Archive for October, 2010

GIE+EXPO 2010

Thursday, October 28th, 2010
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Exmark General Manager Rick Olson speaking at the Exmark press conference.

Hello from Louisville! GIE+EXPO 2010 has kicked off and we’re expecting it to be another banner show.  If you’re not attending or haven’t stopped by our booth yet, here are some of the exciting highlights of what we’re unveiling for 2011.

Exmarkpride.com

This is a big one. We’re launching a new Exmark member community website, exmarkpride.com, where pros and lawn fanatics alike can gather to share their Exmark pride, along with mowing tips and stories, interact with Exmark and industry experts, participate in monthly contests, find business tools and gain special access into what is happening at Exmark.

And check this out, if you sign up and join what we’re calling the Exmark crew by December 31, you will be eligible to win a Lazer Z X-Series.

The Mark Award

We’re announcing the first of its kind industry awards that recognize the best of the best within the Exmark Community – awarding a dealer and a landscape pro that embodies Exmark pride. Winners will be announced at GIE + EXPO in 2011, where they will be recognized by their peers.

New Products

We’re introducing several new units, Exmark ‘X’-branded merchandise and decals, and a free welcome kit that’s full of Exmark ‘X’-branded stuff.

We’re really excited to launch our new campaign and introduce our new products, and we can’t wait to hear your thoughts. So please go visit exmarkpride.com and join the crew and the conversation.

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A GIE+EXPO Preview From Lawn & Landscape’s Chuck Bowen

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Chuck BowenTo get ready for GIE+EXPO, we chatted with Chuck Bowen, editor of Lawn & Landscape, to see what he is looking forward to at this year’s event.

What do you hope to see this year at GIE?

It’s a great opportunity to have some face-to-face with people I typically only talk to on the phone or via e-mail. And, it’s always exciting to see all the new products that suppliers release.

What trends do you think we’ll see in new products?

As far as equipment goes, we’re seeing more and more alternative fuel options coming down the pike. Fuel prices are only going to go up, and contractors are more willing – and have more reliable options – now to explore electric and propane-fueled equipment.

What will be the trend in 2011 for products/Landscape Pros? Dealers?

They say the recession is over, but people are still having a hard time. Customers still want more for less, and, for dealers, their contractor customers have a similar outlook. Everyone’s being a little more reluctant to buy, and doing more homework before they sign off on projects or big purchases. So, whether you sell service or hard goods, you really have to make your case to customers that you’ll be a good investment or save them money in the long run.

Whose booth should you definitely stop by?

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say ours – number 1084. We’ve got a lot of great stuff for the industry, namely our new scholarship program. You can donate as little as one dollar, pick up a wristband and, if we take your picture wearing it, you’ve got a chance to win some pretty amazing prizes, like a week in Hawaii or a Caribbean cruise.

But I always encourage people to visit the outdoor demo areas. It’s a great way to get up close and personal with lots of equipment and see if it really does what you need it to.

Are you looking forward to the concert this year? What acts would you like to see open the show next year?

They always have great acts come to Fourth Street and put on an entertaining show. Looking at my schedule, I don’t think I’ll be able to make the concerts this year, but I encourage everyone to attend. Keynotes are good, but a big part of the show is networking and relaxing with your colleagues.

What do you think we’ll see more of next year (industry-wide)?

More and more companies are looking for ways to set themselves apart from their competition, and we’ll see more creative ways of doing that. The best companies and dealers know their niche and how to thrive in it, regardless of the economy.

How has the industry changed in the last year?

Companies are smaller and younger – they’re making lower revenues and have been in business for less time. We’ve seen a correction, and there’s been lots of turnover and change. This sets the stage for more competition and really ups the ante for companies to compete at a much higher level.

What’s your favorite thing about Kentucky?

Definitely the bourbon. No, I can’t just pick one thing. It’s a great state – it has beautiful scenery, friendly people and great cities. Whenever I’m in Louisville I make sure to have breakfast at Lynn’s Paradise Café and grab a drink at the lobby bar at the Brown Hotel.

What are you looking forward to at GIE+EXPO 2010? Leave us a comment and let us know!

You can contact Chuck via e-mail and find Lawn & Landscape on Twitter.

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Fall maintenance, Part 2

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

In this second part of our maintenance segment, we continue to provide tips to help you get your mower in tiptop shape for its hibernation period. If you missed part one of this segment, go here.

Closer inspection

This is a good time to check your machine’s belts and replace any that are frayed, cut or damaged. Check the mower’s pulleys, making sure they’re not bent, misaligned or jammed with debris. Landscape bark has a tendency to get wedged deep into the pulleys, so give them a close inspection.

Storage

Whether you’re storing your machine in a shed, under a tarp or in an enclosed trailer you want to do whatever you can to keep rodents away. Aside from thoroughly cleaning your mower, you can take other precautions to deter little critters from turning your machine into their winter home. You have your pick of traps and chemicals as well as natural means, such as Osage oranges and oil of peppermint to keep mice at bay. Peppermint candy will NOT do the trick, but invite more critters as well as insects to the party. Don’t use any harsh chemicals around your machine as they will cause damage. If you live in a rural area, you might want to consult with your local pest control office. They’re likely to give you good suggestions. Your local Exmark dealer will also be able to provide ways to keep your mower rodent-free.

Moisture is the other thing you want to keep as far away from your mower as possible. Wherever your mower is stored, make sure rain, ice and snow aren’t getting in.

We also recommend draining the fuel from your machine, or adding a fuel stabilizer. Don’t let fuel sit in your mower through the winter months.

Battery

To extend the life of your battery, best thing to do is remove it from your machine and keep it in a climate controlled area that’s between 50 and 70 degrees. For other tips on battery maintenance, check out this post.

Following these steps will ensure a safe winter season for your machines. Come spring, they’ll be ready to go back to work.

This blog post is by David Martin, customer service manager at Exmark.

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Fall maintenance, Part 1

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

There’s nothing more important for extending the life of your mower than proper maintenance, whether it’s pre-season maintenance, in-season maintenance or fall/winter maintenance. Since summer is officially over (already?), we thought this would be the perfect time to focus on fall maintenance. You want your mower to be ready for the long, cold days ahead. Since the list is long, we’ll break up maintenance into two posts, so make sure you come back for the sequel.

A good cleaning.

Storing a clean mower is key. Your mower’ worked hard all summer long and deserves a good wash down. Which brings us to our first cleaning tip: never wash your mower with water or solvents. Water on steel results in rust and deterioration. Clean your mower with air. A leaf blower is a great way to clean a mower, or you can use compressed air.

Make sure you clean everywhere – lift up the seat, get under the deck, reach behind the tires, remove belt guards and clean the area underneath, really get into every nook and cranny. Any debris left on the mower can do one of two things: become a rodent nest or trap moisture. If you’ve already forgotten the first tip we gave you, here’s a recap: steel + water = rust.

Grease is good.

Your mower has bearings that need to be greased. This is the time to do it. Make sure you’re not only starting with fresh grease, but also using the right kind of grease for your machine and conditions. Your Exmark dealer will be able to help you in picking out the appropriate grease.

The greasing technique for the bearings is extremely important. In other words, don’t hurry through it or use shortcuts. Make sure you remove the load before you grease the bearings. If you try to grease bearings while they’re still under load, you’ll end up greasing only half the bearing. It’s worth your while to take your time and remove any belts and springs before employing the grease gun. If the bearing is moveable, we recommend that you move it three or four times to get a nice coating on the bearing. This is also a good way to inspect the bearings for wear and tear, making sure they move freely without any grinding or tightness.

Oil change

Like your car, your mower needs its engine oil and filter changed. It also needs its hydraulic fluid and filter changed. Once all of the fluids and filters have been changed, start the machine for about five minutes or less to make sure the clean engine oil circulates throughout the machine. Utilize the hydraulics to get the fresh fluid circulating as well. If changing your mower’s fluids isn’t your strong suit, take your mower to your dealer. Most dealers run a winterization special during this time of year. One of the benefits of having your dealer perform end of season maintenance is that they usually have a multipoint inspection of the machine that examines multiple wear points, catching something you may miss or not even think about checking. If they do find something, winter is probably the ideal time to have your mower serviced, since you won’t need it in the field.

That’s it our first segment of fall maintenance. Check back soon to see more tips on what you need to do to maintain your mower.

This blog post is by David Martin, customer service manager at Exmark.

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Fall Clean-up

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

As mowing season winds down, pros need to start thinking about fall maintenance and winterizing their mowers. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk fall clean-up.

Picking up extra debris and keeping customers’ yards clean sometimes can be more difficult than it should be. But using the right tool, like Exmark’s UltraVac system, can keep a simple clean-up job from turning into a big production.

Something else to consider is your blades. More times than not, we get calls from pros telling us that their mowers aren’t picking up extra debris, like twigs. The issue is often blade related. Regular blades do a great job of bagging grass clippings, but leaves need to be chopped up into very fine pieces to move quickly and efficiently through the tube. Extreme blades are designed for this job. They’ll get more debris in the bag, and you won’t have to stop as often to empty it.

One last thing to check is your deck setting. If your deck isn’t set at the correct level, your mower won’t be able to pick up debris. Your local dealer can help you get your deck to where it needs to be.

This blog post is by David Martin, customer service manager at Exmark.

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Fall Leaf Removal

Friday, October 1st, 2010

A bit of crispness in the air. The days getting shorter. Sweaters making their way out of storage. Yep, fall is heading toward us, bringing a quiet end to mowing season and a frenzied beginning to leaf removal season. Having spoken to quite a few pros in the past, we know that each one has his trick and technique to picking up leaves. And, we’d love to know what those are. Today, we’re asking you to share your personal twist on leaf removal.

We’ll start it off by sharing our “techniques,” which come in the form of attachments and a mower.

These tools quickly and efficiently get the leaves off the grass and out of sight. The attachment you choose depends on the kinds of properties you mow and your clients’ preferences. If you want finely mulched leaves spread evenly over the grass, then the Exmark mulching kit will be the tool you’re looking for. If you want finely mulched leaves collected, then check out our UltraVac® attachment and the Exmark Navigator®.

Now it’s your turn. What’s your best technique or trick for leaf removal? We’ll select one of the techniques shared and feature it and the genius landscape pro behind it in an upcoming blog post!

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