Product News

Toro's Turf Guard tracks soil information

The Toro Co. says its new Turf Guard wireless soil monitoring system is a new technology that enables superintendents to know what’s going on beneath the surface of their turfgrass, literally.

Using buried wireless sensors, Turf Guard precisely measures underground levels of soil moisture, salinity and temperature, and enables superintendents to use the information to manage vital issues such as irrigation run-times, fungicide or pesticide applications, aeration procedures, flushing of dangerous salts and much more. Each sensor is only about the size of a paperback book, and can be quickly installed using a standard cup-cutting tool.

"It’s actually a very simple system to use," said Jason Hill, Ph.D., advanced engineering manager for Toro. "You just bury the sensors a few inches under the turf, without wires or trenches. Then, using a tiny built-in microprocessor and radio antenna, each dual-layer sensor measures the moisture, heat and salinity of the soil at two depths, and transmits the data in real time to an Ethernet base station. This information can then be accessed from any Internet-connected computer. It’s an incredible agronomic management tool."

According to the soil data received, a superintendent can make critical daily water-management decisions based on available soil moisture at specific sites on the course. That knowledge can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of water applied, while promoting optimal growing conditions and overall health of the playing surface.

Part of the Turf Guard management system is proprietary software, known as Golf Vision. This Web-based user interface provides convenient, secure access to all stored data sent by the TG2 sensors. In fact, superintendents can even access basic sensor readings from any Web-enabled cell phone. Contact http://www.toro.com.

Standard Golf announces special cup and flagstick offer

To introduce more superintendents the benefits of its patented Smart-Fit system, Standard Golf has announced a special program that offers nine free Smart-Fit systems for every 18 Smart-Fit systems purchased.

The system includes an ST2000 cup and a choice of flagstick with Smart-Fit ferrule.  The company will also extend a 25-percent discount on the next order of eighteen or more flagsticks with Smart-Fit ferrules for customers participating in the program.
 
"We believe the Smart-Fit cup and ferrule system is the best way to ensure that your flagsticks don't lean or stick in the cup, and so do superintendents around the world," said Matt Hurley, Vice-President for Standard Golf.  "Slotted ferrules wear down easily and stick nearly as bad as traditional ferrules.  The result is leaning, sticking flagsticks that give any course a black eye.  That's why we developed the Smart-Fit system."
 
To qualify for the special offer, customers must switch from another manufacturer's flagsticks with slotted ferrules.  The offer is good through April 30, 2008, and includes flagsticks purchased through Standard Golf's Build-Your-Own-Flagstick application.  Contact 866-743-9773 or http://www.standardgolf.com.

Agreement to bring salt management technology to turf

Herc Products Inc., Portsmouth, Va., and Becker Underwood Inc., Ames, Iowa, have signed an agreement giving Becker Underwood exclusive rights to market Herc’s patented and proprietary salt management technology to turf, horticulture and agriculture markets.

The company will first introduce the technology to the golf and professional grounds maintenance markets under the SaLibré brand name. The product will be marketed to the horticulture and agricultural markets using the Line Out brand name.

"Recycled waste water and other marginal waters are being used with increasing frequency on golf courses and in a variety of other public and private applications, often as a result of regulatory mandates," said Cozette Hadley, business unit manager for Becker Underwood. "These marginal waters typically have high salt, bicarbonate or silt contents. Some also have high pH levels and all can be harmful to soil structure and biology unless properly managed. Traditionally, large volumes of water, often combined with strong acids, have been used periodically to flush salt and bicarbonates from soils. Then, various amendments have been used to help overcome the negative effects that can result from the flushing and use of acids.

"We believe this technology, which has proven successful in a variety of industrial applications, will provide an effective and exciting new tool for golf course superintendents and professional grounds maintenance managers to use in managing soils experiencing excessive salt and carbonate accumulations."  Contact http://www.backedbybayer.com.

Rain Bird launches new Eagle rotors

Rain Bird's new Eagle rotors were designed in response to golf course superintendents, designers, builders and owners around the world who rank durability and efficiency as a rotor's most important features. The new rotors incorporate tough new materials, friction-minimizing design tolerances, new molding processes and new assembly techniques.

In testing conducted among leading brands in harsh and accelerated-life conditions, the Eagle rotors lasted up to ten times longer than the next best competing rotor. In performance testing conducted in the field based on Irrigation Association standards, they were up to 23 percent more efficient than the competition in terms of distribution uniformity. Test results are available online at www.rainbird.com/NewEagle.

"Our customers are under increasing pressure to reduce water consumption and cut costs, while still delivering the most playable course," said David Behrmann, marketing management for Rain Bird's golf division. "With measurably superior performance and durability, Rain Bird's new EAGLE rotors offer our customers a substantial edge that can be measured by the enhanced playability of their courses as well as by the positive effect on their bottom lines." Contact http://www.RainBird.com/Golf, 520-741-6100.

CoolPro syringes without overwatering

CoolPro, a new professional nozzle kit for syringing golf course greens on hot summer days, is now available from Underhill.

The kit's patented Precision nozzle and valve creates a water pattern that applies 4 to 6 gallons per minute within a 25-foot radius. This cooling mist helps prevent wilting, yet does not interfere with the speed of play.

Underhill says the ergonomically-designed handle valve provides an easy grip and adjustable on/off control. Zinc and aircraft aluminum are used for the solid metal design for greater durability.

The cooling mist can eliminate overheated turf and overwatered greens thanks to the small droplets created by the nozzle. Contact http://www.underhill.us, 866-863-3744.

Ronstar Flo now registered in California

Ronstar Flo herbicide, from Bayer Environmental Science, is now registered for use in California. A flowable product containing oxadiazon, Ronstar Flo is a new, easy-to-use formulation of Ronstar herbicide.

The product is registered for use on dormant golf course, park and athletic field turf, as well as on ornamentals and ground covers in residential and commercial properties. It provides pre-emergent control of cheeseweed, common groundsel, common purselane, lambsquarters, oxalis, pigweed, spurge, goosegrass, crabgrass, annual bluegrass and other tough turf and landscape weeds. The new formulation is registered for use on dormant established bermudagrass in California.

The product can be tank mixed with post-emergent products such as Finale herbicide to control annual weeds and prevent crabgrass and goosegrass emergence.

Bush Hog offers economical finishing mower

Bush Hog says its new RFM-60 rear discharge finishing mower are built to deliver the same superior performance the first day on the job and for years into the future.

Features include rugged gearboxes tapered roller bearings for longer life and genuine Bush Hog blades.  Hitch A-frames float from two different positions to follow ground contours.  Axle arms are equipped with offset wheels designed to prevent tracking and reduce soil compaction.

The Bush Hog flat deck finishing mowers provide a smooth, close cut with a side discharge and an air tunnel design to provide manicured appearance even in thick, damp conditions. Bush Hog finishing mowers have a 1-year limited warranty and a 5-year gearbox limited warranty. Contact www.bushhog.com.

Ansell ProGrade gloves meet diverse needs

Construction workers often need a single glove style that will provide the protection they need while performing a variety of tasks throughout the day. Ansell's new ProGrade series includes ten professional grade glove styles designed to protect construction workers in a wide variety of applications.

According to Sean Sweeney, senior market development manager, gloves in the series offer performance advantages such as comfort, dexterity and dry and/or wet grip along with high levels of protection against cut, puncture and abrasion.  Styles are also available that provide chemical resistance, high visibility and protection from the cold. The company says they are appropriate for a wide range of applications, from general construction and carpentry to masonry, landscaping, HVAC work, drywall installation, plumbing and electrical work.
 
"Recent research indicates that 58 percent of construction workers do not wear work gloves while performing their jobs and the 42 percent who are provided gloves by their employers cannot work in them," Sweeney said. "Ansell's ProGrade Series gloves offer new options in high-performance work gloves engineered to fit the specific needs of construction professionals."
 
The ProGrade Series gloves are available in a range of sizes to assure proper fit for each individual, including women, immigrants and older workers. For more, visit http://www.ansellprograde.com.