SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/126035
Tools&Equipment and adequate testing, that E15 would not harm existing products or pose safety risks. As expected, Department of Energy testing of mid-level ethanol blends on outdoor power equipment and marine engines demonstrated performance irregularities, heat increases, and engine failure on tested product. Unfortunately, the EPA moved forward to grant a partial waiver, the first-ever decision to bifurcate the gasoline marketplace. EPA initially wanted to issue a partial waiver approving the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) for 2007 model year and newer passenger cars and light trucks. This waiver was then amended to approve E15 for 2001 model year and newer passenger cars and light trucks. (*Automobile manufacturers refute this claim.) Although E15 is specifically [START ITAL]not[END ITAL] approved for any non-road use, the outdoor power equipment industry recognized the danger of a partial waiver. By approving E15 use in a subset of engines on the road, there is a high risk that consumers and businesses will unknowingly or mistakenly put E15 in products for which it has not been approved. Remember the old saying: "What goes in the car, goes in the gerry can, and then goes in the mower?" Well, with E15, that doesn't apply any longer to mowers or to any small engine equipment for that matter. And, the totality of EPA's education effort on E15 is a "3-by-3-inch" attention label at the gas pump. This will be wholly inadequate to keep not only turf managers, but their crews, from mis-fueling. Remember the old saying: "What goes in the car, goes in the gerry can, and then goes in the mower?" Well, with E15, that doesn't apply any longer to mowers or to any small engine equipment for that matter. As a result, on December 20, 2010, a newly formed Engine Products Group comprising the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance), The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM), the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) filed a petition challenging the EPA's decision to grant a partial waiver approving the sale of gasoline containing E15 for 2007 model year and newer passenger cars and light trucks. In 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied a rehearing on a suit brought forth by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) and OPEI stating that neither group could prove they had been "harmed" by EPA's decision to allow E15 fuel and therefore, didn't have 'standing.' This ruling alarmed the outdoor power equipment industry since the judges wanted to see personal or economic injury before they could take action, despite the fact that the EPA itself has admitted there will be mis-fueling STEC Equipment announces new manufacturing alliances S TEC Equipment is excited to announce another strong year with positive growth. Since changing company names in 2009, from BLEC USA to STEC Equipment, we have forged many new partnerships and have our strongest equipment offering to date. New for 2013, we are proud to announce several new manufacturing alliances, venturing into new territory and exploring new markets. The first of our new alliances is Trench It, a New Zealand-based manufacturer of trenchers and other drainage related equipment. Known for their unmatched build quality, Trench It machines also offer a host of options including conveyor clean up systems, electric over hydraulic controls and chains manufactured right here in the USA. This greatly increases availability and quality of replacement parts. We have also launched a new range of roller mowers from UK manufacturer Broadwood International. Branded Wessex ProLine, these mowers offer a variety of features and come in a host of sizes from 4 ft to over 18ft of mowing width. Most mowers are rear discharge and fitted with free-swinging blade tips. Blade tip speeds of approximately 18,000 rpm guarantee a high quality of cut and great finish. In both 3-pt hitch and towed models, there are machines to fit any mowing need. As always STEC is on the forefront of bringing the latest European innovations here to America. We are also offering several new items from our other manufacturers. GKB Machines, producer of the Combinator (fraze-mower) and Eco Dresser (recy- 40 SportsTurf | May 2013 cling dresser), have created the first-ever aerator for synthetic turf. This machine offers a ground-driven system that de-compacts both crumb rubber and sand-based infill systems. Initial testing shows that the aerator can reduce compaction approximately 10% in Gmax standards. This allows you to bring fields that are unplayable back to a usable condition and lengthening the life of your synthetic surface. Trilo of Holland has introduced an economical range of their debris clean up equipment. With blowers producing as much CFM as any comparable blower on the market, and new turf vacuum sweeper capable of collecting almost any debris, Trilo has made their high quality products available at an affordable price. Until now, these products have only been available directly from STEC Equipment's home base in South Carolina. New for 2013, STEC is also pleased to announce a new dealer network stretching across America and into Canada. While constantly growing, we will be represented by the following: Storr Tractor (NY, NJ); Show Turf (FL); A-OK Turf Equipment (RI); Commercial Turf and Tractor (NE, IA, MO, KS, AR); Bonneville County Implement (ID); Turf and Industrial (Northern CA); and Canada-based G.C. Duke (Ontario). These dealers will have access to our full product range including infield groomers, RotaDairon Soil Renovators, GKB Machines, topdressers, laser graders and systems, Trilo, Reist, Trench It, and much more. www.sportsturfonline.com