Archive for the ‘Z-turf’ Category

Stand-On vs. Walk-Behind Aerators

Tuesday, March 19th, 2019
24" Exmark Stand-on Aerator in use

If you’re looking to add an aerator to your equipment fleet, there’s one question you need to answer: should you buy a stand-on or a walk-behind aerator? The answer will depend on your business needs, the types of property you maintain and your terrain, but we have some basics that can help you choose the right configuration.

Walk-Behind Aerators

If your budget is limited, walk-behind aerators typically have a lower price-point than stand-ons. They are well-suited for small areas, so if you primarily maintain residential properties with small to medium lot sizes, a walk-behind should meet your needs. They’re self-propelled, but an operator may still experience fatigue after a day of steering one around properties, especially if they aren’t designed with ergonomic features or the operator’s comfort in mind.

Exmark’s 21-inch walk-behind aerator has a top speed of 4 mph, and can cover almost one acre per hour. It has straight-forward controls, ergonomic handles, and features heavy-duty, self-cleaning tines. It operates in both forward and reverse, and pulls 4.6 plugs per square feet.

Stand-On Aerators

Stand-on aerators are more comfortable for the operator, and can result in less fatigue. They’re typically larger and operate at higher speeds than walk-behind aerators, resulting in better efficiency for your operation. They are ideal for larger lots, parks and athletic fields, and allow you to aerate more acres in less time — which can mean more profits for your business. When you figure in the increased productivity, a stand-on may be a better purchase in the long run. Stand-ons provide improved traction  and maneuverability, allowing you to negotiate tight spaces with zero-turning radius.

Exmark makes stand-on aerators in a 24-inch and a 30-inch model. With the ability to easily set tine depth between 0.5 inches and 5 inches, the Electronic Depth Control allows operators to maintain consistent core quality around a property—allowing operators to cover more ground, more efficiently. The 24-inch model will fit through a standard 36-inch residential gate, making it ideal for residential property maintenance. It can reach speeds of up to 6.8 miles per hour and aerates almost 1.4 acres per hour. The 30-inch stand-on model reaches speeds up to 7 miles per hour and aerates more than 1.8 acres per hour. Both Exmark stand-on models include a unique platform suspension that provides an extra-smooth ride for the operator, which increases their comfort and may help reduce fatigue.

Choose Exmark

Whether you choose an Exmark stand-on or walk-behind aerator, they feature commercial grade engines and are built to be durable and easily maintained. To schedule a demo, see your local Exmark dealer.

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Expanding Your Lawn Care Business with an Exmark Slicer Seeder

Tuesday, February 19th, 2019

Many small lawn operations would like to grow, but struggle to balance service and equipment needs. You may want to be able to offer a variety of lawn services, but that doesn’t mean you need the budget for multiple pieces of equipment. With an Exmark Slicer Seeder you don’t need multiple machines, because with each pass it can handle verticutting, dethatching and over-seeding.

These three tasks are important for healthy, beautiful lawns. Dethatching promotes healthy growth. While a thatch layer insulates lawns and makes it resilient to foot traffic, more than half an inch of thatch can cause root systems to dry out, create drainage problems, and even lead to mower scalping. Verticutting breaks up the thatch layer and improves the flow of oxygen and water to the lawn’s roots. Over-seeding at the same time creates a thicker lawn, as new growth fills in thin spots. Combining these three tasks into one saves you significant time.

The 20” Exmark Slicer Seeder is easy to use, maneuverable, and fits in tight spaces. At a top speed of 4 mph, you’ll cover a lot of ground, fast. The hopper holds up to 40 pounds of seed, and you can adjust the dispersal rate for light or heavy over-seeding, depending on lawn conditions. Ground speed regulates seed flow, ensuring even seed delivery even if you speed up or slow down.

A Subaru EX27 commercial-grade engine provides the power and fuel-efficient performance professionals depend on. High-carbon steel blades easily remove thatch while cutting slits up to 1” deep. You’ll get the right seed-to-soil ratio for germination. The slicer blades are easy to adjust for grass type, seed type, and depth of the thatch layer. And because it’s an Exmark, the Slicer Seeder has been engineered for reliable performance season after season.

Verticutting two to three times per season can be beneficial for most lawns and regions of the country. In the spring, this helps to remove dead organic material from the lawn to promote healthy growth. Mid-season, verticutting allows more sun, nutrients and water to reach the soil, so you have a healthy platform for strong growth. In the fall, verticutting and over-seeding are basic maintenance tasks that help to promote good growth in the following spring.

A Slicer Seeder can extend your season, so you work earlier in the spring and later in the fall. The benefits of verticutting, dethatching and over-seeding are easy to explain, so it’s a service that doesn’t require a lot of selling. Many customers want to deal with one company for all of their lawncare needs, so offering verticutting as a service can make your business more attractive to consumers. Also, the fact that the machine performs three tasks with each pass will save you time and help improve your profitability.

Is the Slicer Seeder a good fit for your lawncare operation? Find your local Exmark dealer and request a demo.

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Expanding Your Mowing Operation with an Exmark Stand-On Spreader-Sprayer

Wednesday, February 6th, 2019

If you’re considering adding services like this to your operations, you’ll want to invest in equipment that is easy to operate and makes getting started a snap. Exmark’s commercial stand-on spreader-sprayer checks all these boxes and more. It features intuitive controls and advanced lean-to-steer technology with outstanding stability. The spreader-sprayer operates at up to 5.5 mph, making it well suited to a variety of property sizes and terrains.

For small commercial mowers looking to expand services and improve profitability, moving into fertilizing, weed prevention, over-seeding and other non-mowing tasks can be a great first stop. These are services that can either be offered as a stand-alone service or added to seasonal contracts at an additional cost. These are services that many homeowners will find valuable, even if they mow their own lawns, and they are generally affordable. 

We know improved productivity is one way small businesses maximize productivity. The spreader-sprayer was designed with productivity in mind.  It has an adjustable spray width between five and 11 feet. An agitation system lets you mix chemicals in the 20-gallon tank, or stir solutions that may have separated overnight, saving time and minimizing contact with pesticides. Spray rate is also adjustable, ensuring you get full coverage when operating at top speed.  If your client portfolio includes commercial properties with landscaped features, optional spray hoses allow you to fertilize or weed plantings, beds, tiered landscapes, and hard to reach areas without additional trips or hand-held equipment.

The seed hopper holds up to 175 pounds. Because a carrier above the spray tank will accommodate an additional 50-pound bag, even large areas can be covered without having to return to refill. The spread width can be adjusted from four feet up to 22 feet, ensuring you get the right coverage with seeds or fertilizer.

Like all our mowers and turf management equipment, the stand-on spreader-sprayer is built to last. We designed it with an eye to minimizing downtime and maintenance. A compact design makes it easy to trailer and transport.

Whether used alone or in conjunction with a core aerator, our commercial lawn spreader-sprayer allows small mowing operations to quickly expand their list of services and improve both productivity and profitability. To get a demo or learn about special offers, see your local Exmark dealer.

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Spring and Summer Maintenance with a Rotary Broom

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

A rotary broom is useful for much more than sweeping grass clippings off the sidewalk. Whether you typically mow large open spaces, like parks, playing fields and extra-large lawns, or handle multiple residential lawns, there are lots of tasks a rotary broom can accomplish.

A rotary broom can be used to clean gravel, leaves, litter left by runoff, or other debris from grassy areas. With the bristles adjusted for the right height, a power broom can also sweep embedded straw and other mulch out of re-seeded areas once new grass is well established. And with the brushes set low, you can dethatch lawns to provide more air and water to the root systems.

If you offer core aeration, you know that the plugs can be unsightly and take several weeks to dissipate. For places that demand manicured grass, like golf courses, using a rotary broom after aerating will break plugs up. (Plugs can also be swept up for collection and reclamation.)

Trees create lot of litter, and it’s not just fall leaves. Pine needles can quickly build up into a slippery carpet, but with a rotary broom they can be swept onto a tarp for collection and composting. Use a rotary broom to clean away acorns, locust and catalpa seedpods, and sweet gum balls, either leftover from last year or as they drop. You can also sweep away sticks and leaves after high winds or other storms.

If you provide landscape construction or sprinkler installation in your service offerings, a rotary broom is a useful tool to backfill holes or trenches. And if your crews leave dirt, mulch or gravel piles on customers’ driveways while they’re working, a rotary broom can make clean up afterwards faster and easier.

Rotary brooms can also be used on tennis courts without damaging the clay surface, and to clean other hard surfaces like outdoor basketball courts, playgrounds and concrete decking.

Exmark’s 36-inch Rotary Broom features easy to operate controls and simple height adjustment. The broom height can be fine-tuned in 1/8-inch increments, so you can get the right height for any task, and the broom angle can be adjusted 20 degrees left or right with a simple thumb latch. Additional bristle discs for concrete or turf expand the brooms versatility, and the commercial-grade Kohler Command engine can be adjusted for multi-season use by rotating the air intake. Accessories include a high-capacity debris box to collect sweepings, dirt deflectors, and even a snow cab for winter use.

With its wide variety of tasks and capabilities, a rotary broom can expand your offerings and make your landscaping business more competitive and profitable. See your local Exmark dealer for a demo.

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Spreader Attachment for Stand-on Aerator Improves Profitability

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

If you’re a professional landscaper or mower who offers aeration services, you probably have a two-step process, especially in the spring. First you aerate, then you use a spreader to overseed. This means two passes with two pieces of equipment, increasing your time on site, to say nothing of labor, fuel and operational costs. With Exmark’s new spreader attachment for the 24-inch and 30-inch Stand-on Aerators, it’s now possible to aerate and overseed in one pass. By combining two operations into one, operators can reduce costs and improve profitability.

The spreader attachment is simple to install, and can be removed quickly without tools, making it easy to handle on the job site. With a hopper capacity of 80 pounds of seed and speeds up to 7 mph, the Stand-on Aerator with spreader attachment will make short work of even the largest jobs, like playing fields, parks and cemeteries. For residential use, a hopper cover is standard, so seeds stay dry and contained during transportation or between uses.

Like all Exmark equipment, the spreader attachment features easy, intuitive controls that are easy to access. Operators can activate seed spinners or adjust spinner speed to increase broadcast width, as well as open and adjust the seed gate, on the fly, further increasing productivity. A manual blocker door provides increased operator control around flower beds, sidewalks, patios, or adjacent areas that don’t need overseeding.

Commercial mowing operations that add turf maintenance to their mowing services can see revenue and profits grow, and they position themselves to be more competitive in a crowded and competitive industry. By combining aeration and overseeding into one pass, they further increase the profitability of these services while reducing overall man-hours and equipment costs.

For a demo of the Exmark Stand-on Aerator and spreader attachment, contact your local Exmark dealer.

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Exmark Stand-On Aerator: New 24” Model for 2018

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

Exmark’s Stand-On Aerator delivers industry-leading performance and maneuverability. Now, we’re adding a compact machine for lawn care professionals aerating smaller properties. The 24” Stand-On Aerator makes quick work of smaller lawns with less effort than a 21” walk-behind aerator.

With its simple, intuitive controls, all Exmark Stand-On Aerators are easy to operate and maneuver. Ergonomic handles relieve operator stress, allowing crew members to work comfortably over longer periods. Isolation bumpers on the operator platform reduce bumps and vibration, helping keep operators comfortable.  Intuitive controls mean less time training your crew, and more time working.

The core depth can easily be adjusted, without tools, from 0.5” to 5” in half inch increments, allowing for consistent core depth across the entire property. Tines are engaged and disengaged through a foot-activated hydraulic line, leaving the operator’s hands clear to maneuver the aerator. And the aerator’s zero-turning radius provides extreme maneuverability around trees, shrubs and other obstacles.

With its hydro drive system, the 24” Stand-On Aerator reduces horsepower requirements and improves operating efficiency. A Smart Controller provides in-depth and real-time intelligence, including machine hours, machine health, and maintenance reminders, on a LCD screen. It also allows the operator to control tine depth electronically, rather than stopping and manually adjusting the tines.

The 24” model will easily fit through 36” gates, providing crews access to areas that previously needed to be aerated with a 21” walk-behind aerator. On smaller lots, you’ll maintain maneuverability while increasing productivity over a walk behind. With speeds of up to 6.8 mph, your landscape crews will make short work of aerating tasks.

Adding additional lawn care services can be a great way to grow your business and profitability, especially when the equipment drives increased productivity and efficiency on the part of your crews. If you’re interested in adding either the 30” or the 24” Stand-On Aerator to your equipment fleet, talk to your local Exmark dealer.

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The Versatile Exmark Slicer Seeder

Thursday, March 16th, 2017

Exmark Slicer Seeder

The Exmark Slicer Seeder is perfect for generating new grass for your customers and new revenue for your business.

If you’re a lawn care professional looking to expand your service offerings into turf management, but don’t want to invest in multiple machines, or a homeowner looking to rehab your lawn, but without a lot of storage space, the Exmark Slicer Seeder may be the right tool for you. This compact and powerful machine completes three tasks with every pass: verticutting, dethatching and overseeding.  Therefore, it eliminates the need for separate pieces of equipment.

Dethatching is important to promote healthy lawn growth. While a quarter to half an inch of thatch provides insulation and makes lawns springy and resilient underfoot, too much thatch can be problematic as it can cause anything from root systems to dry out to mower scalping. Separately, the practice of verticutting breaks up the thatch layer to allow nutrients, oxygen and water to reach the lawn’s roots. Combining the efforts of verticutting and dethatching, along with overseeding, can help you save significant time.

The Exmark Slicer Seeder is maneuverable, easy to use, and powerful. With a 20” cutting deck and a top speed of 4 mph, it covers a lot of ground, fast. The seed hopper holds up to 40 pounds of seed, and you can adjust the amount dispersed, depending on whether you need light or heavy overseeding. The slicer blades can also be adjusted, depending on grass type, seed type, and depth of the thatch layer. Seed flow is regulated based on ground speed, so you’ll get even seed delivery, no matter how fast or slow you go. Equipped with a commercial-grade Subaru engine, this machine delivers the power and performance professionals and homeowners need to get the job done.

Verticutting two to three times per season can be beneficial for most lawns and regions of the country. In the spring, this helps to remove dead organic material from the lawn to promote healthy growth. Mid-season, verticutting allows more sun, nutrients and water to reach the soil, so you have a healthy platform for strong growth. In the fall, verticutting and overseeding are basic maintenance tasks that help to promote good growth in the following spring.

For landscape professionals, a Slicer Seeder can get you working earlier in the spring and later in the fall. Many customers want to deal with one company for all of their lawncare needs, so offering verticutting as a service can make your business more attractive to consumers. If you’re a homeowner who wants to have the best lawn on the block, this machine can perform the tasks to reach your goal.  And whether you’re a pro or homeowner, the fact that the machine performs three tasks with each pass will save you time and money.

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Seasonal Maintenance with an Exmark Rotary Broom

Thursday, December 22nd, 2016

If you want to extend your lawn care business beyond mowing season, a rotary broom could be just the tool. Rotary broomshave a rotating brush head and are ideal for seasonal clean up and maintenance beyond sweeping a walkway.  You get much greater power and speed than you would from a traditional broom. And it’s not just for sidewalks and paved paths: The Exmark Rotary Broom moves over difficult terrain with ease.

A 36” brush width means you can cover a large surface area quickly and efficiently. The easy-to-operate controls offer streamlined operation: The two-lever control format allows you to use one hand to engage the engine, while the other operates the broomhead. Patented power steering, thumb latch angle adjustments, multiple forward and reverse operations, and easy head adjustment options all contribute to the sleek design. The addition of a multi-season air filter allows you to adjust your broom to the weather, regardless of how hot or cold it is.

Fall Use

Exmark Rotary Broom

Dethatching can be a tough job to perform, which is one of the reasons Exmark developed its 36-inch Rotary Broom. It makes dethatching much quicker and easier to complete.

No more raking or chasing leaves with a blower. A slight adjustment to lift (or lower) the broom head means you can use the rotary broom to brush leaves and other debris away from lawns. Switch to the yellow turf bristle discs to dethatch cool season grasses. You can also easily clear dirt and other debris from paved paths, driveways and sidewalks.

Winter Uses

A rotary broom can help clear away hard-packed snow and ice, which can become difficult to remove in very cold conditions or when there has been a large amount of foot traffic over the area. When salt and traditional methods don’t get the job done, the more aggressive concrete/ice bristles allow you to physically break up the compacted snow without damaging the ground underneath. Accessories like an add-on snow cab and tire chain kits allow you to operate your equipment safely and comfortably regardless of how cold it is outside. With a rotary broom, you may be able to leverage existing customers and expand into clearing driveways, sidewalks and parking lots.

Spring/Summer Uses

In spring and summer, a rotary broom quickly sweeps away unsightly clippings from sidewalks and driveways, as well as clean up debris from summer storms. If you need to dethatch warm season grasses, the rotary broom comes in handy once again. The easy steering and controls allow you to focus your attention exactly where it needs to go, prepping lawns and landscapes for a new season of growth and vitality.

Why Choose a Rotary Broom?

Landscape care can be a four season business with the right tools. From leaf cleanup and dethatching to snow removal, a rotary broom allows you to take expand your outdoor maintenance offerings through fall and winter, while providing professional results to your clients.

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Exmark Spreader Sprayer Video Series

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016

Introduction

Spray System Advantages

Safe Operation and Routine Maintenance

Spray and Spread System Calibration

Spray System Operation

Spreader Operation

Maintenance

Learn more about the Exmark stand-on Spreader-Sprayer at Exmark.com.

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New Product Showcase: Exmark Spreader-Sprayer

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

EX16_Spreader_Sprayer_Left_Front_webThe new Exmark Spreader-Sprayer introduces a number of innovations that make it easier to use and more productive for lawn care professionals, including Lean-to-Steer controls, which give the operator one-handed control of steering and forward or reverse speed.

When combined with the intuitive control layout, the Lean-to-Steer controls free the operator’s other hand to manage spread or spray system controls, or perform spot spraying with the easy-to-access spray wand.

Exmark Spreader Sprayer Lean to Steer controls

Innovative Lean to Steer controls offer one-handed control of direction and forward/reverse speed, freeing the other hand to operate the spread or spray controls.

Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters, said the Spreader-Sprayer was designed to raise the bar in a number of important areas.

“The innovations the Exmark Spreader-Sprayer introduces to the market were driven by the lawn care professionals using our machines every day. From ergonomics, to control location, to innovations to the spray and spread systems, we listened to the feedback of our customers and evolved our product to the point it’s at today.”

Exmark designed the spray system for maximum versatility, with selectable narrow (up to 5.5 feet) and wide (up to 11 feet) spray nozzles. Dual induction nozzles inside the tank provide aggressive agitation of spray mixtures to keep materials in suspension and deliver maximum spray consistency, even when using wettable powders.

Exmark Spreader Sprayer spray system

Selectable wide- and narrow-spray systems deliver maximum versatility and productivity.

A 20-gallon tank includes graduation marks for easy mixing of materials. Designed to be easy to fill and drain, the tank features a wide-fill mouth. Deeply padded knee bolsters surround the operator on three sides to increase stability, control and comfort.

The Spyker spreader system is well known for consistent performance and ease of use. Fingertip placement of spreader controls makes it easy to change the lateral adjustment of the spread pattern from the operator position, on the go. Exmark developed an innovative controller for the pump and spinner motor that gives the operator control of spinner speed (broadcast width of four to 22 feet) and provides operational alerts for the system. In addition, the operator can lock the spinner speed adjustment to minimize unintended adjustments.

The 175-pound capacity hopper is supplemented by the ability to carry an extra 50-pounds of bagged material on top of the tank. Exmark includes a soft hopper cover to protect material in the hopper from moisture during transport.

Exmark designed its Spreader-Sprayer for long-term durability with a Subaru EX27 commercial engine, corrosion-resistant stainless steel mainframe and powder coated control tower. The stainless steel operator platform includes isolation mounts for a more comfortable ride, and the platform locks in the up position for storage or transport.

Learn more about the Exmark Spreader-Sprayer at Exmark.com, or on the Exmark YouTube channel.

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