to their store. "Premium Directory Management normalizes and standardizes your data," said Bob Jones, ARI's vice president of sales. "It makes sure your contact information is accurate with all of the aggregators such as Yahoo, Bing, Yelp, Foursquare and Facebook. "The average dealership has 80 to 100 errors in their listings. Dealers could go into these sites and correct each manually or pay ARI a monthly fee (for Premium Directory Management) to take care of all of their errors and lock it down. This will also optimize their (search engine optimization)." 2) ARI Inventory powered by LotVantage: ARI Inventory powered by LotVantage gives dealers the power to feed multiple sales channels with the inventory information loaded into an ARI dealer website. ARI Inventory powered by LotVantage is tailored to each dealership, with live tracking, easy-to-use templates and one-on-one customer service all designed to help dealers drive more leads and "Sell More Stuff!" online and in-store. "LotVantage takes your inventory and pushes it out to third-party websites such as Craigslist and eBay," said Jones. "It allows dealers to work on their business, not in their business." Jones also said that ARI plans to introduce a dealership mobile app in early 2016. Ariens Company introduces IKON XL zero-turn mower Ariens unveiled the IKON XL, an all-new zero-turn mower built for the prosumer and large-acreage cutter markets. The IKON XL is crafted with the same durability and quality as the Ariens IKON X, but includes several upgraded features needed for cutting larger properties. Packed with premium features like fabricated deck designs in either 42-inch or 52-inch sizes, the IKON XL incorporates enhancements that improve overall durabil - ity and comfort. While other residential mowers incorporate multi-piece frames, the IKON XL is built on a single tubular steel frame, which is welded, not bolted, at every joint for added strength and stability. In addition, the newly designed, fully fabricated, commercial-style cutting deck has a 4.5-inch-deep design to provide airflow in challenging mowing conditions, delivering an outstanding quality of cut. The wide discharge opening allows for even dispersal of clippings without clumping, while the constant tension deck belt system increases the life of the belt and reduces the need for adjustments. The IKON XL was built with several considerations that improve the operator comfort, integrating features such as a custom-designed, plush, high-back seat with padded armrests, which helps support the operator who needs to tackle a large job. The dial height-of-cut selection, which puts 13 cutting positions at the operator's fingertips, and other upgrades like the foot-operated deck lift, cup holder, storage compartments and advanced vibration isolation were added to increase operator efficiency. Larger front and back tires add to the machine's durability and effi- ciency, while the easily-serviceable Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 transmission reduces downtime. All models are available with a Kohler 7000 Series engine. "With the Ariens IKON XL, we sat down and looked at everything that was working well for the IKON X, and added even more features to increase the durability for operators who are using their mowers longer than a typical homeowner," said Jeralyn Braun, Ariens Company product marketing manager. "We wanted to create a machine that can stand up to the work that our customers with large properties have to maintain. The IKON XL is the perfect solution for those that need a more efficient, more comfortable ride." Models start at a list price of $4,459 USD and are available through authorized Ariens dealers only. The unit comes backed by a three-year limited consumer warranty and a five-year limited warranty on the frame and deck shell. A full slate of accessories is also available for the IKON XL, including a powered two-bucket bagger, mulching kit, LED headlight kit and full range of tow-behind accessories. Briggs & Stratton displays latest innovative products Briggs & Stratton Corporation showed off its latest wave of innovative products and technology at GIE+EXPO. "A few year years ago, I talked a little bit about innovation and where our company was headed," said Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corporation. "And I think now two to three years later, if you look around the booth, we're executing." On the commercial engines side, Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power introduced its Vanguard air-cooled V-Twin Big Block EFI engine, which gives landscape contractors the power and durability that only Big Blocks offer with the increased fuel efficiency of a closed-loop electronic fuel injection (EFI) system. "Since Vanguard pioneered the Big Block engine category in turf in 2005, they have been famous for delivering big power in a compact air-cooled engine," said Jim Cross, marketing manager for Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power. "With the Big Block EFI engine, operators are getting that versatile all-day power with the added benefit of a more fuel-efficient power source." The new engine joins a growing lineup of Vanguard EFI engines, including open-loop Big Block EFI engines for mud boats in the marine market and the closed-loop 810 EFI engines for zero-turn commercial mowers. Big Block engines are designed for the toughest mowing jobs, powering commercial mowers with 54-inch cutting decks and larger. The new EFI technology is available in 33- and 37-gross-hp. Big Block engines. It fea - tures an automotive-based closed-loop EFI system for up to 25 percent better fuel economy compared to the already-efficient carbureted Big Block engines. EFI engines use less fuel than carbureted engines because fuel in an EFI system is delivered precisely where and when needed, so fuel flow is less under certain conditions. Like the Vanguard 810 EFI www.outdoorpowerequipment.com OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT DECEMBER 2015 11