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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18 DECEMBER 2016 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com design that will appeal to professionals and homeowners alike. Daryn Walters, Exmark's director of marketing, said the Radius was developed to give landscape professionals the company's renowned productivity, quality of cut and long-term durability in a new value-oriented design that achieves a lower total cost of ownership than other commercial zero-turn riding mowers. "We took the lessons learned from the evolution of our industry-leading Lazer Z, combined with the feedback we've received from our customers and dealers, and applied them to the new Radius machines," he said. "As a result, Radius models exude Exmark's commercial heritage, while demonstrating our commitment to building simple, heavy-duty, professional-grade, zero-turn mowers." The Radius is available in three models: E-Series, S-Series and X-Series. Each features a heavy-duty unibody frame that's fully welded of 2-inch by 3-inch rectangular steel frame tubes for maximum strength and durability. The frame design places the heaviest components, including the engine, fuel tank and hydro-drive system, lower in the frame for improved weight balance and increased stability, traction and maneuverability. Large front caster tires and rear drive tires offer increased traction, ground clearance and stability, with reduced ground pressure to minimize turf compaction. Walters said Exmark's design team worked hard to raise the bar on operator ergonomics and comfort on the Radius models, with features such as an isolated floor pan, which reduces vibration and noise felt by the operator compared to standard flip-up footrests. "The Radius design positions the operator in a more ergonomic position to reduce fatigue during long periods of continuous operation, and new controls are designed to deliver superior handling and operator control," Walters added. General Transmissions launches first-ever variable-speed drives for electric walk-behind mowers General Transmissions introduced the first variable-speed drives for battery- driven, consumer-grade, walk-behind lawn mowers at GIE+EXPO 2016. The new drives enable electric mower makers to offer automatic speed adjustment controls on self-propelled machines, so users can mow at their own pace. General Transmissions unveiled two new models of the drives at the show. The new models, marketed under the Element V Electric banner, make for a powerful way for manufacturers to upgrade their battery-powered mower lines and meet consumer expectations for added convenience and ease of handling. General Transmissions splits the power distribution duties for ground speed and blade speed between two different, independently controlled electric motors. The drive motor controls ground speed, and lets users change mowing speed steplessly and on the fly. The dedicated blade motor delivers optimum blade speed. Both models feature dual output shafts with integrated differential effect, eliminating vulnerable, free-wheel systems for mower wheels. Splitting the power duties between the two different motors also increases the overall operating efficiency and performance of the products, making more power available for mowing. The new drives are available in two different power configurations. The ME 312 model is a 250-watt drive, and the ME 512 model is a 500-watt drive. Features common to both drives include dual automatic clutch, 0- to 470-rpm output speed capacity, and forward and reverse directional capabilities. The ME 312 can accommodate mower weight up to 30 kg, delivers 3 Nm of continuous torque, and is compatible with 36-volt power supplies. The more muscular ME 512 can handle up to 60 kg of mower weight, with 5 Nm of continuous torque. It also works with 36-volt, 56-volt and 72-volt power packs. Other voltage requirements can be addressed upon request. Element V electric drives are virtually indestructible, maintenance free, exhaustively tested, and engineered to bring a high level of operating performance and user delight to the battery-powered lawnmower market. Grasshopper unveils new EFI model for V Series The Grasshopper Company expanded its compact, economical V-Series of zero- turn mowers with the new Model 227V-EFI. Model 227V-EFI (also featured on page 31) retains the same durable craftsmanship as all other Grasshopper mowers, with features that include 12-cc pump-and-wheel-motor transmissions; 747-cc Kohler Confidant electronic fuel injection (EFI) engines (with a limited three-year engine manufacturer warranty); 5.5-inch-deep decks in 52- and 61-inch cutting widths with foot-pedal and drop-pin height adjustment; large, turf- style drive tires; and fully cushioned Cordura-covered seats with padded armrests. Grasshopper V-Series mowers provide the agility of a zero-turn mower with a compact size, allowing it to maneuver in tight spaces without the fatigue of a walk-behind mower. These compact power units are well suited for landscape contractors who maintain small-acreage and confined areas, as well as ranchers, farmers and rural lifestylers who want to maintain lawn areas around their homesteads. Its small footprint also allows for easy transport on trailers and space-saving storage in shops, garages or small outbuildings. Combined with the longest transmission fluid change interval in its class — with no break-in period — self-tensioning belts and no more than five grease points, the V-Series is designed for less maintenance, low cost of operation, extended service life and long-term value. Gravely partners with Yamaha to launch first-ever Yamaha V-Twin EFI engines for OPE industry Gravely announced that it has partnered with Yamaha to launch the first-ever Yamaha V-Twin electronic fuel injection (EFI) engines for the OPE industry. The Yamaha EFI engines will be available in the market first on select models in Gravely's Pro-Turn 200 and 400 lines. Yamaha is launching two engine models on Gravely product this year, including the Yamaha MX775 V-Twin EFI 29-hp. engine and the Yamaha MX825 V-Twin EFI 33-hp. engine. More models will be available in the coming years, with the potential of Gravely expanding its Yamaha offerings to more machines in 2018. Available immediately, the new Yamaha EFI engines can be ordered on the following commercial zero-turn mowers: Gravely Pro-Turn 260 (29-hp. engine), Gravely Pro-Turn 452 (29-hp. engine), Gravely Pro-Turn 460 (33-hp. engine) and Gravely Pro-Turn 472 (33-hp. engine). The project between Yamaha and Gravely has been in the works for several GIE + EXPO 2016 SHOW RECAP www.outdoorpowerequipment.com in the coming years, with the potential of Gravely expanding its Yamaha offerings to more machines in 2018. Available immediately, the new Yamaha EFI engines can be ordered on the following commercial zero-turn mowers: Gravely Pro-Turn 260 (29-hp. engine), Gravely Pro-Turn 452 (29-hp. engine), Gravely Pro-Turn 460 (33-hp. engine) and Gravely Pro-Turn 472 (33-hp. engine). The project between Yamaha and Gravely has been in the works for several output speed capacity, and forward and reverse directional capabilities. The ME 312 can accommodate mower weight up to 30 kg, delivers 3 Nm of continuous torque, and is compatible with 36-volt power supplies. The more muscular ME 512 can handle up to 60 kg of mower weight, with 5 Nm of continuous torque. It also works with 36-volt, 56-volt and 72-volt power packs. Other voltage requirements can be addressed upon request. requirements can be addressed upon request. EXPO 2016 SHOW RECAP FEATURE STORY