Caterpillar entered into an agreement with Exodus Machines for the design and supply of material handlers to be sold and supported exclusively by Cat dealers. These Exodus machines will be available immediately in North America and will complement Caterpillar’s current line of wheel and track material handlers greater than 25 metric tons. The handlers will initially carry the Exodus brand name but will transition to the Cat brand in 2013.

The alliance agreement follows Caterpillar’s formation of a strategic business unit, the Caterpillar Industrial & Waste Group. The group is part of the Diversified Products Division, led by Bill Springer, vice president of Caterpillar.

In support of the alliance agreement, Caterpillar acquired a minority equity interest in a new entity, Exodus Machines, LLC, formed by Exodus. Exodus is based in Superior, Wisconsin, and plans to expand manufacturing and is working to secure working capital and capital funding, developing plant layouts, assessing building sites and estimating needs for new employees.

For more information, visit cat.com or exodusmachinesinc.com.

If you’re contemplating tree work, know the risks.

By Peter Gerstenberger

Landscapers in today’s challenging economy are motivated by their competition and lure of profits to diversify their services and provide a steadier income to a loyal workforce.

There certainly can be benefits in becoming a full-service business and adding tree service to your portfolio, but there is risk, as well.

Being a “tree guy,” I can tell you that failure in tree work can have catastrophic results. Tree work is among the most dangerous occupations.

So, if you are contemplating adding tree service to your business or if you already have one, pay particular attention to how you recognize and train for the acute hazards inherent in this work. Be aware that the moment you decide to ask your employees to leave the ground as part of their daily jobs, you add significant risks, liabilities, insurance costs and regulatory complexity to your business.

An average of 197 landscape service workers died from on-the-job injuries each year between 2003 and 2006, according to a recent publication from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), Publication No. 2008-144: Fact Sheet — Fatal Injuries Among Landscape Services Workers. The fatality rate for the landscape services industry, about 25 deaths per 100,000 workers, is similar to that for more recognized high-risk industries, such as agriculture and mining.

The statistics are sobering when you consider that many of these accidents are happening in a relatively small segment of the landscape services worker population. You guessed it: tree work.

Take a look at the pie chart above. It is a slightly different representation of the NIOSH/CDC data, and here’s an explanation and anecdote for each of the larger slices.

Transportation: Employers share a common concern about getting to and from the worksite safely each day. Many workers show up in the morning in pickup trucks and leave the yards in 10- to-13-ton vehicles with trailers and obscured rear visibility. Make sure to provide enough training to help them with that driving transition.

Contact with: This is mostly workers who are struck by falling trees or pieces falling out of trees. There is a rule of thumb from tree riggers that says for every foot an object falls, it gains a unit of its own weight plus one. That means a 30-pound branch dropped 20 feet hits the ground (or the worker) with a force of 630 pounds.

Landscape Services' Fatal Accidents: Transportation (dark blue) -- 32%; Contact with (light blue) -- 25%; Falls from (brown) -- 22%; Expose (green) -- 16%; Other causes (purple) -- 5%

Falls from elevation: Tree care safety standards advise that workers shouldn’t leave the ground without being secured from falling, except to ascend a ladder. And yet, we see unsecured falls from the tops of ladders, out of trees and out of aerial lifts with alarming regularity.

Exposure: In this study, exposure really means electrocution. Electricity is hazardous because it doesn’t let you know it’s there. Many favor aluminum pole saws and pole pruners as well as aluminum extension ladders because they’re lightweight, durable and relatively inexpensive. Utilities also favor this same metal in their construction for the same reasons and because aluminum is an extremely efficient conductor of electricity.

If you’re serious about tree work, you’ve probably made investments in vehicles and equipment, in personnel, in marketing and more. If you haven’t done so already, make an investment in your knowledge of accepted safe work practices.

At minimum, purchase a copy of ANSI Z133.1, the American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations – Safety Requirements. It is available from the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), the International Society of Arboriculture (isa-arbor.com) and selected arborist supply companies. The two organizations, TCIA and ISA, offer a variety of training programs and certifications to help bolster knowledge of tree care and safety.

To move forward as an industry and become safer, commit to a culture of safety. This requires management that commits to properly train and equip its field workers and employees who understand risks and who look out for one another.

Do you have someone in your organization who is well versed in the hazards of tree care and competent to train others in avoiding these risks? The Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) program, administered by TCIA, was designed to address the challenges to safety that tree-care companies face. It would best be characterized as a safety trainer credentialing program, but it goes beyond the safety knowledge and delves deeply into how we train.

A strong safety culture is imperative in tree care where the hazards are inherently greater. A culture of safety can only be developed one company and one individual at a time, and, as this happens, our industry will be transformed.

Peter Gerstenberger is senior advisor to the president for safety, compliance and standards at the Tree Care Industry Association, a national trade association for commercial tree care professionals.

Hidden Lines

Navigate around the increasing number of underground utility lines.

By Olivia Grider

The accident: A landscape worker is preparing to install a row of shrubbery along a residential property line. His supervisor called 811 to notify utility companies the previous week, and all of them have marked their lines. Unfortunately, gas, electric and water lines run parallel to the property line in the area where the worker was instructed to plant the shrubs. He inspects the markings and determines there is a 5-foot-wide space between the electric and water lines. Deciding to plant the shrubs in this zone, he uses a powered hand-held earth auger to dig the first hole. The auger contacts an electric line, transferring a fatal high-voltage shock to the operator via its metal handles.

The bottom line: The rapid expansion of underground utility systems makes following proper digging protocols more important than ever, says Dennis Von Ruden, president of General Equipment. “Don’t take it for granted that every utility line is always marked precisely,” he warns. “I’ve seen too many times where a utility line was improperly marked or not even marked at all.”

“Locating practices not sufficient” is the third most prevalent root cause of underground utility damage, accounting for 25 percent of incidents, according to the Common Ground Alliance’s 2011 DIRT Report.

Because he was disturbing ground within 40 inches of markings, the worker should have used his hands or vacuum-excavation methods to expose the water and electric lines – if he proceeded with the job at all. Be aware underground utility lines are commonly buried near property lines, increasing danger since property owners often want privacy barriers such as fences and plants installed in these areas. Someone from your company should call 811 (the national Call Before You Dig number) at least 72 hours prior to digging. If the handles of digging equipment you use are made of steel or aluminum, ask your supervisor or company owner for equipment with nonconductive handles made of wood, fiberglass or composite material. Even then, you should never use anything in damp conditions like rain or snow.

REDUCE RISKS

• Note the presence of landscape lighting, water features, sprinkler systems and wired-up storage/outbuildings.

• Clear everyone from the vicinity, shut off or extinguish sources of ignition such as equipment, vehicles and cigarettes and notify a supervisor if you damage a fuel line.

• Refrain from dismounting a machine that is touching an electric line. If you must leave the machine, jump off as far out as possible instead of stepping off in a routine manner.

Sponsored by:

By Richard Ries

The 2012 motor racing season opens this month when NASCAR takes the track in Daytona. By the end of February, you may be getting ready for your opening laps, too.

Soon, the buzz of mowers will fill the American landscape as surely as the thunder heard from the high-bank turns of Talladega Superspeedway. In fact, the parallels between

motor racing and mowing inspired us to take a fun look at the two here.

Just as in auto racing, no one needs to tell you landscaping is a competitive business. It’s about speed and efficiency getting the job done with minimal pit stops (downtime).

In recent years, manufacturers have touted speed. But now, speeds are about as high as they can get — as is the case with motor racing— and manufacturers are focusing on other selling points, such as operator comfort and improved engine technology.

So we challenged the major mower manufacturers to show us their premier mowers for 2012 and highlight the features that make each a winner.

We invite you to learn more, visit your favorite dealer for a demo, and let the race for your mowing equipment dollar begin.

Precise Control

Cub Cadet TANK SZ

Here’s a classic case of trickle-down technology from a company’s top-of-the-line products, in this case Cub Cadet’s Tank S Series (shown far left.) Most notable is the use of Cub Cadet’s Synchro-Steer technology. This four-wheel steering system uses differential steering on the back wheels, allowing different drive rates for the left and right wheels depending on the steering action. It’s similar to the steering system used on skid steer loaders. The benefits include reduced turfing and more precise steering control, especially on cross-slopes. “The net result is relaxed, more confident operation,” says product marketing manager Allen Baird. The steering-wheel SZ also features a slope-nose deck design for superior first-pass cutting performance and the ability to mulch, discharge or bag clippings without modifying the deck.

Rapid Response

BOB-CAT Predator Pro

This mower’s Kawasaki FX1000V-DFI engine has digital fuel injection. DFI allows fly-by-wire throttle control, which does away with cables and linkages. E-Gov replaces the mechanical governor found on carbureted engines and provides near-instantaneous response to changing conditions. “DFI improves every aspect of performance,” says product manager Tony Weber, “and operators notice the difference in terms of improved productivity and greater fuel efficiency.” Hydrostatic drive provides speeds up to 13.5 mph. Operator comfort is enhanced by the ISO-ride comfort system, a B-C lounger high back seat with isolation and quick-adjust armrests and vibration isolation at all touch points, including the hand controls.

Mowing & Motorsports

A racing expert offers tips with the operator in mind.

After 15 years of driving in such iconic events as the 24 Hours of Daytona, Jeff Purner retired from racing. He’s now the director of the Porsche Sport Driving School at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama where this issue’s cover photo was shot. We asked him to comment on three areas of concern to mower manufacturers from his perspective as a racer. Substitute “operator” for “driver” and “mower” for “car,” and you have pointers to consider when buying your next mower.

Comfort “The driver needs to feel like part of the car,” Purner says. “A well-fitted seat is important, but the seat, pedals and even the steering wheel need to be adjustable, especially for an endurance event.”

Precision Handling “Everything affects handling. Shocks, springs, sway bars, alignment, even tire pressure. The goal is to make the handling what the driver expects it to be and then keep it there over time and as conditions change. The maintenance of precise handling is the driver’s biggest requirement, and setup is the key.”

Serviceability “It’s important to keep service as easy as possible to save time. The challenge is to maintain service simplicity amid escalating technology.”

Superior Serviceability

Dixie Chopper Classic 3560T

This mower includes a unique combination of the best features the company offers in its line. The deck spindle assembly is machined in-house from steel castings. “This gives us much greater control over the finished product,” says Ron Spencer, technical service manager. “The steel assembly, with its two sets of bearings and seals, provides superior service life.” Spencer also cites the use of Parker GT16 transmissions, which combine a hydrostatic pump, reservoir, and filter into a single drive package that reduces complexity while retaining serviceability.

Perennial Leader

Exmark Lazer Series

Lazer Series mowers have been mainstays in the company’s product lineup for more than 20 years and retain Kohler and Kawasaki engines up to 38 hp with electronic fuel injection, propane or carbureted options. The big news is a dramatic drop in the number of parts on these mowers. “Our customers told us that less is better, that they want fewer parts to service and replace,” says Daryn Walters, director of marketing. “So we cut the number of parts by about half with no loss of performance.” The objective was to maintain durability and cut quality while improving uptime and lowering owner/operator costs. The sweeping changes accomplished those goals.

Pace Setter

Speed has become synonymous with Dixie Chopper mowers … that and a nack for unique publicity.

Dixie Chopper founder Art Evans (sans parachute) astride the Jet Mower

Take for example the company’s Jet Mower, which in 1990 employed a regular production mower with a turbo-powered Chinook helicopter engine to make a not-so-subtle statement about the mower’s toughness. After making an appearance on the TV series Home Improvement, it went on to become the official pace mower of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association.

Another Dixie Chopper became the first lawn mower to pace an automobile race (2005) at the Virginia Motor Speedway track, topping 50 mph in leading the pace lap and pulling away from a Hummer chase vehicle.

Commercial Grade All the Way

Ferris IS 2000Z

This is the type of mower for which the company gets the most calls, says Bill Shea, vice president of commercial sales. It’s a 61-inch, commercial quality zero-turn model. What constitutes commercial quality? It’s not one thing, according to product specialist Ray Dust; it’s everything. Drive belts for the fan-cooled hydraulic pumps on the IS 2000Z are double-grooved to increase the friction face area and improve efficiency. High-pressure lines connected to the system have an abrasion-resistant outer wrap. Spindle bearings are sealed on the outside but not on the inside; grease pumped into the bearing cavities can get into the bearings but not out. The rear suspension and independent front suspension with coil-over shocks show how sophisticated mower suspension has become.

Superior Comfort and Control

Gravely Pro-Turn 400XDZ Series

This mower is an excellent example of the lengths manufacturers go to ensure operators can work all day in comfort. The seat, for example, has both vibration isolation and adjustable air suspension. Product marketing manager Brian Anundsen says “isolation is good for stutter bumps, while air suspension is good for the big hits.” And from studying operators at work, the company found they tend to feather the deck-lift pedal all day long. “It wasn’t just a series of lifts and drops,” Anundsen says. “They were active in controlling deck height.” The Pro-Turn 400 has a mechanical deck lift, which Anundsen says gives better feedback to the operator and enhances control, but the effort is reduced to fight fatigue.

Increased Power and Savings

Grasshopper 725DT

The 725DT shares a trait with a growing number of Grasshopper mowers: diesel power. “Diesel use is growing and represents a significant share of our market,” says product specialist Ray Garvey. “Some of our owners are reporting their fuel costs are cut in half when they switch from gas to diesel, and they are able to recover their additional up-front costs in a single season.The increased power and longer service life of the diesel also figure into the value equation.” With the front-mount design, owners can fit a number of attachments for such jobs as snow removal and leaf blowing, increasing their use rate of the mower and generating additional revenue.

Fast and Faster

Husqvarna PZ6034FXZT

The two-speed hydrostatic drive on this mower provides a fast 12-mph top cutting speed and an even faster 18-mph top travel speed. “The definition of ‘high speed’ depends on what the operator is doing at the time,” says marketing manager Jim Parello. “A fast cutting speed doesn’t seem fast enough when the operator is moving from one location to another.” An ergonomically designed, side-mounted control panel puts the choke, throttle and ignition in one location. Steering levers are adjustable for operators of different sizes; even the lever dampers are adjustable to suit operators’ preferences. Service access points are easy to reach and a removable foot pan provides quick access to the deck belt pulleys and spindles and speeds cleaning.

Ups the Ante

Hustler Super Z

“For years, the industry has had residential, prosumer and commercial models. The Super Z brings mowers to the next level, the industrial level,” says product manager Brad Unruh. Hustler uses industry-exclusive industrial components in their HyperDrive systems, such as Sauer-Danfoss DDC-20 variable displacement slipper-piston pumps and Parker TG0280 wheel motors. The system has a 3-gallon reservoir with filter and oil cooler with a 9-inch, 12-volt fan. All this allows Hustler to offer a 5-year, 3,000-hour warranty on the pumps and motors. The Super Z also has VX4 Deck Technology: the four Vs refer to versatility, velocity, volume and vacuum. Hustler promises the combination of these traits ensures superior cutting performance even at a top cutting speed of 15 mph.

Power and Hi-Tech Efficiency

John Deere Z925 EFI

The electronic fuel injection system on the Z925 EFI features a closed-loop design that uses an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system to signal the EFI controller and adjust injection in response to changes in operating conditions. “It checks for unused oxygen in the exhaust multiple times per second,” says product manager Jamie Palmer. “This means the system can fine-tune the amount of fuel injected into the engine, resulting in up to 25 percent fuel savings in real-world use.” Convenience features on the Z925 EFI include two that can be used while the operator remains seated, height-of-cut adjustment and mulch-on-demand technology that allows the operator to switch between side discharge and mulching.

Alternative Fuel Advantages

Kubota ZP330P

Two prominent LP tanks make the ZP330P stand out in a crowd. Liquid propane gas offers two advantages over gasoline and diesel, according to product manager Jeremy Coltin. First, emissions are much lower, especially CO2 emissions. This is important for any contractor trying to project a “green” image and operate where emissions regulations are stringent. Second, the fuel is unaffected by storage. “And LP does away with problems associated with carburetors, such as clogged jets, air passages and sticking floats,” Coltin says. The ZP330P shares many features with Kubota’s other commercial mowers including hydrostatic transmission, multi-disc wet clutch PTO and shaft drive.

Faster Mowing Speeds

Toro GrandStand EFI

The GrandStand EFI is among the company’s models that use closed-loop electronic fuel injection. Marketing manager Chris Hanna says benefits go beyond the fuel savings of up to 25 percent. “This closed-loop system allows the engine to automatically adapt to load, weather, fuel and altitude changes. Since the engine is continuously running at optimal levels, fuel consumption and emissions are dramatically reduced.” The mower also features Toro’s Turbo Force deck with an adjustable baffle. In heavy conditions, such as grass that is long, dense or wet, the operator can run an open baffle to conserve power and achieve faster mowing speeds. In less demanding conditions, the baffle can be closed, which yields smaller particles and maximum discharge velocity.

Precision Yields Productivity

Walker Super B Diesel

Powered by a Yanmar Minimax engine that is Tier 4 compliant and rated for 23.6-hp, the Super B Diesel offers the fuel efficiency and strong torque associated with diesel power. The engine package includes an oversized, heavy-duty radiator with a self-cleaning fan and rubber isolation engine mounts. But it’s the Super B’s control mechanism that marketing manager Tim Cromley emphasizes. The steering levers require only fingertip pressure because they control only steering; forward speed is controlled by a separate lever mounted beside the operator’s seat. “Fingertip control provides greater precision, which increases productivity and overall job time, requires less effort and reduces operator fatigue.”

Digital Equipment Spec Guide

See all new models of major professional grade mowers with detailed specifications — from deck widths, engines and drive systems to top speeds, dimensions and options — at totallandscapecare.net. You’ll also find specs for six additional categories of new landscaping equipment, including tractors, skid steers and excavators.

*Mower specs are representative of 60-inch cut mowers and not a specific model.

You may have seen the protest signs: “Stop Crape Myrtle Murder!” It seems for every vibrantly blooming and well maintained example of Lagerstroemia indica adorning properties from Texas to Savannah, there is one with its limbs hacked off by the uninformed. Enter, Save the Crape Myrtles Organization (savethecrapemyrtles.org) whose mission is to prevent the odious practice of over pruning these graceful trees. Its founder, Robert Donohue, provides these general care pointers:

Pruning

"Criminal" pruning

Prune at the end of winter to beginning of spring, February to March (cooler zones, March to April). Remove all dead limbs, small crisscrossing and obstructive limbs and suckers around the base of the tree. Also, remove limbs to balance out the canopy.

Pest Management

Aphids

Spray sulfur and lime-based foliar treatment in areas where powdery mildew is a threat. Use insecticidal soap for aphids and a spray hose nozzle at high water pressure to dislodge other insects.

Mulch

With initial planting, create mulch ring in a bagel shape to act as a bowl to help direct water to the roots.

Fertilization

Test soil and use a good local organic combination of granular organic plant foods for trees and shrubs, compost liquid seaweed/fish emulsion/molasses. Use foliar spray and soil drench.

Irrigation

A properly shaped mulch ring works well with bubbler spray heads, drip irrigation, subsurface aeration with drip systems and hose end watering.

Installation

Choose a location that allows many years of growth. “Let it show off its natural form,” Donohue says. Dig a rough hole to prevent root girdling. Backfill with native soil and drench with water. Install root flare slightly above existing grade.

Enter to Win!

Sponsored by:

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2012 Landscaper of the Year

Jason Core

Scapes Environmental

Porter, TX

Benjamin & Cathy Fotusky

Greater Scapes Landscape and Lawncare

Weaverville, NC

Ken Noll

The Garden Kingdom

Glen Carbon, IL

Terry Delany

GroundServ

Fayetteville, AR

Sean Nutter

Greenday Creations

Miami, FL

Bobby Franz

Franz Nursery

Hamilton, IN

Nikos Phelps

Utopian Landscapes

Harrisburg, PA

Anthony Gastol

APM Landscape and Design

Schertz, TX

Wesley Graves

Graves Lawn and Landscape

Royse City, TX

Joshua Siskin

Perfect Plants Landscape Management

Woodland Hills, CA

Ryan Youngblood

Artistic Landscape Associates and R. Youngblood & Co.

Rochester, MI

Winners:

Bill Henkel and Gordon Denmark

Henkel Denmark

Lexington, KY

“Needless to say, this was a really nice Christmas present,” Bucci says.

Bucci is an electrician by trade who also works as a snow removal subcontractor during the winter months.

For more information, visit bossplow.com.

Terry Delany grew his business with shrewd strategy, timing and by establishing a clear set of principles.

By Glenn R. Dinella

Starting a landscape business in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was no easy task for Terry Delany. Yet, he persevered through tepid demand for landscaping services in his community, at least initially, and didn’t let it slow him or his company, GroundSERV, down.

“Although Arkansas is home to the world headquarters of powerhouses like Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt Trucking, we are still largely a rural area that has only recently enjoyed growth and prosperity,” he says. “Nice landscaping is not a high priority for a majority of the population.

Above: Delany serves on the Property Committee of the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks.

“I used to beat my head against the wall trying to get people to make improvements.”

But GroundSERV has led the way in making the installation and maintenance of fine land- scapes a priority in Delaney’s area.

Although only 39, Delany has been in the landscape business 16 years. Last year, he employed 30 people and grossed $2 million during the challenging economy. He has grown his business at an exponential rate primarily using two smart strategies: add-on services and subcontracting. “Our goal is to be a $5 million company in five years,” he says.

No Whining Allowed

Born in Norwich, England (pronounced Nar-idge), Delany was nine when he moved to the United States with his parents. Delany’s father was a hard-working contractor who instilled a strong work ethic in his son. But rather than go into construction like his father, Delany chose landscaping, completing his undergraduate degree in landscape design and urban horticulture from the University of Arkansas in 1995. His only complaint with the program was the lack of business courses.

“I’m still learning the business of running a business,” he says. “Most landscapers are great landscapers and horrible business people.”

GroundSERV employees put finishing touches on the beds at a local mall.

After graduating, Delaney worked for a landscape company in Fayetteville for three years, often complaining about how things were done, until his father suggested he “quit whining and go start his own business,” which he did.

First operating as AAA Lawns from 2001 to 2008, he and about 25 employees focused on residential lawn maintenance. In 2008, he changed his company name to GroundSERV to reflect a new focus on all aspects of property maintenance. This was in response to the economic downturn.

“I thought we were going to be in trouble,” he says. “So I made a decision to diversify and changed the name of the company to reflect that.” He also refocused his business approach, gradually shifting from 60 percent residential and 40 percent commercial to a current balance of 5 percent residential and 95 percent commercial.

“I’m still learning the business of running a business,” he says. “Most landscapers are great landscapers and horrible business people.”

To improve his business skills, Delany read business books and visited other successful landscapers. He also attended a two-day course at the Aileron School in Dayton, Ohio. Aileron caters to business owners challenged by growth or a new opportunity by instructing them on generating an action plan to deal with the challenging marketplace. There, he learned how to put together an outside board of advisors – professionals who are not connected with the landscape industry. They meet once per quarter, and Delany pays them for their time and business advice.

“I didn’t want landscape guys who were going to look at the business like I do,” he says.

Growing in a Bear of a Market

In 2006, Delany moved into his present location featuring 2 acres and a 7,000-square-foot building, and subsequently, his gross sales have increased significantly: 10 percent in 2008, 18 percent in 2009 and 25 percent in 2010. “The worse the economy gets, the better my company gets,” he says. “We’ve done all of that by diversifying our services. We are a complete exterior maintenance company. If it’s outside the sheetrock and inside the property lines, we take care of it now. We’re still a landscape company — we’re just expanding.

Delany selected an eye-catching green for his trucks and building.

“When the economy tanked in 2007 and 2008, all of our clients cut their budgets. At the same time, everyone who lost his job bought a mower, and everyone dropped his prices 20 percent. I saw some big-name clients go to some small operators for the price savings.”

Delany refused to drop his prices to beat the low-ball offers of other landscapers. “Some of our clients were distraught about losing us, but we just couldn’t go where they wanted us to on price,” he says.

Last year proved better for Delany’s clients and, therefore, for him, as well. He kept all of his clients from 2010 and lost none of them through attrition.

Green Means Being Seen

Delany created this lush oasis to lend a taste of the tropics to his backyard in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In 2001, Delany made the decision to dramatically increase the impact of his brand by painting his trucks and his building bright green. The instant recognition factor has garnered him new clients. He no longer advertises in the phone book. “We just paint our trucks bright green, and people around here know us,” he says. “We could take the logos off now, and people would know who we are.”

Delany saves time and money by setting up satellite crews. After establishing enough clients 30 minutes north of Fayetteville, he hired crew members who live in the area and rented a parking spot for a truck at a gated storage facility.

Delany found aerators are well worth purchasing. “They pay for themsleves quickly,” he says.

Crew members meet at the truck each morning and receive their instructions by phone or text. Another satellite crew meets at a storage facility on the campus of the University of Arkansas, GroundSERV’s biggest client.

At the end of each week, Delany’s mechanic, Dallas White, brings the truck and equipment back to the shop in Fayetteville for servicing. He estimates each satellite crew saves about $1,000 per month on travel time and fuel.

Getting Carded

Not every idea Delany has tried works successfully, of course. For example, he once created and staged a job fair to recruit new employees. After about 100 attendees heard Delany’s five-minute speech about drug testing and the company’s core values, half left when they were excused to retrieve their identification. The remaining 50 were given five-minute interviews. GroundSERV hired 10 of those applicants. Half way through the season, two of them were left, and by the end of the season, none were left.

“You get lots of people who need a job but don’t really want one,” he says.

Delany no longer hires seasonal employee college students. He finds it requires about 90 days for a new employee to get up to speed and start turning a profit for the company.

“Our turnover is now low. It used to be extremely high – like 300 percent a year. We were just hiring warm bodies, and that doesn’t work.”

“We had too many people showing up with hangovers or not showing up at all. Then in the middle of the season, they wanted to take a two-week vacation to go backpacking somewhere. We’ve got better strategies now. We are really picky about who we hire.”

During interviews, the hiring manager presents applicants with a laminated card stating the company’s Core Values of safety, ethics, reliability and volunteering, as well as Standards of Excellence, which include strategies such as providing exceptional value, creating noticeable changes in the landscape, being responsive, offering a broad range of services, while maintaining a high-quality image and a reputation for excellence.

“If you’re joining our church, do you believe what we believe?” Delany jokes. “We get into the heart of that before we worry about their skills. If they don’t get what we’re doing, then nothing else matters.”

Employees keep the card. If a problem crops up, the supervisor and employee pull out the card and review which principle was broken. At weekly meetings, supervisors select one principle and review it in depth.

“Things changed a lot around here after we had the cards made,” he says. “Our turnover is now low. It used to be extremely high – like 300 percent a year. We were just hiring warm bodies, and that doesn’t work.”

Delany is also strict about personal appearance. Employees can’t use tobacco products on the jobsite, and they must be in full uniform.

He prefers to hire local high school graduates who have been involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA). He has found employees who worked on farms possess a strong work ethic,are accustomed to working outside in all types of weather, and are familiar with a variety of heavy equipment.

Subcontracting Strategy

When he began GroundSERV, Delany expanded operations to include snow and ice removal, pressure-washing, window cleaning and parking lot sweeping, sealing and striping. He subcontracts operations requested only once or twice a week and work such as tree care and irrigation.

“All of our irrigation maintenance is subcontracted, because it’s just six months out of the year,” he says. “We start them up in May and shut them down in November. We used to do it inhouse, but I didn’t want to bear the staff expense year-round.

“For subs, we find the best guy in town who is not necessarily the biggest guy — somebody who does quality work and has their pricing right — and ask if they want to partner with us,” he says.

Delany typically takes 20 percent of the revenue of a subcontracted job. “And they’re quite happy to do that because they don’t have to have a sales guy on staff or do any advertising,” he says. “Our landscaping has grown about 10 percent, but adding these other services has been amazing for our growth,” he says. “It saved our butts, quite frankly.”

Giving Back

Delany has been an active member of the Professional Landscape Network (PLANET) since 2005. In 2010, he earned his credentials as a Landscape Industry Certified Manager and was nominated as a PLANET Trailblazer to serve as a mentor for landscapers looking to gain insight into growing their businesses.

Delany’s team also participates in PLANET’s Day of Service every year, cleaning up a large city planting bed each spring. But their service goes beyond the standard one day each year. They visit the bed each week and maintain it for the rest of the growing season.

Delany also sits on the Plans and Property Committee for the new Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks. He likes that the facility is dedicated to educating the public about new plant varieties and how to achieve a different look in the landscape.

And he also donates money and landscape services to Children’s House, a charity for abused children. GroundSERV even held a mow-a-thon fundraiser for Children’s House. Crew members mowed for 24 hours straight — using headlamps at night to get the job done.

Delaney’s 5 Secrets to Success

• Subcontract. Partner with several quality subcontractors who are eager for more work. You can make 20 percent of the job with a few phone calls.

• Read a lot. Delany has read hundreds of books, often focusing on business management.

• Work with leaders in the industry.

Delany went to Cincinnati to visit Traiblazer Mike Rorie, former division vice president of Brickman Group and current CEO of GIS Dynamics. Delany also employs Bill Arman of The Harvest Group for ongoing consulting.

• Work with leaders outside the industry. Delany hired an outside advisory board consisting of a realtor, CFO financial advisor and marketing expert.

• Look into add-on services dealing with exterior maintenance. Clients like being able to make one phone call for complete grounds maintenance.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges for small businesses,” says Tony Bass, landscaper-turned-consultant and co-author of The E-Myth Landscape Contractor: Why Most Landscape Companies Don’t Work and What to Do About It (prodigybusinessbooks.com).

Statistics show that out of every five jobs, a typical contractor loses money on one, breaks even on one, makes about the expected profit on two and hits a financial home run on one.

“So if you do 50 jobs a year, that’s 10 bad jobs a year,” he explains. “If you can take those 10 bad jobs and replace them with good jobs, you’ll double your profit.” Here’s how you do it.

1. Develop an accurate general operating budget.

Profitable estimating begins with an accurate blueprint of how much it costs annually to operate your company. Review expenditures from previous years and/or use budget software to produce an accurate spending picture.

2. Account for overhead recovery.

Determine how much to mark up costs of services to recover overhead costs (administrative, fuel, etc.) and make a profit. “If you don’t recoup overhead costs, there’s not even $1 of profit in a job,” Bass says. Most smaller businesses underestimate overhead costs.

3. Develop a plan.

After listening closely to and writing down what a client wants, create a step-by-step plan and specifications for the project. Consult with vendors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers and employees to get ideas about the best way to do the job. Later, this plan and job specifications/measurements become a blueprint for your employees.

4. Estimate the cost of materials.

This is a straightforward cost to pin down. Examples: How many cubic yards of mulch are required? Accuracy here depends directly on the plan and project specifications you develop in Step Three.

5. Estimate subcontractor costs.

“This is the easiest part of the equation,” Bass says. Ask the subs to take a look at the project specifications and add their quote to your costs.

6. Use a production rate-based formula to estimate equipment costs.

It’s critical to know how much work each piece of equipment can produce in an hour. Example: How much turf can one of your mowers cut per hour?

If you don’t know, make a list of your equipment and perform time-and-motion studies on a variety of jobs.

7. Use production-rate data to estimate labor costs.

Just as with equipment, you need to know how much work employees can do in an hour with various tasks. Perform studies to obtain accurate data.

8. Submit a bid.

“Focus all of your energy and effort on getting the right price — the price that’s right for your company and right for your customer,” Bass says. Accurate estimating prepares and protects your bidding process.

9. Create a sales process to seal the deal.

“You must have a process for dealing with price objections that are sure to come,” Bass says. “You’re going to have to become a better salesperson and improve your overcoming-objections skills.” Example: Point out things that differentiate your company from competitors, such as certified employees, more on-the-job experience or newer equipment less prone to breakdowns.

10. You win! Now comes job-costing analysis.

Compare your estimate to the actual costs. “The most profitable companies spend as much or more time focusing on job costing than any other part of their business,” Bass says. “They know if they don’t keep good records of different tasks and how much time each requires, they’re not going to get better.”

Ornamental varieties have become the go-to plant for many landscapers.

By Jenny Agee-Aldridge

Dramatic, hardy and easy to maintain, ornamental grasses are showing up in new ways in the designs of landscape professionals. There’s a bumper crop of new varieties from which to choose, and they’re no longer being exiled to garden borders and corners.

“If I had to choose only one type of plant for a garden, I would choose ornamental grasses. There are so many different varieties, colors and sizes,” says Chad Beidel, owner of Outside Solutions in Sykesville, Maryland. “Plus, deer won’t eat them.”

One of his favorites is Japanese Blood Grass, which multiplies on its own. Its red-tipped foliage provides great contrast to dark green shrubs like holly and cherry laurel, he says. He also likes Pink Muhly Grass, which has feathery pink plumes that bloom in the fall and last well into the winter.

Favorite Uses

The flow and movement of ornamental grasses create nice contrast to formal plants such as shaped and pruned boxwoods, says William Dickerson, owner of Dickerson Landscapes in Tallahassee, Florida. He also uses them on the edges of beds made up of perennial, flowering plants.

Mexican Feather Grass is a key component of this low-maintenance yard in Santa Barbara, California, which also features smaller grasses like Mueller’s Fescue and Autumn Moor Grass.

Because they are inexpensive and grow quickly, Scott Price, owner of Snowknows in Charlottesville, Virginia, uses ornamental grasses as temporary placeholders to fill in gaps while an immature garden takes shape. But he also uses them prominently in permanent plantings where he prefers their graceful and arching shapes to straight plantings.

“Their blooms are the icing on the cake,” Price says. “I would use them even if they didn’t bloom, but the late-season bloom they provide extends the season in our spring-bloom dominated area.

“They’re also pleasing in formal settings due to the consistency of growth,” he notes. “In traditional cutting gardens, they lend structure and texture.”

His favorite varieties include Variegated Miscanthus, Morning Light, Adagio, Japanese Silver Grass, Switch Grass and Fountain Grass. “It seems every few weeks, our buyer is bringing new varieties for us to try,” Price says.

Ornamental grasses provide height, anchor edges of annual flower beds and serve as erosion controls on large embankments, says Wes Richards of Turftenders Landscape Services, Raleigh, North Carolina.

“They serve many roles in the landscape,” Richards says. “Larger, darker species can function as a back drop to perennial gardens or as a border between spaces, while smaller cultivars can be planted in front of foundation plantings to contrast texture and color from the plants behind them.

“They also make good container fillers for commercial and residential properties, in medians, island beds and landscape boxes.”

Easy Care

Because many species of ornamental grasses are native to North American, they’re drought tolerant, thrive in poor soils and grow where other plants will not survive. And they often require less water and chemical applications. Grasses usually need only a pruning back of the prior year foliage, typically in early spring.

“The larger, more aggressive grasses benefit from an every third year splitting, removing roughly half of the plant mass. This eliminates overcrowding in the bed,” says Jeff Gibson, landscape business manager of Ball Horticultural Company.

Cutting back in the spring rather than the fall will protect the heart of the plant from winter frost and freeze, Dickerson says. He also suggests keeping the crown of the plant arid and open to avoid crown rot.

Price likes working with ornamental grasses so much that he endorses them on his list of “all-star” plants that he recommends to even the most inexperienced of gardeners, confident that the grasses will thrive. “The grasses are easy to maintain and require minimal pruning, fertilization or watering. We use them often in our commercial projects to reduce maintenance costs.”

All-Star Ornamental Grasses

Pampas Grass

Botanical Name:

Cortaderia selloana

Hardiness Degree: 0°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 36-48 inches

Height: 60-80 inches

Exposure: Sun

This dramatic ornamental grass displays huge, feathery white plumes from August to October over arching, green foliage. Makes a good winter-interest choice in the landscape.

Fountain Grass

Botanical Name:

Pennisetum setaceum

Hardiness Degree: 32°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 24-28 inches

Height: 48-72 inches

Exposure: Sun

The green, upright clump of fountain grass produces tall feathery pink flowers. Tolerant of dry conditions.

Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass

Botanical Name: Pennisetum

Hardiness Degree: 20°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 12-20 inches

Height: 18-30 inches

Exposure: Sun

Its small size and vibrant colors make the Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass a perfect choice for containers and small borders.

Ruby Grass

Botanical Name:

Melinis nerviglumis

Hardiness Degree: 10°F

Plant Habit: Spreading, Upright

Spacing: 9-12 inches

Height: 14-18 inches.

Exposure: Sun

This blue-green grass matures to purple-red in fall. Produces silky pink flowers in early summer that turn creamy white in August. Can be used for fresh/dried cut flowers.

Giant Umbrella Plant

Botanical Name: Cyperus

Hardiness Degree: 25°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 24-48 inches

Height: 120-180 inches

Exposure: Part sun to sun

Graceful arching stalks are topped by huge hair-like umbrella on this towering plant. Use them in water gardens, landscapes and beds. They must constantly remain wet. If you use them in a container, plug the holes in the pot to keep water in.

Mexican Feather Grass

Botanical Name: Nasalla

Hardiness Degree: 5°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 20-24 inches

Height: 12-18 inches

Exposure: Part sun to sun

With its green foliage and feathery tan flowers, this grass will beautify your garden all season and moves in the slightest breeze.

Blue Fescue

Botanical Name:

Festuca cinerea

Hardiness Degree: -20°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 6-9 inches

Height: 12-16 inches

Exposure: Sun

Festina Blue Fescue is a blue-green color. Its dense, compact tufts have small, upright brown plumes summer to fall.

Juncus

Botanical Name:

Juncus pallidus

Hardiness Degree: 10°F

Plant Habit: Upright

Spacing: 18-22 inches

Height: 48 inches

Exposure: Sun

An excellent thriller for mixed containers.

This tall green grass makes a dramatic statement and can grow in standing water. The grass also handles heat and drought.

Colorful Collaboration

Horticultural and architectural worlds will converge with the celebration of the San Francisco Orchid Society’s 60th annual Pacific Orchid Exposition (POE) and the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. Themed “A Salute to the Golden Gate,” the POE will display more than

Many varieties of orchids are surprisingly hardy and adaptable to outdoor living spaces where they lend a touch of the exotic.

150,000 orchid flowers from around the world Feb. 23 at the Fort Mason Center. Because of its diverse microclimates, the Bay Area is widely acknowledged as one of the best orchid growing regions and is home to hundreds of exotic species. Attendees can participate in educational exhibits from orchid growers, learn cultivation tips as they tour a virtual wonderland of orchids and purchase unique, rare varieties. For more information, visit orchidsanfrancisco.org.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bamboo can grow up to 40 inches a day and is structurally as strong as steel.

Digging Safely

Watch how to prevent underground utility damage with Common Ground Alliance’s (CGA) “5 Steps to Safer Digging” video for professionals: vimeo.com/29501568. By following the steps shown in the video, the CGA estimates damages caused from digging could be reduced 30 percent. They also offer a video on safe digging for your clients and other non-professionals: vimeo.com/29620323. The CGA is behind the “Call Before You Dig” phone number, 811.

Reader Tip of the Month

How to protect frost-sensitive plants

In the midst of cold winter weather, keeping frost-sensitive plants alive can be a challenge. Here are tips on how to protect your clients’ plants until the spring from FloraTerra Landscape Management in San Jose, California.

• Plants should be thoroughly watered, especially those in containers, several days in advance of the frost.

However, do not saturate the plants while the temperatures are extremely low, as this will result in frost heave and ultimately injure the plants.

Light watering in the evening hours, before temperatures drop, will help raise humidity levels and reduce frost damage.

• Do not fertilize with quick-release nitrogen in the winter months. Actively growing plants are more susceptible to frost damage.

• When possible, cover tender plants. Frost blankets can be purchased and, depending on thickness, can add 3 to 7 degrees of warmth for plants.

You can also create tents over plants with space between the protection barrier and the plants.

• Passive solar protection can help. Place jugs of water or dark plastic objects near plants to absorb warmth in the day and then let off that heat at night.

• Mulch will protect some frost-sensitive plants. When mulching, try to keep it at a depth of 2 to 3 inches.

• If severe cold is imminent, drench trees, shrubs and flowers like cyclamen, sago palms or citrus trees, letting the water freeze directly on the leaves.

• If plants are damaged by the frost, wait to prune them until spring. They need to remain dormant, rather than expend energy to heal pruning wounds.

Have a landscaping tip to share with others?

Reader Tip of the Month Reward

Send your tip to LaurenHeartsill@randallreilly.com. If published,

you will win a Husqvarna 560BTS 65.6 cc Commercial Grade Backpack Blower.

An award-winning landscaper says it pays to have a sense of humor.

By Billy R. Sims, Editor, billy.sims@rrpub.com

When we rolled onto the renowned Barber Motorsports Park road course with an Exmark mower to photograph this issue’s cover, more than a few heads turned. But Mark Whitt’s was not one of them.

“We’ve hosted weddings and the spreading of ashes for a deceased racing enthusiast.”

In his eight years as track manager for the park in Leeds, Alabama, Whitt has seen his share of unusual events. The facility hosts Indy car, Grand-Am and AMA Superbike Series competitions, but they’ve also “hosted weddings and the spreading of ashes for a deceased racing enthusiast,” Whitt says.

Mark Whitt has seen some unusual events at the Barber Motorsports Park, including the cover shoot for this issue.

No wonder. The 850-acre facility and its 2.38-mile road course, which draw thousands of people from around the world, are known as the Augusta (as in golf course) of road racing courses, and it’s received numerous awards for its awe-inspiring landscaping.

Whitt, who has a degree in landscape contracting and 25 years of professional experience, designed the landscape and supervised its construction, which included 137 acres of turf grass and planting 16,000 azaleas, 9,000 dogwoods and more. He attributes his success to the vision of the park’s owner, George Barber, and his own knack for “designing landscapes with maintenance always in mind.”

After observing us photograph a mower on the road course with a Porsche in pursuit, I asked Whitt if it also pays to have a sense of humor in managing such a huge enterprise as the park.

“Surely, humor is a saving grace,” Whitt says. “We spend so many hours at the track, and it can be intense during racing season.” It helps that at many focal points around the course, there are whimsical sculptures, ranging from those at a turn known as Charlotte’s Web, adorned with a giant steel sculpture of a spider and numerous offspring spread across the hillside, to another where steel ants appear to be carrying off a motorcycle. “You can’t help but smile when you look up just about anywhere here and see all these examples of creativity,” Whitt says.

Our thanks to Whitt and the management at Barber for allowing us to shoot our “Mow Down” cover at the park. It surely shows they have a good sense of humor.

We hope the Mow Down feature, page 28, with its rollicking racing theme that compares this year’s premier new mowers for contractors, makes you smile for a moment, as well.

By Lauren Heartsill Dowdle

File that away

Shape flat and convex surfaces with Snap-on’s half-round hand files, SGFHR104, and double-cut straight mill files, SGFMA104. Work can be done safely and with more control because of each file’s non-slip grip, which also has a hole for hanging. The files’ versatility allows you to de-burr, sharpen and polish materials. Both sets come with roll-up storage pouches with clear fronts. To find out more about these four-piece sets, visit snapon.com/handtools. Snap-on also carries hand and power tools, tool storage lines, diagnostics software, information and management systems and shop equipment.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Elevated toolbox

Gain extra storage room in your truck bed with TruXedo’s TonneauMate. The toolbox mounts under a tonneau cover and has an elevated design, leaving the pickup bed open. The TonneauMate is lockable and supports loads up to 250 pounds. An adjustable mounting design allows the box to be placed in the front, middle or rear of the pickup bed.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Color accuracy

Enhance turf quality and appearance with United Turf Alliance’s Optimizer Green Shade. It can be used on golf courses, athletic fields and other maintained areas where turf color, quality and spray accuracy are important. With an application rate of 15 to 20 fluid ounces per acre, it is tank-mix compatible with most fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, wetting agents and plant growth regulators.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

All tied up

If you’re tired of tangled electrical cords, use UT Wire’s Q Knot Pro multipurpose tie to prevent clutter. Featuring a self-locking design and non-slip teeth, the Q Knot is stretchable and flexible to bundle multiple objects. The Q Knot is sold at select Home Depot stores, Orchard Supply Hardware, Menards and Amazon.com in packages of 12 and 25.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Spray, control and pump water with these irrigation products that will leave you gushing.

By Lauren Heartsill Dowdle

Battery-powered control

For isolated sites, power-restricted areas or the special needs of drip zones, the Hunter Node is your solution. The Node mounts to a valve solenoid without screws, drills or additional wires. Once in the box, it’s operated by one or two 9-volt batteries. The Node features an LCD screen and is waterproof and fully submersible up to 12 feet.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Vary spray

Irrigate landscapes of all shapes and sizes with Rain Bird’s high-efficiency variable arc nozzle (HE-VAN). Winning the Irrigation Association’s 2011 Best New Product of the Year Award in the Turf and Landscape Category, the HE-VAN has a spray pattern that is adjustable up to 360 degrees. It uses flow-control technology to lower trajectory streams for close-in watering and uniform coverage across the spray pattern.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Gulp of water

Displace 8 to 12 gallons of water a minute with Underhill’s Gulp UltraMax and Big Gulp UltraMax water removal pumps. With a 36-inch chamber and flexible outlet hoses in either 36- or 72-inch lengths, the Big Gulp UltraMax eliminates water from valve boxes, sprinklers or other flooded areas. A push-button cleaning system provides quick flushing of the pump chamber.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Eco-friendly dripline

Earn LEED credits on your next landscape installation with Netafim USA’s Techline CV dripline, which is manufactured from recycled materials. Techline CV has 17-milimeter, flexible tubing and can be used for irrigating turf, trees, shrubs and bedding areas. Its dripper design provides self-flushing throughout the line, not just the beginning and end. The line can be installed above ground or sub-surface and is available in coils from 100 to 1,000 feet.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

Monitors soil conditions

Toro’s Precision Soil Sensor continuously measures moisture levels in the soil and determines when to allow the irrigation controller to water the lawn. It has two wireless components – a receiver that hooks up to the irrigation controller and a sensor that installs in the ground. With an operating range of 500 feet, the sensor uses standard alkaline batters. The stainless-steel electrodes reach 6 inches down into the soil’s profile.

Visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info

The tool maker reported after the market closed that it earned $165.3 million, or 99 cents per share, for the quarter. That’s up from $137.8 million, or 81 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

After adjusting for $83.7 million in one-time charges related to mergers and acquisitions, the company earned $1.36 for the period versus $1.07 last year. Black & Decker’s total revenue increased 17 percent to $2.79 billion for the quarter, with stronger revenue across all of its business lines.

The company earned $674.6 million, or $3.97 per share, for the full year. That’s up from $198.2 million, or $1.24 per share, in the prior year. Its revenue was $10.38 billion, up from $8.34 billion in 2010.

Stanley Black & Decker makes hand tools, locks, fasteners and other hardware products.

- The Associated Press

Chuck Carr was presented CLCA’s 2011 Member of the Year Award by Peter Estournes CWM, CLIA, CLP, prior 2008 award recipient and co-owner of Gardenworks. This award is given annually to a contractor member for outstanding accomplishments and contributions throughout the year.

Tom Noonan CID, CLIA, water management specialist at Ewing Irrigation Products was presented the 2011 Associate Member of the Year for his multiple contributions to CLCA. His award was presented by Heath Bedal 2009 president and 2003 Associate Award winner.

Longtime member and president of ValleyCrest Tree Company, Robert L. Crudup Jr. was also awarded CLCA’s Allegiance Award, which is the most prestigious award a member can receive. This award is only given to those who have been a member for at least 15 years, who have actively been involved on the state level for at least 10 years and who are currently active on the state level. Former Allegiance Award winner Barry Cohen (1980) presented Crudup with the award. Only 24 people have ever received the Allegiance Award.

The California Landscape Contractors Association is a non-profit trade organization of licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors. Also included among its approximately 2,800 members are landscape suppliers, landscape architects, public officials, educators and students. For more information, visit clca.org.

Altec’s DC610 will be available in approximately 50 locations of The Home Depot, with a 2012-expansion goal of more than 50 additional locations. A full list of Compact Power Equipment Centers with Altec rental equipment is available online at compactpowercenter.com/locations.

Octavio Miranda, of Ancaster, Ontario, was named the Case Triple Threat Rodeo North American Champion and won a 2012 Ram 2500 truck for himself and a new Case TR270 compact track loader and a Towmaster trailer for his sponsoring company, L.M. Enterprises.

Owner/operator Allan Long, of Summerhill, Pennsylvania, finished second to win a $5,000 CNH Capital rewards card. Lloyd Lesher of Casper, Wyoming, finished in third place, winning $1,250 in cash for himself and a $2,500 CNH Capital Card for his sponsoring company, Andreehunt Construction. The CNH Capital Cards are redeemable for products and services at any North American Case Construction Equipment dealer. First-, second- and third-place finishers also received custom belt buckles recognizing their performance.

For more information, visit casece.com.

•  Plants should be thoroughly watered, especially those in containers, several days in advance of the frost.

However, do not saturate the plants while the temperatures are extremely low, as this will result in frost heave and ultimately injure the plants. Light watering in the evening hours, before temperatures drop, will help raise humidity levels and reduce frost damage.

•  Do not fertilize with quick-release nitrogen in the winter months. Actively growing plants are more susceptible to frost damage.

•  When possible, cover tender plants. Frost blankets can be purchased and, depending on thickness, can add 3 to 7 degrees of warmth for plants.

You can also create tents over plants with space between the protection barrier and the plants.

•  Passive solar protection can help. Place jugs of water or dark plastic objects near plants to absorb warmth in the day and then let off that heat at night.

•  Mulch will protect some frost-sensitive plants. When mulching, try to keep it at a depth of 2 to 3 inches.

•  If severe cold is imminent, drench trees, shrubs and flowers like cyclamen, sago palms or citrus trees, letting the water freeze directly on the leaves.

•  If plants are damaged by the frost, wait to prune them until spring. They need to remain dormant, rather than expend energy to heal pruning wounds.

Soon, the buzz of mowers will fill the American landscape as surely as the thunder heard from the high-bank turns of Talladega Superspeedway. In fact, the parallels between
motor racing and mowing inspired us to take a fun look at the two here.

Just as in auto racing, no one needs to tell you landscaping is a competitive business. It’s about speed and efficiency getting the job done with minimal pit stops (downtime).

In recent years, manufacturers have touted speed. But now, speeds are about as high as they can get — as is the case with motor racing— and manufacturers are focusing on other selling points, such as operator comfort and improved engine technology.

So we challenged the major mower manufacturers to show us their premier mowers for 2012 and highlight the features that make each a winner.

We invite you to learn more, visit your favorite dealer for a demo, and let the race for your mowing equipment dollar begin.

Precise Control

Cub Cadet TANK SZ

Here’s a classic case of trickle-down technology from a company’s top-of-the-line products, in this case Cub Cadet’s Tank S Series (shown far left.) Most notable is the use of Cub Cadet’s Synchro-Steer technology. This four-wheel steering system uses differential steering on the back wheels, allowing different drive rates for the left and right wheels depending on the steering action. It’s similar to the steering system used on skid steer loaders. The benefits include reduced turfing and more precise steering control, especially on cross-slopes. “The net result is relaxed, more confident operation,” says product marketing manager Allen Baird. The steering-wheel SZ also features a slope-nose deck design for superior first-pass cutting performance and the ability to mulch, discharge or bag clippings without modifying the deck.

Rapid Response

BOB-CAT Predator Pro

This mower’s Kawasaki FX1000V-DFI engine has digital fuel injection. DFI allows fly-by-wire throttle control, which does away with cables and linkages. E-Gov replaces the mechanical governor found on carbureted engines and provides near-instantaneous response to changing conditions. “DFI improves every aspect of performance,” says product manager Tony Weber, “and operators notice the difference in terms of improved productivity and greater fuel efficiency.”  Hydrostatic drive provides speeds up to 13.5 mph. Operator comfort is enhanced by the ISO-ride comfort system, a B-C lounger high back seat with isolation and quick-adjust armrests and vibration isolation at all touch points, including the hand controls.

Superior
Serviceability

Dixie Chopper Classic 3560T

This mower includes a unique combination of the best features the company offers in its line. The deck spindle assembly is machined in-house from steel castings. “This gives us much greater control over the finished product,” says Ron Spencer, technical service manager. “The steel assembly, with its two sets of bearings and seals, provides superior service life.” Spencer also cites the use of Parker GT16 transmissions, which combine a hydrostatic pump, reservoir, and filter into a single drive package that reduces complexity while retaining serviceability.

Perennial Leader

Exmark Lazer Series

Lazer Series mowers have been mainstays in the company’s product lineup for more than 20 years and retain Kohler and Kawasaki engines up to 38 hp with electronic fuel injection, propane or carbureted options. The big news is a dramatic drop in the number of parts on these mowers. “Our customers told us that less is better, that they want fewer parts to service and replace,” says Daryn Walters, director of marketing. “So we cut the number of parts by about half with no loss of performance.” The objective was to maintain durability and cut quality while improving uptime and lowering owner/operator costs. The sweeping changes accomplished those goals.

Commercial Grade All the Way

Ferris IS 2000Z

This is the type of mower for which the company gets the most calls, says Bill Shea, vice president of commercial sales. It’s a 61-inch, commercial quality zero-turn model. What constitutes commercial quality? It’s not one thing, according to product specialist Ray Dust; it’s everything. Drive belts for the fan-cooled hydraulic pumps on the IS 2000Z are double-grooved to increase the friction face area and improve efficiency. High-pressure lines connected to the system have an abrasion-resistant outer wrap. Spindle bearings are sealed on the outside but not on the inside; grease pumped into the bearing cavities can get into the bearings but not out. The rear suspension and independent front suspension with coil-over shocks show how sophisticated mower suspension has become.

Superior Comfort and Control

Gravely Pro-Turn 400XDZ Series

This mower is an excellent example of the lengths manufacturers go to ensure operators can work all day in comfort. The seat, for example, has both vibration isolation and adjustable air suspension. Product marketing manager Brian Anundsen says “isolation is good for stutter bumps, while air suspension is good for the big hits.” And from studying operators at work, the company found they tend to feather the deck-lift pedal all day long. “It wasn’t just a series of lifts and drops,” Anundsen says. “They were active in controlling deck height.” The Pro-Turn 400 has a mechanical deck lift, which Anundsen says gives better feedback to the operator and enhances control, but the effort is reduced to fight fatigue.

Increased
Power and Savings

Grasshopper 725DT

The 725DT shares a trait with a growing number of Grasshopper mowers: diesel power. “Diesel use is growing and represents a significant share of our market,” says product specialist Ray Garvey.  “Some of our owners are reporting their fuel costs are cut in half when they switch from gas to diesel, and they are able to recover their additional up-front costs in a single season.The increased power and longer service life of the diesel also figure into the value equation.” With the front-mount design, owners can fit a number of attachments for such jobs as snow removal and leaf blowing, increasing their use rate of the mower and generating additional revenue.

Fast and Faster

Husqvarna PZ6034FXZT

The two-speed hydrostatic drive on this mower provides a fast 12-mph top cutting speed and an even faster 18-mph top travel speed. “The definition of ‘high speed’ depends on what the operator is doing at the time,” says marketing manager Jim Parello. “A fast cutting speed doesn’t seem fast enough when the operator is moving from one location to another.” An ergonomically designed, side-mounted control panel puts the choke, throttle and ignition in one location. Steering levers are adjustable for operators of different sizes; even the lever dampers are adjustable to suit operators’ preferences. Service access points are easy to reach and a removable foot pan provides quick access to the deck belt pulleys and spindles and speeds cleaning.

Ups the Ante

Hustler Super Z

“For years, the industry has had residential, prosumer and commercial models. The Super Z brings mowers to the next level, the industrial level,” says product manager Brad Unruh. Hustler uses industry-exclusive industrial components in their HyperDrive systems, such as Sauer-Danfoss DDC-20 variable displacement slipper-piston pumps and Parker TG0280 wheel motors. The system has a 3-gallon reservoir with filter and oil cooler with a 9-inch, 12-volt fan. All this allows Hustler to offer a 5-year, 3,000-hour warranty on the pumps and motors. The Super Z also has VX4 Deck Technology: the four Vs refer to versatility, velocity, volume and vacuum. Hustler promises the combination of these traits ensures superior cutting performance even at a top cutting speed of 15 mph.

Power and
Hi-Tech Efficiency

John Deere Z925 EFI

The electronic fuel injection system on the Z925 EFI features a closed-loop design that uses an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system to signal the EFI controller and adjust injection in response to changes in operating conditions. “It checks for unused oxygen in the exhaust multiple times per second,” says product manager Jamie Palmer. “This means the system can fine-tune the amount of fuel injected into the engine, resulting in up to 25 percent fuel savings in real-world use.” Convenience features on the Z925 EFI include two that can be used while the operator remains seated, height-of-cut adjustment  and mulch-on-demand technology that allows the operator to switch between side discharge and mulching.

Alternative
Fuel Advantages

Kubota ZP330P

Two prominent LP tanks make the ZP330P stand out in a crowd. Liquid propane gas offers two advantages over gasoline and diesel, according to product manager Jeremy Coltin. First, emissions are much lower, especially CO2 emissions. This is important for any contractor trying to project a “green” image and operate where emissions regulations are stringent. Second, the fuel is unaffected by storage.  “And LP does away with problems associated with carburetors, such as clogged jets, air passages and sticking floats,” Coltin says. The ZP330P shares many features with Kubota’s other commercial mowers including hydrostatic transmission, multi-disc wet clutch PTO and shaft drive.

Faster
Mowing Speeds

Toro GrandStand EFI

The GrandStand EFI is among the company’s models that use closed-loop electronic fuel injection. Marketing manager Chris Hanna says benefits go beyond the fuel savings of up to 25 percent. “This closed-loop system allows the engine to automatically adapt to load, weather, fuel and altitude changes. Since the engine is continuously running at optimal levels, fuel consumption and emissions are dramatically reduced.” The mower also features Toro’s Turbo Force deck with an adjustable baffle. In heavy conditions, such as grass that is long, dense or wet, the operator can run an open baffle to conserve power and achieve faster mowing speeds. In less demanding conditions, the baffle can be closed, which yields smaller particles and maximum discharge velocity.

Precision Yields Productivity

Walker Super B Diesel

Powered by a Yanmar Minimax engine that is Tier 4 compliant and rated for 23.6-hp, the Super B Diesel offers the fuel efficiency and strong torque associated with diesel power. The engine package includes an oversized, heavy-duty radiator with a self-cleaning fan and rubber isolation engine mounts. But it’s the Super B’s control mechanism that marketing manager Tim Cromley emphasizes. The steering levers require only fingertip pressure because they control only steering; forward speed is controlled by a separate lever mounted beside the operator’s seat. “Fingertip control provides greater precision, which increases productivity and overall job time, requires less effort and reduces operator fatigue.”