Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/602685
www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2015 9 POST-SHOW RECAP With more than 100 tools, Makita has the world's largest 18V cordless tool lineup powered by 18V lithium-ion slide-style batteries — and the lineup includes a growing range of solutions for landscape contractors. Makita 18V X2 LXT (36V) tools are powered by two 18V Lithium-Ion batteries, so users get 36V power, speed and run-time without leaving the 18V battery platform. Makita offers 18V X2 (36V) blowers (model XBU02Z), as well as a hedge trimmer, string trimmer (model XRU07Z), and two chain saws, with more solutions on the way. INTELLIGRO ANSWERS THE CALL FOR WEED-FREE LAWNS WITH LESS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Intelligro, the lawn care and agriculture operating brand of Suncor, introduced Civitas WeedFree brand concentrate. It is a hybrid selective herbicide with Microtechnology that delivers the performance the market needs with fewer active ingredients, no offensive odor and a fast response rate. "Increasing environmental regulations coupled with consumer demands are driving the need for a hybrid solution that provides the best of both worlds," said Oriana Persechini, category portfolio manager, Intelligro. "The introduction of Civitas WeedFree brand concentrate means that lawn care operators and landscapers can now choose an affordable product that effectively kills over 60 listed broadleaf weeds without harming lawns." The patent-pending Microtechnology minimizes the proven three-way mix of active ingredients while maximizing their efficacy through enhanced penetration of the product into the plant. This provides several benefits for both the applicator and customer. The fast-acting absorption and reduced active ingredient formula results in no offensive odor and visible injury on weeds within 12 hours. In addition, the white emulsion produced when sprayed identifies areas that have been treated, eliminating duplication of efforts and reducing call-backs. These features help lawn care operators and landscapers protect their bottom line while delivering on increasing customer expectations. Civitas WeedFree brand concentrate is currently shipping within the continental United States, except California. EXMARK EXPANDS SUSPENDED OPERATOR PLATFORM FOR 2016 Following the successful mid-year debut of a suspended operator platform for its Lazer Z commercial zero-turn mower, Exmark announced it is expanding the platform's availability for 2016. Exmark added suspended operator platform-equipped 52-inch Lazer Z E-Series and 72-inch Lazer Z X-Series options to the existing 60-inch options in both models for the 2016 model year. The suspended operator platform uses three coil-over hydraulic dampers to significantly reduce the impact of bumps and vibration. It provides 3.6 inches of travel in vertical and fore- aft directions, with trailing arms to limit lateral travel and increase operator stability. "We initially launched the suspended operator platform on 60- inch versions of our Lazer Z E-Series and Lazer Z X-Series mowers, as it's our most popular cutting deck size," said Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters. "Almost immediately we began to receive calls, e-mails and social media messages inquiring about the platform's availability with other cutting deck widths. These new models are the direct result of the feedback we received." The suspended operator platform significantly reduces the negative effects of mowing rough terrain on the operator. The design is easily adjustable for operator weight and ride quality preference without tools, making it easy to achieve the desired ride quality for any operator. There's no harsh bottoming, regardless of operator weight, and the design eases access to hydrostatic drive system components, making routine maintenance easier to perform. NEW BOBCAT MT85 MINI TRACK LOADER Bobcat Company introduced the all-new MT85 mini track loader, expanding its compact equipment lineup. The Bobcat MT85 boasts more power, increased lifting capabilities, additional stability and durable components to help operators efficiently complete everyday or challenging tasks in limited-space jobsites. The MT85 has a 35-percent-higher rated operating capacity (ROC) than prior mini track loader iterations — rated at 850 pounds — to lift, carry and dump materials. For additional productivity, MT85 operators can lift materials higher with an increase of 12 percent in lift height. For hard digging conditions, the lift arm breakout force has been increased by 29 percent from the smaller MT55 mini track loader. A change from prior Bobcat mini track loaders, the new MT85 is designed with dual ISO joystick controls. The loader's drive function is controlled by the left-hand joystick. The right-hand joystick controls the loader's lift and tilt functions. Gauges and dials on the loader's dash panel remain unchanged from the MT55. A new operator presence/safety pedal regulates the auxiliary hydraulic flow for use with approved attachments. The pedal must be engaged when the operator is using an attachment with detent hydraulic flow. A standard ride-on platform gives operators better visibility to the front-mounted attachment and the work area to help them be more productive. The platform for the MT85 was designed to help operators easily access the mini track loader controls, especially for taller operators, thereby reducing operator fatigue. JACOBSEN MAKES ORANGE SPLASH Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. company, made an orange splash at GIE+EXPO. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company unveiled nine new products, creating a buzz on the floor of the Kentucky Exposition Center, and carried that over to downtown Louisville at 4th Street Live!