In recent years golf course managers have begun installing Reverse Osmosis water treatment systems which provide an excellent quality of water for irrigation and at a much lower cost than that of municipally supplied water. The use of RO for treating water for irrigation is not new. Seaside hotels in areas such as the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and the Mediterranean regions have been using RO for many years to desalinate seawater for potable water and irrigation needs.
There are several factors driving the trend towards RO water treatment for golf course irrigation. Golf course managers who buy their water from a municipal source may find rising prices to be of major concern. The cost of municipal water for irrigation may be the single largest cost expenditure your organization may have. During periods of draught not only are water bills very high but municipalities may not deliver the amount of water that’s required. The reduction in potable municipal water use by your organization should also have a positive environmental impact upon the community water resources. Shallow wells, a common source of irrigation water, are becoming highly regulated with limits on how much water maybe withdrawn each day. In coastal areas, shallow wells may be subject to salt water intrusion making them unusable for irrigation.

In Florida, the South Florida Water Management District, which manages the state’s water resources, provides Grants to cities and private entities, i.e. Golf Clubs, for development and use of alternative water sources for irrigation that otherwise might not be useable. The Floridan Aquifer, a highly brackish water supply located beneath most of Florida can now be utilized using Reverse Osmosis. These are just a few of the factors that are driving the trend toward private ownership of a Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant. Perhaps the most important reason is the ability to provide a consistent high quality source of water for beautiful greens and fairways.

Fortunately, in much of the coastal USA there exists brackish water aquifers that have no practical use and are not as highly regulated as wells of sufficient quality for potable water use. Reverse Osmosis is a valuable tool that allows golf courses to utilize this brackish water as a feed source to produce water of an excellent quality for irrigation.

Given these circumstances the most effective benefit of a Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant is the cost savings that it provides. The actual operating cost depends on many variables but the range is somewhere between $.50 and $1.45 per thousand gallons of product water when brackish water is available, and an estimated $2.00 to $3.00 per thousand gallons when seawater is the only available water source.

How much are you paying per thousand gallons, now? If your answer is “much higher” then you will be glad to know that the savings your clients will realize by making their own irrigation grade water is very likely large enough to return the capital cost of entire Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant in three to five years.

Now is the time to consider developing and alternative water supply and operating a privately owned water treatment facility for your organizations irrigation water needs.

Beatrice, Neb. (March 30, 2009) – New LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) conversion kits make it possible for Exmark® customers to operate three of the company’s lawn mower models with propane, a clean-burning fuel that produces lower emissions than gasoline.

Conversion kits are available for:

Turf Tracer® HP (THP19KAE483 or THP19KAE523)
Turf Tracer® (T23KAE with FMD 604)
Lazer Z® AS (LAS28KA604)

To ensure the safety and high performance of the mowers, Exmark will install all conversion kits at its headquarters in Beatrice, Neb. Customers interested in LPG conversion should visit their local Exmark dealer, who will coordinate shipping and logistics.

Development of the LPG conversion kits is the latest example of Exmark’s commitment to offering environmentally-friendly products. In October 2008, Exmark announced that all 2009 model year diesel-powered Lazer Z XS mid-mount zero-turn riding mowers (serial #790,000 or higher) are approved to use B20 biodiesel fuel.

“More and more, landscape professionals are taking actions to reduce their impact on the environment. At Exmark, we have a similar focus,” said Mark Stinson, president of Exmark. “We feel strongly that it is our responsibility to provide products that are environmentally responsible, yet still offer our customers maximum performance.”

Propane has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board as a clean alternative engine fuel. According to the Propane Education and Research Council, propane’s octane rating is 104 (compared to premium gasoline at 91-92), allowing for a higher compression ratio in the engine and greater engine efficiency. This ultimately leads to reductions in certain exhaust emissions, such as carbon monoxide.

In addition, propane is a naturally stable fuel and can be stored for long periods without going stale or varnishing within the carburetor.

Using propane does not negatively impact mower performance. The clean-burning fuel results in fewer carbon deposits, leading to reduced engine maintenance costs and longer engine life. Run time is similar to gas-powered mowers.

Exmark’s LPG fuel system is designed to conform to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58-2008 Liquified Petroleum Gas Code for safe operation.

“Jacobsen is committed to supporting education at all levels, and by partnering with the most respected PGM program in the country, we are helping to ensure that the next leaders of the golf industry are well prepared to succeed and meet the challenges that lie ahead,” said Dan Wilkinson, Jacobsen president.

More than 300 students are enrolled in the Methodist University PGM program, which continues to boast a 100 percent job placement for its graduates. Methodist graduates hold management positions at some of the nation’s most prestigious courses, such as Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, and the courses at Pebble Beach Resorts in California.

The program’s required coursework covers everything from agronomy and tournament operations to accounting and club fitting, mandating that each graduating student earns a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in professional golf management.

“When you look at the top golf clubs in the country, Methodist University is well represented, and this partnership with Jacobsen is going to help us take our program to another level,” said Steven Dockery, golf course superintendent of the Methodist University Golf Course. “We want Jacobsen to have access to every part of our program so we can benefit from the knowledge of their people in addition to the use of their equipment in training the next generation of our industry’s leaders to do things the right way.”

Jacobsen will provide the Methodist University PGM program with greens mowers, fairway units, rough mowers and other turf equipment through local Jacobsen distributor Tri-State Pump and Controls. Jacobsen personnel will also serve as a resource for the university’s educators and will work closely with Dockery and the maintenance staff at the Methodist University Golf Course to test new equipment and aid in the continued development of eco-friendly cultural and agronomy practices.

Golf Clubs We offer all the top name brand clubs for every type of golfer.

Basketball Hoops Tophoops.com carries portable, roof-mounted, and inground basketball hoops.

“There are probably people who will wonder why Exmark made changes to what was already considered by many to be the best commercial riding mower on the market,” said Mark Stinson, president of Exmark. “But as the market share leader, we know it is our responsibility to evolve our products to meet the changing needs of our customers, dealers and distributors.”

The Next Lazer Z resulted from a combination of customer feedback and Exmark’s own research and development of new technologies. Long before production of the Next Lazer Z began, Exmark engineers, product managers, marketing staff and customer service representatives spent hundreds of hours in the field talking with landscape professionals.

“We started with our customers,” said Dave Converse, director of engineering at Exmark. “Our goal, as it has been for 25 years, was to understand their needs and expectations so that we could enhance our product in ways that could make customers’ lives a little easier.”

On a parallel path, Exmark began investigating a number of new technologies and solutions to improve customer experience, without sacrificing Exmark’s trademark superior quality of cut and productivity. Exmark engineers started with a blank slate when designing the Next Lazer Z, incorporating many of the Lazer Z’s most popular elements while improving upon others, or adding new features entirely.

Some of the most significant innovations on the Next Lazer Z include:

• Cutting Deck: The new UltraCut™ Series 6 was created by combining the best features of the UltraCut™ Series 4 and Triton™ cutting decks.
• Seating System: To lessen operator fatigue, Exmark created an entirely new seating system with a three-dimensional motion isolation layout that reduces vibrations, bumps and jarring. Its rubber mounts allow 1/2 inch free movement in all directions.
• Hydro Drive System: Exmark designed a custom Hydro Drive System with no hoses, a serviceable pump and motor, tougher bearings, and an improved cooling system for better productivity and increased oil capacity. When used with exclusive Exmark Premium Hydro Oil, the new Hydro Drive system requires even less maintenance.
• Rollover Protection System (ROPS): The ROPS’ new rear-sloping position allows it to shed low-hanging limbs away from the operator. Its fold points are lower so it won’t hit objects when in the folded position.
• Unibody Frame: The Next Lazer Z’s unibody frame sits close to the ground, allowing for the optimum placement of the mower’s heaviest components, and helping to improve center of gravity.

In addition to increasing comfort, traction and handling, and safety, Exmark engineers and product managers focused on reducing required maintenance of the mower. Exmark simplified or removed certain components from the original Lazer Z, reducing the number of parts on the Next Lazer Z by 40 percent. The Next Lazer Z also has fewer grease points.

The Next Lazer Z will be introduced at select dealerships in November. The new mower, available with a 3-year commercial and 5-year consumer warranty, will be available for purchase across Exmark’s network of 1,500 dealers by the end of 2008. A select number of customers tested the Next Lazer Z during the summer months. Reaction was positive.

Dealer and distributor personnel in attendance for Hustler’s biannual event “Hustler Days” were the first to get a look at the Hustler Zeon™. First introduced at a special breakfast meeting, the Zeon™ was later available to test drive at Hustler’s Hesston, Kansas headquarters. Dealers and distributors were impressed with the smooth operation and quality of cut delivered by the Zeon™. Also impressive was the machine quality and length of charge which is good for up to 80 minutes of mowing time – enough to mow over one acre.

The Hustler Zeon™ features nearly zero maintenance with no belts, filters, fluids, pulleys or plugs and is very inexpensive to operate. The welded steel deck guarantees the outstanding quality that Hustler Turf is known for. The Zeon™ carries a two-year, limited warranty on parts and labor.

Look for the Hustler Zeon™ at your local Hustler dealer beginning spring 2009.

Features & Benefits:
• Up to 80 minutes of mowing time – enough to mow over 1 acre!
• Earth-friendly – Zero emissions
• Nearly zero maintenance – just plug and mow!
• Clean and neat – no belts, filters, fluids, plugs, pulleys, etc.
• No engine noise – much quieter than gasoline-powered equipment
• Compact design so you can mow in tighter spaces to
increase productivity
• Very inexpensive to operate
• High blade-tip speed for beautiful quality of cut!
• Welded steel deck and tubular frame. NOT STAMPED!
• 18” drive tires, 13” caster tires
• Dual electric transmissions for true zero-degree turning maneuverability
• Silky-smooth SmoothTrak™ steering with patented automatic park brake system
• 48-volt, 42” side-discharge mulching deck
• Two-year, limited warranty on parts and labor!

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (October 13, 2008) – The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) today announced that it has acquired certain assets from Southern Green, Inc., a leading manufacturer of deep-tine aeration equipment based in Zachary, Louisiana. The acquisition of Southern Green’s versatile line of Soil Reliever® aerators helps grow the company’s offering of highly-productive cultivation equipment and provides entry into a new product category.

“Enhanced cultivation practices are becoming increasingly critical to the success of our customers,” said Michael Happe, general manager of Toro’s commercial business. “Southern Green brings a well-respected line of deep-tine aerators known for their precision, performance and unique functionality. During the past several years, we have worked intentionally to deliver innovative products to enhance our lineup of cultivation equipment. Along with the recent market success of our ProCore aerators and ProCore Processor, the addition of the Soil Reliever technology helps complement and extend our offering to customers around the world.”

Established in 1993, Southern Green is a leading manufacturer of deep-tine aeration equipment for golf course and sports field applications. Southern Green has built a solid reputation around its popular Soil Reliever product line, which is considered to be the only purpose-built, deep-tine aerator manufactured in the United States.

Bad Boy, Inc. is preparing to unveil the new multi-terrain vehicle (MTV) to their dealers at the 2008 Bad Boy Dealer Meeting October 5-8, 2008, and then to the public at the GIE Expo in Louisville, KY October 23-25, 2008.

They said at last year’s dealer meeting nearly 250 dealers came in from all over the world to witness the unveiling of the BBM prototype multi-terrain vehicle. The unveiling was held at the former Boeing aircraft facility in Melbourne, AR. Bad Boy also unveiled the prototype at the 2007 GIE Expo to tens of thousands of eager onlookers.

The MTV will be available to dealers beginning in 2009 when it goes into production.

What will it look like? How much will it cost? Where can you get yours? Keep your eyes open for updates on this story (here) or at Bad Boy Mowers Inc

Today, Scag has created yet another revolution in the walk-behind market. This is not a reworked pistol-grip design. It is truly an all new way to walk.

Imagine driving a walk-behind mower without having to squeeze any handles. Imagine little to no hand fatigue after hours and hours of use. Imagine this and so much more with Scag quality built-in every step of the way. This is the Pro-V™.

No more squeezing. The V-Bar steers the mower and controls forward/reverse movement of the mower. Get ready to discover an all new, and better way to walk.

GR Turf and Tractor of Sparta, MI and Bad Boy Mowers attended Moosefest in Muskegon, MI the weekend of August 15 & 16. A crowd of more than 10,000 attended this year’s event.

The entertainers were The Bronk Brothers, Sweet Lou, Rissi Palmer, Jamey Johnson, Jimmy Wayne, Heidi Newfield (former lead singer for Trick Pony), and The Road Hammers.

Heidi, clearly, had the crowd and was the favorite. Bad Boy salesman, Mark Tissiere, was able to meet her backstage and present her with a bag of gifts from her old friends at Bad Boy.