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Hustler Turf Equipment has increased the durability of the lawn mowers it manufactures by installing a state-of-the-art nine-stage washer and powder-coat paint system in its production line. This system bonds the paint to the metal in a much more durable fashion than wet paint systems, the company says. This procedure virtually eliminates paint chipping and scratching, giving the owner added security on their investment. Hustler Turf Equipment manufactures a complete line of commercial and high-end residential rotary mowing equipment. Cutting widths range from 36 inches to 12 feet. Contact Hustler Turf Equipment, (800) 395-4757 (www.hustlerturfequipment.com).
Bayer Environmental Science says the EPA has approved new label uses for Revolver herbicide. They include use on additional varieties of zoysiagrass and bermudagrass and new grasses controlled by the selective postemergence herbicide. New grasses controlled by Revolver also have been added to the label, including doveweed, Carolina false dandelion and little barley. In addition, recommendations to avoid tracking or movement after application to adjacent sensitive grasses were added to the label. Finally, goosegrass has been added to the list of weeds Revolver controls in bermudagrass greens, tees and collars.
Bayer also announced that a new mini drum container of Bayleton WP fungicide is available through all approved distributor partners. The mini drum, which contains 50 11-ounce PVAs, will cover 25 acres of turf at the low-labeled rate of application. The previous mini drum covered only 22 acres at the low-labeled rate. Bayleton is registered to control a broad spectrum of turf diseases, including dollar spot, summer patch, and take-all patch. The product moves systemically in the plant, providing longer residual than the older contact materials, such as chlorothalonil. Bayleton was the first fungicide in the sterol inhibitor class, also known as the DMIs (demethylase inhibitors). Contact Bayer Environmental Science (www.bayerprocentral.com).
Syngenta Professional Products has a new liquid formulation of its Heritage strobilurin fungicide for the turf market. The company says that Heritage TL (Turf Liquid) offers control of the same turf diseases as the original water dispersible granular formulation of Heritage, but with enhanced efficacy and application flexibility. Research shows Heritage TL has a faster and higher uptake into the leaf, coupled with a slightly less rainfast leaf surface residue, which allows more uptake from the roots and subsequently greater delivery of active ingredient into the leaves. Heritage is unique as a systemic strobilurin to the turf and ornamental market and offers up to 28 days of preventive control of more than 33 disease organisms on turfgrass and ornamental plants, the company says. The product is now available in the10-gallon LinkPak and qualifies for the Syngenta early order program. Contact Syngenta Professional Products, (800) 395-8873 (www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com).
Bandit Industries has introduced the Color Critter II, a unique attachment that allows its Beast Recyclers to color mulch during the final grind of the mulch-making process. The Color Critter II is a simplified version of Bandit’s original Color Critter system that provides precise control of the colorants as wood enters the Beast’s grinding chamber. The new design has fewer moving parts, which reduces maintenance. A simple plunger is used to open or close the slots that drop streams of granular colorant onto the wood. The control system uses the Beast’s electronic system to automatically disperse color based on the speed of the material through the conveyor. The oxidizing colorant penetrates deeply and covers rapidly, allowing the material to exit the grinder dry. A 3680 Beast/Color Critter combo, equipped with 540 hp, is capable of producing 150 cubic yards of colored material per hour. Contact Bandit Industries, (www.banditchippers.com).
Jacobsen’s new Groom Master-II is designed for the heavy work in golf course bunkers and on ball fields. And it offers more power and better traction than its predecessor, resulting in a vehicle that’s easier to use. The company says it is the only infield groomer/bunker rake with an optional three-cylinder, 19.2-hp Kubota diesel engine. It is also available equipped with an 18-hp, two-cylinder Briggs & Stratton Vanguard gasoline engine. The Groom Master-II features power steering, and it comes standard with a series-parallel 3-wheel-drive traction system. Low-profile tires further improve stability and control and GreensCare biodegradable hydraulic fluid protects the environment and prevents damage to the turf. Available attachments include: hydraulic midmount cultivator; front blade; add-on fan rake; a rear-mount, stand-alone fan rake; drag mat; spiker; and mid-mount scarifier with full-width leveling blade. Contact Jacobsen, (888) 922-8873 (www.jacobsen.com).
Audubon International and TGM, an Argentina-based Spanish-language magazine serving the green industry, are making environmental management information and resources available for Spanish-speaking golf course and turfgrass managers. Through a unique partnership between the two, bilingual articles and fact sheets are available for download in either English or Spanish on Audubon International’s Web site at www.auduboninternational.org/e-source/index.htm. “Our programs — especially the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses and the Audubon Signature Program — have seen a growing international membership in Spanish-speaking parts of the world, such as Spain, Costa Rica and South America,” said Peter Bronski, sustainable communities program coordinator. “In addition, there are many golf courses located in the United States with Spanish-speaking maintenance staff. Providing environmental information in both English and Spanish was the next logical step in better serving our members.” To view the articles visit www.auduboninternational.com.
Onset Computer Corp. has introduced the HOBO U12 Thermocouple Logger, a 12-bit resolution data logger for measuring and recording temperatures from J, K, S, or T thermocouple probes. When combined with a weatherproof enclosure, the U12 Thermocouple Logger can be used in a variety of outdoor-temperature-monitoring applications, such as tracking temperatures during controlled forest fire burns. Key features include: Choice of external probes; wide temperature range that can measure and record temperatures from -200 degrees F to 3,200 degrees F; flexible software support that allows users to choose either Windows or Mac OS X software to plot and analyze data; direct USB interface that enables high-speed data offload. Contact Onset Computer Corp., (800) 564-4377 (www.onsetcomp.com).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued certificates of protection to developers of several new varieties of seed-reproduced turfgrass. They include bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass varieties. The certificates are being issued under the Plant Variety Protection Act. The certificates require that the varieties be new, distinct, uniform and stable. The owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import and export their products in the United States for the duration of protection. The certificates are: Apollo and North Star Kentucky bluegrass developed by Pure Seed Testing, Hubbard, Ore.; Rose red fescue developed by Advanta USA Inc., Albany, Ore.; Camilla red fescue developed by Pure Seed Testing Inc., Hubbard; OnCue tall fescue, developed by Pure Seed Testing Inc., Rolesville, N.C.; Transist ryegrass, developed by Pickseed West Inc., Albany, Ore.
BioSafe Systems says its GreenClean Granular Algaecide is officially approved for use in New York. GreenClean received federal EPA registration in June of 2003 and has been successfully eliminating algae in lakes, ponds, and water gardens as well as on hard surfaces such as fountains, walkways, roofs and greenhouses. The product is a non-copper based algaecide that works through the power of oxidation. The reduced-risk chemistry kills algae on contact, is non-hazardous to fish and aquatic life, and is organic as allowed by the Organic Material Review Institute. Contact BioSafe Systems, (860) 657-2211 (www.biosafesystems.com).
DewEze has updated its productive ATM-72LC all-terrain hillside mower with a new hood and cowling design that provides easier access for maintenance and service. The mower’s 72-inch deck follows contours efficiently, while allowing the operator, engine and controls to remain vertical on slopes of up to 34 degrees depending on turf conditions. A 30-hp diesel engine powers hydraulic deck drives, steering, propulsion, auto-leveling and deck lift. Contact DewEze, (800) 835-1042 (www.deweze.com).
Uplink Corp. has acquired the intellectual property rights for distributing advertising and other non-golf information such as weather reports, stock reports and sports updates to GPS-equipped golf car cars. Advertising can offset the cost of acquiring a GPS system. Currently, golf car fees represent the second-largest revenue source for a golf course, Uplink says. The company expects GPS advertising to become the third-largest revenue source. In concert with acquiring the patent, Uplink has introduced AdSmart, which provides courses the tools and training necessary for them to reach out to the business community to secure advertisers. Contact Uplink Corp., (877) 787-5465 (www.uplinkgolf.com).
Turf-Seed Inc. and Troon Golf have teamed up to offer southwestern homeowners a new quality grass seed blend marketed as Troon Golf Premium certified perennial ryegrass. The blend, which comes with a special for Troon Golf courses, will be available this fall exclusively at Lowe’s stores in Palm Springs, Calif., and Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson, Ariz. To kick off the deal, Troon Golf and Turf-Seed are including a special introductory offer. In every 25-pound bag of Troon Golf Premium, customers will get a coupon that either lets one player per foursome golf free or allows a single player who pays for three rounds to get their forth round of golf free at participating Troon-managed facilities. The offer is valid until the end of the month. The blend was designed specifically to thrive in the weather and growing conditions of the Southwest and combines three Pure Seed blue tag certified perennial ryegrasses — Brightstar SLT, Charger II and Citation Fore. Contact Turf-Seed Inc., (800) 247-691 (www.Turf-Seed.com).
LebanonTurf has applied its innovative technology to the world of organics. The result is a broad selection of organic-based fertilizers that can satisfy every turfgrass nutrition requirement, the company says. The company is cooperating with Nature Safe to produce two new SKU’s: LebanonTurf 10-2-10 and 14-2-10. These products showcase the best technologies of each company: Meth-Ex 40 high activity methylene urea complex from LebanonTurf and Nature Safe’s high-efficiency constructed organics. This combination produces an organic-based fertilizer that delivers its nutrients to the plant in a safe yet highly efficient manner. These two new products join existing organic products ProScape 15-2-8, ProScape 15-0-4, ProScape 14-1-14 and Perk 4-0-10 Fe. Contact Lebanon Turf, (800) 532-0900.
The second edition of “An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development” from the environmental committee of the American Society of Golf Course Architects is now available. Written by 2004-2005 ASGCA President Bill Love, the 48-page book serves as an important reference tool for those involved in the planning or remodeling of golf courses. The fully illustrated book addresses ways golf course architects, superintendents, builders, developers, owners and others are working to create and maintain courses in concert with the environment. It contains specific checklists for reference during the permitting and development process, as well as 16 illustrated case studies. Contact the ASGCA, (262) 786-5960 (www.asgca.org).
Penn State University is accepting applications to its two-year golf course turfgrass management program for the class beginning September 2005. The application fee is $35, and the deadline is March 1, 2005. Applications are available online or by calling (814) 863-0129. For more information, e-mail Heather Treaster, hgw1@psu.edu.
John Deere has added over-the-tire rubber tracks for its 200 and 300 skid steers to maximize productivity in applications that require additional traction or flotation. This system is ideal for soft and muddy ground conditions where a wheeled skid steer might bog down. The tracks enhance traction and flotation without causing the surface damage of steel tracks, allowing operation on turf, asphalt and concrete. Additional benefits include quieter operation and an improved ride over rough ground, which reduces operator fatigue. A skid steer with the rubber tracks deliver performance similar to a compact track loader but at significantly lower cost. Installation is similar to that of steel tracks. The rubber tracks can be mounted over 10- and 12-inch pneumatic tires, including standard, extra-wall and hauler models — no specialized tires are required. A skid steer with over-the-tire rubber tracks can travel up to 12 miles per hour with two-speed option, resulting in faster cycle times for increased productivity. Contact John Deere, (www.deere.com).
Komatsu Zenoah’s Strato-Charged engine was recently honored at GaLaBeau 2004 in Germany. The innovative, low-emissions, two-cycle engine, which powers many RedMax products, took the top honor at GaLaBeau, a major European landscape trade show. During its four-day run, GaLaBau, held in Nuremberg, attracted more than 49,000 professional gardeners and landscape contractors from Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland and eastern Europe. The Strato-Charged engine was honored for the innovative technology that allows it to meet clean air regulations without the need for a heavy and hot catalytic converter. Komatsu Zenoah’s patented Strato-Charged engine was the first two-cycle engine to meet California’s CARB II and the EPA Phase 2 emission standards without a catalytic converter. The company is now applying Strato-Charged technology to engines that meet the even more stringent 2005 standards. Besides reducing emissions, the Strato-Charged engine operates more efficiently, resulting in a 30-percent fuel savings over conventional RedMax engines. No catalytic converter means less engine compartment heat. Less heat translates to longer engine life and greater reliability, the company says. Contact RedMax, Komatsu Zenoah America Inc., (800) 291-8251, ext. 214, www.redmax.com.
Sipcam Agro has expanded its product line with the addition of Tee-Off 4.5F Fungicide. It contains the active ingredient thiophanate-methyl at 4.5 pounds per gallon, in a convenient liquid formulation. The systemic fungicide is registered for use on both turf and ornamentals. As a turfgrass fungicide, the company says Tee-Off provides both preventive and curative control of anthracnose, summer patch, gray leaf spot, brown patch, dollar spot, leaf spot and several other key diseases. It can be professionally applied to both cool- and warm-season turfgrasses on golf courses, commercial and residential properties. Tee-Off is available in 2.5-gallon containers, packaged two per case. Access a full label and MSDS at www.sipcamagrousa.com.
The Ultra-Twin IBC Hardtop from UltraTech International Inc. provides outdoor storage for two IBC tanks. Lockable, dual closure allows quick access to tanks. Roll-top covers can be easily lifted for routine visual inspection. The all-polyethylene construction will not rust or corrode. The Ultra-Twin comes with swing-out doors to provide safety and convenience for loading and unloading tanks. The 535-gallon sump capacity helps meet stormwater, SPCC and EPA containment regulations. Contact UltraTech International Inc., (800) 353-1611 (www.spillcontainment.com).
New SaniTite Sanitary Sewer Pipe from Hancor delivers durability, performance, handling, toughness during installation and simplified field fabrication, the company says. SaniTite is a high-density polyethylene sanitary pipe that is a cost-effective alternative to traditional materials. A watertight joint is critical in sanitary applications to prevent water infiltration and sewer exfiltration. The Hancor patented reinforced bell-and-spigot joint coupling system plays a vital role in SaniTite pipe. The joint has been field proven in sanitary sewer watertight storm drainage and low-head pressure applications. To meet the deeper burial depths and groundwater pressure of sanitary lines, the pipe is 30 percent heavier than traditional corrugated HDPE storm sewer pipe. The high performance resins that SaniTite utilizes are virgin pressure rated HDPE material suitable for sustained pressures and are designed for a minimum 100-year design life. Now Hancor utilizes the same tried and proven material-strength-rating technology for SaniTite. Available in sizes from 18 inches to 60 inches, SaniTite is ideal for industrial and municipal sanitary trunk and transmission lines. Contact Hancor, (888) 367-7473 (www.hancor.com).
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