Archive for the ‘Exmark Information’ Category

Fuel for Your Mower: What’s Best For You?

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

When it comes to the purchase of a new mower, you have more choices than ever before. Instead of merely the choice between a push mower and a riding lawn mower, today we have walk-behind mowers, stand-on mowers and zero-turn mowers to choose from.

Once you’ve decided which mower type you want, it makes sense to consider which fuel is your best option. Gasoline isn’t the only choice anymore. There are also a wide variety of propane lawn mowers to choose from. But which one is better, gasoline or propane?

Advantages of Propane

There are several advantages to propane as a mower fuel. For example, propane stores longer than gasoline. You don’t have to worry about fuel quality degradation over the winter, so you can store the mower in the garage and from a fuel standpoint, it’ll be ready to go when it’s time to mow again in the spring.

Propane is typically less expensive than gasoline. You’ll also find that propane prices don’t fluctuate as much as the price of gasoline. Since propane prices are often lower in the summer, propane-powered lawn mowers are becoming more popular with landscape professionals, too.

In addition to paying less per gallon, using propane also eliminates the possibility of a hazardous and costly spill. Propane also reduces the likelihood of fuel being stolen for use in other vehicles. Last but not least, propane is environmentally friendly. Propane-fueled mowers produce fewer greenhouse gasses than gasoline mowers, making them a good choice in areas where air quality is an issue.

When it comes to using propane-powered lawn mowers, it’s important to remember to fill the propane tank (or keep an alternate) before you start mowing. But propane’s growing popularity as an alternative fuel means you shouldn’t have trouble finding a filling station nearby.

Advantages of Gasoline

Gasoline-powered lawn mowers continue to be popular for a number of reasons, but universal fuel availability is a big one. If your mower runs out of gas, it’s easy to get it refilled. You can purchase gasoline at any gas station, virtually any time of day. Plus, it’s relatively easy to carry a small gas canister to and from the filling station.

Gasoline engines are available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, so chances are you’ll be able to find a mower type and size to suit your needs. As a result, today, gasoline engines power the majority of our mowers.

Gasoline can for lawn mowerWhen Gasoline-Powered Mowers Make Sense

We recommend gasoline-powered lawn mowers to most homeowners. For a small or medium-sized property, you’ll find a wider variety of gasoline-fueled mower options suited to the task. While you may still like to take one of our zero-turn lawn mowers for a ride, you might be better served with a smaller self-propelled walk-behind for your property. And nine times out of ten, those mowers will be gasoline-powered.

For a smaller property, you’re not going to be mowing the yard for several hours. This means you probably aren’t going to use enough fuel each year to be able to realize a significant cost benefit using propane. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a propane-powered mower to maintain a small- to medium-sized property. But the difference in fuel cost really pays off for commercial and professional users.

When You Should Choose Propane

Propane-powered lawn mowers, whether they are zero-turn mowers or not, are most useful for commercial and professional users and large properties. Propane mowers give these users the opportunity to reduce fuel expenditures by up to 25 percent, which is a big deal. If you’re running your lawn mower for eight hours a day or more, you’re probably spending a lot of money on fuel.

When it comes to mowing the lawn professionally, it’s also a good idea to consider the environment. After all, switching to a propane-powered lawn mower is really noticeable when you cut grass for a living. Fortunately, you don’t have to trade energy efficiency for power. Thanks to state-of-the-art Kohler EFI-propane powerplants, our propane mowers offer exceptional performance while being easier on the planet.

If you are a landscape contractor, you may also want to look into grants or rebate programs from the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), or other agencies to help you defray the initial cost of the propane mower. That said, even without financial assistance, your business would benefit from the cost benefits a propane mower will deliver over time.

References:

User-Generated Video Contest Puts Consumers First, While Creatively Demonstrating Mowers’ Time-Saving Capabilities

Tuesday, March 31st, 2015

TBYW

Exmark is excited to announce the launch of its Take Back Your Weekends Video Contest, a unique user-generated content initiative that will enable the world’s leading commercial-grade mower manufacturer to reach and impact consumers in a unique and meaningful manner.

Addressing the universal consumer challenges that is a lack of time, Exmark’s Video Contest welcomes interested consumers to create and submit a video depicting how they would take back their weekends if more free time for hobbies and leisure pursuits was available.

Backed by a robust, multi-media advertising campaign running nationally throughout the spring and summer months, the Contest’s video hub—www.exmark.com/weekends—will be open for submissions from April 1 – June 30, 2015, as well as house a wealth of entertaining and educational branded video content.

Win a dream fishing trip with top BASS and FLW Tournament Professional, Mike "Ike" Iaconelli.

Win a dream fishing trip with top BASS and FLW Tournament Professional, Mike “Ike” Iaconelli. Photo: www.mikeiaconelli.com.

“Taking into account that Exmark competes against 40-plus mower brands that traditionally fight for mindshare predominantly on the basis of durability, speed and quality of cut, we’ve chosen to go to market this year in a manner that focusses on our consumers’ aspirations and personal experiences,” states John Cloutier, Sr. Marketing Manager. “Our Take Back Your Weekends Video Contest is a great tool that will allow us to engage our customers and prospects in a real-world scenario, and to truly listen to what matters most to them in their daily lives.”

Eighteen Contest winners will be chosen to receive prizes ranging from an Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower, dream fishing trip with bass fishing superstar, Mike Iaconelli, and an Augusta, GA golf and spa experience, to high-quality hunt-, fish-, and golf-related gear. The Contest’s impressive prize packages are provided by industry leading brands such as Abu Garcia, Berkley, Buck Knives, Grime Boss, Nikon, Rapala, Realtree, ScentLok and VMC.

 

Go Pro With A New Exmark Commercial Mower and Save

Monday, March 30th, 2015

Exmark Go Pro Spring Sales Event logo

Get a $500 rebate on any Pioneer E-Series or S-Series, or Lazer Z E-Series mower in April and May.

Get a $500 rebate on any Pioneer E-Series or S-Series, or Lazer Z E-Series mower in April and May.

Now is a great time to go pro with a new Exmark commercial mower, during the Go Pro Spring Sales Event. For a limited time, receive instant rebates and free seat upgrades on our most popular zero-turn models.

Purchase an Exmark Pioneer E-Series or S-Series, or a Lazer Z E-Series mower between April 1 and May 31, 2015 and receive a $500 instant rebate. In addition, Pioneer S-Series and Lazer Z E-Series

Take comfort to 11 with a free upgrade to Exmark's best seating system on Lazer Z E-Series and Pioneer S-Series models, for a limited time.

Take comfort to 11 with a free upgrade to Exmark’s best seating system on Lazer Z E-Series and Pioneer S-Series models, for a limited time.

machines will receive a full-suspension seat upgrade — a $300 retail value — at no charge. It’s the same seat found on Exmark’s top-of-the-line Lazer Z X-Series machine.

Don’t hesitate — the grass is growing now. Get your weekends back when you go pro with a new Exmark commercial mower. Visit your local Exmark dealer or Exmark.com to learn which model is right for you.

The Importance of Keeping Mower Blades Sharp

Thursday, March 26th, 2015

At Exmark, we understand the importance of making sure your lawnmower is in tip-top shape in preparation for the upcoming landscaping season. One of the top maintenance items for any rotary mower is to ensure blades are properly sharpened, balanced and in good working order.

Exmark blades

Sharp, balanced blades are an essential component of cut quality. Exmark offers a variety of blades to optimize performance for different cutting conditions.

Why Sharp Blades Matter

When you are shaving your face in preparation for the day, think about the difference between the times you use a brand-new razor blade and the times you are trying to get one last shave out of an old blade. When using an old blade, your skin is more prone to cuts, infection, and irritation. When using a brand-new blade, you get a nice, clean shave.

The same thing happens with your grass. If the blades are dull or nicked, the lawn will get cut in a ragged way, causing it to suffer damage and become more susceptible to pests and other diseases. But if the blades are nice and sharp, the grass will get a clean cut, with greatly reduced damage or stress.

Blade Inspection

Mower Blade

Inspect and sharpen or replace mower blades at the start of each cutting season.

At the beginning of the landscaping season (and after roughly 8-10 hours of service) do a thorough inspection of your mower’s blades. Signs of a dull blade include bends, nicks, and/or dents. You’ll want to ensure the blades are properly sharpened and balanced. In addition to the physical inspection of the blades, do a quick inspection of the lawn before you begin your landscaping — clear away any rocks, sticks, or other debris in the immediate area. As you mow, keep an eye out for these blade-nicking items.

Properly Sharpening Your Blades

Keep in mind these few basic tips for sharpening your blade:

  • Wear protective gear, such as safety glasses
  • Disconnect the spark plugs
  • Remove the blade (instructions are found in your owner’s manual)
  • Use a metal file or sharpening stone
  • If using a file, run it in the direction of the blade’s angle — never file back and forth
  • Work in one direction only; blades usually have an angle of 45 degrees
  • Consult your owner?s manual for procedures specific to your mower

Depending on usage, replace your lawn mower’s blade(s) every 1-3 years. Always use OEM blades designed for your specific mower. Universal blades may save you a couple dollars, but can cause potential safety issues from improper mounting and/or the type of metal used to construct the blade.

Properly Balancing Your Blades

Having properly balanced blades is every bit as important as blade sharpness. An unbalanced blade causes stress on the engine and cutting deck due to vibration.

After you sharpen the blade, test its balance with a blade-balancing tool. If you don’t have access to this specialized tool, you can hammer a nail partway into a wall in your garage and hang the blade from it (using the center hole). If the blade hangs horizontally, it is in balance. If one side drops, remove excess material from the side it leans to, using a file or sharpening stone.

Professional Sharpening

If you follow these recommendations and have the proper tools and safety gear on-hand, sharpening your blades is a relatively easy task. However, if you don’t have the proper gear, or don’t feel comfortable doing this type of maintenance yourself, your local Exmark dealer can quickly sharpen and balance blades for you.

Bottom line: using sharp blades will help you have a perfectly mowed lawn, every time.

Resources:

Exmark Launches “Take Back Your Weekends” Video Contest

Monday, March 2nd, 2015

Show your ultimate weekend for a chance to win trips, outdoor gear or an Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower

Exmark today announced the upcoming launch of its “Take Back Your Weekends” video contest. Set to begin April 1, 2015, the contest will run through June 30, 2015.TBYW

Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters, said the contest gives entrants the opportunity to show what they would do with the extra free time a more productive mower would give them. “Exmark is the brand landscape professionals purchase two-to-one over the next best selling brand. The increased productivity Exmark mowers deliver is a professional’s competitive advantage. For a home or acreage owner, Exmark productivity allows them to spend less time on lawn maintenance and spend more time enjoying the benefits of a beautifully maintained property.”

Entrants are required to submit a video depicting how lawn mowers can save time along with a story on what they might do with the extra time. Videos must be original and not previously-published work, and will be judged on three weighted criteria: Creativity (50 percent); Authenticity of the person/story presented (30 percent); and, Demonstration of lawn mower’s time saving ability to “take back your weekends” (20 percent).

One lucky winner will take home the grand prize – a top-of-the-line Exmark Lazer Z X-Series commercial zero-turn riding mower valued at more than $12,000. First prize is a Delaware River fishing trip with professional tournament fisherman, Mike Iaconelli. Other prizes include:

  • Second Prize – 1 winner – The Masters Golf and Spa experience trip for the winner and one guest.
  • Hunting Pack Prize – 5 winners – Hunting gear package including a ScentLock Technologies backpack, Buck Knives Omni Hunter knife, Nikon MONARCH 10×42 camouflage binoculars and a $400 gift card.
  • Fishing Pack Prize – 5 winners – Fishing gear package including a Buck Knives Freshwater Splizzors multi-tool, Abu Garcia Revo spinning wheel, Abu Garcia Verito spinning rod, Berkley Trilene XL monofilament line, PowerBait tackle bag, a variety of DT lures and VMC jigheads and hooks, and more.
  • Golf Pack Prize – 5 winners – Nikon COOLSHOT 40i rangefinder.

Visit Exmark.com/weekends for complete “Take Back Your Weekends” contest rules, or to enter a video in the contest.

How to choose the right Exmark for you

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

When it comes time to purchase your next new mower, there are a lot of factors to consider, but making a good decision can go a long way toward making lawn care easier and less time intensive. Here’s a short guide to help you pick the right Exmark mower for your needs.

Budget

For larger properties, a zero-turn rider like this Lazer Z X-Series model is ideal.

For larger properties, a zero-turn rider like this Lazer Z X-Series model is ideal.

The first thing you need to consider when purchasing a new Exmark mower is budget. If you’re looking at Exmark mowers, you probably already understand you need the most durable, dependable mower you can afford. Exmark builds mowers with a wide range of price and performance levels, and budget is an important consideration when determining which model is right for you. Exmark also offers a number of financing options that can make getting the Exmark mower you need. Learn more about current special offers at Exmark.com.

The Exmark Commercial 30 walk-behind mower has widespread appeal, from landscape professionals, to homeowners that understand the value of their free time.

The Exmark Commercial 30 walk-behind mower has widespread appeal, from landscape professionals, to homeowners that understand the value of their free time.

What will you be mowing?

Once you’ve established your budget guidelines, it’s time to consider what it is you’ll be using the mower for. A walk-behind mower such as our Commercial 21 or Commercial 30 models are ideal for homeowners mowing properties of 1/2-acre or less. If gate access to a property isn’t an issue, some landscape professionals may opt for a larger walk-behind or stand-on machine for sub-1/2-acre properties.

For larger properties, most landscape professionals choose a stand-on mower such as our Vantage S-Series, or a zero-turn riding mower like our Lazer Z X-Series or Navigator models. The zero-turn rider has also achieved widespread adoption among home and acreage owners looking to ease the burden of lawn care and get more of their free time back. Popular models among home and acreage owners include the Quest S-Series Front Steer, Pioneer S-Series, and Lazer Z E-Series machines.

Your first stop — Exmark.com

The new Exmark website has a number of resources that can help you dial in on the ideal mower for you, including the ability to compare selected models, find a local Exmark dealer, request personalized quotes on selected models, or schedule an on-site demonstration.

An online product selector allows you to use filters to dial into the Exmark models that fit your criteria. Filter options include equipment type,

The Exmark online product selector uses filters to zero-in on the right Exmark machines for you.

The Exmark online product selector uses filters to zero-in on the right Exmark machines for you.

fuel type, cutting deck size, price range and payment range. Once you’ve entered your criteria, the site delivers relevant models and configurations, and allows you to request a personalized price quote be sent to your email address.

The Exmark dealer advantage

Mowing conditions and needs vary across the country, so your local Exmark dealer is a great resource when it comes time to select a new mower. Nobody is more closely in-touch with the types of turf and environmental conditions in your area, and they can quickly and easily help you understand your options. Plus, you can schedule a demonstration online for one or more Exmark machines, which can give you a first-hand perspective on the mower size and features that will work best for your needs.

 

Zero-Turn vs. Lawn Tractor: Other Factors to Consider

Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

Quality of Cut: A professional’s calling card

Exmark Pioneer E-Series zero-turn riding mower

An Exmark zero-turn mower makes it easy to give your lawn a professionally maintained appearance.

Landscape professionals earn their living delivering a consistently superior cut quality for their customers. That’s why Exmark has worked hard to engineer the best cutting decks on the market.

Exmark’s patented flow-control baffles and exclusive blade designs deliver an unmatched quality of cut that’s optimized for the increased cutting speeds Exmark mowers are capable of achieving. When it comes to quickly making tall grass short, with a beautiful finished appearance, no lawn tractor can match an Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn rider. That’s one reason landscape pros choose it two-to-one over the next leading competitor.

Durability: The definition of commercial-grade

One thing we’ve learned in our more than 30 years of building mowers for landscape professionals is that stamped steel decks just don’t cut it when it comes to the demands of mowing sun up to sun down. That’s why every zero-turn mower we build comes standard with a heavy-duty fabricated steel cutting deck. Each of the lawn tractors in this comparison feature stamped steel cutting decks.

Exmark UltraCut Rear Discharge cutting deck

Exmark UltraCut cutting decks use high-strength steel that’s fabricated and welded for unmatched durability.

Fabricated decks are stiffer, stronger and more durable than stamped decks, even reinforced models. And with features like no-maintenance sealed bearing spindles and hex-style blade drivers, the Exmark durability advantage extends to the components as well as the cutting deck itself.

Exmark zero-turn commercial mowers feature state-of-the-art powerplants with gasoline, diesel and propane fuel options. With commercial-duty features such as multi-stage canister-style air filters, pressurized lubrication, oil coolers and cast iron cylinder liners, the engines powering Exmark mowers are as cutting edge as the mowers they power.

Our exclusive unitized hydro-drive components and welded, heavy-duty tubular steel unibody frames are two more features that help Exmark machines deliver the durability landscape professionals need to stay productive and profitable season after season.

Bottom Line: Choose the tools the pros use

When compared head-to-head, it’s clear a zero-turn riding mower offers the most compelling combination of productivity, maneuverability and quality of cut available today. And while innovations such as four-wheel steering and four-wheel drive have helped to increase the productivity of high-end lawn tractors compared to earlier models, at every price level examined, Exmark zero-turn riding mowers are clearly the more productive machines.

When it comes to durability, Exmark scores big with true commercial-duty frames, cutting decks, drive systems and engines designed to stand the test of time.

Bottom line: an Exmark zero-turn riding mower very well could be the last mower you need to buy.

Dig Deeper at Exmark.com:

  • Learn more about the advantages of an Exmark zero-turn riding mower.
  • Learn more about how to determine mower productivity.

Exmark Introduces New Accessories for Navigator

Thursday, January 8th, 2015

Available rotary broom and powered hopper lift options increase ease-of-use, multi-season utility

Exmark has expanded the accessories available for the Navigator dedicated bagging riding mower to include a rotary broom attachment, as well as a powered hopper lift system. The new accessories increase productivity and versatility for professional landscape contractors.

The powered hopper lift makes it incredibly easy to dump clippings from the Navigator's hopper.

The powered hopper lift makes it incredibly easy to dump clippings from the Navigator’s hopper.

“When we redesigned the Navigator in 2013, one of our goals was to make the machine easier to operate,” said Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters. “The powered hopper lift option gives Navigator operators the ability to empty a full load of clippings at the touch of a finger. Nothing could be easier.”

In addition to the powered hopper lift system, Exmark has also introduced a rotary broom for the Navigator. This not only increases the machine’s versatility during the cutting season, it expands the potential uses for the Navigator well beyond the cutting season.

According to Exmark Parts and Accessories Marketing Manager, Mark Aldendifer, the rotary broom is designed to perform in a variety of applications, from thatch reduction to snow removal, thanks to two available brush materials.

“Versatility is the name of the game with the Navigator rotary broom attachment. It is shipped with the heavy-duty black bristle set – optimal for snow and general debris removal. We also offer an optional yellow turf bristle set, which has been optimized for dethatching operations.”

The Navigator rotary broom allows angle adjustment of 20-degrees left or right, quickly from the driver’s seat.

The rotary broom attachment expands the usefulness of the Navigator well beyond the cutting season.

The rotary broom attachment expands the usefulness of the Navigator well beyond the cutting season.

A factory-authorized aftermarket accessory, Exmark partnered with M-B Companies, Inc. for manufacturing and sales of the Navigator rotary broom. The system requires installation of a quick hitch (sold separately). Once dealer installation of the quick hitch is complete, the rotary broom fits-up quickly without tools.

The Navigator’s large 9.5-bushel collection hopper increases productivity by allowing operators to spend more time mowing and less time managing the hopper. To further increase the productivity of the Navigator, Exmark developed an exclusive fill-reduction system, which increases the versatility of the machine by allowing the operator to quickly and easily switch from dedicated bagging to fill-reduction mode (30 percent bagging, 70 percent mulching), or 100 percent mulching.

Exmark offers the Navigator with a choice of 42- or 48-inch cutting decks. The floating design precisely tracks ground contours to virtually eliminate scalping. Patented flow-control baffles and a large-diameter blower allow the Navigator to generate massive airflow for increased vacuuming action and a superior, manicured quality of cut.

The 4 5/8-inch deep cutting deck features a rear-discharge design for superior clipping flow-through, reduced noise and the ability to trim on both sides of the deck. Constructed of high-strength welded steel, the Navigator cutting deck also features heavy-duty gear-driven spindle assemblies to deliver superior reliability and long-term durability.

The Navigator features Exmark’s FeatherTouch controls, which deliver smoother, more precise control for effortless maneuvering, even in tight spaces. Updated to reduce control force and provide a more consistent feel throughout lever travel, the FeatherTouch controls are easy-to-operate and offer an increased range of adjustment to precisely fit a wide range of operator sizes.

Two powerful Kohler engine options are available for the 2014 Navigator, including the CH640 Command V-twin, and the ECH730 Command EFI V-twin with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). Both engines feature heavy-duty cyclonic air filters and a Lazer Z-style hour meter module and harness for improved on-board diagnostics.

The Navigator features Superior Gear gearbox assemblies with spiral-bevel cut gears for quiet operation. Each gearbox is independently sealed to prevent cross-contamination or loss of lubricant, and Exmark engineers use 3/8-inch hardware to connect all gearboxes and shaft tubes for increased reliability and strength. Additionally, Premium Timken tapered roller bearings are used to ensure superior durability and long life.

The new accessories join a long list of productivity and versatility enhancing accessories for the Navigator, including:

  •  Custom suspension seat
  •  48-inch snow blade
  •  44-inch snow blower
  •  Mulching kit
  •  Light kit
  •  Dump Tubs

Learn more about the 2014 Exmark Navigator or find the nearest authorized Exmark dealer at Exmark.com, or call (402) 223-6300.

Quicken Loans Outdoor Giveaway Offers $40,000 in Outdoor- and NASCAR-themed Prizes…

Monday, October 13th, 2014

Quicken Loans and Realtree contest features Exmark mower, Talladega Superspeedway trip, among other prizes

realtree-sweeps1The Quicken Loans Outdoor Gear Giveaway, recently launched by online mortgage lender Quicken Loans and camouflage designer Realtree, is looking to make one lucky outdoor enthusiast’s dreams come true with a NASCAR- and outdoor-themed grand prize package. With a value of more than $40,000, the package includes a Bad Boy Buggies Recoil iS 4X4, Exmark Lazer Z X-Series lawn mower, a year’s worth of mortgage payments compliments of Quicken Loans and a three day, two-night trip for two to Talladega Superspeedway, among other prizes.

To enter, visit TheQLOutdoorGiveaway.prizelogic.com. Each person can enter the contest once per day, and can boost their chance of winning by referring friends and family members through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“This high-horsepower contest has something for everyone, from the avid outdoor adventurer to the most die-hard NASCAR fan,” said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quicken Loans. “When we plan out our promotions we are always looking for fun and exciting ways to engage with our current and future clients, and this giveaway definitely fits the bill.”

In addition to the grand prize, consumers can also visit the TheQLOutdoorGiveaway.prizelogic.com site daily to play an instant-win game for a month’s mortgage payment, Otterbox phone cases, Fathead wall-graphics, and many other prizes.

“Aside from all the great outdoor prizes, I can’t wait to join the grand prize winner in the Realtree suite at Talledega,” said Bill Jordan, Realtree Designer and President. “It’s one of NASCAR’s most legendary tracks and it never fails to host an exciting race.”

To be eligible for the Quicken Loans Outdoor Gear Giveaway, entrants must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. The giveaway ends December 31st, 2014 with the grand prize winner announced in early 2015.

Click to download the Quicken Loans Outdoor Gear Giveaway full-page PDF.

Exmark and Meredith Publishing Announce Mower Winners

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Two winners selected to receive Exmark Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn riding mowers

Exmark and Meredith Publishing recently announced the winners of two contests — the Farm Beautiful contest, held in partnership with Successful Farming magazine, and the Beautiful Places contest, held in partnership with Living the Country Life magazine.

Exmark/Successful Farming Farm Beautiful contest

Richard Haas has been named the grand prize winner of the Exmark Farm Beautiful contest. As the grand prize winner, Exmark awarded Haas a Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn riding mower. Haas and his family live in LeRoy Ill. and own and operate Haas Family Farms, LLC.

Farm Beautiful contest grand prize winner, Richard Haas, poses with his wife and their new Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower.

Farm Beautiful contest grand prize winner, Richard Haas, poses with his wife and their new Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower.

“We are pleased to name Richard Haas the grand prize winner of the Farm Beautiful contest,” said Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters. “He demonstrates the same values on his farm that Exmark puts into our mowers, a drive for perfection and passion for quality work. The Haas family farm embodies this.”

Haas says it’s a rewarding feeling when you hard work is recognized.

“Our farm has evolved over the past 50 years,” says Hass. “When we first purchased the homestead in 1961 it had no running water or furnace. Our family worked hard to transform the farm into a beautiful, productive home and workplace and it’s nice that our hard work was noticed.”

The Haas family farm was selected from more than 100 other entries. Entrants submitted up to 12 photos and 500 words describing the farmstead, including history, how the land was developed and how the layout of the property accommodates farming activities. Entries were judged using four-point criteria, which included appearance, strategic layout, overall state of maintenance and creative use of landscape in a farmstead setting.

Exmark/Living the Country Life Beautiful Places contest

As the grand prize winner of the 2014 Beautiful Places contest, Kate James will mow in style on a new top-of-the-line Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower.

As grand prize winner of the 2014 Beautiful Places contest, Kate James will mow in style on a new top-of-the-line Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower.

Kate James has been named the grand prize winner of the Exmark Beautiful Places photo contest. In partnership with Living the Country Life magazine, Exmark awarded James a Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn riding mower.

“We are pleased to name Kate James the grand prize winner of the Beautiful Places contest,” Walters said. “She entered a beautiful homestead and we are excited Exmark will be a part of now it, helping her perfect her landscape with a quality machine.”

James says she feels fortunate to win the contest with the image she captured.

“I was just getting home as a storm rolled in. I thought I would quick snap this, and it turned out beautiful. I love how our chicken coop looks in the bottom of the picture. I never thought it would be the winning picture in the Exmark Beautiful Places contest,” said James.

James was selected from more than 90 other entries. Entrants submitted up to 8 photos and captions, describing their photos. Entries were judged using 3-point criteria, which included beauty of image, quality of photo, and uniqueness of photo.