Green Industry Pros March/April 2024

P. 26 THE LATEST IN DESIGN SOFTWARE MARCH/APRIL 2024

MOWING & MAINTENANCE HANDHELD EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE P. 24

BATTLE OF THE

MOWERS

MOWING EXPERTS EXPLAIN WHAT TYPES OF MOWERS BEST FIT EACH APPLICATION AND LAY OUT THE LATEST IN MOWING TECHNOLOGY.

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S VOLUME 36, NO.2 | MARCH/APRIL 2024

THE MANAGEMENT RESOURCE FOR LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS AND EQUIPMENT DEALERS

COVER STORY

10. Battle of the Mowers An in-depth look at the latest mowing trends and an overview of which mowers best fit each application.

IN EVERY ISSUE

10 DEPARTMENTS

04. E DITOR’S NOTE 06. D IGITAL HITS 08. F RESH CLIPPINGS 28. PROJECT PROFILE 30. N EW PRODUCTS 34. CONTRACTOR PROFILE

16. EQUIPMENT | ROLLING WITH ROBOTICS The scoop on how robotic mowing equipment can make companies more efficient and serve as a recruitment tool for the younger generations.

17. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY | PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF AI A roundup of how artificial intelligence can assist landscape companies with recruiting and retention, training, customer relations and more.

22. LAWN CARE & ORNAMENTALS | FERTILIZER FACTS A compilation of the best practices for selling fertilizer services.

24. MOWING & MAINTENANCE | EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE TO-DO’S Landscape contractors provide the top equipment maintenance tips.

26. DESIGN-BUILD + INSTALLATION | DESIGN SOFTWARE Insight into how AI developments can help designers create plans for their customers.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

BY SARAH WEBB

READY, SET, GO!

S

pring is certainly in the air—or at least it is where I’m located.

Birds are chirping. Flowers and trees are blooming. Colder temps have given way to balmier ones.

Sounds idyllic, right?

For those in the landscaping world, while spring does offer a fresh start, the reality of the new season often turns out to be more chaotic than not.

The back end of the business must be running as a welloiled machine. Handheld equipment and mowers must be well maintained and ready to go. Fertilizer needs to be applied. And, most importantly, you must have the crews on board ready to perform all of that work.

Lucky for you, this issue of Green Industry Pros features articles on just about every topic above.

You can find stories discussing the latest in robotic mowers (p. 16); how AI can assist with various aspects of a business including customer relations (p. 17); best practices for selling and applying fertilizer (p.

22); tips on handheld equipment maintenance (p. 24); and much more.

In addition to all of that, this month’s cover story zeroes in on top

mowing trends and discusses how landscape pros can best match the mower to the application (p. 10).

To complement the story, the latest segment of Monthly Musings asked landscape pros about their preferred type of mower. You can follow the QR code on p. 6 to find their answers (and why). Rounding out the month of mower mania, Green Industry Pros put on our annual Mower Madness bracket to let social media followers decide which mowers would prevail in this year’s battle of the mowers.

You can find out which mower won by following our social media channels listed on p. 6.

What about you? What’s your preferred type of mower? How come? Are you thinking about switching to another type of mower? If so, why? I’d love to hear your thoughts—and I’m sure your fellow readers would, too. Email your ideas to swebb@iron.markets or connect with me on LinkedIn by following the QR code.

EDITORIAL Editor.................................................................. Sarah Webb swebb@Iron.Markets

AUDIENCE Audience Development Manager.....................Angela Franks

PRODUCTION Senior Production Manager...............................Cindy Rusch crusch@Iron.Markets Art Director.......................................................... Willard Kill

ADVERTISING/SALES Brand Director................................................. Jason DeSarle jdesarle@Iron.Markets Sales Representative................................... Megan Perleberg mperleberg@Iron.Markets Sales Representative.................................. James Protopapa jprotopapa@Iron.Markets

IRONMARKETS Chief Executive Officer...........................................Ron Spink Chief Financial Officer...................................JoAnn Breuchel Chief Revenue Officer..................................... Amy Schwandt Corporate Director of Sales.................................Jason DeSarle Brand Director, Construction, OEM & IRONPROS ..................................................... Sean Dunphy VP, Audience Development.............................Ronda Hughes VP, Operations & IT.............................................Nick Raether Content Director...............................................Marina Mayer Director, Online & Marketing Services..... Bethany Chambers Director, Demand Generation & Education .......... Jim Bagan

Until next time!

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DIGITAL HITS

THE LATEST ONLINE TALK ABOUT IT

You may have already heard that Green Industry Pros and Turf ’s Up Radio have partnered up on a monthly segment of Turf ’s Up Radio News (The TURN). Do you have an interesting story that you’d like to talk about on The TURN? Or, maybe you’re an industry expert and you’d like to share some of the best practices that can help fellow landscape companies grow their business? Email your ideas to Green Industry Pros Editor Sarah Webb at swebb@iron.markets, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode of The TURN or even Green Industry Pros’ Grass Roots podcast. And, while you’re at it, be sure to check out our vibrant archive of past conversations with industry experts using the QR code. https://gpros.co/vfp51zrd

MONTHLY MUSINGS @keystoker.adobe.stock.com

We love hearing from you, our readers. What challenges do you face? What questions do you have? What lessons have you learned? That’s why we created Monthly Musings, a monthly installment where Green Industry Pros will ask a question inspired by readers on social media, and other readers will respond with their solutions. In order for this to work, Green Industry Pros needs the help of readers. Email Green Industry Pros Editor Sarah Webb at swebb@iron.markets if you have a question you’d like to have answered. And, be sure to keep up with our social media channels to help other landscape pros answer the questions they have (listed below). https://gpros.co/oyby1vf1

STAY SOCIAL

To stay up to date on the latest happenings around the green industry, be sure to follow Green Industry Pros’ social media channels: @Syifa5610.adobe.stock.com

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FRESH CLIPPINGS

Green Industry Roll Call: Updates from Attentive, DeWalt and Bobcat Co. Attentive secured $7 million in a Series A funding round. Project EverGreen appointed its 2024 board of directors. Bobcat Co. donated $250,000 to a university in North Dakota. Learn more about these updates below.

Attentive Completes $7M Funding Round Attentive.ai, a provider of AI-driven business management for the field services and construction industries, recently closed a $7 million Series A funding round.

“We are more than ready to scale our AI-led offerings and reach out to a broader array of businesses,” said Shiva Dhawan, CEO and co-founder of Attentive.ai. “This funding round shows our potential and the trust our investors have in our ability to transform the landscaping and construction sectors with AI-powered tech.”

The investment is led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, with continued support from previous investors, Peak XV’s Surge and InfoEdge Ventures, and an additional stake taken by Tenacity Ventures through a secondary investment.

Project EverGreen Names New Officers Project EverGreen appointed its 2024 officers and board of directors at Project EverGreen’s annual meeting.

The new president is Scott Bills, CSFM. Bills is a nationally recognized Certified Sports Field Manager and president of New Jersey-based Sports Field Solutions.

With more than 40 years of experience, Bills has designed, constructed and renovated hundreds of sports fields and athletic complexes in addition to numerous golf courses.

Beth Berry, vice president, Advanced Turf Solutions, will serve as vice president/president-elect. Berry is a seasoned service industry veteran, pioneering the customer experience in the lawn care industry at ChemLawn and progressing to director of customer service at Scotts Lawn Service. A University of Indianapolis graduate, Berry also sits on the board of National Association of Landscape Professionals, Women in Landscape Network and Indiana Professional Lawn and Landscape Association.

Fred Haskett of TrueWinds Consulting returns as secretary/treasurer, and Kevin Laycock of SiteOne Landscape Supply will serve as the immediate past president.

The full list of 2024 Project EverGreen board of directors includes: • Andrew Bray, National Association of Landscape Professionals

Attentive

• Cayla Chamberlin, Gilbert Family Foundation • Tim Demerath, PBI-Gordon • George Furrer, Valley Green • Todd Mason, Sipcam Agro USA • Russ Mitchell, Prime Source at Albaugh • Blaine Pinkerton, Nufarm • Linda Satter, Amguard Environmental Technologies • Paula Sliefert, The Toro Co. • Sarah Spatola, Arborjet | Ecologel • Shayne Wetherall, Amgarud Environmental Technologies • Alan White, Turf Systems • Lee Withers, Kress • Ashley Williams, Telus Agriculture & Consumer Goods

Bobcat Co. Gives $250K to ND University Bobcat Co. is donating $250,000 to the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., in support of the Hamm School of Engineering.

“Supporting STEM-based education is a key component of Bobcat’s foundation of innovation, a longstanding belief that has generated community progress and fueled the curiosity needed to build the technology of tomorrow,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America. “We are proud to support University of Mary as they advance educational opportunities for the next generation of groundbreaking engineers.”

Bobcat’s donation will support the engineering school through the University of Mary’s Vision 2030 Capital Campaign, a comprehensive strategic planning initiative to enhance and transform the university campus and offerings. The Hamm School of Engineering facility opened in 2020 and is designed to encourage collaboration and hands-on learning. The school offers ABET accredited degrees in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering. The Hamm School of Engineering also offers computer science, environmental engineering, construction engineering and construction management.

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8 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

Former Ewing President and CEO Raymon Alan York Dies at 86 Raymon Alan Ray York, former president and CEO of Ewing Outdoor Supply and Landscape Products, died Jan. 24, 2024, after a brief illness, at age 86.

He and his wife and business partner of 63 years, Susan “Sue” Ewing York, met at Stanford University in spring 1959 and married in November 1960. In December 1963, they returned to San Francisco to take over Ewing’s daily operations from King William Ewing, Sue’s father and the company’s founder.

Together, they laid a foundation that fostered Ewing’s growth from two brick-and-mortar stores serving the landscape, golf and industrial industries in the Bay Area into the more than 100-year-old, fourth-generation national distribution entity that it is today. In 1985, Ewing began implementing plans to expand operations outside California, opening its first branch in Phoenix. In 1994, Ewing relocated its headquarters from San Leandro, Calif., to Phoenix to better support its eastern expansion. In 2007, Ray and Sue turned over the reins of Ewing to their sons and moved over to Ewing’s manufacturing arm, Landscape Products, where Richard joined them in 2017.

In 2007, the California Landscape Contractors Association honored Ray and Sue with Lifetime Achievement Awards for

their contributions to the industry.

In 2012, the Irrigation Association honored Ray and Sue with Industry Lifetime Achievement Awards for their 50 years of contributions to the green industry.

Ray is survived by his wife; sons David (Julia), Douglas (Kelli) and Richard (Victoria) York; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and his sister, Marjorie Crosby.

https://gpros.co/gwdzxray

www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 9

COVER STORY

BY SARAH WEBB

Battle of the Toro

John Deere

Mower manufacturers provide the inside scoop on how to match the mower to the application and offer a look at the updates in each category.

S

tand-on, walk-behind, robotic, ride-on—which is best?

Like many questions in life, that depends.

Mower manufacturers weigh in on what factors need to be considered for each mower to meet its match.

What to consider Jobsite

When determining which type of mower best suits their needs, landscape professionals should first consider the property type.

“Take into account the areas that need mowing and assess any obstacles like trees, permanent features or small entryways as well as the overall size of the yard,” says Jared Nuessen, senior marketing manager at Toro Co. “This will help determine the size and maneuverability needed in the mower you choose.”

Ron Scheffler, senior product manager at Bobcat

Co., adds that landscape professionals should think about what type of business they’re trying to create.

“It would be difficult for a landscaper to say that he wants to do urban areas over here but larger more rural properties over there, and then he needs to have A, B, C and D type of mowers, and that’s inefficient for him,” Scheffler says.

Brian Manke, product segment manager at Stihl, says geography may even play a role as well.

“For example, New England and Florida stand out as having a lot of fenced-in yards, and that dictates what our customers are buying,” Manke says. “It’s really about matching the mower to the type of property your business is maintaining.”

Manke adds that within those regions, there may be variations based on whether a landscaper performs more residential or commercial work.

“Say someone is maintaining a high-end property weekly

10 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

MOWERS Toro

Scythe

where quality is the biggest priority. Horsepower may not be a big factor, but fuel efficiency is more important,” Manke says. “If someone is doing large properties that aren’t getting mowed as often, they’re going to want a 60-inch or 72-inch deck, and speed is ultimately the deciding factor.’”

In line with property type, landscapers should also survey the terrain, according to Chase Tew, production systems and business unit manager for John Deere.

“Do I live somewhere with a lot of hills and slopes or is my geography wet, like the Pacific Northwest?” Tew says. “All these things are extremely important to consider before selecting.”

Landscapers may also want to consider the end result.

“What is the customers’ desired cut quality? How quickly will you need to finish the job?” Nuessen says. “These answers can change the size of the mower deck and what features the mower has.”

and durability are huge factors in mower choice.

“People want to know what they can purchase that’s going to save them time and that’s going to last,” Scheffler says. “If I’m the owner of the machine, I’m going to take care of that machine no problem, but some operators in a business setting may not be as considerate with the equipment compared to if it was their own. So, companies need something that’s durable and lasting.”

Lenny Mangnall, marketing product manager at Exmark Manufacturing, notes that as labor continues to be scarce, companies tend to look for machines to fill that gap.

“If you can outweigh the labor by having larger and more productive equipment, that’s big,” Mangnall says.

Mangnall cites features such as the ability to change the pitch of the deck from the operator’s seat without using any tools as additional time-savers.

ROI

Comfort

As costs creep higher for labor and equipment in the landscape industry, return on investment through productivity

To keep crew members happy and on board, landscape companies should also consider the comfort of each mower.

www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 11

COVER STORY After all, crews spend the larger part of their day running them.

“The comfort and productivity of your crew will help determine the overall success of your business,” Nuessen says. “A happy, comfortable crew directly translates to productivity.”

the operator to do so easily.

“Can you update the grease or spindle or belt and get at it quickly and effectively?” Scheffler says, adding that mowers with deck systems that keep them clean can also save crews time and allow the mowers to cool more properly.

Trailer type

Regulations

Truck and trailer size are other important considerations, according to Tew. “Are you running a two- or threemower setup on your rig? Will the mowers fit your setup?” Tew asks.

For trailers with limited space, stand-on machines may be the best option, says Nuessen.

“Contractors can potentially fit more equipment on their trailers by leveraging the smaller overall footprint of a stand-on machine when compared to zero-turn models,” Nuessen says.

Scheffler notes that fitting more pieces of equipment on a truck or trailer can bring down a landscape company’s overhead costs by minimizing the number of trucks and trailers it needs.

Maintenance

Landscapers should also zero in on machines that require minimal maintenance, Mangnall says.

“The total cost of ownership is more than just the upfront cost of the machine,” Mangnall says. “All of those maintenance items add up over time, and not only make you less productive but cost you money down the road.”

Scheffler notes that for maintenance items that need to be taken care of, landscape companies should find a mower that allows

Increasing amounts of legislation focused on reducing noise and emission levels have led to landscape maintenance businesses to purchase battery-powered equipment to stay compliant with regulations, says Katy

Bobcat Co.

Stringfield, senior manager of product marketing at Milwaukee Tool.

Nuessen agrees that batterypowered equipment can improve customer relations.

“If the customer’s property has strict guidelines around noise or emissions, your business may want to invest in a battery-powered mower over a gaspowered model,” Nuessen says.

Mower types Depending on the considerations above, landscape pros can hone in on which mower best meets their needs.

Stand-Ons

First up, stand-on mowers are currently having a stand-out moment

12 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

within the landscape industry.

With a foldable operator platform that instantly converts the mower to a walkbehind, stand-on mowers provide the operator with greater visibility to help get around obstacles and tight spaces.

“When it comes to specific types of mowers that are trending, we continue to see a noticeable bump in the overall popularity of stand-on mowers,” Nuessen says. “Many contractors enjoy the increased visibility, traction and stability on slopes that stand-on mowers can provide.”

Steven Benedict, product line manager, turf care, Kioti Tractor, adds that nimbleness and easy on/off access are other notable benefits of stand-ons.

“This becomes convenient when picking up debris,” Benedict says.

“Operators can also easily duck behind the mower to get under lowhanging tree limbs or other objects.”

Scheffler says that because stand-ons are typically lighter than ride-ons, landscape professionals can access areas they typically can’t with rideons, for example, like the Gold Coast or Texarkana where there are sandy and wet conditions.

Mangnall also points to the machine’s comfortability as playing a role in their rise.

“Some guys like to stand a little better, and they can lean and reposition themselves while operating the equipment,” Mangnall says.

Because of these benefits, Scheffler says highly landscaped areas like cemeteries or places that have gardens tend to be ideal for stand-ons.

“It’s places where you need to be a bit more in control and see ahead

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COVER STORY of yourself,” Scheffler says.

serviceability and access to components.”

Ride-Ons

Walk-behinds

Ride-on mowers, particularly ride-on zero-turn mowers, are ideal for tackling larger properties with minimal trimming while delivering a consistent and professional-looking cut.

“When covering multiple acres for multiple hours, a user would be better suited with a zero-turn or larger deck width stand-on,” Stringfield says.

“They’re best suited for covering large areas in a short amount of time.”

Benedict notes that the larger size of the mower may allow for larger components.

“Oftentimes, you can get larger decks and/or larger fuel tanks on a ride-on mower,” Benedict says. “Ride-ons can also be paired with a bagger, which can be useful for fall cleanup or maintaining a lawn. Ride-on mowers are a little bit larger overall, which can lead to easier

John Deere Z994R

Built for precision and control, walkbehinds are generally smaller and are ideal for areas with intricate landscaping or areas where a close cut is required.

“In smaller applications, a user would be better equipped with a 21-inch or 30-inch walk-behind mower,” Stringfield says. “These mowers can be easily maneuvered and fit into fenced-in backyards and more confined spaces.

These mowers also provide better traction on slopes and damp ground.”

Tew adds that areas with a lot of detail work are ideal for walk-behind mowers.

“These are a great investment for residential backyards and complex commercial properties requiring a lot of trimming,” Tew says.

While they tend to be operated slower than other mowers, Benedict says this makes them easier to control.

Robotic mowers

When discussing autonomous mowers, it’s important to distinguish between the two types: smaller mowers that are permanently or semipermanently installed on a property and larger autonomous mowers that are integrated

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into a landscape operation.

“Small robots are best for smaller, highly visible areas of commercial or residential properties that want the same look every day, and larger robotic mowers are best for very large, wide-open spaces with minimal

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Other trends:

Alternative fuels:

As the demand for more sustainable products continues, many landscape professionals are looking at batterypowered equipment as the answer.

Software/tech:

In the future, more landscape companies will begin to choose mowers that come with connected software that allows them to GPS track their equipment, automate card-on-file invoicing, optimize routing and provide on-demand estimates and timecard tracking.

All of these items can in turn create more value.

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tree canopy that require a lot of human labor to mow,” Tew says.

Scheffler says larger autonomous machines work well for sports turf areas, wide-open fields and areas such as around slopes or near water features.

“There are some spots that can get tricky, like around a pond or an embankment, where the operator doesn’t feel at ease on the machine,” Scheffler says. “Those are great opportunities for autonomy to keep that person extra safe, and it also allows you to mow more areas that people just don’t want to get into.”

Autonomous mowers can also help with efficiency.

“They can help productivity by allowing two applications to happen at once: Users can string trim while the mower is mowing,” Stringfield says. “It can also help with labor shortages by removing the need for someone to run the mower.”

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EQUIPMENT

BY SARAH WEBB

Greenzie

Rolling with

ROBOTICS

Autonomous mowing experts explain how landscape professionals can adopt robotic mowing technology.

R

ight property, right people, right plan—these are three keys to success when implementing robotic mowing technology, says Charles Brian Quinn, co-founder and CEO of Greenzie.

Once those three keys are in place, the robots’ benefits speak for themselves.

“Landscape companies are hurting for labor, and we’re hitting that right away,” Quinn says. “We also know that companies are using them to bid bigger jobs and make more money. The next step would be to recruit a new generation of robotic operators as they’re upscaling.”

Quinn and other autonomous mowing experts delve into these three keys to adopting autonomous mowers.

Editor’s Note: One category of robotics includes smaller mowers that are permanently or semipermanently installed on a property, and the other involves larger autonomous mowers that are integrated into a landscape operation.

This article delves into the latter category.

selecting properties where the machines are mowing for two hours or longer.

“If it’s a smaller property, and you’re going from job to job in less than an hour, it’s probably not a fit,” Kubista says. “(With larger mowers), instead of three people and three mowers going to a jobsite, there’s one person who deploys three mowers on a jobsite, and while the mowers are doing their job, that person is string trimming, picking up garbage and blowing grass off sidewalks and parking lots.”

Quinn adds that properties like retail complexes that contain little strips and slivers of grass are not ideal because crews would likely have to use the mower manually in those areas, negating the labor savings.

“If it’s a heavily populated area or somewhere with medians and a lot of cars, it’s not going to save you a lot of money because you’re going to be doing most of it yourself,” Quinn says.

Right property

Right plan

First, landscape companies should evaluate their sites, says Billy Otteman, director of marketing at Scythe Robotics.

“Assess the range of robotic options and identify which is going to be most impactful for the type of business they run today and the type of business they want to grow into tomorrow,” Otteman says.

Tim Kubista, vice president of sales and marketing for RC Mowers, suggests

Securing the right plan in place is also key, Quinn says.

“You may have this giant industrial complex, but you’ve divided it up so that one crew does it one day and another does it another day,” Quinn says. “However, you’re going to want

to put the autonomous mower on one truck and do all your big acreage with that so you can reduce labor costs.”

Kubista adds that manufacturers and suppliers can assist companies in coming up with the best route plans as well.

“We can give you the checkboxes to see if you’re saving money or if you need to move a mower,” Kubista says.

Right people Finally, companies need to ensure they have the right people in place.

“Somebody who likes gamification, productivity and seeing improvement is going to be best versus someone who is just punching a clock,” Kubista says.

In order to introduce employees to the idea of robotic mowers assisting crews, Otteman suggests explaining the rationale of how the mowers will help crews be more productive and make their jobs easier.

“Reiterate the fact that this is not going to take their job, but in fact, make it better, easier and more interesting, even potentially opening up new career paths and more profitability across the company,” Otteman says.

Allowing crews to see a demonstration of the technology can also make them feel comfortable with it, Otteman says.

“Having that hands-on demonstrations gives them a sense of empowerment and control and takes away any hesitation or fear they may have,” Otteman says.

Implementing robotic mowers can help landscape companies become more productive with fewer crews.

Scythe Robotics

16 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Practical Application of AI for Landscaping Businesses

@ipopba stock.adobe.com

A roundup of how artificial intelligence can assist landscape companies with recruiting and retention, training, customer relations and more.

N

o matter where you look, artificial intelligence (AI) is dominating conversations. Although it can be controversial, there are many incredible benefits to using AI in almost any business, and the green industry isn’t exempt. AI is complex, it’s evolving rapidly and implementation is going to become essential in order to stay competitive.

Benefits of AI implementation Before determining which tools are right for your business, it’s helpful to take a step back to think of some of the benefits of enhancing your business operations with the use of AI: • Efficiency: One of the most obvious is the time savings that AI can offer in your day-to-day operations. Automation frees up your human staff to focus on more complex, strategic or personal tasks that drive your business forward.

• Cost savings: Streamlining processes and tools and automating repetitive tasks can reduce the need for manual input, helping to reduce labor costs.

• Risk reduction: Using automation and AI versus human input can reduce the risk of human error, allowing your operations to run smoothly and effectively.

AI applications in your organization AI is powerful, and there is likely an automated solution for any business function you or your team performs on a daily basis. Whether you’re excited or still a bit wary, there are some areas of your business where you can easily implement

artificial intelligence into your operations to reap the benefits.

Recruiting and interviewing In order to grow your business and retain your current customers, you need a reliable and stable workforce— but hiring and keeping good people in a high turnover industry is one of the biggest challenges home service business owners and operators face. Implementing the use of AI in recruiting and hiring can help you get the people you need to service your customers in the door faster.

There are many AI tools that can automate the resume screening process by prescreening applicants and then automatically qualifying or disqualifying them based on their answers to a predefined questionnaire. This saves you time by narrowing down the candidates to the most qualified or best fit for the role you’re hiring for.

Another simple use of AI where you can streamline the recruiting process and save time is generating content for job descriptions. Some tools allow users to input the title and any information like necessary certifications, skills, experience and expectations before you’re handed a full description ready for review in just a matter of seconds.

Content creation tools can also be used for crafting interview questions. These systems take the provided job title, requirements, details about your company and needed skills and generate situational, skill-based, behavioral or technical questions based on those details. Continued on Pg. 20...

www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 17

VALUE TESTIMONIAL

BY BETHANY CHAMBERS | SYNGENTA

EARLY SPRING MEANS EARLY TURF PEST PROBLEMS— BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO

Acelepryn Xtra from Syngenta takes the guesswork out of controlling a broad spectrum of bugs for lawn care operators and increases efficacy for users across the U.S.

W

hen Punxsutawney Phil emerged and did not see his shadow—predicting an early spring—well, you couldn’t blame lawn care operators (LCOs) for their skepticism. Very rarely has the groundhog predicted an early spring, and even more rarely does it come.

Uncertainty can leave you prognosticating like the groundhog on when to time your customers’ insecticide applications. Get it wrong, and that’s money out of your pocket.

Matt Giese, M.S., technical field manager for Syngenta in the Midwest, knows your struggle.

“We will see what Mother Nature throws at us. If it starts to look like the warming trend is going to start happening earlier, you still have until April and May to target some of these applications for white grubs and other insects,” he explains.

SIMPLIFYING INSECT CONTROL

One of the latest products from Syngenta, Acelepryn® Xtra insecticide, offers an even wider application window (April-July) with greater efficacy on a broader spectrum of insects like grubs, billbugs and chinch bugs, and it adds mole crickets and ants to the label. That will be welcome news to LCOs in the Midwest, North and Northern Transition Zone.

Even if you’re in the Southeast, there’s still time to protect your St. Augustinegrass from caterpillars, fall Matt Giese, M.S. armyworm, sod webworm Technical Field Manager | Syngenta and chinch bugs, if you get

going now. A single 20 oz./A application can control the latter two for up to three months.

“When we talk about a single product, which can provide long-term prevention for two to four months, that’s a bit of a mind blower,” explains Lane Tredway, Ph.D., technical field manager for Syngenta in the Southeast.

Acelepryn Xtra, launched Lane Tredway, Ph.D. late last year, takes Technical Field Manager | Syngenta chlorantraniliprole, the active ingredient (AI) in Acelepryn, and strengthens it with a second AI, thiamethoxam, added from Meridian® insecticide from Syngenta. This one-two punch is perfected for the turf market.

“With its broader-spectrum control and longevity of control, Acelepryn Xtra provides incredible value for LCOs,” Tredway adds.

Syngenta takes it one step further. The GreenTrust® 365 early order program provides a year-long rebate on Acelepryn Xtra, and there’s a 10 percent volume discount, meaning LCOs have opportunities to make it more profitable for their business than what they’ve used for this variety of a pest population in the past.

NEW TACTICS FOR NEW PEST POPULATIONS

That’s increasingly important.

“Insect activity has changed, and we see that across the Midwest and other parts, especially around billbugs. It’s a longer growing season. We have hot temperatures well into

18 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

ADVERTISEMENT

September in Kansas City, for example, and sometimes even into late October,” Giese says.

The billbugs chewing up your customers’ grass are only getting worse.

“We even think that there could be more generations or partial generations with billbugs. That hasn’t happened

Two modes of action allow for true control of chinch bugs versus the suppression offered

by Acelepryn alone. in the past,” Giese adds. “We’re also realizing that you can have mixed species and a species that generally has been only identified in warm- season turfs now is also found in cool- season turfs and vice versa.”

LCOs are facing a similar issue with chinch bugs.

“Populations are starting to become resistant to the chemistry that has been used for a long time, so for that reason, the neonicotinoids like in Acelepryn Xtra have become crucial to managing that pest,” Tredway says, adding that the two modes of action allow for true control of chinch bugs versus the suppression offered by Acelepryn alone.

GUARANTEED EFFECTIVE

If Acelepryn Xtra is applied as outlined in the GreenTrust 365 Grub, Billbug and Caterpillar Prevention Guarantee from Syngenta and a breakthrough occurs, Syngenta will

94 97 97

72

97 97

provide the appropriate product for curative control.

Even if the homeowner or property manager doesn’t water in their Acelepryn Xtra application within the first 48 hours, essential for grub control to get the insecticide one to two inches below the surface, the dual AIs in the formulation can be very forgiving. Same goes for drought, Giese and Tredway say.

“The number of complaints that we receive is basically zero,” Tredway says.

And for LCOs, that’s the goal. Happy customers make for good business.

Visit GreenCastOnline.com/AceleprynBrands to find out which Acelepryn brand is best for you.

WHEN TO START APPLICATIONS Think this spring weather has been “just absolutely crazy,” as Matt Giese, M.S. laments? The Syngenta website, GreenCastOnline.com, can answer some of your questions with its agronomic alert tools and solutions, such as maps tracking soil temperatures.

You’ll know once you’ve gotten consecutive weeks above 50°F and are closing in on 60°F, it’s time to trigger your preventive crabgrass applications.

“It’s a wealth of information with something for everybody,” Giese says. You can also sign up for additional pest alerts by zip code and check out suggested agronomic programs for lawn care based on your region. Visit GreenCastOnline.com/ AgronomicAlerts for more.

© 2024 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions.

Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or While Acelepryn Xtra was applied at 16 fl. oz./A, the recommended rate of 20 fl. oz./A may result in greater control.

Source: Seamon, Richmond and Koppenhofer, New York, Indiana and New Jersey, 2020.

Application dates were July 5, 2020 in New York; June 16, 2020 in Indiana; and June 24, 2020 in New Jersey. *OB = Oriental beetle. JB = Japanese beetle. EC = European chafer. MC = masked chafer. NMC = northern masked chafer.

counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Acelepryn®, GreenCast®, GreenTrust®, Meridian® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.

www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 19

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY Chatbots with natural language processing capabilities (designed to speak like a human) can conduct initial screening interviews through predetermined questions to further narrow down the applicant pool, decreasing the time you spend on potentially unqualified candidates.

Training Training your team is an essential part of setting them up for success; they are a reflection of your business, so you want to equip them to be their best. Whether you’re conducting training for new employees or ensuring your existing team is up to date on necessary skills, AI is a great way to save time and streamline the process.

You can use AI tools to create interactive training materials and quizzes in a matter of minutes. For example, you can input any training topic, and within 30 seconds, it will

generate a branded training with quizzes, visuals and a summary of each section. This provides a great foundation that will save a ton of time as opposed to creating something similar from scratch.

AI also more easily expands the format of training you can provide your team. People learn differently, and while some will be able to sit and read a training manual and digest the information, others will better learn and retain information through video or audio learning. There are more advanced tools like AI text-to-speech voice over tools that can easily convert written text into spoken words, making it easier for your team to better digest and retain the information you’re training on.

One way to decrease your onboarding time through minimal training is by utilizing call scripts for customer service representatives (CSRs). There are a lot of great paid call script tools out there that may integrate with your

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CRM, but if you’re just dipping your toes in AI and want to explore a free tool, this is another good application of ChatGPT. These scripts can be tailored to specific scenarios, customer concerns and service offerings

Customer service This is an area where you may want to use AI more to augment than

@Лариса Люндовская.adobe.com replace your operations. The home services industry remains a bit more personal than others. While customers want self-service options and more convenient ways to find answers to their questions or problems, they also need to trust the company visiting their home. They want to be heard when they have issues, and they want to be taken care of. Utilizing AI in customer

service should be centered around freeing up your human staff for other customer service tasks that address that need for personal interaction.

Chatbots are a great way to reduce quick customer service calls to your office. Customers can ask quick questions about services, pricing, treatment processes, scheduling and more. Chatbots also increase your availability to customers outside of routine business hours.

Automated texting tools are another application of AI that can save a ton of time, but they also reduce the risk of error that accompanies human input.

These can be used for service follow ups, proactive service reminders, requesting customer feedback or reviews and more.

• AI is smart, but it’s not 100 percent accurate. Any use of AI should always include a human element of quality assurance and review. Make sure what you’re putting out through AI is an accurate representation of your business.

• Find the right tool for your business— don’t jump right in with big sweeping changes without research and exploration. Anything that will have a heavy impact on your team and operations should be approached mindfully.

• Be flexible. New applications and tools will continue to become available as AI expands and evolves, and changing your operations will be crucial to staying competitive in a saturated industry.

Keep in mind

Katie McCaskill

However you choose to implement AI in your business, it’s important to remember a few things:

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L AW N C A R E & O R N A M E N TA L S

BY SARAH WEBB

Fertilizer FACTS Lawn care experts provide a rundown of what lawn care operators should know about fertilizer application.

C

ordie Morgan, category director at SiteOne Landscape Supply, and John Perry, president of Greene County Fertilizer Co., weigh in on what lawn care operators (LCOs) should know about fertilizer applications this season.

Green Industry Pros: What are the benefits of putting down fertilizer?

Morgan: Fertilizers stimulate the population growth of

beneficial soil microorganisms essential for a healthy soil environment and the transformation of applied nutrients into plant-usable forms, improve the soil’s physical characteristics (porosity and permeability) and replenish naturally occurring nutrients that have been used up or lost. Healthy plants are less prone to diseases, can tolerate light draught conditions and tend to recover quickly from insect damage. Fertilizers create a growing and healthy turf from a density and vertical growth standpoint and a color standpoint.

the turf for dormancy by providing nutrients that enhance the plant’s root system and increase nitrogen storage. The best time to apply fertilizer is when the plant is actively growing and taking in nutrients (during the growing season, which varies depending on geography). Soil testing reports provide the agronomic insights to help create lawn application programs that determine the nutrient needs required.

GIP: What are a few best practices LCOs should follow when putting down fertilizer?

Perry: Your soil type and your region are important because

those can dictate how often or what types of soluble or insoluble fertilizer you should be using. Make sure it only stays on the grass. Don’t put it where anything doesn’t grow, and a measured approach is a better approach.

Perry: The most beneficial reason to put down fertilizer is

for the look, feel and health of the turf grass. The thicker the stand of grass, the more it can outcompete weeds and any other invasive infestation that there might be. So, fertilizing should be top priority for most people.

GIP: When’s the best time to apply fertilizers?

Perry: For the most part, when grass starts turning green or coming out of dormancy is the time to start fertilizing.

The frequency varies by region. There are a lot of places in the country that are monthly. The average is still in the six- to eight-week range.

Morgan: Depending on which part of the country one lives

in, fertilizer applications as the turf comes out of dormancy is an optimal time to get the turf on the correct growing path. At this time, the turf is typically in a weaker state due to diminished energy stores utilized during its dormant period—another late spring application of fertilizer to enhance reserves of stored energy in the roots. A summer fertilizer application is needed to provide essential nutrients during this critical season. Finally, an early and then late-fall application strengthens the plant after the summer stress. Then, it prepares

SiteOne Landscape Supply

22 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

Morgan: Well-trained employees are critical to the success

of adequately applied fertilizers. Test soil twice yearly to determine which nutrients are needed and in what amounts.

Select a fertilizer formulation that will provide the essential nutrients from the soil analysis. Verify that your spreader is calibrated correctly for the applied fertilizer product. Educate the customer on the importance of each application.

(Editor’s Note: See below for more best practices)

GIP: How and when should LCOs educate customers on fertilizer applications?

Perry: A person who has never had a lawn care service

doesn’t know how often a lawn should be fertilized. I think it’s important for an LCO to explain why they visit as often as they do. Whether that’s feeding and fertilizing every round there or controlling weeds, it’s important because most homeowners may fertilize a lawn once or twice a year thinking that’s enough. So, describing the benefits and the overall look and feel that a homeowner is going to get by having a professional service really is the most important part. I don’t believe that LCOs need to educate people on fertilizer itself. I believe they just need to share the result of what the work is doing so that the customer has an expectation.

Morgan: Engage with the customer from the initial visit to get them involved and explain current issues and strategies

regarding short and long-term goals. A customer is more approachable/appreciative when an LCO projects professional conduct/courtesy on-site. A well-designed website offers the customer a portal to the services you offer and the educational content you provide.

Discuss nutrient needs determined by a standard soil test.

The best time to educate customers is during the renewal process, usually over the winter months in January or February (for current customers). For new customers, it is always a good practice to educate them on the products you intend to use before their first application. Direct mail flyers and email blasts are great communication tools to help explain weed control and fertilizer programs to existing and potential customers.

You can include within these direct mail flyers and email blasts optional services you can provide besides just the core weed control and fertilizer program. These direct mail flyers and email blasts should go out before the season starts in late December and January. You may offer a prepay discount with those direct mail flyers and email blasts if customers sign up for a seven-step program before the end of February.

GIP: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Morgan: LCOs should always mention that they adhere

to a responsible approach to lawn care applications and note any industry affiliations they are either actively involved in or support. LCOs should always ask for their customers’ expectations and be upfront when providing realistic solutions.

Perry: It’s less about the amount of fertilizer that goes down and more about the look of the turf. LCOs should not get hung up on pounds of material or budgeting out that way but actually base their business on a results-driven approach.

More best practices

• Understand all local laws and regulations.

• Choose the proper fertilizer that meets the needs to maintain optimum plant health.

• Always follow the instructions listed on the product label.

• Start with a pH-balanced soil and apply nutrients based on standard soil test results.

• Calculate the amount needed.

• Review weather conditions before application to avoid a potential runoff, misapplication on windy days and added stress during periods of drought.

• Always calibrate application equipment and keep it in good working order.

• Wear proper personal protective equipment as noted on the product label.

• Maintain required buffer distances between the application site and designate wetland areas (where applicable).

• Remove (sweep) excess material from walkways and driveways.

www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 23

MOWING & MAINTENANCE

BY SARAH WEBB

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE TO-DO’S

Go time

North American Lawn and Landscape uses both two-cycle and batterypowered handheld equipment from Husqvarna such as string trimmers, edgers, blowers and chainsaws.

Yearly, the company services and maintains all of its equipment—or when users do discover a problem.

Maintenance the company most regularly performs on two-cycle equipment includes: • Checking and replacing spark plugs Landscape pros shed light on how preventive • Cleaning or replacing fuel and air filters maintenance can prevent costly breakdowns and • Greasing gears “Keeping up with our yearly maintenance downtime down the road. and servicing helps ensure little issues icture this: Crews have just arrived to tackle their don’t become bigger headaches,” says next job and they’re unloading equipment from Lowry, adding that the company relies on crews to bring the trailer when they discover that the blower is no up issues in between yearly maintenance schedules. longer functioning and the string trimmer appears to be For battery- and gas-powered equipment, Lowry faltering as well. To top it off, it’s the middle of the busiest recommends keeping the equipment clean overall spring season, and there seems to be no break in sight. and spot checking for any potential problems.

While some equipment breakdowns are inevitable, On the other hand, Blue Sky Green Earth performing preventive routine maintenance of Landscaping in Hamilton, N.J., relies solely on Ego’s handheld equipment can prevent a lot of avoidable battery-powered lineup to get the job done. equipment failures—and in the end, save your Amner Deleon, owner of Blue Sky Green Earth crews headaches and the company money.

Landscaping, notes that while there is less maintenance “Performing routine maintenance gives you the chance involved with battery-powered equipment, keeping to look over all parts of the equipment and to address any equipment clean and sharpening blades on (and issues,” says Cedric Lowry, fleet manager at North American mowers) are the biggest items to tackle.

Lawn and Landscape in Charlotte, N.C. “If you’re not doing “There’s no gas, there’s no oil, there’s no mix to go into routine checks, little issues that would be easy to resolve the blowers or chainsaws or any of that stuff,” Deleon says. could become much more expensive to repair later on.”

The company makes use of visual inspection and Two landscape companies shed light on what a log to stay on top of maintenance intervals. type of maintenance landscape pros should “We have a spreadsheet where we log in things like serial add to their maintenance regimens. numbers and warranty information,” Deleon says.

Overall, following these steps will ensure landscape pros can experience maximum uptime and minimize the cost of having to perform repairs.

P

Top recommendations:

Husqvarna

Taking the time to perform maintenance now can save on costly downtime later in the season.

“I would recommend that any pro use OEM or equivalent aftermarket parts when replacing broken parts to make sure you’re getting parts that will last.” — Cedric Lowry “Make sure all operators have the proper training.” — Cedric Lowry “It’s a best practice for landscapers to have the serial number, the warranty and when they purchased the item so they can take advantage of the warranty if they need it.” — Amner Deleon

24 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

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D E S I G N - B U I L D + I N S TA L L AT I O N

BY SARAH WEBB

THE LATEST IN DESIGN SOFTWARE How AI developments can help design firms create and estimate plans for their customers.

T

he idea of artificial intelligence (AI) can make some people wary, but there are ways that AI can make landscape designers’ processes easier and more efficient.

“I might suggest that everyone has an opportunity to look at what AI can do for them,” says Eric Gilbey, product marketing manager for the landscape industries at Vectorworks. “One person might use it for plant palette, and another might use it for irrigation parts, but AI is going to become flexible to the person who needs it.”

Gilbey and Shiva Dhawan, CEO at Attentive.ai, explain how landscape designers can best leverage this technology for both creation and estimation purposes.

software involve leveraging advanced AI algorithms to analyze high-resolution aerial imagery, allowing for the automatic detection and measurement of landscape features that get autopopulated into an estimate and proposal.

Because AI has made it possible to extract data out of blueprints as well, design-build firms can also automate landscape construction takeoffs.

“These AI-driven developments allow landscapers and designers to streamline their workflow significantly,” says Dhawan. “For starters, they can say goodbye to the time-consuming process of manual measurements and the potential inaccuracies that come with it.

Contractors and sales reps can quote jobs faster while ensuring their bids are profitable and competitive.”

Dhawan notes that using this type of software for estimation can also help build trust with potential clients.

“The professional and detailed proposals with HD sitemaps generated by such software demonstrate a commitment to

Design creation

Design estimation On the other hand, the latest AI developments in estimating

Vectorworks

One major update with AI comes with image generation, where a designer can give some prompts to an AI bot, and it will find or create images from image sources.

“The one that won me over was generating images of plants that a designer might use for the 3D landscape representations,” Gilbey says. “If someone’s having a challenge finding certain images of an ornamental tree, they could use AI to find an example or create an example image in a certain shape. They might even provide the shape of the trunk and the canopy as a guide to say, ‘I’m looking for something that’s mature.’”

Gilbey notes that this type of image generation can be used for sculptures, trellis work and other items, in addition to plants.

Another AI feature designers may take advantage of is the rendering of 3D model views. For example, if a designer wants to come up with a general model of a landscape and they want something that looks Mediterranean, they may ask AI to run them through these styles.

“A lot of folks in our user base are investigating this,” Gilbey says. “This helps inspire the designer to think outside of their own mindset. It’s not always 100 percent appropriate for the site they’re working on, but they’re just getting general ideas and using it for layout examples. Let’s hope they are still trying to become unique and individualized where they can, using the example as inspiration but not knocking it off.”

Gilbey says the designer’s efficiency is enhanced because they’re using AI to build knowledge and more easily locate certain materials for the design.

26 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

precision and quality, building trust with potential clients,” Dhawan says.

“This combination of speed, accuracy and professionalism sets them apart in the competitive landscaping market.”

Selling process Whether a company uses software for design generation or estimation, the result is the same: faster bids.

“The idea of less time in design is typical, so (AI in design software) would be helpful for them because they can generate styles more quickly without spending much more time doing the actual drawings or renderings,” Gilbey says. “Also, more alternatives can be considered because the designer is spending less time doing that.”

Dhawan agrees that using AI can generate faster bids.

“By employing AI in their estimating process, landscape professionals can provide faster responses to bid requests, which is 60 percent of the time a key factor in winning contracts,” Dhawan says. “The accuracy of

Attentive

AI-powered estimates also means they can competitively price their services while ensuring profitability.”

Challenges While AI does have its benefits, there are a few items landscape professionals should keep in mind.

“Sometimes you might get a completely different response from an AI chatbox when you put in a similar question with just a few different terms,” Gilbey says. “So, you just need to dig

a little deeper and ask it questions in different ways and make sure you’re consistent with what you’re learning.”

For the image generation question, the main concern revolves around intellectual property use, Gilbey says.

“It’s this idea of whether or not you’re stealing someone else’s design style,” Gilbey says. “I do believe there’s going to be some things legislatively to protect the intellectual property content of imagery.”

Looking ahead In the next few years, Dhawan says he expects AI and software in the landscaping industry to become even more intelligent and integrated.

“Generative AI is coming in estimates to make it faster and is built upon existing data and jobs that were the most profitable,” Dhawan says. “Generative AI is going to change the landscape completely.”

Gilbey says he would like to see simulations of what a landscape will do over time.

“It would be a solution to simulate how the plant materials grow,” Gilbey says. “Is it growing out of its space? Is it seeking water that may not come naturally? Are the materials’ lifespans long enough?”

Building on that, Gilbey says he hopes designers embrace AI to propose landscapes that are sustainable and better-performing.

“Maybe AI and design software can tag team in this effort where they’re improving the project and improving the way it treats the environment,” Gilbey says.

www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 27

PROJECT PROFILE

BY SARAH WEBB

All About the CURB APPEAL

construction of the deck.

All in all, four to six Ground One employees (including the designer, project manager and crews) worked over the course of a month to complete the project.

A huge component in bringing the design to life, Latham says, How Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain was a Vectorworks app called Nomad that features light detection elevated the look of a residential client’s landscape. and ranging (LIDAR). hen a client wanted to elevate the curb appeal of “When we go to collect our site their front yard, Ground One Landscape Design inventory, we’ve been using our iPhones because they have a + Build + Maintain rose to the challenge.

LIDAR-enabled camera to collect 2D and 3D information,” Overall, the project included natural stone retaining Latham says. “It gives you a pointcloud to work with that walls, bluestone paving and a revamped deck, according we can directly import into our file and quickly start to to Robert Latham, landscape designer at Ground One. understand the space in 3D while we’re drawing up a 2D plan.”

The first part of the project, Latham says, Latham says the company also used an altimeter involved replacing old timber walls that separated to gain additional elevation data or a laser level. the driveway from the front door, which was 7 feet When it came to the production side, the higher than the driveway and garage door. company used a skid-steer loader to load and unload “It’s a split level, and the timber walls were failing, materials and then moved debris, mulch and plant so our design team was tasked with developing a material using shovels and wheelbarrows. solution to restore functionality while enhancing While the majority of the project went off without a the overall aesthetics,” Latham says. hitch, Latham says the company did have to take extra Before demoing the timber walls, crews saved a few of care to coordinate with the subcontractor to correctly the existing hydrangeas. After the demolition, crews added match up the composite landing with the decking. in a few more plantings and constructed several Indiana “With a lot of the work we do, there are usually a bunch limestone steps that ran up and met with a composite of different professionals that are on the staircase to create a landing near the front door. site at any given time,” Latham says.

“Our crews are really well-versed in working “It’s better if we can coordinate with natural stone, whether it be working with a to have our work completed.” mortar setting or a dry stack installation, and On the same note, Latham these walls are dry stacked,” Latham says. says communication Latham adds that the remained top of mind for company subcontracted out the everyone involved on the project—including the design department, bidding department, production staff, crew members and subcontractor— and the 3D renderings were a huge facet to that ability to communication. ou Gr “It makes it easier to communicate about the intent of the project, what materials are used and how to work together more effectively,” Latham says. “It’s about keeping open minds and trying to have an elite corporate environment because there are just so many LIDAR technology enabled Ground One to be faster and more accurate early on in the design process. moving parts in what we do.” nd

On

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esig n

+ Build

+ Maintain

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Ground One Design + Build + Maintain

28 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

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NEW PRODUCTS Kubota Tractor Corp. F3710 Mower The new F3710 replaces the F3990 in Kubota’s F Series of commercial front-mount mowers and is equipped with a 36.9-hp Kubota Common Rail System diesel engine for fast, powerful and efficient job performance. Available with both side-discharge and rear-discharge pro-commercial mower decks in 60 inches and 72 inches, the F3710’s high lifting capacity provides the versatility to handle an array of implements like a grass catcher, snow blower, rotary sweeper and debris blower and is compatible with all implements currently available for Kubota mowers. An LCD digital panel comes standard on the F3710 and provides operators with vital information like diesel particulate filter level, engine speed, remaining fuel, water temperature and an hour meter. Because long hours on the job can take a toll on operator efficiency, a deluxe high-back seat with four separate adjustments for weight control, lumbar support, back angle and armrests helps keep operators comfortable and productive all day long. https://gpros.co/m758an

Hustler X-Ride ZTR

Rotary 2024 Catalog Rotary’s 2024 catalog showcases a robust lineup of outdoor power equipment parts, tools and accessories, including more than 1,400 pages with photos, illustrations, descriptions, cross referencing and part numbers for every major brand.

Among more than 200 new items are a variety of Copperhead professional-grade mower blades plus commercial-strength belts, filters, fuel pumps, pulleys and chainsaw accessories.

Rotary also offers a full line of arborist equipment, gear and supplies from industry manufacturers. Popular items include rope, flip lines, lanyards and hardware.

The entire catalog is available at rotarycorp.com and downloadable in a PDF format. A quick “keyword” search makes it easy to locate parts with comprehensive listings of OEM matches for Rotary parts. https://gpros.co/1c46kvdh

Hustler Turf’s X-Ride Zero-Turn Mower comes equipped with Custom Ride Technology that’s designed to maximize comfort when mowing rough terrain. Features of the new mower include:

• The Custom Ride Technology is an isolated operator suspension platform designed to deliver a comfortable ride for the operator even while on rough terrain.

• The platform absorbs up to 4 inches of travel and has five levels of adjustability for the operator to find their comfort preference all while maintaining the stability.

• For added comfort, Hustler said it designed the X-Ride with a bolstered, high-back seat with padded armrests.

• A 60-inch VX4deck, 12-gallon fuel tank, flip-up seat pan, removable floor pan and toolless removable pulley covers.

https:// gpros.co/ lysqu6vc

Summit Spray Sprinkler Head Summit Spray’s new sprinkler head includes:

• It efficiently waters plants with a reach of up to 20 feet high.

• Its patent-pending technology allows increased flexibility because the sprinkler head can rotate 360 degrees and pivot 180 degrees.

• It’s compatible with the standard 0.5inch NPT thread and is easy to install and remove.

• The pivot and rotation allow the head to focus on a specific area, thereby reducing the number of sprinkler heads needed.

• Summit Spray can adjust the spray angle and direction and offer users a customizable spray radius by using interchangeable standard nozzles.

• Summit Spray is made from recyclable ABS plastic, and a UV stabilizer protects it from sun damage. https://gpros.co/5jv6z0qm

30 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

UNLOCK FREE PREMIUM CONTENT! BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE GUIDE: © ImagESine | fertilizing lawn - stock.adobe.com

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Demand Good, Labor and Supply Chains Continue to Falter Into 2022

The work done this fall will set the stage for a beautiful green lawn next spring.

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NEW PRODUCTS Milwaukee Tool M12 Brushless Pruning Shears

OTR TR-34 Turf Tire

Milwaukee Tool’s M12 Brushless Pruning Shears deliver the power to cut up to 1- to 1.25-inch branches while providing the ability to lock the blades into half of that capacity through the mode select board. The Active Blade Control enables the blade movement to follow the trigger movement, providing more control over the cut capacity during application. This, combined with the mode select and lightweight, inline design, offers better accessibility and control in intricate pruning applications. When paired with the M12 CP2.0 Battery, these pruning shears deliver up to 1,000 cuts per charge in 0.5-inch branches. The shears are fully compatible with 150-plus solutions in the M12 system. https://gpros.co/yqw510xb

OTR Engineered Solutions (OTR)’s TR-34 tire for farm tractors and ride-on mowers offers performance on grass, mud and loose soil, while reducing the risk of turf damage and soil compaction. The TR-34 tire features a nondirectional design that optimizes tread wear, ride comfort and traction in both directions. The tread pattern is a hybrid between turf and industrial styles. The tread-to-void ratio on the TR-34 tire promotes even pressure distribution throughout the contact patch, which reduces the risk of turf damage and soil compaction. Siped R1-style shoulder lugs supports traction in mud and loose soil. Also, strategically placed mud breakers and rock ejectors provide cleanout. Four tire sizes are available: 16 by 7.50-8, 18 by 8.50-10, 24 by 12.00-12 and 26 by 12.00-12. https://gpros.co/xjlv2aqg

Stihl Battery-Powered Cutoff Saw

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Servicing dealers and distributors only.

Stihl’s TSA 300 Stihl Cutquik is a battery-powered cutoff machine designed to be used by professionals in construction and landscaping.

With the ability to cut through a 4-inch concrete slab, this saw features low vibrations and produces clean cuts. The cutting wheel is designed to stop in less than four seconds. The variable-speed trigger enables the user to select the desired speed of the wheel. It’s compatible with Smart Connector 2A, and individuals can use Stihl connected features, managing the tool from their connected devices. Optional use of the SB 90 N cutting wheel is designed to reduce the noise of the machine by approximately half when compared to other Stihl diamond wheels. Optional use of the SB 90 N cutting wheel is also designed to provide faster cutting by 15 percent when compared to other Stihl diamond wheels. The TSA 300 is equipped with a commercial-grade high-torque brushless motor, while the magnetic filter helps protect the motor from the influence of fine metal dust particles. With an IPX4 rating, this machine has the ability to be used in wet conditions. Additionally, the quick-connect water hose adapter is designed to prevent water from spraying on the user when the pressurized water hose is disconnected. Featuring a Stihl Magnetic Filter, the cooling air that flows into the batterypowered cutoff machine is directed so that it flows past several permanent magnets. https://gpros.co/jvhn2y48

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32 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

Unilock EcoTerra Pavers Unilock’s EcoTerra is meant to replace traditional Portland Cement with a carbonneutral alkali-activated mineral binder that results in a 100 percent cement-free face mix. With no cement in the face mix, there is no chemical reaction that creates efflorescence.

This means EcoTerra pavers deliver more vibrant color that lasts longer. EcoTerra pavers are manufactured with EnduraColor. EcoTerra pavers have a water-repellant quality, which helps keep the surface cleaner. Additionally, dirt and stains won’t penetrate the surface, further contributing to the clean look and low maintenance. EcoTerra pavers are available in a 4-inch by 12-inch plank shape, smooth surface with a shot-blast finish in a choice of two colors: light steel gray and light opal blend.

Woods Equipment Batwing BW15 Series The Batwing BW15 Series features a redesigned and improved flex-wing rotary cutter line. The 15-foot Batwing is available in two models: the BW15.52 for 45- 200-hp tractors and the extra-heavy-duty BW15.72 for 65- 300-hp tractors. Level Lock Technology keeps the wings level across rugged terrain and doesn’t require releveling, while a 13-inch cutting deck with high-lift blades gives a cleaner cut. The exclusive, upgraded shimless EZ-Change blade system allows blade changes with only a 0.75-inch wrench. Additionally, the BW15 series includes aligned grease points, magnetic wing driveline shields and a metal thumbscrew dipstick. The SmartLift system does the heavy lifting by holding the 80-pound driveline while users are attaching to the tractor PTO shaft. The BW15 series comes with a 10-year warranty on the gear box including parts and labor. https://gpros.co/etvkd6by

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OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT PARTS, TOOLS & ACCESSORIES

Home of the Original Mini-Ductor

Mini-Ductor® Venom® HP

Call 1.800.841.3989 or visit rotarycorp.com to become a Rotary Dealer.

The Mini-Ductor® Venom® HP runs on 120v/15 Amp, allowing for maximum power from a handheld unit. Packing a hefty 1800-watts, this unit can quickly heat a bolt in 3-5 seconds, making work more efficient and faster. Seized components are quickly freed up, saving time and frustration.

America's #1 Supplier

APPLICATIONS:

> Seatbelt Bolts > Lug Nuts > Suspension > Fuel Tank Straps ©2024 Rotary Corporation. Rotary is a registered trademark of Rotary Corporation.

Available through servicing dealers & distributors.

> O2 Sensors > Brakes > Inline Connectors > And 100’s more!

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www.greenindustrypros.com ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ GREEN INDUSTRY PROS 33

CONTR ACTOR PROFILE

BY SARAH WEBB

JOHNY CROOKS Owner, Blades of Grass Lawn Care, Savannah, Ga Green Industry Pros: How did you get into the industry?

GIP: What’s your favorite tool on the job?

Crooks: While I was in the military—I’m a retiree with 25

are my favorite, and I’ve been gravitating toward battery-powered equipment. I’ve been testing out the Toro Revolution Series, and they get the job done, especially for the weekly services that I do.

years of service—and getting ready to get out of the military, I was stationed here in Savannah. We settled here, and when you build your house, it comes as a package with just the front yard with grass on the side. In the back, there are no shrubs, and it’s just blank. I started watching HGTV and getting ideas and started to design things, and the next thing I knew, my new neighbors were asking me how much I would charge for their houses. I would do the jobs for them, and they loved it, and I kept getting jobs and told my wife, ‘Maybe I should get into landscaping and lawn care.’ She said to try it for a year and see how I do. So, I started with basic lawn care, got my business license, and within a few months, I was into mowing and maintaining properties, and I started hiring guys.

Little by little, this is where I’m at.

Crooks: I love lawn mowers. Stand-on mowers

GIP: What could the industry use more of?

Crooks: We need trained personnel, but we’re deep into job and tasks.

It may sound far-fetched, but it’d be nice if every state had a location where you can send employees and get them trained on machinery.

GIP: What’re you looking forward to this year?

Crooks: I love the way a lot of

GIP: Tell me about your company.

manufacturers are coming up with new technology to make the job easier and faster. I’m looking forward to trying out new technology like robotic mowers.

Crooks: We were established in 2009.

GIP: What advice would you

We currently do federal contracts, and give your former self just I have about 10 to 12 homeowners’ starting out? (properties) that I go to every day to Photo provided by Blades of Grass Lawn Care do YouTube videos for social media. Right now, I have 382,000 Crooks: Don’t be afraid to try new things. We followers on YouTube and 132,000 on Instagram. On TikTok, get set in our ways, and as human beings, we I basically teach how to get into the business, how to grow don’t like changes. Have an open mind. your business and showcase new equipment. We do mostly GIP: What types of things do you like to do mowing and maintenance and some fertilizer for some clients.

GIP: Since you’ve been in the business, what’ve been your favorite parts?

Crooks: I love going to different functions like Equip Expo

in Louisville, Ky., and looking at the new equipment. I feel like a big kid at Toys ‘R’ Us. I love getting new machinery and equipment and testing it and showing others how it works.

outside of work?

Crooks: It sounds kind of crazy, but I enjoy working on

my yard. I’m the type of guy that I like to lead by example.

My yard has zero weeds in it. I love the outdoors, and my relaxing is to enjoy my yard and gardening with flowers.

I can’t ever see myself in an office or even indoors.

34 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS ❙ MARCH/APRIL 2024 ❙ www.greenindustrypros.com

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To become a dealer, visit rotarycorp.com or call 800.841.3989 *Next day delivery available in most areas of the continental U.S. Delivery time is subject to change and may vary. ©2024 Rotary Corporation. Rotary is a registered trademark of Rotary Corporation. Available through servicing dealers & distributors.

STIHL Zero-Turn Mowers Are Here ƒ LOW-INTEREST FINANCING AVAILABLE When financing a STIHL zero-turn mower with STIHL Dealers, all STIHL products on that same purchase are included in the financing solution for qualified buyers.

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