Landscape Management articles from April 2002

Landscape Management archives from April 2002

Always listen to your mom.(customer service)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... I can hear my mother 's voice in my head. No, it's not the usual situation where there's no physical presence, just her words ricocheting around inside my cranium. I'm actually talking to her on the phone -- at work, no less. She's telling...

Your computer: a vital tool.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... It's often heard in this business, and it always amazes knowledgeable operators. A landscape or lawn care company owner says he's never had a budget, or doesn't know what his costs are. Chances are his business isn't computerized or, if it is,...

Let's hear it : YOUR OPINIONS, COMMENTS, & QUOTES.(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2002... Victim of efficiency Several years ago, while trying to build my business, I purchased a new lawn tractor with a 38-in. deck and twin bag collection. I used this on my small- to medium-sized residential properties. It was a great mower,...

Bobcat names new president.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ -- Ingersoll-Rand Co. promoted Jim Sharp to president of Bobcat Company and president of the company's compact equipment business. Sharp succeeds Charles R. "Chuck" Hoge, who's leaving the company to pursue other...

NaturaLawn opens seven new sites.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... FREDERICK, MD -- NaturaLawn of America Inc. lawn care franchise company has recently opened seven new locations in Portland, ME, North Denver, CO, Essex County, NJ, Oklahoma City, Provo, UT, Rochester, MN, and Providence, RI. NaturaLawn...

Aquatrols' algaecide approved.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... CHERRY HILL, NJ -- Aquatrols has announced that state and federal registrations have been issued by the EPA for Radiance, a pre-emergent pond management tool.

Dakota expands production plant.(Dakota Peat & Equipment )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... EAST GRAND FORKS, MN -- Dakota Peat & Equipment has completed expansion of its production facility here with an 80,000 sq. ft. building that will quadruple the company's production capability.

Oh no! Not another El Nino.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... If the limited water supply and possibility of rationing occurring along the whole eastern seaboard aren't enough of a challenge, now comes El Nino. The national weather forecasting agency expects major droughts to continue in the southern...

New herbicides debut in '02.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Four new herbicides are available for use in turfgrasses this year. This is great news for two reasons: 1. These four herbicides will be beneficial tools in turfgrass weed management. 2. Because various manufacturers are making...

Baker: Simplot turf and horticultural ready for action.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Joel Barker says he did what most everyone who's born in Idaho does after graduating from college: he took off to see more of the "real world" for 10 years, then came back when he realized Idaho was really the...

Scotts LawnService acquires The Lawn Company.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Scotts Company continued its path on the acquisition trail last month by purchasing The Lawn Company, a $8 million lawn care service company in the Boston area. The acquisition comes on the heels of Scotts' purchase of J.C. Ehrlich...

Rain Bird.(Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing Corp. appoints Jim Gitney)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Rain Bird appointed Jim Gitney director of its Contractor Division.

Becker Underwood.(promoted Dr. Peter Innes and Roger Underwood)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Becker Underwood promoted Dr. Peter Innes to president. Roger Underwood will assume the role of chief executive officer.

Environmental Industries.(appointed Judith M. Guido)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Environmental Industries appointed Judith M. Guido chief marketing officer and vice president.

J.R. Simplot Company.(appointed Joel Barker and Bill Whitacre)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... J.R. Simplot Company selected Joel Barker to lead its turf and horticulture business unit, and named Bill Whitacre president of its AgriBusiness Group. Whitacre replaces Larry Hlobik, who in January was named Simplot's new chief executive...

Profile Products LLC.(appointed Doug Smith, Larry Jones, Bruce Lichlyter)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Profile Products LLC hired Doug Smith as vice president of manufacturing, and Larry Jones and Bruce Lichlyter to regional manager positions for the company's erosion control products.

Kubota Tractor Corp.(appointed Nobuyuki Toshikuni)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Kubota Tractor Corp. appointed Nobuyuki Toshikuni president.

Growth Products.(appointed Todd Perkins and Randy Oberlander)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Growth Products has added Todd Perkins to its staff of technical sales representatives and Randy Oberlander as national sales manager.

HighGrove Partners.(wins Consumers Choice Award for Business Excellence)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... HighGrove Partners, formerly Post Landscape Group, received the Consumers' Choice Award for Business Excellence, Landscape Contractors Division, Atlanta, GA.

Plant Health Care.(appointed Stephen R. Miranda)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Plant Health Care named Stephen R. Miranda vice president of sales.

The Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association gave its Hall of Fame Award to Allen R. Fidler III, co-owner of H. Stanford Roberts Nursery, Newtown, PA.

NLA Hall of Famer gave industry a big lift.(National Landscape Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Walter Imahara was recently inducted into the National Landscape Association's (NLA) Hall of Fame for his muscle in the Green Industry, but it's his muscle outside of the industry that makes him a little different than your average landscaper....

Legislators give NC turf big $$.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... RALEIGH, NC -- The North Carolina State University turfgrass program got a financial boost when state legislators here approved $600,000 to help fund a new Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education at NCSU. The bill also...

Washington bans use of clopyralid on lawns.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... OLYMPIA, WA -- After grass clippings contaminated a compost facility in Seattle, the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture has banned the use of the herbicide clopyralid on lawns for 120 days. The department plans to make the ban permanent, and...

Don't let lowballers bite into your profits : A guide to keep you from playing the "we'll beat any price" game in your marketplace.
April 1, 2002... Lowballer -- it's not a four-letter word but many lawn care and landscape company owners think it should be. It's a word that many of us like to toss around, maybe too loosely. Some of us, in fact, use it whenever we lose business to anybody...

Lighting it up : Contractors pool talents to give big GE property in NY ecologically sound landscape.
April 1, 2002... General Electric Corp.'s decision to upgrade an aging industrial plant in upstate New York has turned out to be a win-win-win -- for the environment, for General Electric and for landscape contractors involved in the work. "We want to do...

Save that mature tree : Former landscaper perfects methods to move large valuable trees.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Moving mature trees or even semi-mature trees is a job few landscape companies want to try. That may change. Bryan Williams, 49, says that he perfected techniques and developed inexpensive equipment that Green Industry companies can use to...

Perfecting a park : The City of Portland has its own set of unique challenges in keeping Tom McCall Park shining.
April 1, 2002... As many as six times a summer the City of Portland completely re-establishes the turf at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The park, Portland's green-carpet welcome mat to the city, is a beautiful greenbelt that hosts festivals ranging from Cinco...

Audit now, save later.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Nobody can predict this growing season's weather but it's a good bet that some areas of the country will get too little rain. Given that reality you should prepare for dry weather and the stress that it brings. The stress isn't restricted to...

Keep on truckin' : Successful contractors reveal the trucks that work for them, and their dream trucks, too.
April 1, 2002... "Old reliable" is the name landscape professionals prefer to give their most beloved truck. Almost every company has an "old reliable." It's the truck that never breaks down and always performs satisfactorily. Landscape professionals stick...

Hot wheels : Features that turn your truck into a lean, mean working machine.
April 1, 2002... Drum roll please as we present to you, our readers, the finest that truck manufacturers have to offer in their lineups for 2002 and 2003. You'll notice several new model additions, as well as some of your old favorites with new features. ...

Talk a lot.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Kenwood Communications' ProTalk XLS palm-sized two-way radio with four-mile range transmits ultra high frequency (UHF) radio signals. Equipped with a built-in VOX capability and vibration alert, ProTalk is user-programmable to provide two...

Keeping watch.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... FleetBoss Global Positioning Solutions' The Boss fleet management systems uses global positioning satellite (GPS) technology. FleetBoss AutoGraphics software analyzes and reports the data in easy-to-read graphic formats. The systems provide...

Crunch numbers.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Service Communication Software's Service Pro 2000 helps landscapers route, schedule, job cost, market, bill and collect. It creates more than 400 built-in reports, and allows users to make solid operating choices and project sales, growth and...

Go digital.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Nextel Communications uses iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network) technology developed by Motorola. It's a digital wireless system that combines digital cellular, Nextel Direct Connect, text/numeric messaging and wireless web services in a...

Well-received.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Vertex Standard's VX-1210 HF band transceiver is weather-resistant, lightweight and user-friendly. Field programming of up to 500 channels allows for continuous receiver coverage between .5 and 30 MHz and transceiver coverage between 1.6 and 30...

Palm it.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Palm, Inc.'s Palm i705 handheld delivers always-on "push" e-mail from up to eight e-mail accounts; secure, end-to-end, behind-the-firewall e-mail for corporate users; web browsing via Google search or URL entry. The classic Palm Personal...

Roche of Colorado Corporation : 2001 PGMS Grand Award Winner for Small Site.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... When Roche of Colorado Corporation, a pharmaceutical company located in Boulder, CO, hired Ned's Lawn & Tree Service to maintain its landscape, it had one simple demand: keep the Kentucky bluegrass lush and green. This, however, was easier...

Green Star Professional Grounds Management Awards 2002 : We're searching for the country's best-maintained landscapes -- 30th Annual Green Star Professional Grounds Management Awards.
April 1, 2002... You are invited to enter the Green Star Professional Grounds Management Awards, co-sponsored by Landscape Management magazine and the Professional Grounds Management Society. This annual program recognizes excellence in landscape management...

Aerate to the core.
April 1, 2002... Cores? Let 'em lay, is what the folks at DeSantis Landscapes, Salem, OR, tell their customers. "We used to rake up plugs," says John O'Neil, maintenance supervisor. "Now we tell the customer that it's better to let them lay for a week and...

Hire to grow : Learn how Bozzuto Landscape revamped its employee interviewing process to identify and hire the best candidates.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Hiring quality people fuels a company's growth. Nobody knows this better than Tom Davis, president of Bozzuto Landscaping Company, Laurel, MD. He was afraid his company's interviewing process had become ineffective and inefficient, and would...

Homework overcomes objections : Grounds director prepared himself with research before making his big pitch.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Paul Monahan, director of buildings and grounds for the Warren Township High School District (#121), Gurnee, IL, has lots of grounds and landscaping tasks to do every day. Like most public schools, however, he has to work with a limited budget....

New insecticide options : These new target-selective insecticides give turf managers new hope in pest management.
April 1, 2002... In the past 10 years there has been radical change in the kinds of insecticides available to turf and landscape managers. Organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates that had previously been mainstays were restricted, and old standbys like diazinon,...

Blow away the competition.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Echo says its new PB-650 backpack blower is the most powerful in the industry with 210 mph and 650 cfm at the pipe. A 68 fl. oz. capacity fuel tank provides extra long run time and easy-to-see fuel level. Flexible, side-mounted throttle...

Fast clip.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Kawasaki's KHS 1100A hedge clipper reaches hard-to-get areas with its single-sided 44-in. blade. Other features include a 17.2 oz. fuel tank, 22.5cc engine, and net weight of 13.1 lbs. For more information contact Kawasaki at 616/954-3033 /...

Edging with bite.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Oly-Ola's new Bulldog-Edg is designed for tough paver restraint and landscape edging jobs. A unique "L" shape design and innovative stake holes make it easy to use and install. Its one-piece design flexes without snipping or cutting. For...

Better blade.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Grouser Products' new 1300 skid-steer dozer blade attachment comes available in widths from 6 to 9 ft. and features a 5/16-in. thick cast moldboard with a new skid shoe design that permits vertical and horizontal adjustment. It angles 30...

Even feeding.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Lebanon Turf Products' ProScape homogenous fertilizer with Confront and Team prevents crabgrass and other annual grassy weeds from germinating while controlling established broadleaf weeds. Each granule contacts the same ratio of Confront and...

Mega spread.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Barron & Brothers' MagnaSpread truck- mounted spreaders deliver fertilizer spread swaths up to 80 to 90 ft. and lime swaths of up to 50 to 60 ft. The company changed the fin design to control the directional characteristics of the spread...

See these saws.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... STIHL's new MS 191T chain saw has 11% more power than its predecessor, features 1.9 bhp and weighs a mere 8.8 lbs. The 200T model weighs only 7.9 lbs. and is more narrow for use in confined conditions. Both chain saws feature an anti-vibration...

Clean sweep.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Shindaiwa introduces three new types of aggressive nylon brushes for its PB270B Power-Broom. The new choices include the mixed nylon wire, carbine-impregnated nylon and crimped wire brushes, providing ranges of aggressiveness from medium to...

How's the weather?(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Meteorlogix's WeatherSentry is a subscription-based weather display system that allows businesses to benefit from a new generation of weather graphics with active storm tracking and weather alerting in an easy-to-use PC platform. A key function...

To the max.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... RedMax's BC3400DL trimmer is powered by a 33.6cc two-cycle engine that drives a 6-in. commercial tap-and-go head. The ergonomically engineered unit weighs 15.1 lbs., and its handle can be positioned for comfort by the operator. For more...

Plant food.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... PRO SOL's Chameleon is a plant food that contains iron with a combination of eight essential macro, secondary and micro nutrients formulated especially for turf. Chameleon is sized to 120 SGN. For more information contact PRO SOL at...

Scram, you big bad goose.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Bird-X, Inc.'s new GooseChase is a food-grade taste aversion agent made from a bitter, smelly constituent of concord grapes that gets rid of geese by rendering their food sources inedible. One gallon of concentrate (per acre) is diluted,...

On the bench.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Supreme Corporation's new 3-person bench seat option to its Spartan service van enables contractors to transport crews of five to a job site in a single vehicle. Mounted on a cutaway chassis, the extended cab provides a full height bulkhead...

Bed protection.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Durakon Industries' CargoPro pickup bed protection with a Quick Release Kit allows removal of the drawer and complete frame assembly within minutes and requires only one person. The Quick- Release fastener system fits flush with the floor of...

Easy trimming.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Maruyama's HT2300DR hedge trimmer features a 22.5cc Maruyama "LE" commercial engine, 24-in. chrome steel double blade, and new 5-position rotating blade that makes vertical and angled trimming faster and easier. It weighs just 10.9 lbs. ...

Get blown away.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The Toro Company's two new blowers, the 400 and 600, go anywhere the tow vehicle goes. They feature 1/4-in. steel frames and standard 180-degree directional blower spouts. The 600 features a 36-in. fan diameter that produces 9,324 cu. ft. per...

Tractor pull.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Cub Cadet's 7360SS compact tractor is equipped with a 36-hp, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine, fully synchronized shuttle shift transmission, hydrostatic power steering, full-floating ISO-mounted flat deck, fixed rollover protection...

Smaller swing.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Caterpillar's 311C utility hydraulic excavator has a smaller tail swing radius than the 3118 excavator, making it ideal for use in space-restricted sites. It has net power of 79 hp produced by a Cat 3064 turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel engine....

Open the jar.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Hunter Industries' PGV Jar-Top Valve is a twist-on, twist-off "jar-top" that allows access to the valve's inner mechanisms during routine maintenance. No tools are needed to remove the jar-top bonnet. The PGV Jar-Top is available as a one-in....

Twistin' away.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Using a swivel design, the Tongue Twister trailer enables users to easily pivot the trailer without unhitching it, allowing vehicles to be safely driven directly onto and off the trailer via straight-through front and rear ramp access. It comes...

Mow anywhere.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... DewEze Mfg.'s ATM-72LC all-terrain mower features a 30-hp liquid-cooled diesel engine and a hydraulic deck lift system that contains no belts for low maintenance. Hydrostatic propulsion and power steering gives it precise maneuvering. For...

Dig in.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Kubota Tractor Corp.'s new KX91-3 compact excavator is equipped with Kubota's 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled, overhead valve, 27.9-hp E-TVCS diesel engine for high torque and power. The boom, arm and bucket function simultaneously through harmonized...

Uplifting machine.(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Dutchman says its Tree Rex has the power and durability to lift root balls up to 50 in. in diameter and the flexibility to handle delicate pots without inflicting structural damage. The ergonomic pistol grip enables operator to load and unload...

Big is better.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Cub Cadet's Big Country is powered by a 20-hp Honda V-Twin OHV engine. It also features 6-wheel fully-independent suspension, large payload capacity, standard 4-wheel drive, fully welded steel frame, and a 5.7-gal. fuel tank. Extra features...

Nice spread.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Patented helical cone assures uniform, consistent spread pattern with the AccuPro 2000 from The Andersons. TurfSaver-2 pneumatic 13-in. wheels make for an easy push. Extended push handle has tuff-foam grips, front and rear lift handles. ...

On the platform.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Gehl Company's Personnel Work Platform (PWP) system is a standard feature on the company's "DL Series" Dynalift telescopic handlers. This system uses an electronic module and a series of electrical sensors to monitor machine attitude,...

Ants be gone.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The InstAntKill Fire Ant Elimination System from BIO-TRAX, Inc. uses CO2 injected into an ant mound to asphyxiate ants in no more than three minutes. The product eliminates red and black imported fire ants and other mound-building pests....

Small digger.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Komatsu's diminutive PC03 excavator comes equipped with an 8.1 hp 2D68E diesel engine, standard 6.0 gpm auliiary hydraulic piping, a back fill dozer blade and weighs 1,984 lbs. It can operate up to 7.5 hours without refueling thanks to its...

Load and unload in comfort.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Coyote's C7 wheel loader features hydrostatic four-wheel drive and automatic differential locks on front and rear axles for ease of operation and serviceability. A Deutz diesel 40-hp engine with oil-over-air cooling offers dependable service....

Jump in a pond.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Aquanetics' Submersible Pond Filters have a cylindrical shape and open weave design and, upon request, the filters can be supplied with crushed rock. Some key features of the filters: l non-toxic and non-corroding plastic and nylon material,...

Dyne-amite.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... NMC-Wollard's VersaDyne is a compact wheel loader/tool carrier that features tool visibility, pilot control hydraulics, ergonomic operator's station, universal tool carrier, efficient 2-speed auto shift drivetrain and more. It also has a 3,000...

Quick change.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Peco's Z trimmer can edge or trim from horizontal to vertical with one quick adjustment. This machine can be adapted to any mower deck and easily folds out of the way for transportation. For more information contact Peco at 800/438-5823 or...

Traveling rain.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Pioneer's Rain Train Traveling Sprinkler was made for maintenance departments that need to water their fields regularly. Water pressure powers the Rain Train down the field at travel lengths up to 200 ft. The Rain Train allows groundskeepers to...

Blast off.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... ClearWater's ScaleBlaster is a product that eliminates formation of limescale deposits in water pipes, faucets, sprinkler systems, and irrigation without the need of water softening equipment, salts, chemicals or maintenance. The product is...

Reduce the pressure.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Rain Bird Corp.'s new two-in. pressure reducing valve (200PRV) is designed for point-of-connection applications and offers a more economical alternative to brass pressure reducing valves. It's rated at 200 psi inlet pressure, with adjustable...

Events : WHAT, WHEN & WHERE.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... April 14-17 North American Snow Conference / Columbus, OH; 816/472-6100 May 3-7 ASIC National Conference / Tucson, AZ; 312/372-7090 4-6 TOCA Annual Meeting / San Antonio, TX; 952/758-6340; www.toca.org 5-7...

Payday for the owner.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A few years ago a friend put his tight little lawn care company on auto pilot and treated himself to a brand-new Mercedes. This talented rascal looked the picture of entrepreneurial success cruising the tree-lined streets of his neighborhood...