Landscape & Irrigation

April 2017

Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.

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14 April 2017 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com outdoor power equipment. Most survey respondents reported visiting a public park once a week or more, and they largely believe that purchasing eco-friendly outdoor power equipment should result in tax benefits. Taken together, these results, plus the bans that have begun to affect landscapers in many parts of the country, point to a must-do action item for any landscaping company that wants to remain competitive in the future of the industry: Embrace the next generation of landscaping technology. Building a next-generation fleet Battery-powered outdoor power equipment is part of that next generation. Battery-powered trimmers, leaf blowers and chain saws offer all the power of their gas-powered equivalents, but the output is quieter and less polluting. Productivity and performance are typically the most important benchmarks for outdoor power equipment, but they're not the only areas where lawn and tree care professionals stand to benefit from using battery technology. With fewer moving parts, there's less maintenance involved over the lifetime of the equipment. In Husqvarna's case, battery-powered products are also significantly lighter than their gas-powered counterparts, making them more ergonomic for landscapers who work long days. With this next generation of landscaping technology comes the opportunity to make tools — and the approach to landscaping — smarter. For example, a trimmer head should offer two-way rotation, so landscapers don't have to walk backward while they work. A robotic lawnmower should run frequently to keep a lawn consistently trimmed, thereby reducing the need for irrigation and fertilizers. A fleet operator should be able to track equipment use and maintenance from a mobile app. And, yes, a drone should deliver replacement parts to landscapers on the job and in a pinch. Gas-powered outdoor power equipment will have its place in the future of our industry, just as gas-powered vehicles still have their place on our roads. That said, landscaping companies are proving that emissions-free landscaping and robotic mowing can indeed lend themselves to a business model that's both sustainable and profitable.* Like the greenery we tend to, the landscaping industry must evolve. All around us, cities are growing, with technology and consumer demand driving much of that growth. Imagine what green spaces will be capable of when landscapers also harness next-generation technologies and a streak of sustainability. Walt Rose is national sales manager for commercial lawn & garden and tree care at Husqvarna. * For a profile of Kick Gas Lawn Care in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and how they are using battery-powered landscape equipment, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUnghJFoWUM INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

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