Product News

Toro introduces QuickChange tine head and core-splitting tines

The Toro Co. has enhanced its line of aeration equipment by adding the Titan QuickChange tine head and split tine.

The new head allows tines to be changed rapidly and easily, enabling more efficient aeration.  Exclusive taper lock installation uses one tool to replace tines with no nuts, bolts or wrenches that are easy to drop or misplace.

During routine maintenance, a complete set of tines can be quickly replaced, simplifying the changeover process and reducing the overall set-up time. If necessary during aeration, worn or damaged tines can easily be removed and replaced in the field, significantly reducing the down time and improving the overall quality of aeration.

The QuickChange tine head fits on Toro ProCoe 648, 864, and 1298 aerators and is compatible with Titan tines and Classic Toro tines.

The Titan split tine is a patent-pending design that splits the core as it is pulled, breaking it into smaller pieces, which are much easier to manage and will require significantly less time to dry. When processing is not an option, the partial cores will naturally decompose and disappear into the turf canopy.

For more information about Toro Genuine Parts, contact your local Toro distributor at 1-800-803-8676, write to Toro Commercial Equipment, 8111 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420 or visit www.toro.com.

Drought tolerant grass meets green building standards

A drought tolerant grass called UltimateFlora Zoysia that was developed by the University of Florida for use on home lawns meets ‘Green Building’ standards, according to the Florida Green Building Coalition, the association that coordinates the Green Building program around the state.

Developed by UF to replace St. Augustinegrass and marketed by Environmental Turf, UltimateFlora zoysia is the first and only lawn grass to date recognized by the FGBC as suitable for use in achieving a home's "Green Home Certification."

UltimateFlora requires significantly less water for irrigation than St. Augustinegrass and has built-in mechanisms to help it withstand drought conditions. It also has a much finer, softer leaf blade than St. Augustinegrass, providing the look of a Northern-type lawn.

Homeowners or builders seeking "Green Home Certification" can install the grass in a home’s lawn and receive two points toward their certification. To find a licensed grower visit www.environmentalturf.com.

Valent introduces new Velocity formulation

Valent Professional Products is now offering its Velocity Herbicide in a new formulation—Velocity17.6 percent SG.

The new formulation is less concentrated than the original, making it much easier to measure the amount of product needed to manage Poa annua and Poa trivialis in turf. It will also come in a convenient one-pound bottle.

"The new formulation is Valent's answer to the feedback we were getting from superintendents about Velocity," said Jason Fausey, field market development specialist. "Superintendents will find the new Velocity formulation much easier to work with and to apply. The formulation and package size will also help to ensure the correct amount of material is used."

Fausey said 1 ounce of the new Velocity 17.6 percent SG formulation contains 5 grams of active ingredient.

The new label includes modifications to the Poa management recommendations for the product. “We have extended the application interval to seven to 14 days,” Fausey said. "The extension in time between applications will help superintendents manage Poa effectively and avoid potential bare spots that are often associated with rapid removal of Poa from turf." Contact 800-898-2536, http://www.valentpro.com.

Advan enters the PGR market

Advan LLC has entered the plant growth regulator market for turf with two new product introductions: Groom for managing turf growth and Tide Paclo 2SC for managing the growth of both turfgrass and trees.

Groom, which has the same active ingredient as Primo, slows the growth of warm- and cool-season turfgrasses, resulting in reduced frequency of mowing and fewer amounts of grass clippings. It increases turf density, color and turf quality on residential and commercial lawns, golf courses, sod farms, sports fields and cemeteries.

Tide Paclo is a systemic plant growth regulator that slows vegetative growth by inhibiting gibberellin biosynthesis in turfgrass and trees. It slows the vertical growth of turf within three to 10 days, which allows reducing mowing frequency for a six- to eight-week period. After use of Tide Paclo (paclobutrazol), turf gradually becomes greener and denser for up to 12 weeks.

For trees, Tide Paclo reduces above-ground vegetative growth when applied to the soil near the base of the tree either by soil injection or with a basil soil drench.

For more information about Groom and Tide Paclo, call Advan Customer Service at 800-250-5024 or visit http://www.AdvanLLC.com.

Cub Cadet releases novel mowing deck

Cub Cadet Commercial has released its new Select Cut System, an adaptable mowing deck that gives commercial cutters the ability to deliver a clean, high-quality cut regardless of terrain, grass type or weather condition.

The SCS front skirt controls the position of the grass as it approaches the cutting blade.
Unlike standard industry decks, the SCS front skirt is sloped, creating increased space between the deck and the cutting blade. This space allows grass to rebound after the deck passes over the lawn and before hitting the cutting blade, resulting in a cleaner cut. Additionally, the leading edge of the front skirt is adjustable, so it can be raised to further reduce grass deformation. This adjustable leading edge of the sloped front skirt makes it possible to easily cut difficult regional grasses, such as Southern Bahia.

The design of the SCS also provides versatility for cutting northern grasses. Raising and lowering the leading edge changes the vacuum strength of the deck. Due to their moisture, northern grasses, such as bluegrass and fescue, require a high vacuum to lift the grass as it enters the deck. Lowering the SCS adjustable leading edge maximizes vacuum and lift for a more even cut.

Other key features include:

• Removable inner baffle that regulates the flow of air and cut grass through the deck.
• Four strategically located ball wheels greatly reduce the chance of scalping or defacing turf.
• Smart Jet Deck washout system, which provides an easy method for washing grass and debris from under the deck.
• A 50-percent increase in blade cutting edge results in finer clippings and even cut.

Contact www.cubcadetcommericial.com.

Weed Raker offers chemical-free pond and lake weed control

Jenlis Inc., manufacturer of the Weed Razer, has introduced the Weed Raker, specifically designed for managing aquatic vegetation in ponds and lakes. The traditional lake rake has short teeth and a short handle.  The wide head and long teeth of the Weed Raker make it ideal for removing the roots of aquatic vegetation and organic debris that accumulates on the bottom, fueling the re-growth of new plants.

The Weed Raker has a 37-inch head, 8-inch teeth and an 11-foot handle and comes with a 46-foot rope.  The hollow rake head can be filled with rock for deeper substrate penetration. Contact 877-356-6455, http://www.weedrazers.com.

WeatherBug and CMAA offer weather safety solution

WeatherBug, operator of the world’s largest proprietary weather network, and CMAA have announced WeatherBug Club Safety, a suite of solutions to help club managers and golf course superintendents respond to and handle weather-related risks, enhance member safety and experience, and improve operations.
 
"The WeatherBug Club Safety solutions integrate highly relevant, live, local weather information and alerts with unprecedented support both online and through their team of meteorologists to provide the best total picture of weather-related risks," said CMAA CEO James B. Singerling, CCM, CEC. "We are proud to support the WeatherBug solutions and are confident they can help provide a highly valuable service to our more than 3,000 member clubs nationwide."

Available immediately, WeatherBug Club Safety provides:

• Better irrigation and turf management: customized precipitation and forecast information for improved irrigation and turf management including timely weather information when applying chemicals, establishing cart rules or other operational decisions to protect assets.
• Increased member safety: localized severe weather alerts—including lightning, high wind, heat index, and heavy precipitation—available exclusively from WeatherBug’s National Network of Tracking Stations and cameras and the National Weather Service.
• Enhanced member experience: live, local weather conditions, radar and forecasts on club Web sites or in high-traffic areas as a resource for members and the community.
• Improved event management: 24/7 support from a team of trained meteorologists for customized analysis and interpretation of severe weather forecasts for special event planning and operational support.

In addition, the product includes WeatherBug Protect, a live GPS-enabled mobile weather alerting service that allows employee phones to receive critical weather alerts. The company say it is the first location-based mobile system that sends customized alerts, such as lightning, high wind and heat index, from the WeatherBug network and the National Weather Service. Visit http://www.weatherbugprofessional.com.