Landscape Management articles from June 2004

Landscape Management archives from June 2004

Monster mower.(Innovations: hot new products)
June 1, 2004... 1 Monster mower Exmark has added a powerful new model to its Lazer Z line of mid-mount zero-turn mowers--the Lazer Z XS. An early-release 2005 model, it features a 31-hp "Big Block" V-twin engine and either a 60- or 72-in. deck. Amenities...

Advanced hybrid.(Innovations: hot new products)
June 1, 2004... 2 Advanced hybrid Irritrol Systems' Rain Dial RD Series controllers feature three independent programs that offer concurrent operation capability, 7-day calendar or "skip days" interval option from one to 15 days, easy-to-read programming...

Here's the link.(Innovations: hot new products)
June 1, 2004... 3 Here's the link Syngenta Professional Products' newly redesigned 10-gal. LinkPak packaging system is now in the field. Easier to handle, store and use, the LinkPak is available with Banner MAXX, Subdue MAXX and Primo MAXX. Unique...

Inexpensive cutter.(Innovations: hot new products)
June 1, 2004... 4 Inexpensive cutter Better Outdoor Products' 36-in. walk-behind mower is tough enough for professional landscapers but priced at hundreds of dollars less than typical walk-behinds ($1,995). It features an infinitely variable-speed...

Mowers and chemicals.(On the record: from the boss)
June 1, 2004... In this month's issue, we focus on specialty chemicals and zero turn radius mowers, two tools that allow us to maintain customers' properties professionally and efficiently. Safety is the subject of our mower coverage. Today's ZTRs are...

Enhancement sales how-to: make it easy for your account managers to sell extras by developing a price list.(Best practices: sales success)
June 1, 2004... Now that the spring rush is over, many of you are focusing on selling enhancements to hit your budget numbers. While there's no such thing as a sure thing, you'll stand a better chance of meeting or exceeding your enhancement sales goals if...

Toronto pesticide bylaw upheld: compromise version rejected; lawn care pros stunned.(In the know: news you can use)
June 1, 2004... TORONTO -- It's hard to find a lawn care professional with a smile on his or her face here after the May 21 vote by city councillors to ban all pesticides from private property. Just two days before, things had looked really good for them after...

No-spray zones near Oregon rivers remain.(In the know: news you can use)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... PORTLAND, OR -- A federal judge recently ordered no-spray zones to remain in effect around thousands of miles of salmon streams in Washington, Oregon and California despite the claims of hardship by pesticide manufacturers and farmers. The...

Water solutions at ASIC Conference.(In the know: news you can use)
June 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- The heat was on, so to speak, at the American Society of Irrigation Consultants' (ASIC) 21st Annual Conference held here May 1-4. Temperatures hovered near 100[degrees] F, and wildfires raged in nearby Riverside...

Turfgrass America has new owner.(Clippings)(Florida Citrus Holdings LLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... NAPLES, FL -- Florida Citrus Holdings, LLC recently acquired Turfgrass America, the largest sod production company in the U.S. The company's primary lines of business include sod production for the landscape market, retail sod sales, and sports...

JP Horizons unveils new program.(Clippings)
June 1, 2004... PAINESVILLE, OH -- JP Horizons, a Green Industry consulting team, has launched a new program called WIB-WOB (Working in your Business/Working on your Business). The goal of the program is to teach young business owners how to shift gears from...

SS RentX expands presence in CO.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... DENVER, CO -- National rental company HSS RentX recently announced the opening of a new location at 3675 South Santa Fe Drive in Englewood, expanding the company's footprint in the Denver metropolitan area. The announcement follows the opening...

ValleyCrest celebrates 55th.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... CALABASAS, CA -- ValleyCrest Companies celebrated its 55th year in business recently with a nationwide Cinco de Mayo bash honoring the companies' 7,500 employees. In honor of the anniversary, ValleyCrest also produced commemorative key chains,...

Symbiot funded for expansion.(Clippings)(Symbiot Business Group)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... LEXINGTON, KY -- Symbiot Business Group, a consolidator in the Property Services Market and owner of the Symbiot Landscape Network, announced today it has received $2 million dollars in funding from vSpring Capital, and the Rocky Mountain...

BASF's Insignia registered in CA.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC -- BASF recently announced its Insignia fungicide has received registration from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Insignia provides landscapers and golf course superintendents broadspectrum, extended...

Husqvarna offers free equipment.(In the know: news you can use)
June 1, 2004... CHARLOTTE, NC -- When landscape professionals crash at night from a long, hard day on the job, they don't dream about castles or treasure chests or bodacious babes. No, they dream about a truck filled with all kinds of state-of-the-art...

Lawn care associations partner for new turfgrass training.(In the know: news you can use)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... MARIETTA, GA -- The Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) has always emphasized the importance of professional training in the lawn care industry. Recent evidence of that is the association's partnership with the Lawn Care...

Project EverGreen continues fundraising effort.(In the know: news you can use)
June 1, 2004... NEW PRAGUE, MN -- The Evergreen Foundation is changing its name to Project EverGreen to better reflect its proactive goals to promote and defend the Green Industry. The organization exists to raise the awareness of the environmental, economic...

BASF Corporation.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... BASF Corporation appointed M. Todd Henderson Communications Manager for the Turf & Ornamental group.

Lifestyle Landscaping.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Lifestyle Landscaping, North Ridgeville, OH promoted David Hoffman to President.

GreenScapes.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... GreenScapes of Columbus, OH, received nine Marketing and Merchandising Excellence Awards and the Grand Marketing Award for an Associate Level Member of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio at the 17th annual MAME (Marketing and...

Engine & Equipment Training Council (EETC).(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Engine & Equipment Training Council (EETC) named Toro its "Manufacturer of the Year." The EETC also gave a "President's Award" to Tecumseh Power Company and Tom Kane, National Training Manager of Kubota Tractor Corp. Briggs & Stratton...

Spring-Green Lawn Care Corporation.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Spring-Green Lawn Care Corporation named James M. Young Vice President of Franchise Development.

LESCO.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... LESCO promoted Luke Stratton to Technical Services Manager and Mike Maravich to Technical Services Representative of the Technical Services Department.

Aquatrols.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Aquatrols made Brian Blair East Central Territory Manager.

FMC.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... FMC made several appointments to its Specialty Products Business, Agricultural Products Group: (Left) Brenda Franke, Marketing Manager; Amy O'Shea, Marketing Manager and Export Zone Manager for Latin America North.

NaturaLawn of America.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... NaturaLawn of America appointed both Mark Nannenhorn and John Quintana regional managers at the company's corporate office in Frederick, MD.

Ruppert Nurseries gave its 2003 Achievement Award to Stan Clements.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Ruppert Nurseries gave its 2003 Achievement Award to Stan Clements, its Impact Award to Oswaldo Reyes, and its Crewman of the Year Award to Carlos Rivas in the installation division and Jose M. Cruz in the tree-growing division.

Specialty chemicals: what's next? Manufacturers focus on wringing value from today's chemistry in the face of rapidly changing market forces.(The Supply Side)
June 1, 2004... Editor's note: Specialty chemicals are vital to the ongoing growth of the Green Industry and, in particular, to those of us involved in the professional turf and landscape industry. Many forces are shaping our ongoing access to these products....

Say no to ZTR mishaps: safety training strategies to keep zero-turn mower operators safe on your customers' properties.(Mower Safety)
June 1, 2004... They're speedy, low to the ground and can turn on a dime. Zero-turn radius (ZTR) mowers have improved productivity for landscapers, grounds maintenance and commercial lawn care crews. But they also bring with them a stepped-up need for safety...

Hey Ed, show me the money: these 3 R's aren't what your teacher had in mind, but they'll make you money.(Business ideas: advice you can use)
June 1, 2004... Two of the most common questions I get each month are: 1. How in the world do I make money in this business? 2. How do I get out of this business? Both questions speak to the essential command, "Ed, show me the money." The key to understanding...

Integrity--keep it alive: let's make sure we declare the way we'll do business, with honesty and integrity, and have controls to make sure we do.(My way: ethics & integrity)
June 1, 2004... A friend recently told me a story about how his company was preparing to videotape a seminar entitled, "Ask the Experts." He was asked to choose from a list of topics that he wanted to address and was surprised to find that nobody wanted to...

Get to really know clients: if you're not collecting information about your customer base and prospects, you're behind the competitive curve.(PLCAA reports: customer feedback)
June 1, 2004... I'm repeatedly reminded, as our lives become faster-paced and more technology driven, that old adages remain relevant. Take, for example, the saying, "Knowledge is power." This simple thought, when combined with the will to act on knowledge,...

Could it hurt to check the oil? A few days of training and an increase in my grease rag inventory solved the training issue.(From the shop: engine maintenance)
June 1, 2004... I was feeling good about myself the other day. My operators were dutifully checking the engine and hydraulic oil in their equipment every day. And I had slowly come to several conclusions about my operators and equipment. My first revelation...

Take the 'broad' view: the following strategies will widen your opportunities to control broadleaf weeds in fine turf.(Weed Management)
June 1, 2004... The following strategies will widen your opportunities to control broadleaf weeds in fine turf Broadleaf weeds are common problems in turf situations. They seem to be especially noticeable when in bloom--the bright yellow flowers of...

No crying over crabgrass: this lawn care operator found a way to guarantee that his customers' lawns will be crabgrass-free.(Solutions center: answers to real challenges)
June 1, 2004... Rick Morgan has made an art out of running his lawn care business, and he encourages other lawn care operators to do the same. Morgan, who owns and operates Green World in Hampstead, NH, started out 22 years ago as a landscape designer, an...

Sprayers & spreaders.(LM reports: your guide to product research)
June 1, 2004... Buying tips * Look for the pattern. Uniformity of spray pattern and spread pattern is paramount with sprayers and spreaders * Buy equipment that is easy to operate * Buy gear that's ergonomic... comfortable to operate for long...

Renaissance PineIsle Resort: 2003 PGMS Honor Award Winner for Hotel, Motel or Resort.(PGMS: award-winning landscape management)
June 1, 2004... Property at a glance Location: Lake Lanier Islands, GA Grounds Supervisor: Anthony Williams Category: Hotel, Motel and Resort Total budget: $29,639 Year site built: 1972 Acres of turf: 6 Acres of woody ornamentals:...

IPM alive and well: knowledge-based pest control rewards practitioners ... but only if they educate clients.(Pest Management)
June 1, 2004... Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a process for attaining long-term, environmentally sound pest suppression and prevention. The process works with nature to achieve its grand design. Instead of periodically dowsing a pest-infected lawn with...

New insecticides.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... United Phosphorus Inc. has introduced two new UP-Star insecticides approved by the EPA: UP-Star SC Lawn and Nursery Insecticide/Miticide and UP-Star Gold Insecticide. The SC insecticide/miticide is approved for commercial non-food use on indoor...

Floating aerators.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Air-O-Lator's decorative fountains and aerators enhance the water quality and aesthetics of ponds, lakes and shallow reflection pools. The company's commercial floating aerators, available with 1- to 3-hp motors, are designed to establish...

A cut above.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Yazoo/Kees' Kutter line of gear-driven walk-behind mowers consists of four models equipped with commercial grade Kawasaki engines with 32-, 36- and 48-in. deck options. These mowers define toughness with their 7- and 10-gauge rolled-front...

Compact blower design.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Husqvarna's 125BT blower is lightweight and more compact than professional blowers but with the same design and features. It features air purge for easy starting, high volume capacity and convenient trigger throttle control mounted on the tube....

Self-propelled topdresser.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Turfco Direct has added the Mete-R-Matic F-15 self-propelled topdresser to its line of turf maintenance equipment for lawn care professionals. With all controls at the operator's fingertips, it's easy to maneuver in tight places. The...

Chip off the old block.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Vermeer's BC2000XL brush chipper tackles high volume organic chipping projects with ease. Two 18-in. diameter spring-tensioned vertical feed rollers automatically control the feeding of material into the cutting chamber. The 20-in. by 24-in....

Get your kicks.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... General Motors says that its Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick have raised the bar in the medium-duty truck segment. For the 2005 model year, factory-engineered 4-wheel drive will be added in July 2004. The 4-wheel-drive TopKick and Kodiak...

Power drive.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... John Deere's ProGator utility vehicle combines modern styling and operator-friendly features with rugged durability and sheer power. Engine options include a 23.5-hp diesel and 26-hp gas, and a 5-speed fully synchronized transmission lets you...

Blower for the long haul.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Peterson Pacific Corp.'s 60 cu. yd. capacity blower truck is intended for operators who travel long distances with low-density organic materials. The Peterson feeder and high-capacity blower combine to deliver a wide range of organic materials....

Keep track of your jobs.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... CLIPtrak technology by Sensible Software integrates with CLIP software to automatically record your jobs as started and ended with vehicle position and provides a "live" update back to your CLIP program. When the last job is finished, your jobs...

Easy start.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Kawasaki's easy-start KTR27A string trimmer takes only half a pull to start. At 26.3cc, it's one of the company's most powerful handheld string trimmers. A new carburetor with a slow idle starter device prevents the blade from running during...

Heads up for Stihl offering.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The new Stihl FixCut 5-2 and FixCut 25-2 trimmer heads are easy and quick to load--which means less down time for users. Reloading line is a snap: users simply insert a pre-cut length of trimmer line into the eyelet, stop insertion once the...

The right switch.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Dynamax's Irrigation Moisture Switch, IL2-MS, is a new product that controls irrigation by an accurate measurement of soil moisture. The IL2-MS helps all existing irrigation controllers that aren't automatically adjusted by plant water need....

Kincaid's new hydroseeder.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Kincaid Equipment Manufacturing's hydro-seeder, the AgiGator, provides a fast and efficient method of seeding, mulching and fertilizing areas where plush green turf is desired. The 425-gal. model features a 13-hp Honda engine and can be towed...

Squeeze play with Ferris.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... With its overall width of 35 in., Ferris Industries' HydroCut walk-behind mower can squeeze in and out of places other commercial walk-behinds can't. Integrated Comfort Controls provide for simple maneuvering, and Quick-Adjust controls make it...

Go with the flow.(Products: tools of the trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Hunter Industries' Flow-Clik is a new electronic sensor that automatically shuts down an irrigation system if an overflow condition is detected, such as a ruptured pipe or broken sprinkler. It wires directly to any standard 24-volt irrigation...

Events: what, when & where.(Calendar)
June 1, 2004... June 9-11 Eastern Snow Conference / Portland, ME; www.easternsnow.org 10-12 Snow & Ice Management Symposium / Minneapolis, MN; 814/835-3577; www.sima.org 17-19 Super Floral Show / Charlotte, NC; 617/728-0300;...

H2B's rising popularity.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Illustration)
June 1, 2004... H-2B'S RISING POPULARITY The number of H-2B visas for temporary unskilled workers issued each fiscal year. The annual cap set by law is 66,000 visas. * 1997 -- 15,706 * 1998 -- 20,192 * 1999 -- 30,642 * 2000 -- 45,037 * 2001...

Survey says ...(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Q Analysts expect the already high gasoline and diesel prices to climb even higher this summer. Last year, readers told us they weren't concerned at all about fuel costs. We're wondering if that has changed. Here are the results of our online...

Owners and their salary.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Illustration)
June 1, 2004... OWNERS AND THEIR SALARY "Owner pay by primary business type" is defined as salary only and doesn't include any dividend payment or other perks. The chart below shows the mean salary, and salary as a percent of revenues for the mean...