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PRODUCT news |
Turfco Manufacturing has developed the new TriWave 60 overseeder, which the company says can significantly increase the success of overseeding operations. Superintendents frequently noted their difficulty in being able to achieve satisfactory seeding results in the uneven terrain common on golf courses. The solution Turfco developed for the TriWave 60 uses three 18-inch-wide floating heads that move independently, allowing them to precisely follow the ground contour. Turfco says the TriWave won’t miss the low spots, and it won’t destroy the high areas, offering consistency in seed placement depth. The floating heads and WaveBlade technology won’t destroy unmarked items such as sprinkler heads. Contact Turfco Manufacturing, (800) 679-8201 (www.turfco.com).
Dixon Industries has added two- and three-bag commercial grass-catching attachment systems to its line to increase the versatility and productivity of its commercial ZTR riding mowers, according to the company. The Free Flow hood design directs clippings evenly to the bags while allowing sufficient air flow for maximum vacuum power. The hood is held open by a heavy-duty spring assist. High-density durable mesh fabric bags are tapered and have plastic bottoms with metal handles for easier dumping and trash bag removal. Contact Dixon Industries, (www.dixon-ztr.com).
Rain Bird Golf has introduced a line of custom booster pump stations that are designed to specification for a variety of applications, from water features to golf course irrigation. The pumps are available with constant speed or variable frequency drive and feature a large, full-color touch-screen interface that shows actual water flows and operating conditions and allows for easy pressure setting adjustments. Users can also change the booster pump’s settings or troubleshoot the system via remote computer through Rain Bird Pump Manager software. Contact Rain Bird Golf, (800) RAINBIRD (www.rainbird.com).
Par Aide has introduced Cup Plugs to protect the integrity of the hole when aerating greens and to keep topdressing sand from filling up the cup hole. Made of durable, lightweight, weather-resistant foam material, Cup Plugs can be punctured by aeration tines without pulling out of the hole and can be reused multiple times. The plugs can also be left in during the winter months. Cup Plugs are sold in sets of nine. Contact Par Aide, (888) 893-2433 (www.paraide.com).
Caterpillar is implementing new technology on several of its control and guidance products to broaden its range of GPS positioning frequencies. The technology takes advantage of recent enhancements to the US NAVSTAR system, as well as Russia’s renewed commitment and improvements to the GLONASS satellite constellation. The change will allow Cat products, such as AccuGrade, CAES and Aquila Drill and Dragline Systems to use both U.S. and Russian signals, providing users with increased signal strength, better signal acquisition and retention, improved initialization time and more robust performance in difficult environments. The new technology will be available on Caterpillar products by the end of 2006. Contact Caterpillar, (www.cat.com).
Dakota Peat & Equipment introduced its redesigned Turf Tender product line at the Golf Industry Show in Atlanta. The new Turf Tenders have fewer parts and are easier to maintain while giving operators greater material handling control from the seat, the company says. The 410, 412 and 414 Turf Tenders have an electric control box with digital readouts to give operators precise control over spreader settings. The 440 and 420 models have a more durable power chute that is electrically operated. Contact Dakota Peat & Equipment, (800) 424-3443 (www.dakotapeat.com).
Dosmatic U.S.A./International Inc. offers the Mix Pro II and Mix Pro EAline of nonelectric, water-driven proportional fertilizer injectors. The Mix Pro is available in two models, Mix Pro II (factory preset at 1:100) and the Mix Pro EA (external adjustment from 1:50 to 1:100). Contact Dosmatic U.S.A./International Inc., (800) 344-6767.
Cover-All Building Systems is launching a new building design that features a cleaner exterior design and lower roof design. The Meridian Building design is available in sizes from 30 to 70 feet wide and to any length. The fabric membrane allows natural light inside the building, creating an atmosphere that is like the outdoors while reducing electric costs. There are no poles or posts on the interior, allowing for the maximum ground space. Contact Cover-All Building Systems, (www.coverall.net).
Council Tool Co. introduced the “Form-A-Nator” combination tool, featuring a sledge hammer and a cutting/digging blade on opposite ends. The Form-A-Nator’s sledge hammer and cutter mattock blade are heat treated for strength and durability, and are made from one piece of forged alloy steel. The sledge hammer has a machined striking face, while the mattock has a tapered digging blade. The Form-A-Nator is outfitted with a fiberglass-clad handle that consists of a polypropylene cover that is injection-molded around fiberglass, giving strength and durability to the tool. Contact the Council Tool Co., (866) 646-3011, ext. 9 (www.counciltool.com).
Arysta LifeScience Corp. has received EPA approval of expanded label application timing and rates for its Arena insecticide to control white grubs and other major pests in turfgrass management on golf courses. Certain state registrations may be pending. Extensive trials in 2005 showed it to provide effective control of white grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms and other pests. ContactArysta LifeScience Corp., (www.arystalifescience.com).
Becker Underwood Inc. has expanded its line of surfactants and adjuvants with the debut of three professional turf management products. Capacity is a proprietary blend of soil-active surfactants for use where intensive management requires a product with long-term residual wetting activity, such as golf course greens, tees and fairways. Affinity is a multifunction, nonionic soil-wetting agent that may be applied year-round with the flexibility to be used in turf management. Impact is a nonionic spreader-sticker used to optimize the efficacy of agricultural herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, acaricides (miticides), plant growth regulators and defoliants. It improves the wetting, spreading and contact activity of pesticide applications, providing more uniform coverage without excessive run-off, the company says. Contact Becker Underwood, (www.beckerunderwood.com).
American Excelsior Co. and UzetWorldhave partnered to bring e-Staple to the erosion control industry. The e-Staple is designed to control biodegradation in both cold and warm conditions and will not soften during storage through humidity pickup. It can be used for sod and disappears in eight to 24 months. American Excelsior says the design provides excellent holding and tensile strength. A manual applicator system with a pneumatic hand-held and automated applicator system will be available soon. Contact American Excelsior Co., (800) 777-7645 (www.curlex.com).
The Green Friendly Golf Belt, said to be the world’s first golf belt with a divot tool and ball marker in the tip, was introduced at February’s Golf Industry Show in Atlanta. Designed as a way to help reduce the damage caused by unrepaired or improperly repaired ball marks, the belt includes a precision-engineered ball mark repair tool, which the company says is guaranteed to leave the greens healthier because its short forks do not penetrate below the green’s root system. Contact Green Friendly Golf, (www.greenfriendlygolf.com).
National Golf Graphics introduced a 5-gallon bottled water drinking system for golf courses. The system uses bottled water, which is installed with a sealed cap, eliminating concerns when water comes into direct contact with contaminants during installation or chilling. Ice is poured into a separate cooling section (approximately once every 48 hours). All components meet NSF Standards 61-99 for portable drinking water systems. Contact National Golf Graphics, (608) 222-9363.
PBI/Gordon Corp. has received EPA approval of its Q4 turf herbicide for grassy and broadleaf weed control. The patented formulation contains the protox inhibitor sulfentrazone in combination with quinclorac, 2,4-D and dicamba. As an alternative to MSMA products, Q4 has dramatically reduced phytotoxicity on cool-season grass species and also has the enhanced speed of a protox inhibitor, according to PBI/Gordon. The new formulation is designed for use on cool-season turf. Adding 2,4-D and dicamba broadens the weed control spectrum and adds systemic activity to the contact activity of sulfentrazone. Contact PBI/Gordon Corp., (800) 821-7925.
Taking advantage of Web technology, Toro NSN has developed “Super Sessions,” a virtual training academy that broadens NSN’s curriculum to enhance the skills of superintendents. Super Sessions are 90-minute training segments that are accessible from any high-speed Internet connection. The sessions have been approved for GCSAA education points. Students can choose from a catalog of relevant topics, ranging from calculating sprinkler efficiency to advanced operation of central control systems. Contact Toro NSN Training, (888) 676-8676 (www.toronsn.com/training).
LebanonTurf has developed three ryegrass varieties resistant to gray leaf spot. Secretariat II GLSR, Exacta II GLSR and Charismatic II GLSR were developed with Rutgers University, and all scored high in NTEP tests that were published by Rutgers. Exacta II GLSR was the No. 1 ranked variety for gray leaf spot resistance. The varieties are a product of plant material exhibiting resistance to the disease found during collection trips in central and eastern Europe. They will be available in limited quantities after the new crop harvest in fall 2006. Contact Lebanon Turf, (800) 233-0628 (www.lebturf.com).
Miltona Turf Products has introduced its Relief & Bedknife Grinding Combo Kit. Each kit contains a high-quality Metabo 41⁄2-inch grinder, plus relief and bedknife facing attachments. The attachments install easily on the grinder wheel guard and are adjustable to allow for grinding wheel wear at the user’s desired grinding angle. The kit offers time savings for re-facing reels and bedknives without dismantling the mower. Contact Miltona Turf Products, (800) 456-4351 (www.miltona.com).
Lucid0.15 EC insecticide/miticide is the latest product from Phoenix Environmental Care. Lucid offers control of several insects in greenhouse ornamentals, nursery crops and landscape plants. The 0.15-pound emulsifiable concentrate of the active ingredient, abamectin, has a unique mode of action that is highly effective against a wide range of plant-damaging mites and certain leaf-feeding beetles and worms, leafminers, psyllids and thrips. It is also well suited for resistance management programs, according to the company.
Contact Phoenix Environmental Care, (www.phoenixenvcare.com).
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