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From the editor
By Mike Jiggens
Summit carves out special need in west
While conducting my interview with the founder of the Western Canadian Snow & Ice Management Summit for this issue’s cover story, I kept reminding myself how grateful I am to be living in southern Ontario.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-Western Canada by any means. I have several family members and friends living in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, and I have enjoyed my visits to that part of the country every time. It’s the Western Canadian winters I don’t care for.
I have faced a number of Calgary winters over the years, but I’ve never had the opportunity to experience a Chinook. I’ve read about them and heard lots about them from others who have been there and done that, and it’s one of those cool phenomena you’d love to experience at least once.
Chinooks, as I’ve learned, aren’t necessarily that “cool,” though, if you’re engaged in winter snow and ice management services. Chinooks typically produce freeze-thawfreeze cycles that keep snow contractors on their toes, even though for the masses it’s a nice yet temporary tease of spring for upwards of 24 hours before it’s back to the deep freeze again.
It’s that long, drawn-out deep freeze that doesn’t appeal
to me. Southern Ontario winters are cold enough for me, thank you, but by comparison are reasonably mild next to Western Canadian winters. I guess I’ve just been spoiled all these years. Winters in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland are usually very mild, but wet. I’d rather live with some cold and some snow during the winter months as long as I’m not perpetually wet.
In Western Canada, the seasons are typically about the same length with the winter capable of outlasting the summer.
Western Canadian winters tend to be long as well. Snow in October and May is virtually unheard of in southern Ontario, yet it can be commonplace in Alberta and Saskatchewan (and in parts of Quebec and Atlantic Canada, for that matter). Speaking with this gentleman from Calgary who was involved with the snow and ice summit, I found it difficult to identify with the Western Canadian snow season, both in terms of extreme temperatures and snowfall amounts and frequencies.
Commercial snow contractors in southern Ontario would be up to their eyeballs in work if we experienced the same winters they do in Western Canada. For southern Ontario
landscape contractors engaged in winter snow and ice maintenance, their off-season (non-growing season) is notably shorter than their on-season. In Western Canada, the seasons are typically about the same length with the winter season capable at times of outlasting the summer season.
Snow and ice management is a big deal in the western part of this country and having a proper forum where contractors can meet, network, learn and demonstrate some of the latest technology in equipment and materials is important. The Western Canadian Snow & Ice Management Summit took place in September in Calgary for the second consecutive year. It was created to meet a need and has grown sufficiently enough to warrant a third offering next year.
Previously, Western Canadian snow contractors who wanted to further educate themselves and get a close-up look at some of the latest technology available would have to attend that year’s SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association) conference at a location usually in the northeastern United States. It was easier said than done to get to these forums with connecting flights usually required.
Something positive and much needed has been carved out in Western Canada, and it looked like organizers were going to realize at least 400 attendees this year – a significant leap from the 300 in attendance the year before.
I guess there really is no business like snow business.
www.turfandrec.com
Editor Mike Jiggens mjiggens@annexbusinessmedia.com
National Advertising Manager
Rebecca Lewis 519-400-0322 rlewis@annexbusinessmedia.com
Group Publisher Todd Humber thumber@annexbusinessmedia.com
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Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com
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A 3½-foot-long ball python was found on the Kawartha Golf & Country Club in Peterborough in September, possibly released by its owner who no longer wanted it as a pet.
The non-venomous snake was removed from the golf course and taken to an area reptile zoo. If the snake isn’t claimed and it passes quarantine, it will become an added attraction for the zoo that is recognized as the only registered non-profit reptile zoo in Canada.
Rubber pellets test positive for lead on artificial field
Crumb rubber pellets from the artificial turf field at Vancouver’s Trillium Park have tested positive for lead, prompting the Vancouver Park Board to recommend all synthetic fields in its jurisdiction be tested and measures taken to keep rubber bits out of the storm water system.
Vancouver Coastal Health’s chief medical officer of health has said health risks, including cancer, are not increased from playing on artificial turf fields and there is no reason to discontinue playing on them.
Geese relocated to safe sanctuary
Canada geese – the scourge of parks, golf courses and green spaces – are being relocated from Mississauga and Oakville to a bird sanctuary in Windsor-Essex. Parks officials from both municipalities say they are seeing much less excrement and damage to their turf areas since the recent relocation of about 1,000 geese. Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Kingsville is taking in the geese. The relocated birds have proven to be popular among visitors to the sanctuary who say the natural setting is much preferable to urban waterfront parks where geese overrun and overpopulate the areas.
Left alone, the geese destroy turf and are a detriment to park lands.
3.5
Lawns are a waste of space and are eco-unfriendly: editorial
Lawns are a waste of space and are harmful to ecosystems, a fourthyear Queen’s University student has written in an editorial published in the school’s The Journal.
Amelia Rankine, who is also The Journal’s production manager, added Canadians should stop trying to keep manicured lawns alive and opt for such alternative covers as clover.
Sustainability needs to be considered in all aspects of our lives, including landscaping, she wrote, adding lawns require unreasonable amounts of irrigation, fertilizer and “toxic” pesticides to achieve an aesthetic quality.
Rankine wrote that the modern lawn is an idea taken from Europe that once served as a status symbol and today – even hun-
dreds of years later – still serves the same general purpose.
She said water usage tends to increase upwards of 50 per cent during the summer when lawn watering is popular. “Weeds” that residents wish to eliminate, she added, are essential pollinators and food for bees.
“Lawns are more than a waste of space – they’re harming our ecosystems,” Rankine wrote. She suggested we switch our quest from a perfectly manicured lawn to one that is environmentally conscious with cover that includes such alternatives as clover, which is drought-resistant and produces bee-friendly flowers.
The world cannot continue to maintain “old-fashioned aesthetics” at the expense of the earth’s wellbeing and our own survival, she concluded.
1,000 GEESE relocated to Kingsville sanctuary
FEET
length of ball python found on Peterborough golf course
Health & Safety
By the CCOHS
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) promotes the total well being of workers in Canada by providing information, training, education, systems and solutions that support health and safety programs and injury and illness prevention. www.ccohs.ca
Workplace hazards can exist anywhere
Hazards can exist under desks, on the plant floor, in the air and pretty much any place people work. Inspecting the workplace regularly for hazards is an essential part of a health and safety program. Inspections help to prevent injuries and illnesses by identifying and eliminating actual and potential hazards.
There’s more to a workplace inspection than just looking around. It involves listening to people’s concerns, fully understanding jobs and tasks, determining the underlying causes of hazards, monitoring controls, and recommending corrective action. Regular, thorough, inspections of the workplace by a trained inspection team can help keep workers healthy and safe.
What the inspection should examine
An inspection must examine who, what, where, when and how, and include a careful look at all workplace elements – the environment, the equipment and the process. Attention should be given to equipment and items most likely to develop unsafe or unhealthy conditions because of stress, wear, impact, vibration, heat, corrosion, chemical reaction or misuse. Workplace inspectors should look for biological (e.g. viruses and mould), chemical (e.g. cleaners, adhesives, paints), ergonomic (e.g. repetitive and forceful
movements, and computer workstations), safety (e.g. inadequate machine guards), and physical hazards (e.g. noise, heat, and cold).
Information needed for the inspection report
The information needed to complete the inspection report is very detailed. Inspectors will need a diagram of the work area, a complete inventory of equipment and chemicals used, as well as checklists to help clarify inspection responsibilities and provide a record of inspection activities.
• SHUT DOWN AND “LOCK OUT” any hazardous items that cannot be brought to a safe operating standard until repaired.
• LOOK up, down, around and inside. Be methodical and thorough. Do not spoil the inspection with a “onceover-lightly” approach.
• DESCRIBE clearly each hazard and its exact location in your rough notes. Allow “on-the-spot” recording of all findings before they are forgotten.
• ASK questions, but do not unnecessarily disrupt work activities.
There’s more to a workplace inspection than just looking around
Conducting the inspection
Every workplace should have a schedule detailing when inspections will take place and in which areas, who conducts the inspections, and how detailed the inspections will be. The frequency of planned formal inspections may be set in your legislation. High hazard or high-risk areas should receive extra attention.
While conducting inspections inspectors must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) where required, and should follow these basic principles:
• DRAW attention to the presence of any immediate danger – other items can await the final report.
• CONSIDER the static (stop position) and dynamic (in motion) conditions of the item you are inspecting. If a machine is shut down, consider postponing the inspection until it is functioning again.
• DISCUSS as a group, “Can any problem, hazard or accident generate from this situation when looking at the equipment, the process or the environment?” Determine what corrections or controls are appropriate.
• PHOTOGRAPH a particular situation if you are unable to clearly describe or sketch it.
• DO NOT OPERATE equipment. Ask the
operator for a demonstration. If the operator of any piece of equipment does not know what dangers may be present, this is cause for concern. Never ignore any item because you do not have knowledge to make an accurate judgment of safety.
• DO NOT TRY to detect all hazards simply by relying on your senses or by looking at them during the inspection. You may have to monitor equipment to measure the levels of exposure to chemicals, noise, radiation or biological agents.
What’s in the final inspection report
To start, all unfinished items from the previous report should be carried over to the new report for follow up. The new report should specify the exact location of each hazard, a detailed description of the problem, the recommended corrective action, and a definite date for correction. A priority level (e.g. major, serious, minor) should be assigned to each hazard to indicate the urgency of the corrective action required.
Follow-up and monitoring
Once an inspection is completed, it’s not over. The health and safety committee should review the reports to recommend corrective action where needed and then review the progress of the recommendations. This will help in identifying trends to maintain an effective health and safety program.
Snow contractors earn their keep in Western Canada
The snow season in parts of Alberta can be longer than the growing season. By Mike Jiggens
There’s no business like snow business in Western Canada.
On the prairies, and in the Calgary area in particular, the snow and ice management industry’s on-season can be longer than its off-season.
It’s something Western Canadians have come to realize every year – that winters are long and snow can fall most months of the year. Snow is a reality in Western Canada and, up until a year ago, there were no industry functions or trade shows in that part of the country that served to educate snow contractors and allow them to see the latest equipment and materials in an organized fashion.
The Wisconsin-based Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) puts on an industry event of its own each year, but the symposium is usually held in the United States and in the eastern part of the country. Although the event is traditionally attended by several Canadian members of SIMA, most tend to be from Ontario and eastward who don’t have to face the inconvenience of having to make connecting flights to reach each year’s venue.
Steve Wheatcroft, managing partner with Spectrum Equipment in Calgary, said he took it upon himself to create a similar event in Western Canada that would bring a snow and ice management forum and trade show to contractors in the west. The
event received the endorsement of SIMA, but other shows getting the association’s endorsement typically attracted about 120 people. Last year’s inaugural Snow and Ice Management Summit in Calgary drew about 300 people.
“We think it’s going to end up being an annual thing,” Wheatcroft said. “The show has grown by 25 per cent as far as exhibitors this year. We’re about 50 or 60 attendees higher than we were at the same time last year, so we’re shooting for 400 this year. The show looks like it’s going to be a really good success this year.”
This year’s snow and ice summit was held on Sept. 13 – a Friday – that proved to be a day of good luck.
Snow contractors in Western Canada are on standby as early as Labour Day weekend.
For the second annual event, attendees came mainly from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan with others coming from as far as Europe and across the United States.
Wheatcroft said plans are to maintain the same venue for the 2020 show, suggesting that events that are a proven success in the same location could possibly “lose traction” if they’re moved around to other cities.
Offers to run future shows have come from outside agencies, but Wheatcroft said he fears turning things over could result in a “money grab” for the interested parties. He said he prefers to keep things the way they are as more of a “charity cause” than a business venture since the end goal is to provide awareness of what’s happening in the industry and to deliver snow and ice management education. If the event became “monetized,” the price would escalate, he added.
The entire trade show and educational component are neatly wrapped together in a single-day presentation. Wheatcroft said the tight format is “intense,” but allows for plenty of education and networking without having attendees commit to two or more days.
WESTERN CANADIAN CHALLENGES
Snow and ice management in Western Canada is a bigger challenge than it is elsewhere in the country. The season tends to be longer, and there is often no telling when it begins. Wheatcroft said the rule of thumb is to be ready by the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend in November, but a wrench can be unexpectedly tossed into the best-laid plans. In 2018, for example, it snowed Sept. 14 in Calgary and 40 centimetres of snow fell on Oct. 1.
“There’s a pit-of-your-stomach, sick feeling as soon as you get past Labour Day weekend where it might be 18 today, but tomorrow it could be minus five after it snows.”
The snow season in parts of Western Canada can last upward of 200 days a year.
In the spring, snow is possible in April and beyond. The past winter didn’t want to end in Calgary, and more snow fell in May.
“The season can be extended, so that’s the first thing in Western Canada that it really is kind of a kick in the stomach.”
The extremes in temperature add to the challenge, he said, noting Ontario might get heavier snow that is more moisture-laden while in Alberta and Saskatchewan temperatures are much colder, making the snow lighter and easier to manage. But it’s the unpredictability of Alberta’s Chinooks that pose a challenge to snow contractors, especially in the Calgary and Lethbridge areas. One day the temperature might be minus 30 degrees Celsius and then it’s plus 10 the following day.
Chinooks can occur regularly in the Calgary area and can move northwards toward Edmonton and outward into the prairies, but those areas don’t face the extreme swings in temperature that Calgary experiences. In Saskatoon or Regina, for example, a Chinook might produce a temperature swing that goes from minus 42 degrees for a week to minus five degrees for two weeks. In Calgary, however, the temperature might swing from minus 25 to plus 12, “where we’re sitting on our patio in January having a beer.”
Wheatcroft said Calgary is an area “plagued” by Chinooks whose freeze/thaw cycles pose a particular challenge to the snow and ice management profession. A year ago, the area experienced a period in which the temperature was plus 19 one day and plummeted to minus 20 degrees within 24 hours.
“I’ve never seen it like that before.”
‘There’s a pit-of-yourstomach, sick feeling as soon as you get past Labour Day weekend where it might be 18 today, but tomorrow it could be minus five after it snows’
Colder temperatures present other challenges. Wheatcroft said trying to operate equipment when temperatures are about minus 35 degrees is something that contractors in other parts of Canada cannot fathom. Last winter, the Calgary area experienced an entire month in which the temperature didn’t warm beyond minus 25 degrees.
ENVIRONMENTAL, POLITICAL CHALLENGES
Aside from temperature extremes and several seasonal freeze/thaw cycles, Western Canadian snow contractors face the usual environmental and political challenges. The use of salts and chlorides on hard surfaces continues to be a matter of environmental concern, but Wheatcroft said as long as traditional ice melting products are being used responsibly and in lesser amounts, the rule of thumb is “the solution is by dilution,” adding the environment can absorb a certain amount.
The hot political topic in snow and ice management is insurance.
“A lot of smaller contractors are finding their insur-
Chinooks experienced in the Calgary area can produce freeze-thaw cycles that can turn roads icy following a balmy day 24 hours earlier.
ance companies won’t insure them anymore. It’s becoming harder and harder to get insurance for snow removal just because it’s the first place that any fraudulent claims happen. Everybody falls and slips and they all want to sue.”
It’s becoming more of a challenge for contractors to prove they are doing their due diligence, he said.
The environmental and political challenges clash with one another when proven ice melting products as salt help to reduce the number of slip-and-fall incidents yet are eyed as environmentally unfriendly.
“I always try to bring people back to common sense,” Wheatcroft said. “What’s the lesser of two evils? If you can use these things (salt and chlorides) responsibly and reduce risk on the side, what’s the best choice? I’m hoping that common sense continues to take precedence over these things.”
The salt shortage that took its toll on contractors in Eastern Canada last winter didn’t have the same impact on Western Canadian contractors who sourced their material from a mine in Saskatchewan. Some operators in Saskatchewan could get salt for as little as $40 a ton. Trucking it in to Calgary added to the cost by another $50 a ton.
“But we could get unlimited amounts of salt.”
With the unavailability of salt from a Goderich, Ont. mine last year, trucking in the material from Saskatchewan would have been cost-prohibitive. Buying material from a source as close as possible pays dividends.
Some companies will use gyra rock and mix it with a little bit of salt. The fractured rock is seven or 100 milli-
metres in size and is used in colder temperatures. The downside of gyra rock is that is leaves particulate in the air in spring, leaving dust on roads that requires cleaning. It also tends to plug drains and can be environmentally harmful when washed into rivers.
“It really comes down to temperature. Temperature drives what you can use. As it gets colder, salts become ineffective.”
Wheatcroft said different types of carbohydrates such as beet derivative causes a thermal combustion of the salt, allowing melting at a lower temperature.
An issue with which contractors are experiencing some difficulty is finding snow dumps where stacked-up snow can be removed and trucked away. Dumps are becoming more regulated, but new technology such as that offered by Trecan Combustion allows for snow melting from airport runways and other large areas that require snow disposal.
Verification of work allows companies to better document such details as the specific sites, dates and times of day a snow removal job was done. It helps combat against slip-and-fall suits because everything is precisely documented.
“There is an understanding that what you do is performed.”
Wheatcroft said it is important for companies today to invest in the technology required to keep their operations fully documented, and having the right equipment is equally vital. The days of showing up “with a Bobcat equipped with a bucket is old school.” Having the right equipment that does the job yet isn’t disruptive to the surface has a bearing on contracts.
The demand for snow services in Western Canada is approximately the same as that for landscaping.
“As far as the amount of effort put forth by a contractor goes, it’s way harder to deliver snow services, just because you never know when you’re going to go or what time you’re going to go. There are all these variables.”
Turfgrass maintenance, on the other hand, is more predictable, and scheduling can be performed accordingly. Snow and ice services – especially in the Calgary area – have contractors ready to go 190 to 200 days of the year, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
“You can’t leave town and you can’t go on holidays.”
The industry as a whole is becoming more aware of its importance, Wheatcroft said, and that a level of professionalism is required for snow removal. It is now about certification and accreditation. The level of professionalism is climbing at a significant rate, and the “snow warriors” are finally starting to get some credit for what they do, he added, “especially when they’re out there at all hours ensuring that people can get around safely first thing in the morning.”
Competing against the snow shysters in snow & ice season
Unscrupulous
contractors will take the money, but do no work.
By Ryan Ricci
This past winter was one of the most treacherous winters in southern Ontario, with numerous school closures in various districts and as many as 22 days of school bus cancellations just north of Toronto. In January and February alone, we had nearly as much snow as some of the worst documented winter seasons, with 120 centimetres of accumulation. That’s not far behind the record-breaking 20072008 winter season when 194 centimetres of snow accumulated within a span of five months.
To say the least, most, if not all, companies offering snow removal services were kept extremely busy, and were in high demand. Some, in particular, took advantage of people’s vulnerability of being snowed in and never showed up to do their work.
Chad Adams, a Toronto resident, was looking for someone to help his mother salt and shovel her property over the winter, when he stumbled on an ad for a company calling itself “Snow Bros.” on Kijiji.
Adams said the company’s owner told him they could take the job for $600 for the entire winter season and sent Adams a contract.
“He was supposed to come and do all snow removal for anything more than two
Those considering hiring a snow contractor should be research his reputation, get a service commitment in writing, never pay up front, and be wary of “one-man-and-a-truck” operations.
inches of snow,” Adams told CBC News reporter Robin De Angelis. “He was supposed to do the driveway, the front porch, the city sidewalk and salt as necessary.”
Adams paid an up-front installment in November, but it didn’t end up snowing again until January.
Someone did come by a couple of times
to shovel or put down salt in January, and Adams said he paid the second installment by mid-month.
But for the remainder of the season, especially during January and February, he said, no one ever came to clear any snow or ice at his mother’s house.
Adams isn’t alone. Dozens of complaints
Ryan Ricci is president of Markland Wood Group, a landscaping
against such companies were filed with the Better Business Bureau, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Kijiji since the beginning of this past winter.
A repeat client of our organization had decided against enrolling in our services this past winter in pursuit of someone who could do the work much cheaper. Much like Adams, he hired a technician off Kijiji who provided a deal that was hard to pass up – a set rate of $550 for the entire season ($110 per month). Reportedly, this technician fell ill during one of the snowstorms in February. As this technician was a solo one-person operation, no other employees or backup resources were readily available to step into this technician’s shoes in his absence, leaving our former client as well as many others vulnerable. Thankfully, when we received the call, two vehicles in our fleet were just completing their rosters, and were able to assist.
“Some, in particular, took advantage of people’s vulnerability of being snowed in and never showed up to do their work.”
(Editor’s note: the remainder of this article is aimed at the general public who may be thinking about hiring a snow contractor this winter. The message below is applicable to anyone contemplating snow services, including those working in the turf and grounds maintenance industry, and it’s a message that can be shared among landscaping customers for future reference.)
Don’t be the next victim this winter! Here are important things to keep in mind when selecting a snow removal company:
1) Research the company’s reputation
A company that is researchable and has positive customer reviews helps validate that, a) the company is legitimate, and b) they are true to their service commitment.
DELIVERINGSUPERIORSODANDQUALITYSERVICE
2) Get your service commitment in writing
Most legitimate companies know to have both theirs and their client’s obligations in the form of a legal and tangible document (agreement), which must be signed and dated by both parties. Any company that insists on keeping their transactions to verbal discussion only should raise a red flag.
Agreements should always include the following:
• Full legal names and addresses of both parties (the client and the organization).
• Commencement and termination dates.
• Scope of work to be performed upon each service visitation (be as specific as possible).
• Minimal snow accumulation threshold for service.
• Prices and due dates.
3) Never pay up-front
Companies asking for payment before an ounce of work is completed should raise a red flag. Giving in to this provides leverage to the company. It provides precedence that they do not need to work in order to get paid, and usually results in the customer being scammed.
4) Steer clear of “one man and a truck” operations
What happens to one man with one truck when he suddenly falls ill, or when his truck breaks down, or he gets struck in a snow bank, or when his equipment fails? His operation ceases to exist.
Hire a company that is established, has resources, and does not depend solely on one person and one vehicle in order for it to function.
DROP SPREADERS
5) Ask how many properties are assigned to each vehicle in their fleet, and what areas/regions they service
If responsiveness is important to you, then this is certainly something you do not want to pass up on asking.
The more properties that are stacked onto a single vehicle to attend upon any given snowfall, the slower of a response time you can anticipate, unless, of course, you miraculously happen to be right at the top of the roster. Additionally, this will also impact the amount of time it will take to circle back around to you should each property require servicing twice within the same snowfall.
Unless each vehicle in the company’s fleet is systemically divided geographically and divided into small areas, a single vehicle traveling to multiple regions can also impact response times.
Small loaders produce big benefits
Landscape contractors see big advantages from smaller compact track loaders. By Buck Storlie
There’s no question that compact track loaders are one of a jobsite’s most versatile tools. The right selection of attachments is one aspect that makes the possible applications nearly endless. But the size of the machine can be another gateway to new business for contractors.
Many contractors use primarily midsize compact track loaders, but there are big benefits to rounding out a fleet with the industry’s smallest sit-in track loaders. The equipment opens new job opportunities and provides a solution for
the trend away from walk-behind and stand-on loaders toward safer equipment that can still deliver high productivity. This type of equipment allows contractors to train their operators better and improve safety.
NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
The size of these small sit-in compact track loaders helps make them a fit for a wide variety of applications, including those with size restrictions where larger equipment is too bulky. Walk-behind and stand-on loaders are popular for similar reasons, but are flawed with safety, com-
fort and productivity limitations. Contractors can use small sit-in compact track loaders as a similarly priced alternative.
The smallest sit-in compact track loaders are only about four feet wide, giving them the flexibility to get into tight areas that would be difficult to access with larger models. Their small sizes and low weights of about 3,600 pounds or less make them generally easy to transport with a half-ton pickup truck and standard trailer. The sit-in loaders can also feature speeds almost two times faster than walk-behind or stand-on versions and
A small sit-in compact track loader moves a loaded pallet across a lawn. Small residential or backyard projects don’t necessarily need a huge machine. Photos supplied by ASV.
rated operating capacities as much as 931 pounds. This means getting around the jobsite or from site to site more quickly while hauling more material.
Small residential or backyard projects don’t necessarily need a huge machine. Landscape contractors can use a small compact track loader as an economical choice that is faster than doing the work manually and safer than using a walk-behind or stand-on loader. This could include stump removal and backyard landscaping projects such as installing a new garden, reshaping, or installing a retaining wall.
As contractors know, new housing developments are often built with structures close together, providing little leeway for moving equipment between houses and into backyards. Smaller equipment can often fit through those tight spaces and can mean the difference between driving through the fence gate and removing a portion of the fence to accommodate the machine.
These small machines are also useful for finishing work, such as trenching for wiring and piping. Contractors can take advantage of equipment heights as low as six feet to work below jacked up houses for adding additions.
Are you prepared for the season?
For the winter months, small sit-in compact track loaders excel at clearing snow in tight areas such as alleyways, small parking lots, driveways or sidewalks. The loaders not only fit in these areas, they provide more maneuverability, speeding up the job and posing less risk of property damage. In addition, some manufacturers offer compact track loaders with
from some small sit-in compact track loaders. That means less risk of a torn up lawn and better flotation on soft surfaces and mud when operating a small sit-in compact track loader.
SAFER, EASY-TO-USE EQUIPMENT
Contractors know there’s always a risk when new employees operate
Small residential or backyard projects don’t necessarily need a huge machine
excellent flotation on snow, ice and slush, providing much better performance than most other tracks on the market. Operators will be thankful, as well, if the equipment has a heated cab.
Landscape contractors should look for small sit-in compact track loaders with low ground pressures for minimized turf damage. Some manufacturers offer unique undercarriages that allow lower pressures than anything else on the market.
Because they have a shorter track base, walk-behind and stand-on loaders generally have 25 per cent higher ground pressure, usually starting at four psi compared to 3.1
equipment, so there are significant benefits to machinery that is safer and easy to use.
One tradeoff for that open-air, no-cab feel found in walk-behind and stand-on loaders is operator safety. Such equipment, when used improperly, may be prone to tipping, meaning a higher risk of an operator being thrown off or injured by the machinery during a rollover. The operator is also exposed with no protection on any side from debris, branches or other obstacles. Some of the smallest sit-in compact track loaders have ROPS and FOPS rated cabs, allowing for excellent protection from rollovers or falling objects.
Another benefit of small sit-in compact track loaders is their usability. The size of the machines can make them less intimidating to new operators, and they are easier to operate and learn for the same reason. This is especially true for equipment with standard joystick controls rather than dual-lever foot or H-pattern controls. For an experienced operator, these features offer greater productivity. In addition, some of these compact track loaders feature 360-degree visibility so it’s easy to see in all directions, improving safety and ease of use.
Many of the same features that make a compact track loader safer than a walk-behind or stand-on loader also mean more comfort. Sitting on a padded seat means less fatigue on a long workday, and a pressurized cab outfitted with HVAC and a radio improves the overall experience. There’s also the comfort of familiarity. Walk-behind and stand-on loaders often have different control systems from manufacturer to manufacturer, while a small sit-in compact track loader has controls familiar to anyone who’s operated a larger unit.
The undercarriage can also contribute to operator comfort. Walk-behind and stand-on loaders generally have little to no suspension, meaning every bump is transferred to the operator and the machine. Certain small compact track loaders feature independent torsion axles and a flexible track that contribute to more comfort and less wear on the machine, as well as less material loss from the bucket caused by bumps.
SAVE ON MAINTENANCE
Ease of service can mean a faster ROI and lower total cost of ownership. Many small sit-in compact track loaders are easier to service than their larger counterparts thanks to ground-level access.
Experienced operators know how common it is for compact track loaders to derail. Derailment can mean spending half the day putting the track back on, eating up time that could be used getting work done. Some small sit-in compact track loaders are virtually derailment-proof. These machines include an undercarriage with extra track guiding and a flexible high-strength Polycord-embedded track for more ground contact, almost eliminating the possibility of derailment.
When track change-out is necessary, the small size of the loader can make it simple to change a track with just one person. This is especially true if the equipment features an all-rubber track, which is lighter than steel-embedded versions. General service items are close to ground level, speeding up the process, and can be serviced with normal-size tools.
Some models require no exhaust after-treatment, saving the time that would need to be spent maintaining a larger
model with the requirement. For even easier maintenance, contractors should look for models with a large rear-tilting hood to provide easy access to all maintenance points, including filters, oil and fuel tanks, reservoirs, hydraulic and water separator drains, and the battery. Easy loader valve access is another plus. Another feature to watch for is standard metal-face seals on the front and back to ensure the drive hubs don’t require maintenance for the life of the machine.
ROUND OUT YOUR FLEET
Many jobs call for a mid-sized compact track loader or skid steer, but having smaller sit-in models on hand can mean big benefits for a landscape contractor. From new markets and high versatility to excellent uptime and safety, the industry’s smallest compact track loaders may bring in business contractors didn’t know they were missing.
Buck Storlie is product line manager for ASV Holdings Inc., a Grand Rapids, Minn.-based manufacturer of compact track and skid steer loaders used in the landscaping, construction and forestry markets.
Innovative trends in golf
Superintendents
who tap into other ways of getting job done find time for more.
By Mike Jiggens
Even though a couple of decades have elapsed since the start of the golf course-building explosion in Canada and the United States, the ongoing fallout from its implosion continues to impact golf course superintendents. They are faced with two options as they move forward: continue to manage their courses the way they always have and hope their doors remain open, or implement strategies aimed at improving their efficiency to achieve the same course quality.
Adam Moeller, education director for the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) Green Section, offered up that advice while speaking before the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association’s winter conference in Collingwood.
“We can’t just reduce the quality of our golf courses, and that’s what really causes golfers to choose our facility over someone else’s,” he said.
The same quality – especially on putting greens –must be applied, he said, adding other parts of the golf course can be scaled back if need be.
“We can’t do less with more. We have to do less with less.”
The answer to maintaining top quality while adjusting programs and expectations on other parts of the golf course is to utilize innovative trends devised in large part by golf superintendents, Moeller said. Several such strategies have been conceived in recent years, contributing to a rebound in the health and stability of many golf facilities in Canada and the United States. This has led to increased optimism for the future.
But, he cautioned, superintendents still must be mindful of the challenges they continue to face, including the cost and limited supply of water.
“It’s not something to be taken lightly.”
Other challenges include the costs associated with fertilizer, electricity and labour – the latter of which poses a particular trial of its own. Golf course maintenance is hard work that is labour intensive, done during the heat of the season and involving early morning hours.
“People are gassed at the end of the season,” Moeller said, adding not only is there competition for labourers among competing golf courses but against other industries that offer workers more traditional hours and the ability to work indoors. “It’s very hard to compete with these other industries, especially when we’re dealing
Raking every square inch of a bunker is not only labour intensive, it requires time that can be allocated to other tasks. Adopting the Australian methodology of bunker upkeep requires only the floor to be raked. It’s less work and produces better playability.
with people or places that are less labour intensive and indoor, or with more reasonable hours. There are definitely some challenges ahead.”
Innovations designed to save golf courses money or resources while improving the facility’s efficiency and playing conditions will usually have an associated cost, but there is always a return on investment, Moeller said, noting water management is one such trend.
“There has been a significant shift at a lot of golf facilities to manage more for playability when it comes to watering golf courses with less emphasis on aesthetics.”
When automatic irrigation systems first came into vogue, the tendency was to overwater which led to poor playability and other challenges. The pendulum has since swung in the opposite direction, Moeller
said, giving superintendents more precision than thought possible. Individual control with precision technology allows superintendents and irrigation technicians to know exactly how much water a single head is putting out, “and we can control just that one head with the push of a button.”
The trend today is that more and more golf courses are using less and less water, but not necessarily to save water from an environmental standpoint.
“That’s an added benefit and it’s our responsibility, but we’re managing for playing conditions. It’s not just about water conservation.”
One of the growing trends leading toward decreased water consumption is the use of evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation that can effectively track the amount of moisture lost in the soil. A certain percentage of the moisture lost in a given day can be replaced, and it helps to have weather stations on the golf course to help determine amounts lost. Moeller said it’s important to think about how much water is being applied in terms of volume rather than in run times. One green might require six minutes of irrigation while another might need 10 minutes. That’s run time, but superintendents now have the ability to calculate the volume of water being put down.
“It’s important to dial in how much actual water you’re putting down.”
Fertilizer applications
MLSN (minimal level for sustainable nutrition) and SLAN (sufficiency level of available nutrients) help to guide superintendents’ fertilizer applications.
SLAN is the older model and is actually geared towards agricultural crops, but it suggests fertility be done to bring subtle nutrient content to an optimum range that is developed to maximize yield. In golf course applications, however, the goal isn’t to maximize yield but playing conditions and turf quality and density.
“What’s the minimal nutrient you need in the soil to support healthy turf?” Moeller asked. “This is like comparing gas in a car to fertilizer in soil. How much gas do you need to get from one place to another? A full tank or can you get by with a quarter tank? The same principle applies to fertilizer, and this can save in fertilizer use.”
MLSN is in the lower range, but has basically the same categories as SLAN, he said, noting superintendents don’t fertilize over and over to maximize yield.
“You’re basing your fertilizer on clipping yield on what you’re seeing in the turf. What’s the minimum amount you need?”
Drones
A more recent innovative trend adopted by superintendents is the increased use of drones on golf courses, but Moeller speculated more stringent regulations are likely to come about over the next few years, making them more difficult to fly.
“They do provide a lot of information that you otherwise wouldn’t have.”
Drones are able to “paint a picture” that presents information for superintendents they might not realize when driving about the course in their golf carts. Scouting, identifying stress points and correlating moisture levels are among the noteworthy functions drones can perform.
Intermediary rough
Another new trend adopted by several superintendents involves the elimination of intermediary rough. Maintaining it on a weekly basis tends to be labour intensive.
“When you get rid of that intermediary rough, you see improved definition. You can’t just push the fairway out.”
Moeller said money is still being spent on fuel, but eliminating intermediary rough allows the superintendent to remove another piece of equipment and save on a worker who might have previously been dedicated to the task. The outcome is a bigger fairway.
He noted that among the top 100 golf courses in the United States, most do not have intermediary rough, and those that do are generally PGA Tour stops.
“Intermediary rough is really just a product of championship golf.”
Bunker maintenance
Bunker upkeep tends to be labour intensive work that often results in other tasks getting overlooked. Moeller said the Australian bunker raking methodology is taking hold in North America, cutting back on the amount of time needed for bunker maintenance
Drones can provide superintendents with a lot of information they might not otherwise readily have, but stricter regulations may have a say in their ongoing use.
and contributing toward increased playability for golfers. Only the floor of the bunker needs raking. The objective is for the ball to hit the upsides of the bunker and then roll down toward the bottom. It reduces the chances of a “fried egg” lie and gives golfers a better chance to escape the sand with a precision shot. The upsides of the bunker can be periodically smoothed over, but only a smaller portion of the bunker is regularly maintained.
Golf’s new rules that allow for the removal of loose impediments from bunkers will also be beneficial to superintendents, Moeller said. The rules will determine how often workers need to enter bunkers to clean them up and will add to a bunker’s longevity.
Golf course accessories, robotic mowers
‘Not all these trends are going to last. Hopefully none of these trends have any negative effects’
Some golf courses have taken other measures to cut back on costs and save valuable time. Courses in which most golfers – if not all – ride in carts don’t need a multitude of benches or ball washers on every hole. The elimination of benches on such courses and a smattering of only a handful of ball washers allows for fewer golf course accessories to be moved out of the way for mowing and other maintenance work. Robotic mowers have made a name for themselves in residential, commercial and park settings, and the golf industry has since taken notice of their capabilities.
“What this does is incredible. The quality of cut is fantastic.”
Moeller spoke about a U.S. golf course that has six
robotic mowers in its fleet of equipment. Because the mowers are contained within wired perimeter boundaries, staff can set them up and concentrate on other tasks elsewhere on the golf course.
“They are expensive, but there is a payback period. It’s something to look into.”
GPS sprayers
Also expensive are GPS sprayers, but the return on investment can be even shorter than that of robotic mowers, Moeller said.
“The precision that these can deliver is outstanding.”
The precision can be so significant, he said, that some golf courses are realizing a 20 per cent reduction in product use.
Forward tees
Golf courses that incorporate forward tees are not only creating a better golf experience for beginning players
and those who don’t hit the ball far, they are shrinking their fairway acreage and creating less work.
“You’re probably spending more money on your fairways than on your tees. This is not just for female players or senior players. It’s for anyone who doesn’t swing the club very fast and the ball doesn’t go very far.”
Adding forward tees not only benefits the golfer, but the maintenance crew as well.
Moeller said many of the new trends in golf course maintenance are derived from what superintendents are already doing.
“Not all these trends are going to last. Hopefully none of these trends have any negative effects.”
He suggested superintendents try not to focus too much on the costs associated with newer trends, adding there is always a payback period.
“You can’t afford not to implement some of these innovations because it may leave you financially liable in the future.”
Robotic mowers allow superintendents to put them to work while freeing up staff to perform other jobs.
Machine makes fall cleanup a breeze
Busy fall cleanup while watching for early snow can be hectic time for landscapers.
Sandwiched between a busy summer full of landscape projects and a never-ending winter of snow and ice removal, fall is often a hectic time of the year for many landscape professionals. Adding to this stress is the always-lingering possibility of an early snowfall that can make a big mess of fall cleanup work. This causes landscape professionals to scramble as they work to clean as many properties as they can before the snow begins to fall.
MPS Property Services (MPS) is all too familiar with this process. Based out of Markham, Ont., MPS has been servicing residential and commercial properties for more than 30 years. What started in 1985 as a simple lawn mowing business to pay for college tuition quickly turned into a full-time business when owner Jim Monk realized he had to support his growing family. Soon thereafter, snow removal and landscape design-build services were added into the company’s offerings.
Today, MPS operates out of a three-acre space with a 12,000-square-foot building for its management team and mechanics who keep the operation running smoothly. The company has been certified to the ISO 9001/SN 9001 standard, and prides itself on its social responsibility. In addition to its array of services, through its environmental policy, health and safety program, and community involvement, MPS now offers its large portfolio of cli-
ents a complete list of year-round services, including landscape design and installation, stone work, decking, irrigation, tree care, turf care, snow and ice management, and grounds maintenance.
When it comes to grounds maintenance, cleanup service has become particularly valuable in the fall when leaves, branches and other debris litter many clients’ properties. Because the length of fall can be difficult to predict, MPS understands it is a race against time to get all of its properties cleaned up before an early
blast of winter complicates matters.
“The window to get all of our properties cleared of debris before the start of winter can be very short some years,” MPS general manager Darryl Snider said. “Mother Nature certainly likes to put a kink in our plans.”
To assist with the cleanup, MPS used a leaf loader to vacuum, shred, and load grass clippings, leaves and other debris into a truck.
“Having a debris loader definitely speeds up the process,” Snider said. “It
MPS Property Services recently purchased a new type of debris loader to help eliminate some of its past equipment issues.
allows us to get more properties cleared than we would otherwise.”
TIME WASTED UNCLOGGING MACHINES
The problem that Snider often found with leaf loaders was that his employees were constantly stopping to unclog the machine. Fall precipitation only complicated matters. Needing to be as efficient as possible, the downtime caused by blockages was starting to lead to major headaches.
“It was a major drain on resources,” he said. “Our team was wasting valuable time clearing obstructions from the machine. If we don’t get to all of our properties before the snow flies, we lose out on the business, and we can’t make that up.”
Not only was plugging an issue, but the leaf loader was hard on the operator’s back.
“The welfare of our employees is always on the front of our minds,” Snider said. “Which means we are always looking for ways to improve their working conditions.”
When it came time to purchase a replacement unit for his operation, he wanted a better solution to alleviate the headaches his crew had been experiencing with previous units. So, when talking with his local equipment dealer, Turf Care Products Canada, he asked if there was an alternative. He explained to them the pains he was having with his current debris loader, and the company directed him to the newly released ML32 MultiLoader from Harper Turf Equipment.
“The first thing they showed me was the 45-degree design of the coned inlet,” Snider said. “Every other debris loader I had ever seen had a 90-degree inlet, which they explained is a leading cause of frequent plugging. This one also had a longer handle on the hose which made it easy to operate without the need for bending over for hours on end.”
The unit also comes with a removable drain plug in the bottom of the impeller housing. When the machine is not in use
for extended periods, the plug can simply be taken out to keep water from collecting and causing damage to the inside of the machine.
It didn’t take long for Snider to realize that his new piece of equipment was the answer for which he had been searching, understanding it would increase the efficiency of his team and reduce their health risks. After exploring his options, MPS purchased the ML32.
“Fall was just getting under way and our list of properties needing cleanup was long,” Snider said. “The ease of use with this machine was great. We were able to quickly go from property to property thanks to the skid mount version of the Multiloader. We set it up on a flat deck
truck to suit our operation.”
Because the ML32 was new to the market, both Harper and Turf Care wanted to ensure Snider’s concerns were addressed.
“They were both great to work with, and I could tell they really valued my input,” Snider said. “The responsive service also helped to minimize the learning curve experienced during the transition to the new debris loader.”
Since purchasing the new debris loader, MPS has seen efficiency rise, while blockages have almost been eliminated entirely.
“It was definitely worth every penny and I only wish it had been available sooner,” Snider said. “It’s been a real asset that we’ve been able to add to our company.”
Debris loaders, such as the MultiLoader, can help clean up a property in a short window of time.
New stuff
Work boots offer top comfort, safety and traction
Foot protection and comfort can be seen as the foundation for a productive workday in the Canadian professional turf and grounds maintenance industry. Tired feet can negate productivity, and protection against unforeseen accidents while operating heavy equipment and materials is essential in avoiding injury.
KEEN Utility has introduced its strongest, most capable heavy-duty work boot to the Canadian and American markets. Built tough for heavy industries including landscaping, snow removal, commercial construction, utilities, rail, pipe fitting, public works, heavy equipment maintenance, quarry, demolition and mining, the new Philadelphia boot series features eight different models, including CSA and ASTM-certified styles and is available at specialty retailers and online. The series boasts a few familiar KEEN Utility comfort technologies as well as scores of new construction qualities and components that mark its rugged toughness.
Created to take on the most extreme working environments, the Philadelphia series lives up to an unyielding standard of quality, durability and comfort with innovative design and progressive safety and performance features.
Built tough from every angle, the heavy industrial designs are crafted with Barnyard-Resistant leather, a PFC-free, super-durable leather that resists the damaging effects of most chemicals and minerals, including oleic acid, urea, sodium chloride and ammonium hydroxide. The boots are also armed with KEEN DRY, a waterproof, breathable membrane that allows moisture out but never in. A three-quarter-welt construction and heel stabilizer system provides excellent torsion stability over uneven ground and one of the most durable footwear welted constructions on the market. Heavy design does not translate to dragging, uncomfortable feet thanks to left and right asymmetrical, non-metallic, carbon-fibre safety toes that are 15 per cent lighter than steel. Comfort goes the extra step with a KEEN Luftcell air-injected, dual-density PU midsole with 100,000 air bubbles per cubic centimetre for next-level cushioning comfort. Underfoot, the Philadelphia builds on its brawn with an abrasion-, oil- and slip-resistant rubber outsole that meets ASTM Mark II non-slip testing standards and a heat resistance rating up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
Two models, including the CSA Philadelphia eight-inch and six-inch feature an Internal Metguard that is lightweight and flexible to protect the metatarsal bones from crush injuries. Earning CSA-Grade I standards for protection, the boots also feature Wellmax puncture resistant midsole plates. For more information, visit www.keenutility.com.
New Holland launches new snow removal products
New Holland Construction featured several new snow removal products at the recent Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) symposium in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The new products included the L228 skid steer loader, the C245 compact track loader, the E37C compact excavator with four-way angle blade, and a number of attachments that included a sectional snow pusher and an angle broom.
“New Holland offers a wide range of solutions to help snow removal contractors, landscape professionals and general contractors increase their efficiency on the jobsite,” Doran Herritt, brand marketing manager, construction equipment, New Holland, said.
L228 SKID STEER LOADER
Featuring an ergonomic control layout and a Super Boom® vertical lift design for superior lifting force and reach, the L228 can lift 2,800 pounds rated operating capacity (ROC) at 50 per
cent tipping load, and a dump reach of 32.3 inches. With 74 gross horsepower, this skid steer has enough power for most applications and boasts an industry-leading view to the sides and rear of the machine for greater operator visibility.
C245 COMPACT TRACK LOADER.
For big jobs, the new C245 is the largest, most powerful compact track loader offered by New Holland. Offering superior visibility and an ergonomic control layout, the C245 features 9,188 pounds of bucket breakout force, 4,500 pounds ROC at 50 per cent tipping load and 34.4 inches of dump reach.
E37C COMPACT EXCAVATOR
The E37C has zero tailswing, ideal for work in confined spaces, and enough hydraulic horsepower to tackle any job. The four-way angle blade can be angled left or right 25 degrees to allow for more efficient trench backfilling. With standard and secondary auxiliary hydraulics, operators can use a variety of attachments to maximize the versatility and efficiency of the E37C.
For more info, visit www.newholland.com.
Long blade life, superior cutting offered in insert plow system
Superior cutting and longer blade life are being offered through Winter Equipment’s Razor® XL carbide insert snowplow cutting edge system.
Rated for department of transportation systems, the Razor XL system includes three interlocking Razor XL cutting edges that have pre-welded wear bars and abrasion-resistant covers. A HammerHead® carbide radius tip offers 30 per cent more carbide, and allows for premium performance on multiple attack angles. An integrated, heat-treated, steel cover protects from impact and is welded on for easy installation.
On both sides of the cutting edge, the system includes a heavy-duty steel adaptor plate and two Winter PlowGuards manufactured from high-quality material and reinforced with Winter’s proprietary Carbide Matrix™ on the bottom and side edge to defend against uneven and premature wear.
“Our Razor XL blade system carries a wear factor of 3X, which means it lasts three times longer than standard carbide blades,” Kent Winter, founder and CEO of Winter Equipment, said. “The Razor XL’s three-piece blade sections provide a safe option to replace dangerous, full-length cutting edges.” Designed to clear packed snow and ice to reveal a safe road surface with minimal salt and chemical treatment, the aggressive blades can be used on city streets, rural roads and parking lots.
Shipped free, the system comes ready to mount, with all parts, hardware and installation directions in a single box. The system can be ordered through Winter’s distributor system or by visiting www. winterequipment.com/shop/systems/ razor-xl
Winter Equipment’s Razor XL system comes with a satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that if the product’s wear system does not perform or last as long as promised, the company will work until its customers are satisfied.
New stuff
Snow pushers feature steel trip edges for cleaner scrapes
SnowEx has introduced its Power Pusher TE snow pushers for skid steers, wheel loaders, backhoes and tractors. Available in eight and 10-foot-wide models with large carrying capacities, the new snow pushers feature steel trip edges to deliver cleaner scrapes and help operators get down to the pavement.
The steel trip-edges on the Power Pusher TE models use four extension springs along with two outer double ribs at the trip springs to handle heavy-duty loads and stresses. The framing and 63-degree angle of attack are specially engineered for maximum scraping performance, and the design has been proven through years of field testing and development.
In addition to the new steel trip-edges, the Power Pusher TE includes a variety of other features for superior durability. Six vertical support ribs maximize bucket impact strength and structural integrity, while 10-gauge steel moldboards offer
superior strength. Side support posts help prevent bending from hitting curbs or other accidental impact. Furthermore, the snow pushers are coated with high-quality industrial paint that is both saltand UV-resistant to protect against corrosion and other environmental effects.
Interchangeable attachments allow a single Power Pusher TE model to attach to any compatible skid-steer, wheel loader, backhoe or tractor. This feature allows users to utilize the same pusher plow across various types of equipment in their fleets.
Power Pusher TE accessories include a top-mounted, rubber back-drag edge for pulling snow away from loading docks, doors and other tight spaces. High-wear shoes are also available, allowing the pushers to more easily slide along the surface in fast working conditions.
For more information, visit www.snowexproducts.com.
Video shows commercial mowing powered by propane
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has released a new online video featuring footage captured by GoPro cameras shot from the equipment operator’s point of view to show what it’s really like to use a propane commercial mower.
“We were looking for a fun way to show equipment fleet managers, department directors, and professional landscapers what it’s really like to operate with propane,” Jeremy Wishart, PERC director of off-road business development, said. “These first-hand accounts are really incredible and we hope the video can serve as a virtual demonstration to those who might be considering a move to commercial propane mowers.”
The video also includes candid interviews with crewmen and supervisors from the City of Lake Charles and the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces (PROS) department to let viewers hear directly from mower fleets succeeding with propane. Public agencies and grounds maintenance departments of all kinds are turning to propane equipment for the fuel’s many benefits, including lower fuel costs and reduced emissions – both important facets to any municipal operation.
The City of Lake Charles, for example, wanted a way to improve local air quality by reducing emissions. The city saved more than $5,500 on fuel and maintenance with 16 propane mowers during 2015. By 2016, the city reported that by using propane equipment, it reduced greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 23,704 pounds. The city now uses 31 total commercial propane mowers.
Miami-Dade County’s PROS department needed an equipment solution that could meet the needs of southeast Florida’s year-round cutting season. Because the fuel showed considerable efficiencies in the field and cost reductions to the department, PROS now runs 32 total commercial propane mowers – 95 per cent of the PROS fleet. With propane mowers, crews can get mowing done faster and move on to other aspects of the county’s landscaping duties.
To view the video or for more information, visit www.propane. com/resources-for-municipalities.
Millennials favour less work, more automation
Husqvarna Canada has released the results of a survey aimed to better understand the adoption of smart home technology as a way of learning Canadians’ attitudes towards using smart technology to eliminate chores.
The survey found that 55 per cent of Canadians plan to integrate smart home technology into their daily routines to reduce chores and improve their lives.
Canadians don’t favour outdoor chores, with 39 per cent wishing they could never mow the lawn again, and 59 per cent who would like to skip weed removal entirely.
Most Canadians agree that smart home technology will continue to play an important role in their lives (78 per cent), which is especially relevant with millennials (71 per cent). While this is no surprise for this tech-forward generation, Generation X and baby boomers – the two generations who could really use smart technology to aid with various health and safety issues they often face – are less likely to tap into smart home technology to eliminate chores and improve their lives (56 per cent and 46 per cent, respectively).
For those looking for a solution, using a robotic mower with smart technology, like the Husqvarna Automower, eliminates lawn maintenance chores such as mowing and removing weeds. This gives Canadians more time to enjoy their backyard and less time spent on lawn maintenance. According to the survey, at least 64 per cent of Canadians are already spending up to two hours per week on their lawn maintenance routine.
Key findings from the Smart Tech Adoption survey include:
• 46 per cent of Canadians currently use some form of smart technology
• 52 per cent currently don’t use home technology, but 26 per cent would like to start
• 75 per cent of Canadians often spend time in their own backyard
• 59 per cent of younger Canadians spending three-plus hours per week maintaining their lawn are interested in smart technology for their lawn maintenance chores
• The majority of Canadians say having the perfect lawn is important to them (64 per cent).
• 47 per cent of Canadians are willing to spend up to $1,000 on smart technology for their lawn
For more information about Husqvarna products, visit www.husqvarna.com.
New flex plow enters snow market
Buyers Products, a leading manufacturer of work truck equipment, has introduced a new municipal flex plow.
Operators can “flex” the upper moldboard of the SnowDogg® SuperFlex™ into various positions. This makes it ideal for urban and expressway use.
Two hydraulically operated pivoting ribs and a tubular pivoting upper cross-member transform the UHMW polyethylene moldboard on the fly. Operators can switch between standard, left and right discharges from the cab of their vehicles. The blade can be curled down to fit under mailboxes and to control light powdery snow or it can be opened up to throw loads of heavy snow.
“Our new SnowDogg SuperFlex is an extremely versatile addition to our lineup,” Frank Dickinson, manager of municipal sales at Buyers, said. “We now have the perfect solution for municipalities in need of a combination high-speed city-highway plow that can handle anything that’s thrown at it.”
The SuperFlex features a 304 stainless steel lower moldboard skin with a four-inch by four-inch by three-quarter-inch trip edge. A fully boxed A-frame and 16-inch outboard nitrated cylinders are standard.
The SnowDogg SuperFlex will be available for the 2019/2020 season.
For more information, visit www.buyersproducts.com.
Transplant or plant large trees with our 100”, 90”, 80” or 44” spades
There are acres of trees to choose from Hwy. 59, 10 km South of Woodstock, Ont. 593806 Hwy. 59
Natural products aid damaged skin, headaches, nausea and stress
Those working outdoors during the growing season are prone to developing dry, flaky skin or worse – cuts, nicks, abrasions and bug bites. Natural products are available to help that are free of toxins, artificial fragrances, colourants and synthetic chemicals.
Canadian-made eScential wellness products made from science-based formulations will help restore damaged hands to a healthier state. Natural remedies provide a gentle, effective alternative to many of life’s ailments. The company’s first aid products are formulated based on scientifically proven effectiveness of essential oils for treating not only skin conditions, but headaches, nausea and panic-inducing stress.
Products include:
• DermaCare Skin Salve: For skin with sudden or chronic outbreaks of dry, red, itchy flakiness. Its shea butter-rich formula has essential oils to moisturize, calm, soothe, restore and reduce redness.
• Skin Rescue Ointment: For minor skin cuts, nicks, abrasions and bug bites. Its therapeutic oil base and essential oils soothe, cleanse, protect and accelerate a return to smooth skin.
• Headache Help: Fast, effective relief from headache pain. It is a blend of science-backed essential oils in a non-greasy, rapid-drying, toxin-free base.
• Quick Calm Inhaler: Study-backed blend of essential oils that relieve symptoms of acute and/or situational stress, including heart-pounding, breathless, scary moments and attacks.
• Nausea Relief Inhaler: Pure essential oil blend that reduces nausea from motion sickness, vertigo, stress, post-surgery and minor gastrointestinal upset.
Other products available include Moisturizing Hand Cleanser and Baby Bum Butter.
For more information about these products and the means to order them, visit www.escentialwellness.com.
Chris Lecour
The ultimate mini snow machine.
The factory-installed, heated 2R Cab.
The 360 view inside out. The flashing work lights to keep safe. The comfort of the command chair. This heated cab knows no peer in this size and power of tractor (25 HP* 18.6kW). Add an optional snow blower, or a snow plow blade or a spreader for salt to keep streets or paths clear of snow and ice. Come build your own ultimate mini snow machine at John Deere.ca/2Series
