Archive for the ‘Exmark Information’ Category

Three Winners Take Home Exmark Mowers in ‘Farm Beautiful’ Contest

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

Farmers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin selected as winners of Successful Farming contest

 

Three Midwest farm families will be mowing in style, thanks to Exmark and Successful Farming magazine. As winners of the Successful Farming ‘Farm Beautiful’ contest, each of the three families has received a new Exmark Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn riding mower.

The winners of the 2013 Farm Beautiful contest were: Dave and Nikki Heying of Granville, Iowa; Wayne and Laura Dahl of Dawson, Minnesota; and Dennis and Marian Lichtenberg of Clintonville, Wisconsin.

Wayne and Laura Dahl take delivery of their new Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn rider.

Wayne and Laura Dahl take delivery of their new Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn rider from Exmark dealer, Steve’s Equipment.

The Heying family received their new mower from their local Exmark dealer, Sheldon Power in Sheldon, IA. The Dahl family worked with Steve’s Equipment in Montevideo, MN, while Weyer’s in Kaukauna, WI delivered the Lichtenbergs their new Exmark.

As part of the deliveries, representatives demonstrated the safe operation of the Lazer Z mower to each family. They also stressed the importance of always securing the operator lap belt and mowing with the Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS) in the up position.

The Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn mower each family won features a 60-inch cutting deck and powerful Kawasaki V-twin commercial engine. It gives them the same power and productivity landscape professionals rely on every day, and will significantly reduce the time required to maintain their properties.

Farm Beautiful winners Dennis and Marian Lichtenberg will benefit from the speed of their new Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn rider.

Farm Beautiful winners Dennis and Marian Lichtenberg will benefit from the speed of their new Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn rider. It will make quick work of the family’s beautiful farm!

Exmark’s Daryn Walters said that, in addition to increased productivity, the new mowers deliver the company’s signature quality of cut and include Exmark’s latest patented technologies to increase operator comfort.

“We developed our exclusive Exmark Comfort Seat with patented technologies to effectively isolate the operator from vibration and impacts. Research indicates a direct correlation between operator comfort and productivity, and because of this, we place a high priority on making Exmark mowers as comfortable as possible.”

The Farm Beautiful contest is an annual contest hosted by Successful Farming magazine. Ninety 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 a four-point criteria which included appearance, strategic layout, overall state of maintenance, and creative use of landscape in a farmstead setting.

Successful Farming staff selected the three winners.

Dave and Nikki Heying had Exmark dealer, Sheldon Power, add a number of accessories including an UltraVac collection system, before taking their Lazer Z X-Series mower home.

Dave and Nikki Heying had Exmark dealer, Sheldon Power, add a number of accessories including an UltraVac collection system, before taking their Lazer Z X-Series mower home.

Details of the 2014 Farm Beautiful contest will be released in a spring issue of Successful Farming magazine, as well as on the publication’s Facebook page.

Learn more about Successful Farming at SuccessfulFarming.com.

Benefits of RED Technology Explained

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

Last week’s GIE+EXPO wrap-up featured an image of the oil barrels Exmark used to demonstrate the fuel savings the EFI and RED Technology-equipped Lazer Z X-Series zero turn rider can deliver. Thanks to increased fuel economy of up to 40 percent, a contractor can save about $1,900 each season on fuel costs alone, based on current prices.

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) a landscape professional can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower. How much can you save, you may ask? If you run 600 hours, you'll save on average 550 gallons of fuel and have about $1,900 in your pocket!

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) you can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower, at current fuel prices. Photo: K. Tauer, Exmark

With such heady efficiency claims, you may be wondering how RED works. In a nutshell, Exmark’s exclusive RED Technology is an on-board intelligence platform that enables communication and response between key systems. RED optimizes mower productivity and durability by actively monitoring and controlling key mower components including the engine and clutch.

Inside this plug resides the brains of the RED system.

Inside this plug resides the brains of the RED system.

RED Technology is Exmark’s green industry-specific adaptation of the active engine monitoring and control that makes modern automobiles so efficient and reliable. RED leverages other on-board engine technologies such as EFI and an electronic governor to deliver both increased efficiency and responsiveness.

The reduced droop of the electronic governor is a key feature that allows Exmark to achieve increased efficiency and performance on RED-equipped mowers.

The reduced droop of the electronic governor is a key feature that allows Exmark to achieve increased efficiency and performance on RED-equipped mowers.

The electronic governor significantly reduces governor droop to offer more consistent blade tip speed and a superior quality of cut. The increased responsiveness of the electronic governor also allows RED to feature three defined performance modes – Low, Efficient and Max. Instead of adjusting a throttle, the operator simply chooses the appropriate level of performance for the task, with the option to significantly reduce fuel consumption without impacting responsiveness when running in Efficient mode.

A three-position rocker switch replaces the mechanical throttle on RED-equipped machines.

A three-position rocker switch replaces the mechanical throttle on RED-equipped machines.

Thanks to the responsiveness of the electronic governor, RED-equipped engines achieve maximum efficiency in Efficient mode, while operating at lower engine RPM. In this setting, blade tip speed is optimized for maximum cut quality and the mower not only uses less fuel, it is quieter and emits fewer emissions, with reduced overall machine wear.

RED also enhances the safety and durability of the Exmark mowers on which it’s equipped. It accomplishes this by actively monitoring vital engine and clutch components to prevent equipment failure in the field. If a situation such as high oil temperature or low oil pressure is detected, RED places the machine in a safe transport mode (clutch disengaged, 2,500 RPM) to prevent permanent damage and allow the machine to be returned for service.

In this age of $3+/gallon gasoline, it’s easy to dream about saving 40 percent on fuel costs. Today that dream is reality for RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series owners. If you’re interested in living the dream, head out to the Exmark website to learn more about Exmark’s exclusive RED Technology and the Lazer Z X-Series mowers it’s featured on.

Click the logo to learn more about RED Technology

Click the logo to learn more about RED Technology

Exmark at GIE+EXPO 2013

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

The 2013 Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) is in the books and by all accounts it was a great show. There was a consistently high level of booth traffic at Exmark’s indoor and outdoor booths, despite near-freezing temperatures during much of the show.

Exmark's "comfort" display included Exmark comfort and Air Ride seats configured as an office chair, love seat, and even a sofa! Image: K. Tauer/Exmark

Exmark's "comfort" display (at right in the photo) featured Exmark comfort and Air Ride seats configured as an office chair, love seat, and even a sofa! Images: K. Tauer/Exmark

Attendees came to see Exmark’s latest innovations, including RED Technology on the Lazer Z X-Series, the UltraCut rear-discharge cutting deck (now available on the Lazer Z S-Series), EFI-propane Lazer Z and Turf Tracer models, and new walk-behind aerators. Each new product innovation was developed to help landscape professionals do more using fewer resources, with increased profitability.

“Doing more with less” was an oft-heard theme during GIE+EXPO 2013, and it’s a goal Exmark has long been focused upon. Our exclusive RED technology is a great example, as it uses intelligent engine and powertrain management to deliver increased efficiency and fuel economy with no sacrifices to the performance of the machine. Learn more about RED Technology and how it contributes to increased efficiency and durability on RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series models.

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) a landscape professional can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower. How much can you save, you may ask? If you run 600 hours, you'll save on average 550 gallons of fuel and have about $1,900 in your pocket!

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) you can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower. How much can I save, you may ask? If you run 600 hours in a year, you'll save on average 550 gallons of fuel and have about $1,900 in your pocket!

Maintaining Your Cutting Edge

Thursday, September 12th, 2013

A little maintenance goes a long way when it comes to keeping your Exmark cutting system performing at its best. In the heat of the cutting season, while you’re focused on cutting grass, it’s easy to let blade and deck maintenance intervals slip. It’s a common challenge, but when it comes to cut quality and cutting efficiency, it pays to keep blades sharp and belts tight.

Blade maintenance

The sharpness and overall condition of your cutting blades are extremely important to the performance of your Exmark mower. Here’s why: instead of cutting cleanly, dull blades tear blades of grass instead of cutting them cleanly, increasing susceptibility to dieback and pests. And due to their inability to efficiently cut grass, dull blades also increase the load on the engine and powertrain of a mower. This decreases fuel economy and increases component wear, leading to increased service costs and ultimately, a reduced lifespan for the mower.

For landscape contractors, the lost efficiency and increased wear and tear can significantly impact profitability. As a result, it pays to inspect the blades and deck each day, and sharpen/balance blades every 10- to 50-hours, depending on cutting conditions. Be sure to replace any blades that show excessive wear, especially where flat and curved parts of the blade meet. If significant wear or slotting is observed (see Figure 1), replace the affected blades with appropriate Exmark Original Equipment (OE) before mowing again. Exmark OE blades are engineered for specific cutting conditions and their use preserves the performance and long-term durability of the Exmark cutting system.

Figure 1: Replace worn blades if you observe signs of wear or slotting.

Since cutting conditions vary, it’s tough to predict exactly when blades will need sharpening, so many contractors will keep an extra set of sharp, balanced blades in the truck, ready to be rotated-in at a moment’s notice. That way they can continue cutting uninterrupted and can wait until they get back to the shop to sharpen and balance the blades.

Belt and idler pulley maintenance

Belt tension is an issue that Exmark users really don’t need to worry about, since the belts are self-tensioning. Because of this, service is reduced to checking the condition of belts every 50-hours and replacing as necessary.

Because belts stretch most when they’re first installed, it pays to stay on-top of belt tension adjustment on mowers that lack an automatic tensioner. Running a mower with loose belts significantly decreases the lifespan of the belts, so check their tension three times in the first 24 hours of use following installation, adjusting as necessary. After this break-in period, check belts every 50 hour of use, adjusting when tension drops below the specification in the owner’s manual.

It’s easy to check belt tension with a ruler and a fish scale. Simply hook the fish scale around the belt and pull, using the ruler to measure the belt’s deflection. Some Exmark belts are specified to run at ½-inch of deflection under 10-pounds of pressure. At this tension, a 10-pound load on the belt will move it ½-inch.

Idler pulleys should be clean and free of debris. An easy way to extend the life of idler pulley seals is to spray them periodically with spray lubricant. Exposure of the seals to the sunlight’s UV rays can harden the seals, reducing their effectiveness. A quick squirt of spray lube periodically keeps the seals soft and supple and helps them do a better job of keeping dirt out.

Of course, keeping the cutting deck clean and free of debris is extremely important to the overall efficiency of an Exmark mower. Each day, as you check the condition of cutting blades, be sure to also check the mulch build up under the deck, cleaning as necessary.

Visit Exmark.com for more information, tips, product manuals, maintenance schedules and more.

Exmark Helps the National Mall Go Green

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

In late June, Exmark’s Garry Busboom traveled to Washington D.C. to represent Exmark in a ceremony where six propane-fueled Exmark Lazer Z S-Series zero-turn mowers were donated to the National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA). The new alternative-fuel mowers, donated by the Propane Research & Education Council (PERC), replace NAMA’s fleet of diesel-powered mowers.

greenmower_11sm

Not only will the new EFI-propane Lazer Z S-Series mowers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-percent per mower, they will also lower operating costs through increased fuel efficiency along with the lower cost of propane fuel. The deployment of the mowers has also contributed to NAMA’s ability to be added to the Green Parks Plan, a National Park Service initiative to implement sustainable practices, reduce dependence on foreign oil, mitigate effects of climate change and reduce energy consumption.

“I was proud to be a part of the National Mall ceremony on behalf of everyone at Exmark,” said Busboom, the company’s chief development engineer. “Seeing the EFI-propane Lazer Z mowers starting up for the first time on the Mall was truly awesome and it’s a great feeling to know our mowers are contributing to achievement of NAMA’s larger environmental and sustainability goals.”

The four 72-inch and two 60-inch Lazer Z S-Series zero-turn mowers will make up one-third of the mower fleet on the National Mall. The cost-savings and environmental benefits the groundskeepers at NAMA now enjoy are competitive advantages any landscape professional can enjoy with a similarly-equipped Lazer Z S-Series mower. The electronically fuel injected (EFI) Kohler Command Pro powerplant is the first of its kind to use automotive-style propane fuel injection to increase fuel efficiency by up-to 25-percent and allows Exmark to deliver the greenest, most fuel efficient mower, with the lowest operating cost of any mower on the market today.

greenmower_06sm

Due to the fuel efficiency of the new EFI Kohler powerplant, the new Lazer Z S-Series needs just one 10.3-gallon propane tank, compared to most competitors’ two-tank systems. This not only significantly improves balance and handling but also allows the mower to be more compact. NAMA will use a propane cylinder exchange system from local supplier, Thompson Gas.

PERC’s donation of the six Exmark mowers is valued at approximately $70,000.

Learn more about the PERC donation and see recent media coverage:

Links:

Incredible Special Financing from Exmark.

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

If you know us, you know that we’re always trying to give our customers the very best equipment. We even have competitive finance offers that make it easy to get your hands on the equipment lawn pros prefer. But we’ve outdone ourselves on this one. Right now, we’re offering 48-month interest-free financing for well qualified buyers on all new Exmark equipment. Yes, you read it right, all Exmark equipment. This is the first time you’ll be able to get a no interest loan AND monthly payments this low (just over $100/month when financing $5000 of equipment). You don’t have to pick one or the other. You can also pay off your loan anytime you want. How’s that for flexibility? This special offer is only available for a limited time through Sheffield Financial subject to dealer participation.

We also have other great offers going on during our May Days event May 10 – 19 like instant rebate offers on all Turf Management equipment, EFI’s, Vantage, Commercial 21, Navigator and Quest. Of course, these offers are available for a limited time. For a full list of our financing programs and rebate offers, visit the “Current Promotions” section of Exmark.com or head to your local dealer.

All finance programs are subject to credit approval of our finance partners. Exmark presents only those retail finance programs that are available on a national basis. Exmark dealers may offer additional sources of financing on a regional basis. If you have questions in regards to current programs, pending application or existing account with G.E. Retail Sales or Sheffield Finance Corporation please contact the Exmark finance partner directly.

Do you have questions about this offer or financing options? Let us know with a comment below.

Exmark Retail Financing 0% for 48 Months

Go Green to Save Green

Friday, May 4th, 2012

At Exmark, it is important to us to be environmentally responsible. From our environmentally safe paint process to manufacturing top-of-line EFI and propane mowers, we’re helping to save the environment and save you money. To do this, we’re extending a $500 instant rebate through May 31 on all eligible EFI powered walk-behinds, stand-ons and riders. With this rebate, you’ll be able to make the switch to a greener, more fuel-efficient system and begin saving up to 25 percent on fuel costs right away.

Electronic Fuel Injected (EFI) performance begins with our closed-loop Kohler EFI engines that use multiple sensors, including an oxygen sensor to monitor changes in operating conditions and automatically adjust air fuel ratios on the spot, resulting in optimal engine performance, reduced emissions and lower fuel consumption. Traditional carbureted engines don’t adjust for changing operating conditions, costing you and the environment more.

EFI engines also improve overall performance and are proven to help reduce maintenance costs. The closed-loop EFI system used in the Kohler engines — produced in a partnership with global-leader Delphi — guarantees instant load response, allowing peak engine performance in all operating conditions.

To find out more details on this great offer and potential savings of up to 25 percent on fuel costs, visit Exmark.com.

Announcing MyLazerZ.com

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

mylazerzTime flies when you’re kicking butt on the lawn. It’s been three years since we rolled out the newly designed Lazer Z. In this time, we’ve helped thousands of pros across America and Canada go beyond. They’re mowing more lawns in less time. They’re spending more time in the field and less time in the shop. They’re growing their businesses and not looking back.

But, don’t take our word for it. Let the pros tell you. We’ve launched MyLazerZ.com  to tell you more about the mower that’s revolutionized zero-turn mowers as we know them. At MyLazerZ.com, you’ll be able to learn about the Lazer Z’s cutting technology, traction and handling, safety and productivity, operator comfort and maintenance. Along the way, you’ll have pros to tell you first-hand how the Lazer Z has helped them go beyond with their businesses.

After you learn about the Lazer Z, you can contact your local dealer and request a demo. Because the way we see it, 2012 will be what you make of it. Are you going to go beyond or just get by? It’s decision time.

Are you going to go beyond or just get by? Let us know with a comment below.

How We Made the Mark Awards

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

The Mark Awards ceremony presented a chance for us to honor those professionals who exhibit pride in everything they do, from selling Exmark mowers to running Exmark red when mowing lawns. Here at Exmark, we have pride too. The Mark Awards gave a chance for some of our employees to show it when they created the actual trophies at our Beatrice plant.

The trophies were made in-house using some of the most advanced technology in our manufacturing plant. Brian York, an Engineering Process Improvement Specialist who’s been with Exmark for over nine years, explained that the trophies were designed using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. After design, a number of different machines were used to produce the various parts of the award:

  • The base was created using our 3D prototype printer through a process called “rapid prototyping.” It’s the same process used to create prototype parts in which we test form, fit and function on the mowers.
  • The red circle and “X” were manufactured using our in-house laser cutter.
  • The nameplate printer etched the names of the winners.
  • The white decal on the “X” was cut using our prototype vinyl cutter.

How do you think the Mark Awards trophies turned out? Want to know more on how the awards were made? Let us know with question or comment below.

Mark Awards Winner Visit

Friday, January 20th, 2012

DSC_0655We recently welcomed the winners of the inaugural Mark Awards to our headquarters in Beatrice for a celebration of their achievement.

“The Exmark community told us who’s the best and who deserves industry recognition,” said Rick Olson, General Manager at Exmark Manufacturing. “At Exmark, we’re about more than just mowers and this was our opportunity to give back and provide additional support to the people that support our brand.”

The winners included:

We flew in our winners and their guests for a once-in-a-lifetime Exmark experience, giving them behind-the-scenes access to our production facilities to see how our durable, efficient commercial-grade mowers are manufactured from raw steel to the finished product.

“I learned a lot about how they made the machines,” said Carlos Davila, runner-up for Crew Member of the Year. “I’d recommend them to any company and any dealer. They’re really good machines.”
Our winners also got to sit down with our executive leadership team and learn about the people behind the mowers. The winners and the Exmark team swapped industry stories, discussed challenges faced in the New Year and each side’s plans for the future.

The winners’ Exmark experience culminated with an awards ceremony with each winner receiving a diecast replica of the Lazer Z and their Mark Award, which was crafted in our Beatrice plant by Exmark employees.

This year’s prizes also included:

  • Best Lawn Care or Landscaping Company – New Exmark Lazer Z mower and $1,000
  • Dealer of the Year – $5,000
  • Crew Member of the Year – A trip for two to Hawaii and $1,000

We were proud to advance the business of these deserving winners. “I started off with two walk-behind mowers, so winning the Lazer Z put me a step above most of the competition in my area. Now I can pick up larger accounts and move forward with my business,” said Zak Matouka.

We enjoyed hosting our winners and thank everyone who participated in the Mark Awards. Leave your well wishes for the winners in a comment below.