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Author: LM Staff

2014 Lawn Care Forum: LCO outlook for 2015

At LM‘s 2014 Lawn Care Forum, industry professionals shared their opinions on the outlook of 2015 for the green industry. See why they anticipate a successful year.

Ecolawn rolls out compost spreader

Ecolawn introduced its ECO 150 Compost Spreader, a self-propelled, forward broadcast spreader. The spreader is 34 in. wide and weights 390 lbs. It features a wider conveyor belt, a Vanguard 6.5 Briggs & Stratton engine and re-designed controls. It also includes a polyurethane hopper designed to eliminated bridging, according to the company.

Big Picture: Timeless Elegance

LOCATION: Glencoe, Ill. COMPANY: Mariani Landscape, Lake Bluff, Ill. THE DETAILS: The homeowners of this lakefront residence discovered the house in a dilapidated state. Vines covered the windows, and the grounds were overgrown from years of neglect. Believed to have been built in the 1920s, the house was then uninhabitable. In 2013, Mariani Landscape earned […]

Download: Mowing SafetyWatch

Featured is a PDF version of the January 2015 SafetyWatch on mowing. See how many mowing safety hazards your employees can identify. Click here to identify the mowing hazards. Click here to see the list of mowing hazards.      

SafetyWatch: ID mowing safety hazards

This photo was staged to show several safety hazards or dangerous work habits. How many can you identify? Click here for a list of potential hazards. Ed. Note: Thanks to Schill Grounds Management in North Ridgeville, Ohio, for participating in our SafetyWatch photo shoots. Schill and LM do not endorse unsafe behaviors demonstrated during photo […]

SafetyWatch: List of mowing safety hazards

The list of hazards in this photo includes, but is not limited to: • Lack of hearing protection. • Lack of eye protection. • Mowing improperly on a slope (up and down vs. side to side), especially near water. What did we miss? We invite you—as employers and workers in the landscape industry—to share your […]

Download: Take great landscape lighting photos

Featured is a PDF version of the January 2015 Step by Step on “Taking great landscape lighting photos” for use in company training efforts. Click here to download.

Step by Step: Landscape lighting photos

The key to taking effective landscape lighting photos is to start with a good camera, such as a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Next, learn how to manually set the aperture, shutter speed, color temperature and ISO. You’ll also need a tripod (ideally with a bubble level); either a time release in the camera or […]

Photo: Conserve LandCare

Irrigation controllers: Which do you use and why?

Erik Beltran President, Texas Green Gardens Corp. Spring, Texas “I prefer the Rain Bird ESP-Modular controllers. It’s an easy, simple and economic option. They bring me peace of mind because they’re efficient, reliable, high quality and have a great cost-benefit. My only choice for the last 15 years.” Chris Husband President and co-owner, Liquid Technologies […]

Efficiency tip: Fuel ahead

Since implementing an end-of-day flowchart to facilitate how crews wrap up and prepare for the next day, Peninsula, Ohio-based Suncrest Gardens has saved about $30,000 to $35,000 per year for the last two years. “Every dollar counts,” says Kolin Atkinson, systems director for the full-service firm with a garden center that runs about 20 three-men […]

January 2015: Editorial advisory board

Complete the sentence: “Landscape and lawn care companies striving to be more efficient should…” Landscape Professionals Richard Bare Arbor-Nomics Turf, Norcross, Ga. “…look at basic operations and see how their percentages stack up to leading competitors in their particular industry. For instance, in lawn care direct labor should be about 18-20 percent; chemicals , 20 […]

BOB-CAT rolls out first stand-on mower

BOB-CAT introduced its first stand-on mower, the QuickCat, designed to deliver exceptional performance as a primary mower or as a complement to BOB-CAT’s zero-turn radius mowers, says the company. The mower’s design reduces vibration and allows the platform to be close to the drive axels. It also offers an 8 mph mowing speed and 10.5 […]

John Deere rolls out 244K, 324K wheel loaders

John Deere introduced its 244K and 324K compact wheel loaders, which are equipped with Final Tier 4 diesel engines with two-speed transmissions. The wheel loaders feature oscillating stereo steering, which delivers a smooth turning radius that is up to 20 percent tighter than comparable loaders, said the company. They also have higher tipping load capacities […]

Hunter releases short radius rotator

Hunter Industries introduced its MP800SR360, a short radius version of its MP Rotator. The product features a 360-degree full-circle pattern and has radius settings as low as 6 ft. and as high as 12 ft. The rotator features high distribution uniformity, wind-resistant streams and a debris-resistant double-pop design. “The MP800SR360 rounds out our short-radius offering […]

Exmark intros 708cc and 452cc engines

Exmark introduced two engines designed specifically for its zero-turn mower applications: the 708cc V-twin engine and the 452cc single-cylinder engine. Both engines feature overhead valve designs, cast iron cylinder liners, oversized crankshaft bearings and triple-ring pistons.   708cc V-twin engine The 708cc V-twin engine includes an air intake design aimed at reducing dust and debris […]

Matt Shipp joins CSI as VP of marketing

Control Solutions (CSI), the parent company of Quali-Pro, hired Matt Shipp as its new vice president of marketing. In his role, Shipp, who will be based out of Pasadena, Texas, will be responsible for the marketing, product development and regulatory groups. He brings almost 20 years of industry experience to CSI. Shipp began his career […]

Video: Right people, right positions

Your success is based on putting the right people in the right positions, supported by the right processes, says Jeffrey Scott. Watch to learn the six steps to having a successful year for your company.

Anne Footle heads TPI marketing and membership

Anne Footle was appointed to marketing and membership manager for Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). “Anne is a highly self-motivated individual, who has broad experience in marketing and project management, is an effective communicator, a strategic thinker and has partnership development skills,” said TPI Executive Director Melanie Stanton. “She has applied her knowledge and experience in […]

Ep. 111: Life cycle of a landscape business

Ken Thomas of Envisor Consulting discusses why some landscape companies achieve their dreams, while others struggle to get by. The life cycle of a landscape business goes through three main stages that closely replicate the life cycle of people, Thomas says. The big difference is that unlike a person’s life, where he ages from childhood […]

NJLCA to host 38th annual trade show

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) is set to host its 38th annual trade show, Landscape New Jersey 2015, on Feb. 25 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The event will include pre-conference workshops, business educational sessions, a DEP pesticide recertification session and more than 150 exhibiting companies. Pre-registration is $20 for NJLCA […]

Moss Melt receives EPA registration

Moss Melt Concentrate, Moss and Algae Herbicide received Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for use on roofs, lawns, turf, and outdoor surfaces and structures. The product’s active ingredient is d-Limonene, which works without the need for warmth or sunlight and is rain-fast within one hour, says the company. Its standard labeled use rate is 2 […]

Ep. 110: Today’s snow and ice manager

Robert Smart of Smart Scapes, Rich Arlington & Associates and SIMA discusses why snow plowing is now referred to as risk management. According to Smart, snow and ice managers are similar to firemen and emergency medical technicians (EMT’s). They always need to be fully prepared for any situation and ready to go when a snow […]

Bobcat intros 3400, 3400XL utility vehicles

Bobcat Co. introduced its 3400 and 3400XL utility vehicles, which boast improved suspension systems, improved payload and towing, faster travel speeds and integrated accessories. The vehicles come available with two engine configurations options— a 40 hp gas engine or a 24 hp diesel engine. According to the company, the vehicles’ gas units provide easier start-up and […]

ClearSpan adds hybrid building to HD solution line

ClearSpan Fabric Structures introduced its hybrid building to its HD building solutions line. The buildings come with steel or fabric sidewall options available in several colors. In addition, there are no internal support posts. According to the company, its permeable properties of the structure make it energy efficient and its polyethylene cover allows the transmission […]

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