Product News

Deere introduces irrigation update

John Deere’s new 5.50 firmware is now available for all Aurora series irrigation field controllers. The new firmware is fully compatible with Aurora Professional Software and eAurora Online Management Systems.

Brian Birdwell, irrigation business manager, said, "Thanks to feedback from superintendents, John Deere’s new 5.50 firmware offers even more advanced functions and convenience with improved radio communications reception and additional programming capabilities."

The company says the most compelling function of the new 5.50 firmware is its ability to use program link starts between controllers without any central control software. This feature allows linking of program starts between field controllers in a peer-to-peer controller network. Additionally, it provides shorter watering windows and improved pump usage.

With a multi-manual feature that uses existing programs, it has six new dual-tone multi-frequency programming commands for handheld maintenance radios. In addition, two additional remote sensor outputs have been added, bringing the total to two direct sensors and four remote sensors for each field controller. This advanced sensor capability for "on-demand" irrigation now allows even more convenience for superintendents from anywhere on the course.

In addition, with the expanded 32 independent program capability added to the Aurora ALT and AUT series field controllers, superintendents now have even more flexibility to develop customized irrigation across the course, allowing irrigation of specific areas such as greens, tees and fairways more efficient independent programming.

John Deere firmware Version 5.30 will continue to be available through John Deere Golf distributors.

Bunkers360 program launched

IVI-Golf/Sandtrapper is introducing a new and independent External Educational Series packaged for the GCSAA.  As a GCSAA Silver Partner, IVI-Golf/Sandtrapper has developed "Bunkers360"; a GCSAA-approved education program focusing exclusively on bunker construction, renovation, and maintenance. There are four events scheduled for 2008 beginning.

In the program, golf course superintendents, general managers, and owners will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals from the ranks of the ASGCA and the GCBAA.  Topics will include: Bunkers and the master plan, designing for maintenance, restoration and renovation, budget considerations, project management, guidelines for communicating to the members/golfer, financing, and more.

Bunkers360 will consist of approximately 4 hours of training balanced by an actual on-site bunker project.  Attendees will have the opportunity to interact in a "hands-on" setting, reinforcing the classroom training.  Attendees completing the course will have access to a "Bunker Toolbox" which will include speaker outlines/notes, project planning templates, tutorials, presentation tools, and sample spreadsheets.

"We're very excited about being a GCSAA Silver partner and launching Bunkers360," said John Brauer, global sales manager. "Our goal is to provide a meaningful contribution to the industry and we believe that continuing education and professional development is the key." For more information visit http://www.bunkers360.com/.

SaLibré promises to remove salts from soil

Becker Underwood is introducing a patented new tool for removing unwanted salt accumulations from golf greens, tees and other areas prone to salt accumulation. Called SaLibré salts manager, the product is recommended especially for reducing and managing salt accumulations in soils irrigated with recycled or marginal water.

"Marginal waters with high salt, carbonate silt or pH all can be harmful to soil structure and plant growth," said Joe Lara, product manager. "Traditionally, the industry has used large volumes of water to flush undesired salts from soils. Basically, gravity and the weight of water were used to push these contaminants through the soil profile and away from turf roots."

According to Lara, strong, high risk acids also have been used to help break down and dissolve compounds so they were easier to flush. These acid treatments were followed by the addition of various amendments to help overcome the negative effects resulting from excessive salt accumulations and use of strong acids.

SaLibré is a biodegradable quaternary soap that contains a mild organic acid and an organic alkanol amine soap. Adding SaLibré to salt-challenged soils begins a chain of reactions in the soil. Calcium is released when the organic acid component of SaLibré reacts with calcium carbonate naturally present in almost all soil. Freed calcium becomes available for plant use. Freed calcium ions also displace sodium ions at exchange sites on soil particles. Without this bond to the soil, the sodium becomes highly soluble and more easily flushed from the root zone.

Other events also take place in the soil. Pore space and soil permeability increases as capillary and gravitational routes are opened. This allows more free movement of moisture and nutrients to plant roots, faster movement of toxic salts away from plants during flushing operations and enhanced movement of oxygen within the soil structure.

SaLibré salts manager is non-caustic, so worker protection issues are greatly reduced when compared to strong acid and acid-based products. SaLibré biodegrades in the soil into basic minerals, carbon dioxide and water.

"Golf courses and municipalities are increasingly faced with using recycled and marginal water and managing around the challenges these water resources present," Lara said. "SaLibré salts manager is an important new tool in helping effectively, efficiently and safely address some of the biggest challenges." Contact http://www.beckerunderwood.com/, 800-232-5907.

Toro to introduce Pro Force debris blower

The Toro Co. has introduced the Pro Force, an engine-driven debris blower with a turbine-type design that offers unmatched performance.  It will be available through local Toro distributors in early summer 2008.

According to the company, the Pro Force has more available air flow, creating greater debris clearing air power.  The power offers the capability of faster removal of grass clippings, leaves, twigs, pine needles, aeration cores, garbage or other undesirable debris from maintained turf or paved areas.

"Our golf course superintendent customers have had the opportunity to provide product feedback through every stage of the development of this new debris blower," said Wade Tollison, marketing manager.  "They have asked us for a debris blower that has more power, greater efficiency, and that is easier to use to help achieve their desirable outcomes.  The result is the Pro Force, a debris blower with superior productivity and operational simplicity that delivers unmatched performance."

For more information about the Pro Force debris blower, contact your local Toro distributor or call 800-803-8676.

AST offers sensor upgrades

Advanced Sensor Technology Inc., the maker of wireless soil sensing technology, has offered upgrades to the wireless soil sensors that provide data for its RZ-Wireless system, which is says resulting in greater accuracy for monitoring moisture, salinity and temperature.

"Our technology platform is constantly improving and we’ve made it our priority to always innovate in the best interest of our clients," said Walt Norley, founder and CEO.

The RZ-Wireless sensor employs two unique frequencies – one to measure soil moisture while another measures soil salinity--measuring both moisture and salinity, even in varying soil types and high-salinity soils.

Advanced Sensor Technology’s RZ-Wireless soil monitoring system utilizes below-ground radio telemetry of soil moisture, salinity and temperature data to a robust and flexible wireless network for transmission to a turf manager’s office where it is also Internet accessible. Not only can the sensors be installed anywhere on the course, but sub-surface installation makes it resistant to damage, avoids negatively impacting course aesthetics and eliminates the need for trenching.   

The upgraded sensors are said to be easy to install at any soil depth or orientation. Because the new sensors are designed to have a low variation in measured soil moisture, salinity and temperature, individual sensors can be interchanged, enabling the end-user to reconfigure the soil monitoring system based on the turf manager’s needs and preferences. For more information visit http://www.advancedsensors.com.

Banol fungicide registered in California

Banol fungicide is now registered for use in California according to Bayer Environmental Science. Available in a liquid formulation, Banol delivers preventive and curative protection for foliar and root Pythium species.

The product is registered for use on golf courses and sod farms, as well as on commercially grown ornamentals in greenhouses and container-grown ornamentals in nurseries. Banol fungicide may be used after germination to control Pythium damping-off in turf, or on established turf to prevent or control Pythium blight and cool-season Pythium root rot.

Banol can also be used in tank mixes with other systemic fungicides, and is compatible with other herbicides and insecticides. Research trials conducted in 2006 at Rutgers University, as well as at Penn State University, showed that the product provided excellent disease control compared to other fungicide brands. Visit www.BackedbyBayer.com.

Solo hedge trimmer features rotating handle and lower price

Solo's Hedge Trimmer Model 160 offers a rotating handle and powerful 25cc displacement two-cycle gas-fired engine that enables professional landscapers and gardeners to cut hedges easier and faster and at lower cost.

The unique handle can be rotated and locked into seven different positions from 30- to 90-degree angles to afford the easiest handling position for left and right-handers and for trimming hedges horizontally or vertically.  The handle also is inclined by about 15 degrees in every position to protect the operator’s hand against scratches from the hedge.

The engine features a forged connecting rod, three-shoe centrifugal clutch, three-piece crankshaft and a cylinder with durable Nikasil-coated contact surface.  It has a 22-inch cutting length, weighs only 12 pounds and features an effective anti-vibration isolation system that assures greater operator comfort and easier operation. Visit http://www.solousa.com.

Parker launches universal push-to-connect fluid system

Parker Hannifin’s Tube Fittings Division, in conjunction with the Hose Products Division and Parflex Division, has developed a Universal Push-to-Connect assembly that provides fast and efficient, leak-free connections for compact fluid power systems in industrial, mobile and construction equipment.

Utilizing the company's Seal-Lok O-ring face seal adapter or EO metric bite-type fittings, the patent-pending system is suitable for rigid inch and metric tubing, hydraulic hose and thermoplastic hose assemblies involving tube-hose, tube-port and hose-port connections. 

The company says that, unlike other push-to-connect couplings that require changeovers to new male- and female-end fitting designs, the UPTC's male geometry allows easy substitution on any existing Parker Seal-Lok or EO fitting system. It is especially advantageous during assembly where simply pushing the hose or tube into the adapter creates a leak-free connection. Contact Parker TFD, 800-C-Parker.