1. Vanguard Oil Guard System
Company: Briggs & Stratton
The Vanguard Oil Guard System continuously exchanges oil between the engine and a large oil reservoir, external from the engine. It’s designed to extend oil change intervals from 100 to 500 hours and lower labor and replacement filter costs. Initially available on Ferris mowers, the system is a factory-integrated feature of the Vanguard 810 and Big Block engines and is protected by a three-year warranty.
2. HRC216K3HDA walk-behind mower
Company: Honda
Honda’s third HRC model geared toward the commercial lawn market is designed to be lightweight, with a 121-lb. operating weight, yet durable, with a hydrostatic cruise control shaft drive transmission. The dome-shaped deck is designed for both bagging and mulching, and the Honda MicroCut Twin Blade System offers four cutting surfaces to produce finer clippings.
3. Z400 Series zero-turn mower
Company: Kubota
Kubota’s new Z400-Series zero-turn mowers feature deck sizes of 48, 54 and 60 in. They’re powered by HydroGear’s Commercial ZT3400 transmission and come with a 6.8-gallon fuel tank and a 24-hp Kawasaki FS gasoline engine, besides the 48-in., which has a 24-hp engine. A foot pedal mower lift system and brake system are easier to use than traditional controls, the company says.
