Archive for July, 2015

Gifts for the Exmark Aficionado

Monday, July 27th, 2015

Looking for great gifts for a friend or family member that bleeds Exmark red? Or perhaps rewards for your hard working crew? You’re in luck! Exmark offers a wide variety of high quality branded clothing and gear that’s both stylish and practical. You can find Exmark gear online at the Exmark Apparel & Gift Store.

Popular Exmark branded clothing and gear includes:

Exmark Realtree Blaze Orange cap. Click on photo to go to the product page.

Exmark Realtree Blaze Orange cap: perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. Click photos to view the product pages.

Exmark Safety Glasses

Exmark Safety Glasses: durable, stylish eye protection.

Exmark Lazer Z X-Series replica

Exmark Lazer Z X-Series 1:24 scale die-cast replica: sure to be a hit with both the young and the young at-heart.

Exmark Tumbler

Exmark Soft Touch Tumbler: carry your coffee in style.

See all the Exmark clothing and gear that’s available today at the Exmark Apparel & Gift Store.

Mower Safety Tips

Sunday, July 19th, 2015


Exmark General Mower Safety Tips

  • Read and understand your operator’s manual before operating the mower.
  • Do not add gasoline to a running or hot engine and never leave the machine running in an enclosed area.
  • As with other power tools and equipment, do not operate a lawn mower when consuming alcohol.
  • Wear appropriate clothing – significant footwear, long pants, eye and hearing protection.
Safe mower operation

Safe operation of a zero-turn mower includes always mowing with the ROPS in the up position (if so equipped) and the lap belt fastened snug and low around the operator’s waist.

  • Pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries and damage from flying objects.
  • Never allow children to be passengers on ride-on mowers.
  • Keep children and pets a safe distance from the area you are mowing. Use extreme care near blind corners and around objects that may block you from seeing a child.
  • Do not operate without the grass catcher, discharge chute, or other safety devices in place and working.
  • Be careful when mowing slopes.
  • Do not mow in wet conditions.
  • Never mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.
  • Turn off the mower and wait for blade(s) to stop completely before leaving the mower, removing the grass catcher, picking up debris, or crossing gravel roads or paths.
  • Let the mower cool before refueling, cleaning and storing.
  • Follow all directions – including turning off the engine and disconnecting the spark plug or electric cord – before working on the mower or trying to unclog the discharge chute.

Learn more about safe operation of your mower at http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Safety-Resources/. View additional safety videos on the Exmark YouTube channel.

Mid-Season Mower Maintenance

Thursday, July 16th, 2015

By David Martin, Exmark customer service manager

Maintenance: mower cleaning

Minimize the use of water when cleaning your mower. Instead, use compressed air whenever possible.

Now that mowing season is well under way, the last thing you want to happen is for your mower to experience downtime. The following maintenance tips will help you keep your mower running in tip-top shape.

Maintenance: mower blades

Sharp, balanced blades are critical to the performance of the cutting system. Check and sharpen blades if necessary.

  • Check the operator’s manual to see what might need to be greased. Keeping the right parts greased is an important step in extending the life of a mower.
  • Check the air filter (inner and outer) and change it if necessary. Never use compressed air to clean a filter. The powerful air stream can compromise the filter’s ability to effectively filter the air coming into the engine.
  • Depending on how many hours the mower has been running, consider changing the fuel filter. Consult your owner’s manual or http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Maintenance/Schedules/ for the recommended replacement interval.
  • Check and, if necessary, change the spark plugs.
  • Blow the debris off the unit:
    • Remove the belt deck belt shields and blow off all foreign material.
    • Blow the grass off the areas around the pumps and wheel motors (overheated oil leads to shorter component life).
    • Blow through the openings in and around the console or remove the console mounting screws to get debris out of this area.
  • Check for loose hardware.
  • Verify torque on wheel motor castle nut and tire mounting lug nuts.
  • Verify oil changes are being performed at the proper intervals, and perform the service if necessary. NEVER, under any circumstances, exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations by more than 100 hours. Significant damage will result that will reduce the machine’s lifespan and compromise productivity.

Learn more about how to effectively service and maintain your mowers and lawn care equipment at http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Maintenance/Service-Tips/.

Exmark Employee Profile: David Rayburn

Monday, July 13th, 2015

 

David Rayburn, Exmark

Exmark Logistics Manager, David Rayburn, stands with Logistics Coordinator, Patty Kaufman (middle) and IS Supervisor, Liz Daubendiek.

Where are you from?

I was born in Wisconsin and my family moved here when I was small. I went into the service for two years and then moved back to Nebraska after I got married. We’ve now lived here for the last 34 years.

Tell us about what you do at Exmark.

I manage the product planning process— also known as forecast– for Exmark products. My team consists of myself and our logistics coordinator. We receive direction from marketing for the product need and bring everything down to the specific quarter to meet the financial plan. The production facility then takes the plan and breaks it down. That’s how the production flows.

What’s your favorite thing about working with Exmark?

There’s a passion and a knowledge that people have here and it makes work very enjoyable. When we talk as a team or go through different groups, everyone is knowledgeable about their areas; they have expertise. It’s fun to work with people like that. You don’t have to repeat yourself a lot because everybody knows what they’re doing. Everyone is passionate and easy to get along with.

What do you like to do in your free time?

My family and I like to go camping, fishing, and boating. We take trips to Minnesota and North Dakota to fish and camp as much as we can during the year. But with the weather lately, it’s been tough. At least the rain is good for business in the long run.

What initially drew you to Exmark?

Both my son and daughter work here at Exmark. My son started here first and then my daughter came here after college. After that, Exmark hired me. It’s funny because normally the kids follow the parents into a company but it was the reverse for me. I started off working on the floor in the plant and was able to transition into different areas. After 13 years, I’m now in this position. I’ve been very fortunate. They’ve been very good to me.

If you could have lunch with any person, who would it be?

Probably John F. Kennedy. When I was in grade school, he was running for president and he was one of the first ones where I was old enough to understand a little bit about what was going on. During his election, Bobby Kennedy came through my town. I was in fifth grade, and I skipped school so I could listen to his speech. That’s somebody I would like to understand.

What’s something surprising about you not many people know about?

For the last 27 years, I’ve been doing a yearly reenactment for the Pony Express Association. Every year in June, we’ll ride a horse and carry the mail from Sacramento California to St. Joseph, Missouri, like they did on the original Pony Express back in the 1800’s. We do it in nine days and it’s pretty cool. We try to stay as close to the original trail as we can.

David Rayburn has been a member of the Exmark team for 13 years.

Spotlight: Exmark-Sponsored Professional Fisherman, Mike Iaconelli

Thursday, July 9th, 2015

At Exmark, we’re passionate about the outdoors. For 2015, we are demonstrating that passion through our sponsorship of professional fisherman, Mike Iaconelli.

We recently sat down and chatted with Mike and learned a little more about what makes him tick. Here’s the result of our conversation.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Mike with Exmark machines

Mike’s Exmark equipment helps him maintain his 10 acre property quicker, so he can get back to doing the things he loves. Photo: Becky Iaconelli

My name is Michael Iaconelli. I’m 43 years old, husband to Becky and father to four kids: Drew (16), Rylie (15), Vegas (4), and Estella (2). I’ve been fishing since I was a little kid and I’ve been lucky enough to turn my passion and hobby into a full time career. Besides fishing and spending time with the family, I love the outdoors and gardening around the house.

What excites you about your relationship with Exmark?

There are a lot of things that excite me about my relationship Exmark. First is that they build the most amazing products. These are the kinds of products that help us everyday at home! Second, the folks at Exmark share our values. Family, outdoors, and getting kids involved in fishing are at the top of that list. And finally, we’re excited to help bring the Exmark brand to the fishing world, and to fans of the sport.

How have you been using your Exmark 700S Utility Vehicle?

We use our Exmark 700S utility vehicle extensively at home, for normal yard and gardening chores such as moving mulch and top soil, hauling wood and rocks, or carrying gear and equipment. We also use it for other activities like getting the mail, surveying the property and launching small boats in the lake. The amount of time and effort the utility vehicle saves us is awesome!

How much time has your Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower saved you in yard maintenance?

Great question! The Lazer Z X-Series has saved us such an immense amount of time. As a large land owner (we have 10 acres), we used to lose a lot of time, especially out of our weekends, trying to keep the grass cut with a traditional riding mower. Now, with our Exmark Lazer Z, it’s not only easier and more enjoyable, but has cut our mowing time by more than half!

It’s fantastic because now we can spend more time engaged in other activities we love like gardening, playing with the kids, boating and kayaking in the lake… and fishing of course!

How’s your 2015 season going? What tournaments do you have coming up?

My 2015 season is going great. I’ve had several top finishes and I’m still looking for a major win this year. I have about 8 events left this season, including one coming up in August on the upper Chesapeake Bay. The Bay is an amazing place and a home field advantage for me. I’m really looking forward to that event.

Where would somebody go to learn more about you and your fishing?

Anyone who wants to keep up with my family and I can follow us on our web site (mikeiaconelli.com), through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and on our live web show Ike Live.

Spotlight: Exmark 30-inch Stand-On Aerator

Sunday, July 5th, 2015

Exmark 30inchStandOnAerator_smHR

With an efficient stand-on design and the ability to aerate at up to 7 mph with fingertip control, the Exmark 30-inch Stand-On Aerator product page raises the bar for aerating productivity and ease-of-use.

Productivity is the key to profitability, and the Exmark 30-inch Stand-On Aerator delivers for your business. The stand-on design, cushioned operator platform and intuitive controls reduce operator fatigue and maximize productivity for every operator, every day.

Exmark Coring Tines

1,200 pounds of hydraulic pressure drives the 48 coring tines into the ground with incredible consistency.

The hydraulic tine actuation system delivers an incredible 1,200 pounds of down force for consistent core depth and the ability to pull up to 5-inch plugs. Hydraulics are fully-integrated, so there’s zero hoses to break or replace, and a clean, purposeful and ergonomic control layout is incredibly easy to use.

Free-floating center tines allow turning with tines engaged without damaging turf, with the ability to perform zero-turns with the tines raised. The Exmark design also offers incredible traction on a wide variety of turf, courtesy of a combined wheel- and tine-drive system that delivers infinite speed control up to 7mph.

Here’s Exmark Product Manager, Lloyd VonScheliha, with more on the 30-inch Stand-On Aerator:

Learn more about the opportunity lawn care services could represent for your business with our Lawn Care Services White Paper (Adobe PDF format), or visit Exmark Turf Management Products.

Exmark Launches Suspended Operator Platform for Lazer Z Mowers

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Suspended operator platform reduces bumps and vibration for enhanced comfort and productivity

With the goal of maximizing productivity through increased operator comfort, Exmark today announced a suspended operator platform for its Lazer Z commercial mowers.

A factory-installed upgrade available on 2015 Lazer Z E-Series and Lazer Z X-Series machines, the suspended operator platform utilizes coil-over hydraulic dampers to significantly reduce the impact of bumps and vibration. The design provides 3.6-inches of travel in vertical and fore-aft directions, with trailing arms to limit lateral travel and increase operator stability.

Exmark Senior Product Manager, John Swanson, said the suspended operator platform preserves the performance advantages that have made the Lazer Z the most popular commercial zero-turn mower on the market, while significantly reducing the negative effect of bumps and vibration on operator productivity.

Adjustable for operators of any size, the suspended operator platform provides increased isolation from bumps and vibrations.

Adjustable for operators of any size, the Exmark suspended operator platform provides increased isolation from bumps and vibrations.

“We designed our suspended operator platform to be easy to adjust for any size or weight of rider, regardless of whether they prefer a softer “luxury car” ride, or a stiffer “sports car” ride quality. There’s no harsh bottoming, regardless of operator weight. Adjustments can be made quickly in the shop or on the job site, without tools. Plus, the coil-over hydraulic dampers are designed to last the life of the machine, making the system virtually maintenance-free.”

The suspended operator platform includes a new seat that leverages the technologies and experience Exmark has at its disposal, including the company’s patented Iso-Mount isolation system, which provides a controlled .75-inch of lateral and .5-inch of vertical isolation. When combined with patented Elastomeric Vibration Control (EVC) stretch fabric and plush foam padding (1.25-inches vertical travel), the new seat maximizes comfort to enhance the productivity and long-term comfort of the operator.

Swanson said the suspended operator platform design also eases access to hydrostatic drive system components, making routine service quicker and easier to perform.

The suspended operator platform is available now as an option on select 2015 Lazer Z E-Series and Lazer Z X-Series machines. Learn more at your local Exmark dealer or visit Exmark.com.