Product News

Rain Bird releases Version 6.0 central control software

Rain Bird Golf has announced the availability of Version 6.0, the latest generation of its dynamically-adaptive central control software.  Designed to help superintendents optimize water management in real time, the software is available for all levels of central controls including Cirrus, Nimbus II, Stratus II and Stratus LT.

Version 6.0 offers several new features and enhancements that truly optimize the performance of central control systems more than any other tool on the market:

• Rain Bird MI Series Mobile Controller Support. Version 6.0 software allows all four Rain Bird central control products to support Rain Bird's new MI Series mobile controllers.
• WS-Pro LT and automatic ET are now supported by Stratus LT (with optional software module).
• Cirrus now supports up to 4,000 decoder stations. Advanced central control technology and simple wiring requirements make decoders a smart choice for many golf courses.
• All central controls now support 250 stations per area.

Existing users of Rain Bird's central controls will also appreciate these additional enhancements that Version 6.0 offers to their current systems:

• Smart Pump actual flow and pressure are now logged within the Rain Bird Flow Graph and stored in yearly logs.
• Static sensors on decoder systems now have additional sensor conditions for more flexibility--"Cancel While" and "Interrupt (Pause) While."

"Version 6.0 embodies Rain Bird's commitment to provide golf course superintendents and their staff with the most reliable and capable products for The Intelligent Use of Water," said David Behrmann, marketing management for Rain Bird Golf. "With the additional features of Version 6.0, superintendents will have even greater flexibility, freedom and control in using the only dynamically adaptable irrigation system to optimize water use, minimize costs and produce the most playable course."

For more information, visit http://www.RainBird.com/golf, 520-741-6100.

Club Car introduces syringing vehicle

Club Car says its new custom utility vehicle equipped with an electric hose reel makes syringing faster and easier.

The vehicle was developed by Club Car’s Custom Solutions following customer requests for a way to make the syringing process less labor intensive. The electric hose reel is mounted on the driver’s side of a Carryall Turf 2 to allow for quick connection to the water source. After syringing, the hose is easily rolled back onto the reel so the crew member can move to the next green. 

"We’ve had a number of superintendents tell us they needed a way to save time and labor when they have to syringe greens," said Ben Fulmer, business development manager for Club Car’s Custom Solutions department. "This vehicle makes the process much more efficient." Contact www.clubcar.com.

Green-Speed Si promises faster greens

Green-Speed Si from Growth Products offers a multi-pronged approach to giving golf course managers a faster ball roll on their greens. Not simply a silica product, it is a proprietary liquid formula that combines silica, potassium phosphite, and humic acid to give both a faster ball roll and healthier turf.
 
The silica hardens grass blades by strengthening cell walls, which allows for a better cut during, a quicker ball roll, and reduced ball marks. The silica also protects turf during times of stress and high transpiration by reducing water loss.
 
The company says the potassium phosphite and humic acid promote turf health and increase the turf’s resistance to disease and pests. Both are extremely mobile in the plant tissue, and they hasten uptake of silica and other nutrients into the leaf blade. Contact http://www.growthproducts.com.

Advan introduces Tee-1-Up WDG fungicide

Advan says it has put two proven fungicides into Tee-1-Up WDG fungicide. It combines the contact properties of chlorothalonil with the systemic control of thiophanate-methyl in a package that maximizes the product’s ease of use. 

Tee-1-Up, which is comparable to Regal Chemical Company’s ConSyst WDG product, is labeled for broad-spectrum disease control on cool- and warm-season turfgrasses on golf courses and public areas, as well as ornamental plants, shrubs and trees. On turf, it is said to control dollar spot, leaf spot, gray leaf spot, brown patch, pink and gray snow mold, anthracnose and other diseases. On ornamentals, it controls cedar apple rust, ovulinia blight, anthracnose, black spot, botrytis and scab. Contact 800-250-5024, http://www.AdvanLLC.com.

Console display available for WatchDog sprayer stations

Spectrum Technologies Inc. is offering an after-market display unit that easily connects to existing WatchDog sprayer stations.  The company says it is the perfect solution for sprayer rigs that do not currently have in-cab computer systems or other monitoring device.

The new display enables users to view and data log current wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind chill, and barometric pressure, from the sprayer station, while on-the-go.  Weather data can be captured and downloaded to a PC with Console Sync software (included).

The station can handle adverse conditions with a UV stabilized, compact housing that is fully waterproof and resistant to chemicals. Reliability is enhanced by eliminating moving parts: the traditional wind vane and cups have been replaced with ultrasonic transducers. Contact 800-248-8873, http://www.specmeters.com.

E-Z-Go announces Freedom RXV personal golf car

E-Z-Go has introduced the Freedom RXV personal golf car, with an array of features delivering superior performance, safety, comfort and reliability in a stylish, eco-friendly package.

Based on the same platform as the RXV fleet golf car, the 2008 Freedom RXV is available in electric and gas models whose new interior and exterior features create the safest, most environmentally sound golf car available.

A dual-braking system eliminates the manual parking brake on the electric-powered vehicle, and will brake automatically on steep grades for enhanced safety and control. Energy-transfer bumpers on the front, rear and sides protect the engine, suspension, and other components. A 48-volt alternating-current motor, instead of the traditional direct-current type, makes the electric Freedom 30 percent more energy efficient than other models. The gas version’s 13-horsepower Kawasaki engine cuts fuel consumption by up to 52 percent.

The Freedom RXV comes equipped with headlights, brake lights and horn, with available options including turn signals, platinum spoke wheels, club and ball washer, and cooler. Fourteen color choices include black, burgundy, electric blue and flame red. Contact http://www.ezgo.com .

Wright introduces large deck Stander
 
Wright Manufacturing has introduced the Stander ZK with deck widths from 52 to 72 inches, which are larger than Wright’s traditional Stander mower.

The ZK is powered by engines up to 37 horsepower. The mower’s decks are deeper; wheels are larger; and fuel capacity is greater. It offers all the benefits of Wright’s traditional Stander, such as low center of gravity for hillside stability, shorter overall length for added maneuverability, and the ability for the operator to just step off the spring suspended stand-on platform. The ZK is also equipped with Wright’s Rapid Height Adjustment, which lets the operator quickly raise or lower the cutting height without getting off the mower.

Contact 301-360-9810, http://www.wrightmfg.com.