OPE Business

April 2017

Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, OPE Business provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.

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20 APRIL 2017 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com FEATURE STORY | Mower Trends FEATURE STORY | Mower Trends Husqvarna's commercial mowers are all designed to offer professionals the power, durability and ergonomics they need to get their jobs done right, day in and day out. One of our core mowers is the PZ 60 zero- turn, which offers a 7-gauge, 60-inch cutting deck and a fully mechanical suspension seat system with vibration control. It also features an open design for easy maintenance, which reduces downtime in the long run. One of the new things we're working to deploy in 2017 is Husqvarna Fleet Services, which is a Cloud-based service that allows landscaping teams to connect their fl eets to an online portal so they can monitor equipment performance and manage maintenance issues. It's all part of our commitment to being a go- to business partner by designing innovative technology solutions that will make professionals' jobs easier and more productive. In addition, we're the only brand that offers a complete lineup, from wheeled to handheld products, so we can offer a comprehensive fl eet solution to meet professionals' needs. — Giovanni Crespi, director of regional product management of Husqvarna North America John Deere remains dedicated to providing a variety of commercial mowing solutions for landscape professionals. We have a complete portfolio of products, including gear and hydrostatic walk-behind mowers, ride-on and stand-on zero- turn mowers, wide-area mowers and front mowers. We offer the industry-exclusive Michelin X Tweel Turf, available for John Deere ZTrak 900 Series models with 54-, 60- and 72- inch deck sizes. The X Tweel Turf is an airless radial tire that virtually eliminates tire downtime and is nearly maintenance free. Featuring automotive rubber technology, the X Tweel Turf lasts up to three times longer than standard turf tires. Other solutions include our Z930M, available with an EFI (electronic fuel injection) engine, and our fl ex-fuel-compliant Z925M. Along with our industry-exclusive Mulch On Demand deck option, these John Deere solutions enhance customer performance and effi ciency. — Ruben Pena, product marketing manager, zero-turn mower, John Deere Kubota introduced two different series of mowers at GIE+EXPO 2016. Kubota's Z400 (Kommander Pro) Series is targeted toward entry-level commercial customers and small- estate owners. It fi ts perfectly in between Kubota's residential Z100 (Kommander) Series and our full commercial Z700 Series. Z400 is equipped with premium Kawasaki engines and comes in deck sizes of 48, 54 and 60 inches. Durability is our hallmark, so this unit features a ZT-3600 series transmission with steel-cut gears and larger charge pump. Getting the job done quickly is one of the most important purchase criteria, so this machine is designed to go up to 10 mph to enable customers to get the job done quickly and effi ciently. It has a 2-year commercial warranty and 4-year/500-hour residential warranty. Customers can purchase these machines for a limited time for $5,999 to $6,999, depending on deck size needed. K u b o t a ' s Z D 1 5 0 0 Series is our largest series of mowers. The ZD1500 features a wide mower deck and a Tier 4-compliant 30.8-horsepower Kubota diesel engine with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) for standout power. Kubota's patented Aerodynamic Cutting System provides for smoother airfl ow and a more powerful blade rotation, resulting in less clumping of clippings, better fuel effi ciency and faster cutting performance. The new ZD1500 mower is the most powerful of Kubota's highly coveted ZD-Series, delivering high-volume cutting effi ciency and professional performance for large turf acreages, from residential estate owners to schools and municipalities. — Rajesh Joshi, Kubota product marketing director, turf 2017 is a landmark year for Steiner, as we're proud to introduce the all-new Steiner 450 tractor. It is the new fl agship machine for Steiner, and it's more powerful and versatile than ever before. Specifi c to mowing, we have several mowing attachments that can tackle nearly any project, from the toughest to the most precise. This tractor and its mowing capabilities will thrive in the golf, sports turf, large landscape and hobby farm industries. And the best part is that it isn't just a mower. With more than 20 attachments, it's really a machine that can do it all, from trenching to snow blowing to sweeping. — Craig Rohde, marketing manager for Schiller Grounds Care (Steiner) This year, we have launched the Sport version of the Stander Intensity, which gives you all the advantages of standing but also the ease of a seat when needed. We continue to broaden our product lines with larger, more powerful and commercial- capable engines. In the fall of 2016, we began installing the Briggs & Stratton 26-hp. 810-cc Vanguard engine on the Stander X and ZTO mid-mount Z. We also have added several 36- and 48-inch rear-discharge deck options. — Ed Wright, director of research and development, Wright Manufacturing L&I: What trends are you seeing in the market overall with regard to mower design, manufacture and sales? We're very mindful that landscape professionals' biggest expenses are equipment, fuel and labor, so anything that we can do to improve their operating costs is a top priority for us. Whether it's designing our equipment to last longer so they aren't having to buy it as often, looking at ways we can make our FEATURE STORY | Mower Trends PHOTO PROVIDED BY KUBOTA

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