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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/752598
FEATURE STORY | Subject here GIE + EXPO 2016 SHOW RECAP www.outdoorpowerequipment.com OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT DECEMBER 2016 13 FEATURE STORY Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power introduces Vanguard Oil Guard System Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power introduced the Vanguard Oil Guard System to its Vanguard 810 and Big Block commercial engine series, a first-of- its-kind solution for the commercial turf market that offers major productivity gains by allowing landscape contractors to operate a commercial mower for 500 hours between oil changes. Initially, the new technology will be available on Ferris brand mowers. The Oil Guard System from Vanguard is the latest in a long line of advancements that Ferris has introduced to the industry aimed at increasing productivity. Most notably, its patented suspension system, which provides a smooth ride on uneven turf, enables operators to spend more time comfortably on their mowers. "Ferris takes pride in designing equipment that helps landscape contractors increase productivity, and the Oil Guard System certainly raises the bar on how productive a landscape contractor can be on any given day," said Phil Wenzel, vice president of commercial products at Briggs & Stratton, which includes the Ferris brand. "The Oil Guard System is both revolutionary, yet simple. It increases maintenance intervals by five times, which means fewer oil changes and less downtime, so Ferris owners and operators can keep cutting." The Vanguard Oil Guard System continuously exchanges oil between the engine and a large remote oil reservoir located external to the engine. It's a revolutionary design for a commercial mower that protects engine oil from thermal breakdown, which extends maintenance intervals of the oil and produces a cooler-running engine. And because operators have direct access to the oil filter and drain tube, changing the oil is quicker, easier, and mess-free. The result is a more productive commercial zero-turn mower. "Pairing the Vanguard Oil Guard System with Ferris is a perfect fit," said Rick Zeckmeister, vice president of marketing and planning at Briggs & Stratton. "This technology will alter the oil change forever, but at its core, the system is about productivity — and that is precisely what Ferris has in mind when designing all of its commercial mower models." Contractors operating a Ferris commercial mower with a Vanguard EFI engine featuring the Oil Guard System will increase their recommended oil change intervals from the current 100-hour interval to 500 hours, thereby decreasing their oil change labor and replacement filter costs — by more than 60 percent* per season — while increasing productivity because it can be kept out in the field cutting for longer periods of time. The Vanguard Oil Guard System is a factory-integrated technology, not an aftermarket add-on, so the 3-year commercial engine limited warranty in its entirety applies**. Ferris will have the Oil Guard System integrated into its commercial models for the 2017 season. Ferris models with the Oil Guard System integrated include the IS 3200Z, IS 2100Z, F320Z, F210Z, SRS Z2 (stand- on), and FW35 (wide-area walk-behind). [FOOTNOTES: *Cost savings based on standard oil maintenance with 100-hour interval versus Oil Guard System 500-hour service interval. **See operator's manual for complete warranty details.] Briggs & Stratton Turf & Consumer Products unveils vast array of new and improved products Briggs & Stratton Turf & Consumer Products showcased several new products in its Ferris and Snapper Pro commercial brands, as well as its Snapper and Simplicity consumer brands. ■ Ferris and Snapper Pro: As mentioned in the previous story, Ferris announced that several of its 2017 commercial mowers will feature the new Vanguard Oil Guard System, which extends oil-change intervals to 500 hours. This system will be available on Ferris mid-mount zero-turns, stand-on zero- turns and wide-area walk-behinds equipped with Vanguard 810 EFI and Big Block commercial engines. Ferris also introduced its most compact mid-mount zero-turn mower, the F60 Fleet Series, for landscape professionals who need a compact, rugged, 36-inch mower in their fleets, as well as its SRS-Z1 Soft Ride Stand-On mower with a 36- or 48-inch mower deck to help landscapers get into tight spaces. In other developments, Ferris and Snapper Pro commercial zero-turn mowers will be available with a new mower deck drive system that promises longer belt life, reduced maintenance and improved performance. In addition to helping commercial landscapers improve their productivity by reducing downtime, the system offers a three-year, 300-hour limited warranty. It will come standard on all iCD Cutting Systems featuring 52-, 61- and 72-inch mower decks. Ferris models using this system include the IS 3200Z (see page 31), IS 2100Z, F320 and F210 zero-turn mowers. The Snapper Pro line will have the new system on all S200xt models. "The new mower deck drive system is part of our commitment to continuous product improvement for our customers," said Phil Wenzel, vice president of commercial products, Turf & Consumer Products. "By providing improvements that reduce maintenance and downtime, we keep them more productive and profitable." ■ Snapper and Simplicity: Snapper introduced its XD 82V Max lithium- ion battery-powered lawn & garden tool system. A single-battery multi-tool system, the Snapper XD lineup includes a walk-behind mower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, leaf blower and chain saw. All tools feature a maintenance- free brushless motor and a Briggs & Stratton Battery and Rapid Charging Station. "Snapper XD products are ideal for convenience-oriented homeowners who want reliable, durable, powerful tools to help them easily take care of their lawn & landscape," said Steve Ryczek, product manager for Briggs & Stratton. "Each tool is hassle free. There's no cord to plug in, and there is very little maintenance. The 82V Max* Lithium-ion 2Ah or 4Ah** battery works in all Snapper XD tools." [FOOTNOTES: *Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without workload) is 82 volts. Nominal voltage is 72. **Chain saw for use with 2Ah battery only.] In addition, Snapper introduced the 560Z prosumer zero-turn mower (see page 33). Simplicity announced that two Prestige garden tractor models — one 2WD and one 4WD — will be available with a 27-gross-hp. Briggs & Stratton 810-cc Commercial Series engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI), saving up to 15 percent in fuel costs. Simplicity also introduced its redesigned Legacy XL sub-compact garden tractor in three models: 2WD with a 31-gross-hp., 885-cc Vanguard Big Block V-Twin engine or 4WD with either a 33-gross- hp., 885-cc Vanguard Big Block V-Twin engine with EFI or a 33-gross-hp., 885-cc Vanguard Big Block V-Twin engine with EFI and 540 PTO. Simplicity