Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Worldlawn expands distribution


Mike Navojosky, national sales manager for Worldlawn Power Equipment, Beatrice, Neb., recently announced the addition of distributors General Power Equipment and Beaver Valley Supply, and an expanded territory awarded to Lawn Equipment Enterprises, Inc.


For additional information, visit www.worldlawnpowerequip.comGeneral Power Equipment, Columbus, Ohio, will work the territory of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Based in Denver, Colo., Beaver Valley Supply will represent World-lawn in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico. Lawn Equipment Enterprises, Waycross, Ga., now covers Florida in addition to Georgia and Alabama.

For additional information, visit www.worldlawnpowerequip.com




Toro And The Legendary Toro Snow Blower


When it comes to manufacturing home and garden tools that make a difference... you can always rely on Toro. Toro has built a reputation for helping to create the greenest lawns on the block and the clearest driveways during the wintertime. This reputation for quality and reliability began almost immediately when the Toro Motor Company was formed in 1914, when the company experienced immediate growth and interest in their products and subsequently more and more satisfied customers encouraged business further growth.


Electric Snowthrower: With the Power Shovel Plus and the 1800 Power Curve, all a user has to do is simply plug in the machinery without the hassle of worrying about gas or oil for their snow equipment.Two-Stage Power Max: The Power Max line (6000, 826 LE, 828 LXE, 1028 LXE, and 1128 OXE models) is full of power, easy-to-use, and highly reliable.Single Stage: The CCR Powerlite, CCR 2450 GTS, and CCR 3650 GTS snow blower models are compact and lightweight, making maneuvering around multi-level landscaping and accommodating paved drive and walkways a much easier task.As growth progressed, Toro was able to expand as a business by hiring more employees, including a fresh crop of ingenious developers and forward-thinkers. The number of their top-notch products has continued to grow to this day, bringing numerous Toro snow blowers, leaf blowers and lawn mowers into almost every neighborhood in North America. Over the years, the Toro Company also racked up many firsts in the industry: it was the first manufacturer to offer a lawnmower with an electric start, the first to use bag attachments with each mower and the first to provide a "Guaranteed to Start" warranty.Toro products have always been legendary: when you try out Toro machinery for the first time, you will understand why!Two-Stage Power Throw: With the Power Throw 522, the heavy gauge steel and cast aluminum parts provide an efficiently tough machine able to tackle the worst of snow accumulation.Toro's Impressive Line of Snow Blowers Toro offers a satisfying line of reliable snow blowers able to tackle the longest driveway or the most stubborn sidewalk when the winter begins to reach full swing. The company offers many different types of snow blowers aimed to cater to a versatile crop of customers. There are specific snow blower models made to fulfill simple sidewalks, decks and patios, while others are built for heavy-duty snow removal for driveways measuring about three cars wide.Today, Toro continues to push the limits of snow blower and lawn care innovation at their headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. Under the Toro name, an assortment of high-quality machinery and convenient products has established a stronghold on the homeowner, professional and business markets. The last 15 years of the company's history has seen a broadening of business horizons, as Toro now caters to municipal parks, cemeteries, gated communities, and in recent years has come to dominate the golf course irrigation market.The Toro name, reputation, and company policy also follows the desire to preserve and enhance the splendor of the environment. Products are built to stay safe, clean, quiet and gentle on natural resources. Toro also cares for their customers, as they actively give back to their industry and numerous communities through the Toro Foundation. With every purchase of a Toro snow blower or any other product bearing the illustrious Toro name, a portion of the proceeds are returned to a given community and the turf industry. Toro also has a Scholars Program, which aims to cultivate future leaders in the world of outdoor landscaping.Snow Commander: To easily remove snow with a high level of power, speed and maneuverability, the Snow Commander provides the unique Power Propel System and the durable, high-output R*Tek engine.

Toro products have always been legendary: when you try out Toro machinery for the first time, you will understand why!




Thursday, August 18, 2011

Alamo Group Inc. Acquires Schulte Industries, Ltd


Business Editors


"It will give retailers a headsup on the weekend' explained Scott Bernhardt, senior vp-manufacturing and retail for Planalytics. if the short-range weather forecast calls for a mild fall weekend in a typically cold climate, local residents might decide, en masse, to recoat their driveways. Demand might also be prompted by an end-cap promotion of driveway sealer.With an accuracy rate of 75 percent for analysis made a year in advance, Planalytics can sometimes miss the mark. Last month, Sears was expecting a cold spell that never materialized in the North Central states. Rand, Sears' merchandiser, could also use better information on precipitation. "I'd like to know how many inches of snow are coming," he said, only half in jest. But overall, Rand said he is pleased with Planalytics' reports, which he can now make available to his regional vps through a Web-based browser.Planalytics, which also provides services to agricultural and energy suppliers, targets multistate retailers with revenues of $100 million and up. Farm and fleet retailer Tractor Supply with $690 million in 1999 sales uses Planalytics to keep tabs on the climates in its 28-state trading area.Planalytics attaches a "weather favorability" number to seasonal products that takes into account past sales history in a particular location. Some of the more obvious examples in the home-centered channel are patio furniture, garden chemicals and space heaters. But other candidates include power washers, interior paint and humidifiers. Using Planalytics' favorability numbers, merchandise and logistics managers can factor the weather into their supply chain.Using a model that analyzes historical sales data and future weather trends, Sears can determine -- with a certain margin of error, of course -- consumer demand for certain products in different geographical regions. If a cold snap is expected for a certain sales territory, Sears can make sure those stores have plenty of car batteries and warm outerwear in stock. "Two years ago, during the summer of 1998, a lot of retailers ran out of air conditioners," Rand recalled. "We didn't.""Millions of dollars in merchandise, interest and holding costs can result from one [bad] decision," said Jonathan Rand, director of merchandise information for Sears. For the past five years, the nation's fourth-largest retailer has used impact weather forecasting to help plan its warehouse shipments, particularly with seasonal merchandise. "Usually our national buys don't vary much from year to year," Rand explained. "Store allocation is the issue."Smaller retailers who can't afford Planalytics' services needn't be left out in the cold. Those willing to try their hand at weather-impact forecasting can always log onto to weatherplanner.com, a free Internet service that provides moisture and temperature ranges for different geographical regions up to a year in advance."We're a seasonal, weather-driven business, and the weather is very different in the southern part of Texas than in North Dakota," said Blake Fohl, vp-advertising and marketing for the Nashville, Tenn.-based dealer. Tractor Supply uses weather-favorability reports to adjust inventory levels and determine the timing and steepness of markdowns. The information supplied by Planalytics also helps Fohl decide on where and when to place advertisements.Ron Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Alamo Group, commented, "Schulte is a good fit with Alamo both from a product and geographic point of view. Further, the acquisition gives us manufacturing capabilities in Canada, which we plan to use for continuing Schulte production, as well as to help expand Alamo's overall penetration of the Canadian market."

This release contains forward looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market demand, competition, weather, seasonality, currency-related issues, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.




Retailers use sales forecasts to det in front of the weather - Brief Article


Long- and short-range tracking services offer insight before seasonal merchandising decisions are made


"It's not a hard and fast tool, but it's been very good [in determining] the beginning and ending of seasons," Fohl said.Alamo Group Inc. (NYSE:ALG) is pleased to announce that effective today, it acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Schulte Industries, Ltd. and all of its affiliated and related companies. Schulte Industries is a privately owned Canadian manufacturer of mechanical rotary mowers, snow blowers and rock removal equipment.This release contains forward looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market demand, competition, weather, seasonality, currency-related issues, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.pleased to have Jim, Earl and their entire team with us on an ongoing basis. The Schulte products are highly regarded within the agricultural and industrial industries both in North America and overseas, which will strengthen our leading position in our major markets."For additional information, visit www.worldlawnpowerequip.comNATIONAL REPORT -- The vicissitudes of weather have always perplexed retailers whose stores sell out of fans every summer and come up short on snow-blowers after a winter storm. But "impact" weather forecasting, a kind of service that predicts consumer demand based on long-range weather data, is cutting down on guesswork for some larger industry retail chains.General Power Equipment, Columbus, Ohio, will work the territory of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Based in Denver, Colo., Beaver Valley Supply will represent World-lawn in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico. Lawn Equipment Enterprises, Waycross, Ga., now covers Florida in addition to Georgia and Alabama.On average, the weather-impact forecasts are provided a year in advance. But Planalytics is also testing a "short-range" weather forecasting service that would help store managers make decisions on advertising, product placement and staffing levels.Jim Carnago commented, "In addition to the marketing synergies that will be realized by joining Alamo Group, Schulte will be able to preserve the close relationships that have been built with our customers and employees." Earl Schulte added, "The transaction should enable us to expand our product distribution by cross-selling our product offerings with Alamo."The Schulte family of companies was founded by John Schulte in 1923 and is managed jointly by Earl Schulte and Jim Carnago. Operations are conducted out of their headquarters in Englefeld, Saskatchewan, Canada, where it employs approximately 90 people. Schulte has major markets in the U.S. and Canada, and serves both the agricultural and industrial markets. Sales for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2000 were approximately US$12 million.As production of mowers and snow blowers gears up in Beatrice, Worldlawn is expanding its engineering staff and giving them the directive to develop new, innovative, made-in-the-USA power equipment for the North American market.

Smaller retailers who can't afford Planalytics' services needn't be left out in the cold. Those willing to try their hand at weather-impact forecasting can always log onto to weatherplanner.com, a free Internet service that provides moisture and temperature ranges for different geographical regions up to a year in advance.




Worldlawn expands distribution


Mike Navojosky, national sales manager for Worldlawn Power Equipment, Beatrice, Neb., recently announced the addition of distributors General Power Equipment and Beaver Valley Supply, and an expanded territory awarded to Lawn Equipment Enterprises, Inc.


Both Earl Schulte and Jim Carnago will continue managing the company, which will become a subsidiary of Alamo Group. Mr. Robinson added, "We are extremelyAlamo Group is a leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service of high quality equipment for right-of-way maintenance and agriculture. Our products include tractor-mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, street sweepers, agricultural implements and related after market parts and services. The Company, founded in 1969, has over 1,400 employees and operates eleven plants in the United States and Europe as of March 2000. The corporate offices of Alamo Group Inc. are located in Seguin, Texas and the headquarters for the Company's European operations are located in Salford Priors, England.

For additional information, visit www.worldlawnpowerequip.com




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Ventrac ET200


The Ventrac ET200 turbine blower provides the power and control to perform cleanup work simply, quietly and efficiently. Specifically, it can be used to blow leaves and light snow, as well as remove debris from sidewalks, parking lots and other areas. The ET200's front discharge nozzle can be hydraulically rotated 360 degrees from the comfort of the operator's seat. The dual-action front bumper/deflector protects the nozzle from damage. When the nozzle is pointed downward, the deflector bars on the bumper direct the airflow forward, clearing a path directly in front of the tractor.


Ventrac byVenture Products Inc. Fill in 209 on reader service form or visit http://OneRs.hotims.com/14647.209




Canadian government awards airport funding


AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD


Among them was a private dinner at the terminal earlier this month, led by authority board President Randall Tobias. The dinner brought together airline officials and prominent local leaders. The 44 guests included Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman, BioCrossroads CEO David Johnson and the new CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, Don Welsh. Welsh previously headed Seattle's visitors' association.Other events this month at the terminal included a reception for arts groups, coordinated by local event planner Donna Imus, for whom the authority set aside up to $60,000 in September.The new terminal is a veritable art museum, with millions of dollars in public art from artists nationwide, all in the name of marketing Indianapolis to the visitors who pass through.Events like this were largely to recognize a job well done by thousands of workers who helped build the massive project on time and on budget.

((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))




Authority spends big on events for midfield


Building a new airport terminal is expensive, so much so that even opening the doors in proper fashion doesn't come cheap.


The Canadian government has announced an investment in three Canadian airports.Airport officials say taxpayer money was not used for the events. The funds came from airlines and other airport users.But in the aggregate, the spending would be enough to buy two runway-clearing snow blowers. Or five years of airport refuse disposal under terms of a new, fiveyear contract with Ray's Trash Service.Gerig said Tobias wanted to use the occasion of the opening of the terminal in part to better familiarize airlines with the business community and its needs for additional air service here. At the same time, "the community got to hear the difficulties the airlines are going through right now," Gerig said.The expenditures are a sliver of the $1.1 billion outlay for the midfield terminal at Indianapolis International Airport, to open Nov. 11.Funding from the Airports Capital Assistance Program is intended to improve safety at the Fort Chipewyan, Grande Prairie and High Level airports.The Airports Capital Assistance Program provides finance to capital projects relating to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction.Airport records show the authority board in September authorized another $275,000 to food and beverage and other vendors for opening events.He added that Tobias intends to use the event as a springboard for additional forums involving economic development and air travel.The airport tours were free and familiarized local residents with not only the configuration of the terminal but also how to find it. The new terminal is accessible from Exit 68 on Interstate 70 rather than from Interstate 465 as the current terminal is.((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))"The airlines were very impressed with who we had," said Sease Gerig principal Lou Gerig."The more of those people who came to community days, the better. ... It was very important to our airline partners that we had this."Fort Chipewyan will receive CAD685,000 for wildlife control fencing; Grande Prairie will receive CAD105,414 in order to purchase a sand truck and a truck-mounted sander and CAD366,570 for a replacement snow blower; and High Level will receive CAD277,495 for a front-end loader and attachments.The contracts include up to $120,000 to Jug's Catering Services for a Sept. 6 contractor's event that fed 8,000 people at $15 a head.Trice said officials also hope attention to the terminal helps pique the interest of air travelers in the region. The Cincinnati area alone generates an estimated 35,000 travelers at Indianapolis International each year. Some employers in that region encourage their employees to drive to Indianapolis International, where a diversity of airlines creates lower fares to many destinations than from Cincinnati's Delta Air Lines-dominated airport.In the last two months, the Indianapolis Airport Authority board has approved spending at least $850,000 toward grand-opening parties and events in the form of contracts with caterers, event planners and public relations firms.Airlines are covering the bulk of bond payments on the new terminal, in part through higher fees they'll pay to land there beginning next year.Managing that event was locally based Rayna-Traylor Events, to which the airport authority on Sept. 5 authorized paying up to $245,000.Airport officials say events that on the surface appear frivolous have a purpose that will pay dividends later. Among them was a public tour of the facility Oct. 11-12 that drew an estimated 30,000 visitors.Meanwhile, the airport board in September authorized paying up to $150,000 to prominent Indianapolis public relations firm Sease Gerig & Associates for opening events and other airport services.

Airport officials say taxpayer money was not used for the events. The funds came from airlines and other airport users.




Author: O'Malley, Chris


ConsumerSearch.com Helps Value-Conscious Shoppers Find the Best Bets This Holiday Season


NEW YORK -- ConsumerSearch.com (www.ConsumerSearch.com) today launched a complete redesign that will further help value-conscious shoppers by making it easier to access the reviews and analysis the site has amassed on a wide range of products and services.


Other new features include an updated search function that makes it easier and faster to get relevant information and a tool that allows recommendations to be shared via popular social networks, social bookmarking services, as well as via e-mail.This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com4. Verify the condition of the lubricant. You want to monitor the lubricant to insure it's up to cleanliness standards. A good sampling program must be instituted. If it sounds like I'm preaching the Oil Monitoring Analysis certification training offered by STLE, I am. But let's take it even further for critical machines and add things like infra-red and vibration analyses. Use the tools we have at our disposal to make sure the machine is ready to perform.1. Get the proper lubricant. I have found that it's best to start from scratch. Go to the books and find the original specification for the machine. Make sure any rebuilds have not changed the original specification. This is important because replacing oil that was being used may be duplicating a mistake made in the past on a lubricant survey. If this sounds like I don't trust the work done by others, the truth is I don't.Last year my snow blower got quite a workout. We had record snowfall, and the machine was barely limping along by the end of the season. This year I figure there is about a month before the first big snows, and it's time to get the snow blower ready: new paint, oil change, adjust the belts, grease the bearings and fix the drive gear and friction drive. All the things the snow blower needs to get through another winter."This year people are seeking reassurance about their buying decisions," says Cella Irvine, president and CEO, The About Group. "With so many resources available, general Internet research can become confusing, time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming - our job is to simplify the process. ConsumerSearch.com's new look allows users to find the information they seek from credible sources, quickly and efficiently."Pete Oglevie is president of International Production Technologies in Port Washington, Wis. You can reach him at poglevie@intprotec.com.The About Group comprises the Web sites About.com, ConsumerSearch.com, UCompareHealthCare.com and Caloriecount.about.com. About.com is one of the Web's leading producers of original content. The site's expert Guides provide users with accurate and unbiased information to help them live happier, healthier and more successful lives. ConsumerSearch.com analyzes expert and user-generated consumer product reviews and recommends the best products to purchase based on their findings. UCompareHealthCare.com provides dynamic interactive tools that enable users to measure the quality of healthcare services. Caloriecount.about.com offers weight management tools, social support and nutritional information to help users achieve their diet goals.To accomplish this I want to remind you of four important points.

This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com




Is your machine ready to perform?


Avoid problems by implementing these four lubrication strategies.


ConsumerSearch.com, owned by The About Group, collects the best editorial and user-generated product reviews, analyzes their picks and recommends what to buy in over 340 product categories, from MP3 players to snow blowers. With more than 35 percent of U.S. consumers across all income levels expecting to spend less money this holiday season, according to a September 2008 study by The Nielsen Company, shoppers will rely on credible product research more than ever.According to a study by BIGresearch, 38.3 percent of adults in the United States (almost 85 million) regularly research products online before purchasing (Source: BIGresearch, Simmons 12, June 2008). Along with a thorough analysis of the best reviewed products, ConsumerSearch.com provides multi-page reports for each product category. "We've added new buyer's guides to help consumers understand product categories with multiple types of products," continued Ms. Irvine. "For example, with televisions we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of LCD, plasma, projection and standard TV's."Rather than having to visit multiple review sites to see what experts and users think of a particular product, ConsumerSearch.com saves shoppers time and effort by analyzing those findings and then making its own product recommendations."Our goal was to create a design that makes it easier for site users to make buying decisions," added Ms. Irvine. "We want to help people feel good about what they buy and one way to do that is to make confident purchases based on the homework they've done utilizing the top information sources we provide."The About Group is part of The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.Now back to the snow blower. What should have been an easy operation turned into a nightmare. The drive shaft seized and refused to let go- it's going to take hours of pounding, torching and coercing to get the shaft out and a new drive gear in place. This could have been avoided if I had taken the time to apply a nickel's worth of antiseize agent to the drive shaft. Maybe a month will get it ready.2. Identify all lubrication points. Use diagrams, pictures and schedules. Employ the KISS system- Keep It Simple, Stupid. Establish the program so the shop floor can understand and perform the operations on a timely basis. Then use your experience to identify points that are not readily apparent. Antiseize for gear shafts is a good example. I'll explain more about that in a minute.Io write these articles I often take a problem I am dealing with and draw comparisons to the shop floor. This month I'm dealing with a problem that reminds me of a very important point: Machines have to be ready to perform their duties when called upon.So how does this relate to what a sales engineer does? Qn the shop floor we have to make sure the recommended lubricant is proper for the job. We have to make sure the lubricant is applied when needed in the proper amount. We have to maintain the lubricant in the proper condition to run the application. Ultimately, we have to insure the machine is ready to perform.3. Perform all operations on a scheduled basis. Verify that the work is being performed in a timely proper manner. Use the machine lubricant specification sheets made up earlier as a visual check by a supervisor or yourself. Check the sheet to make sure operations are being checked off as they are completed. Then look at each lubrication point to ensure the job was done correctly. Retrain any operator or maintenance man who is not getting it right.

Pete Oglevie is president of International Production Technologies in Port Washington, Wis. You can reach him at poglevie@intprotec.com.




Author: Oglevie, Peter A


Snow blowers


As snow blower manufacturers are dreaming of a white Christmas--and a white January, and a white February--consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group indicates that blowers and throwers, of the electric and gas-powered variety, are selling briskly to older customers, predominately male, who are increasingly selecting higher-horse power product.




NOWCAST: ECHOES


"The run was open for a day-and-a-half last winter."


They are larger and can clear an area faster, with clearing widths up to 30 inches, than single-stage models. Two Stage gas snow blowers have driven wheels, a snow-gathering auger, and an impeller to help disperse snow.- OLE HARILD, who built a ski slope on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, even though the island rarely gets snow and has no hill higher than about 100 meters. After Harild and a friend wanted to go skiing two years ago but could not take the time to travel abroad, Harild requested a European Union (EU) subsidy to create his own Alpine ski run, not expecting to ever receive a response. The request was approved, however, and the EU provided him with 100,000 Euros (about $136,000), with which he purchased a snow blower, skis, boots, and a machine to delineate the slope. The only thing he wasn't able to buy was snow. "I never thought [EU officials] were going to back something so crazy," Harild says. (SOURCE: Agence France-Presse)-ANNE CAREY, of Ohio State University, on a study that examined whether the torrential rains of a single typhoon can bury tons of carbon in the ocean. Two different groups of researchers took samples of the sediment in river waters on Taiwan during Typhoon Mindulle, which hit the island in July 2004. One study is in an October issue of Nature Geoscience, and the other is in the June issue of Geology. The Nature Geoscience group found that 80%-90% of the organic carbon eroded by the storms was transported along the river to the ocean. The other found that the amount of carbon contained in the sediment was about 95% as much as the river transports during normal rains over the entire year. The researchers did emphasize that typhoon runoff is not a cure-all, noting that not enough carbon is washed down either as plant material and soil or by chemical weathering of rocks to get rid of all the extra carbon dioxide. (SOURCE: LiveScience)General Rule of ThumbECHOES

-ANNE CAREY, of Ohio State University, on a study that examined whether the torrential rains of a single typhoon can bury tons of carbon in the ocean. Two different groups of researchers took samples of the sediment in river waters on Taiwan during Typhoon Mindulle, which hit the island in July 2004. One study is in an October issue of Nature Geoscience, and the other is in the June issue of Geology. The Nature Geoscience group found that 80%-90% of the organic carbon eroded by the storms was transported along the river to the ocean. The other found that the amount of carbon contained in the sediment was about 95% as much as the river transports during normal rains over the entire year. The researchers did emphasize that typhoon runoff is not a cure-all, noting that not enough carbon is washed down either as plant material and soil or by chemical weathering of rocks to get rid of all the extra carbon dioxide. (SOURCE: LiveScience)




Which Snow Blower is Right For You?


If there's one thing people hate about winter, it's shoveling the driveway. Clearing snow and ice from driveways and sidewalks is hard work but doing it with a snow blower will make your job much easier than shoveling.


They rely on a rubber-tipped auger alone to gather snow, disperse it, and help propel the machine.The type of snow blower you choose will depend on whether your driveway is gravel or paved, large or small, flat or hilly, as well as the severity of your winters. Snow blowers come in three basic designs.The week before last, with the skies all clear, the DAA was out trying to buy EUR2.5million worth of snow sweeper vehicles.They are even smaller (11 to 18-inch clearing width) than single stage gas models.Siobhan Moore of the DAA said: "We have a snow and ice fleet, sweepers, snow-blowers and ramp-hogs."-Major League Baseball Commissioner BUD SELIG, after Game 5 of the World Series in Philadelphia between the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Kays was postponed due to rain-the first time in history a World Series game was suspended. Selig's assessment that the forecast was inaccurate was challenged by some, who pointed out that 0.10 inches of rain were forecast for the Philadelphia area between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m., and 0.13 inches had fallen when the game was called around 11 p.m. (SOURCE: MLB.com; NationalWeatherOnline.com)3. Single-Stage Electric Snow Blowers"You'd have to weather [and erode] all the volcanic rocks in the world to reduce the CO2 back to pre-industrial times."And by last Tuesday, when the country ground to a halt under a blanket of snow, the airport was boasting of how they were fully kitted out for Arctic conditions.They are smaller (21-inch clearing width for most) than two-stage models and take longer to clear a given area. Single stage gas snow blowers are lighter to push and turn, are less expensive, and store in less space that two-stage models.

For heavy annual snowfall (over 12"), you will need a larger engine to tackle the job and a larger intake area to clear more snow quickly. Two-stage models are recommended for medium (6'-12") to heavy snow conditions, while single stage model should be sufficient for light snowfall (under 6").




Author: Michael Lee


DID Dublin Airport


DID Dublin Airport know something the rest of us didn't?


Murphy's still confused, however. If the DAA has everything they need to keep the airport open, why are they spending millions on more snow sweepers?Given the weather forecast we had-and we had monitored it over and over again-it was a decision that we made. And obviously I made it with some significant trepidation, but had the forecast held, we would have been O.K."1. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blowers

Murphy's still confused, however. If the DAA has everything they need to keep the airport open, why are they spending millions on more snow sweepers?




Author: Murphy


1023 E and 1026 R compact tractors and attachments


The new John Deere 1023E/1026R tractor platform was developed from the ground up to improve attachability and customer satisfaction. New implements, including a series of front-end loaders, a snow blower, and a series of AutoConnect[TM] mowers, were developed with the new tractor platform. The two tractor models will be differentiated with power level and basic or premium options. The loaders will also be differentiated with basic or premium operator features.


Write to Tim Goral at tgoral@universiybusiness.com.New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will reject tuition increases in the state's schools. Good news for families perhaps, but the schools are working through a 30 percent funding reduction from the last three years.Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbert has proposed dramatic cuts to education, including cutting $625 million, or about 50 percent, of funding meant for 14 state-owned universities, as well as Temple University, Penn State, Lincoln University, and the University of Pittsburgh.In Washington State, college and university leaders were told they would face $600 million in cuts in the next two years--about half their previous funding--and that they should prepare for an additional $180 million in cuts if tax revenue doesn't improve. Either way, officials at the University of Washington predict tuition will have to increase more than the 11 percent currently proposed.The other sure sign, unfortunately, is the seemingly endless news reports of higher ed budget cuts, coupled with tuition hikes at both public and private institutions across the country. In all, 43 states have made significant cuts to their higher education budgets, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (www.cbpp.org).

www.deere.com




Chinese auction and all that jazz


Jazz, door prizes and auction items made for a fun, social event along with fundraising at the Torah School of Greater Washington's Eighth Annual Chinese Auction Sunday night at Beth Shalom Congregation.


Florida students must wonder where the state's priorities lie when they read that Governor Rick Scott's proposed budget cuts $3.3 billion from overall education funding. Meanwhile, lawmakers want state funds to build golf courses and hotels--in each of the five state parks. This is in a state that already has more golf courses--over 1,000--than any other state.Still, there are some hopefuls signs.

The grand prize - a two-year car lease for a Honda Civic (or cash) - went to Rabbi Yosef and Ivy Edelstein of Silver Spring.




Smart fixes for big problems


I KNOW THAT SPRING IS FINALLY UPON US because my wife has started organizing her vegetable gar, den. The garden, like the start of baseball season and the sound of lawn mowers instead of snow blowers, is a sure sign of longer days and warmer evenings.


Colleges and universities--and students--are paying the price, and there doesn't seem to be a way out.The University of Arizona, for example, wants to counteract state funding cuts by raising tuition and fees by $1,790 next year, a 22 percent hike. The budget proposed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer would also cut the state's funding to Maricopa County community colleges by $38.4 million, or 85 percent.And in Tennessee, officials at The University of the South, said they would cut its $46,000 sticker price by 10 percent next year, to end what it called the "tuition game." True, these are Band-Aids on gaping wounds. But until the economy improves, these measures and others like them may be the best we can expect.www.deere.comThe D120 and H120 loaders arc two new loaders designed to optimize the performance of the 1 Series Sub-Compact Tractors from John Deere. The lift capacity, lift height, breakout, and reach complement the capability of the 1 Series tractor. The H120 loader offers convenience features including a deluxe parking system and an optional Quik-tach attachment carrier. The D120 loader brings similar levels of performance in a cost-conscious package with fewer features.The grand prize - a two-year car lease for a Honda Civic (or cash) - went to Rabbi Yosef and Ivy Edelstein of Silver Spring.Grovetown, Georgia, USA803-372-8753John DeereThe 54D and 60D AutoConnect mowers greatly increase the speed and ease of attaching or removing a mower. AutoConnect mowers represent the first application of this technology to the sub-compact tractor market and are designed to complement the 1 Series tractors. The mower allows automatic attaching of the mid-mount mower and its PTO drive system to the 1 Series tractors.

Write to Tim Goral at tgoral@universiybusiness.com.




Author: Tim Goral


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

5 Things You Should Know About Spring & Summer Lawn Care


Finally, it's that wonderful time of year here in Canada, when we can say with relative certainty that the snow is long gone. Of course that means it's time to turn our thoughts from snow blowers to lawn mowers and spring and summer lawn care . So if the melted snow has revealed a lawn that is less than ideal, here are five important things you should know about Spring & Summer lawn care , from your neighbourhood experts at GreenLawn.


Lawns fertilizers should be applied at specific intervals, as part of a seasonal fertilization program, however; homeowners must be careful to add the right amount at the right time. Because, while adding spring lawn fertilizer is an important part of springtime lawn care, adding too much spring lawn fertilizer can actually cause weed growth and disease. In terms of applying fertilizers during the summer season, adding lawn fertilizer too late in the season will encourage growth at a time when grass should be slowing its growth in preparation for winter.Buying a snow thrower does not have to be hard if you do a little research on which one you need. If there is not a lot of snow that you have to clear, a one stage or single stage thrower should be sufficient. This type of blower has one metal and one rubber auger that spins very fast and throws the snow off the path. If you live in a place where it snows heavier or more regularly, then a two stage snow blower would be the better choice for you. A two stage blower has a metal auger that turns slower than a single blower and the auger does not touch the ground, an added bonus because of this is that you can use this blower on gravel and other loose surfaces.4. Yes, You Can Help Prevent Weed GrowthAbout GreenLawnMammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.3 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented ski resort in the United States. The company owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage and retail. Specific businesses owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain include Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, June Mountain, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village Lodge and Sierra Star Golf Course in Mammoth Lakes, California. For more information on Mammoth Mountain, visit MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH.Mammoth is still experiencing the benefits of the snowiest winter ever at the resort with over 55 FEET of snow fall and will keep the lifts running daily for skiing and snowboarding through July 4, 2011. For the most recent resort conditions, please visit: http://www.mammothmountain.com/MyMammoth/Even better, from June 24 through July 4, fans of groomed snow and fast singletrack can enjoy unlimited skiing and biking in one day for only $79, only $7 more than a standalone adult lift ticket. For those who don’t want to bring both ski gear and bike gear up to the mountain, add a 2-hour bike rental or protective gear rental for only $20 each. Try out a bike from Mammoth’s brand new fleet of rental bikes from Rocky Mountain Bicycles and experience the best of both worlds.3. Apply the Right Lawn Fertilizer at the Right TimeIn this video, Bike Park Supervisor Mark Hendrickson talks about what’s in store for visitors: http://youtu.be/frLkAhBpekk5. Hiring a Lawn Care Service Can be AffordableWhile it may be practically impossible to prevent weed seeds from finding their way into your lawn, there are things you can do to help make your lawn an unfavourable place for them to grow. Lawn aeration, adjusting fertilizing schedules and even changing the height of your mower blade can all play a part in discouraging weed growth. Of course, if weeds continue to be a problem, the best thing you can do is to call your local GreenLawn lawn care specialists for professional weed control help.2. Raking Isn't Just for Fall LeavesUsing a shovel to get the snow off your driveway and sidewalk is very labor intensive task and can cause you to over use or pull a muscle in your back or arms, this in turn can cause you to take time off work; if you are older, shoveling snow could potentially cause a heart attack if you over do it. There is also the risk that you may slip and fall if there is ice under the snow that you do not see.

Contacts: GreenLawn Canada http://local.greenlawncanada.com




Snow Blowers - Why Should I Buy a Snow Thrower


You may be asking yourself why do I need a snow blower; I am in great shape and it is great exercise, or you may be thinking why spend money on a snow thrower when a shovel can do the same job for less. Both of these are valid points however there are health benefits that a snow blower can give you that using a shovel cannot. Although using a snow thrower may be less strenuous than using a shovel, the risk of back injury can be greatly reduced.


Snow throwers come in different styles so when you are looking for one you need to know what one will be best for you.Contacts: GreenLawn Canada http://local.greenlawncanada.comFor more information about what to look for in a snow thrower, check out Tim's product review site by clicking the link below.Prior to applying lawn fertilizer , raking and thatch removal are vital parts of your springtime lawn care regimen. So if you haven't already, grab your rake and clear any leftover winter debris from your lawn. Then give it a more thorough raking to remove any thatch. Thatch is a dry, light brown layer of stems and roots that develops between your lawn and the soil. Because thatch can increase insect and disease problems, you'll want to be sure to have it taken care of.

For more information about what to look for in a snow thrower, check out Tim's product review site by clicking the link below.




Author: Tim A Taylor


Going Up Or Down? Do Both With Mammoth’s Ski/Bike Package When The Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Opens June 24th


MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. -- It’s been an epic winter at Mammoth, but that hasn’t stopped the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park trail crew from getting out the snow blowers and digging out the bike park trails for opening day.


People have been using shovels for hundreds of years, so why do you need a snow blower. Many people have been asking this same question for years. There are a number of reasons to purchase a snow blower. The health benefits are one of the main reasons to purchase one.Packages are available online, in-person or at 800.MAMMOTH. With so much to do in one day, guests who want to stay close to the outdoor action can take advantage of the Third Night Free Lodging Package. Book two nights of lodging at the Mammoth Mountain Inn and receive your third night free. Head over to www.MammothMountain.com for details.GreenLawn has been making Canadian lawns lush for over 30 years. With 11 locations across the nation, we provide lawn care, tree and shrub care , landscape and maintenance services for residential and commercial clients of all types and sizes. To learn more about GreenLawn lawn care services or to schedule lawn care service, please visit http://local.greenlawncanada.com/Lawn-Care .If you've been looking over at your neighbour's lawn and thinking the grass really is greener on the other side, take comfort in knowing that you can have a healthy, beautiful lawn this summer too. Lawn care really is affordable! Your local GreenLawn can give your lawn the love it deserves with lawn care service such as fertilization, weed control, pest control and more, and all at a price you can afford. So this year, instead of worrying about the basics of lawn fertilization or hunting dandelions, call on the professionals, sit back and enjoy the results.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.3 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented ski resort in the United States. The company owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage and retail. Specific businesses owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain include Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, June Mountain, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village Lodge and Sierra Star Golf Course in Mammoth Lakes, California. For more information on Mammoth Mountain, visit MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH.




Kubota BX2660


The Kubota BX2660 sub-compact tractor is equipped with Kubota's powerful 3-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine. Combining power, comfort and versatility, the Kubota BX2660 features 4-wheel-drive, 2-range transmission with differential lock, hydrostatic power steering, rigid ROPS and deluxe high-back seat. With 25.5 gross hp. and simple 1-lever loader operation, the BX2660 is compatible with a full line of performance-matched implements, including box scraper, front and rear blades, rotary tiller, snow blower, sweeper and more. The BX2660's front loader has a maximum lift height of 71.3 inches with a 4.9-cubic-foot bucket capacity.


Kubota Tractor Corp.




Toro And The Legendary Toro Snow Blower


When it comes to manufacturing home and garden tools that make a difference... you can always rely on Toro. Toro has built a reputation for helping to create the greenest lawns on the block and the clearest driveways during the wintertime. This reputation for quality and reliability began almost immediately when the Toro Motor Company was formed in 1914, when the company experienced immediate growth and interest in their products and subsequently more and more satisfied customers encouraged business further growth.


Toro's Impressive Line of Snow Blowers Toro offers a satisfying line of reliable snow blowers able to tackle the longest driveway or the most stubborn sidewalk when the winter begins to reach full swing. The company offers many different types of snow blowers aimed to cater to a versatile crop of customers. There are specific snow blower models made to fulfill simple sidewalks, decks and patios, while others are built for heavy-duty snow removal for driveways measuring about three cars wide.Depending on your average snow accumulation and frequency of snowstorms, you may consider the following Toro snow blowers:Two-Stage Power Throw: With the Power Throw 522, the heavy gauge steel and cast aluminum parts provide an efficiently tough machine able to tackle the worst of snow accumulation."McCormick is poised for growth," continued Johnson, "and Woods is prepared to be an integral part of their presence in the marketplace.""Being able to offer quality Woods products in red with the McCormick brand will truly strengthen our full offering of compact, utility and Ag tractors," said McCormick CEO Doug Rehor. "Now our customers can get a single-brand solution for their tractor and attachment needs, which opens up better retail financing opportunities and a true tractor-attachment system. Further, our dealers will also be able to floor-plan the McCormick by Woods attachments, along with their McCormick brand tractors. This offers unprecedented flexibility to them as they manage their equipment inventories."Electric Snowthrower: With the Power Shovel Plus and the 1800 Power Curve, all a user has to do is simply plug in the machinery without the hassle of worrying about gas or oil for their snow equipment.Snow Commander: To easily remove snow with a high level of power, speed and maneuverability, the Snow Commander provides the unique Power Propel System and the durable, high-output R*Tek engine.Today, Toro continues to push the limits of snow blower and lawn care innovation at their headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. Under the Toro name, an assortment of high-quality machinery and convenient products has established a stronghold on the homeowner, professional and business markets. The last 15 years of the company's history has seen a broadening of business horizons, as Toro now caters to municipal parks, cemeteries, gated communities, and in recent years has come to dominate the golf course irrigation market.As growth progressed, Toro was able to expand as a business by hiring more employees, including a fresh crop of ingenious developers and forward-thinkers. The number of their top-notch products has continued to grow to this day, bringing numerous Toro snow blowers, leaf blowers and lawn mowers into almost every neighborhood in North America. Over the years, the Toro Company also racked up many firsts in the industry: it was the first manufacturer to offer a lawnmower with an electric start, the first to use bag attachments with each mower and the first to provide a "Guaranteed to Start" warranty.Single Stage: The CCR Powerlite, CCR 2450 GTS, and CCR 3650 GTS snow blower models are compact and lightweight, making maneuvering around multi-level landscaping and accommodating paved drive and walkways a much easier task.

Toro products have always been legendary: when you try out Toro machinery for the first time, you will understand why!




Author: Andrew Tudhope


McCormick USA, Woods Equipment announce strategic alliance


McCormick USA, Inc. (Duluth, Ga.) and Woods Equipment Company (Oregon, Ill.) announced on June 15 that they have formed a strategic partnership to offer Woods attachments through McCormick USA's nationwide dealer network.


This alliance covers a full line of agriculture and landscape equipment, including cutters; finish and zero-turn mowers; front-end loaders; backhoes; snow blowers; and assorted scrapers, discs, rakes, post-hole diggers, stump grinders and blades. All equipment covered under this agreement will be McCormick red and branded "McCormick by Woods."Toro products have always been legendary: when you try out Toro machinery for the first time, you will understand why!Rehor and Johnson agree that the partnership's strength will be built on both companies' philosophy of "doing business simply" and corporate cultures revitalized by a focus on dealer profitability. Both share aggressive growth objectives and are enjoying momentum in the marketplace, bolstered by strong brand identities, recognized for a premium product.Two-Stage Power Max: The Power Max line (6000, 826 LE, 828 LXE, 1028 LXE, and 1128 OXE models) is full of power, easy-to-use, and highly reliable.

Rehor and Johnson agree that the partnership's strength will be built on both companies' philosophy of "doing business simply" and corporate cultures revitalized by a focus on dealer profitability. Both share aggressive growth objectives and are enjoying momentum in the marketplace, bolstered by strong brand identities, recognized for a premium product.