Snow & Ice Products

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following companies submitted these editorial profi les and images to complement their advertisements placed elsewhere in this issue. Please refer to those advertisements for web site and contact information. All statements and claims are attributable to the companies.

PMD International is an Australian-owned, China-based manufacturing and trading company, offering over 10,000 parts and accessories for the forestry, small engine and lawn & garden markets. Our company brand is Archer; we also private label and produce for OEMs and many large international distributors. The PMD customer network is considerable, with products sold in 83 different countries, with over 50 international Archer exclusive distributors.

Our Chinese operation is based in Jinhua, Zhejiang, where 130 are employed in our 100% fully owned saw chain factory, offi ce, warehouse, packaging department and showroom. We proudly invite all visitors when possible to come and see our operations.

Although best known for its leading saw chain factory, PMD International has equal product offerings for the lawn & garden sector. We offer complete high quality product lines of the following categories: Spindles, fi lters, carburetors, starter cords, fuel line, fuel tanks and oil tank parts; cylinders for brushcutters and trimmers, trimmer heads, brushcutters, ignition coils, clutch assemblies; fl ail blades for lawnmowers and robotic mower parts. In fact we offer complete ranges of non-genuine parts and accessories for all major brands in the lawn & garden and chainsaw industry.

Whilst we manufacture saw chain and lawnmower blades, we source over 10,000 parts from proven quality and qualifi ed manufacturers who support us with not only top quality products but also complete warranties. Our suppliers are aware of our strict standards and QC audit requirements.

Our valued staff in China are long term, very experienced, with incredible connections and associations which have taken many years to develop— highly necessary if we are to offer only the best support from Chinese suppliers.

Our factory is ISO qualifi ed and regularly audited by UL and ISO. We operate our own fully equipped laboratory with qualifi ed engineers and metallurgists to ensure we manufacture and supply only the best quality possible, while always maintaining our competitiveness.

This large quality department tests all new products and then continually tests our factory’s raw material input and product output. This ensures that our products maintain original specifi cations and quality.

Archer is committed to quality, service, price and range.

Aspen Fuels are alkylate-based fuels, which are among the cleanest and most stable gasoline products that can be produced. As clean high-octane gasoline, Aspen provides a much better user-experience and extends the life of 2-cycle and 4-cycle power equipment.

Over 30 years ago, Aspen fi rst developed alkylate fuel with the mission to improve the conditions for equipment operators. Aspen Fuels are ethanol-free and engineered to be virtually free of the other harmful substances that are found in other gasoline products such as sulfur, benzene, toluene and other aromatic hydrocarbons. By removing these components, Aspen burns cleaner and is gentle on the metal, plastic and rubber components in power equipment.

Professionals are among the primary users of Aspen 2 and Aspen 4 as they have the most to benefi t from a cleaner high-performance fuel. The cleaner ethanol-free formulation minimizes the amount of deposits in the combustion chamber, valves and exhaust system for longer-lasting engines and reduced downtime. Dealer service departments can also greatly benefi t from Aspen’s advantages for their shop use and ensure that serviced equipment starts up whenever needed.

Aspen is the premier fuel choice for running and storing small engine equipment, including new and older snow blowers. Aspen’s formulation will help start engines, even under frigid conditions, and signifi cantly reduce the toxic and irritating odors and fumes that operators are exposed to throughout the winter season.

In the U.S., Aspen Fuels are available to dealers through Oscar Wilson Engine & Parts (Midwest), Power Equipment Systems (Western), John E Landis Co. (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic) and Marr Brothers (South Central).

The Husqvarna ST 430T snow blower is designed for professionals who need a maximum-performance snow blower for commercial applications. Key product highlights include the easy-to-use electric start system—all users need to do is turn the key and go. This feature makes the ST 430T durable and suited for all snow conditions. LED headlights offer visibility in low-light situations, and the heavy-duty steel operator console is built to last even under the toughest conditions.

The blower also comes with heated handle grips and power steering, offering users both comfort and improved maneuverability. The electronic fuel injection offers increased productivity combined with lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

The ST 430T operates with a two-stage system: Snow is fed into the housing by an auger screw and then discharged through the chute by an impeller fan. The high-speed impeller provides extra-long snow throwing distance, and the high-capacity belt system allows for greater productivity even in heavy snow.

Scraper bars, paddles, shave plates, skids, carburetor kits, fasteners and Aramid fi ber belts are among more than 65 popular new snow blower parts in Rotary’s new 2022 catalog. A special 55-page section includes a wide range of additional items including bearings, shafts, paddles, drive discs, auger and axle bearings, air vanes, ignition sets, tires and cables.

In addition to the master catalog, Rotary has introduced a special winter parts catalog with the latest seasonal parts and accessories plus fuel additives, oil and grease. Both catalogs are free for servicing dealers and distributors.

Rotary also offers a “slush plow” that converts a 2- or 3-stage blower into a plow that is ideal for removing slush and snow up to 5 in. Available in four sizes, the slush plow features an angle adjustment and can be easily installed or removed. It and many other seasonal items are also included in a special winter parts catalog from Rotary.

Replacement parts are featured for most brands including AYP, Bolens, Gilson, Honda, Husqvarna, Jacobsen, MTD, Murray, Tecumseh, Noma, Snapper and Toro.

Rotary stocks over 30 different MaxTrac tire chains and TerraGrip traction belts in a variety of sizes to fi t most tires. Belts include an innovative traction aid that helps prevent steel from touching the driving surface. Multi-ply rubber slats surrounding the tire tread provide a secure fi t for most improved traction. They are easily installed with no tools required.

Backed by an exclusive warranty that ensures quality and performance, Rotary supplies a wide range of power equipment parts for lawnmowers, trimmers, chain saws, brushcutters, pressure washers, garden tillers, snow blowers and more!

Need to fi x a snow blower? Try quality aftermarket snow blower parts from Sunbelt Outdoor Products!

Be ready when the snow falls! Regular maintenance will keep your snow blower running when you need it. What type of replacement part do you need? Sunbelt Outdoor Products stocks a large selection of common replacement parts for all makes of snow blowers. Find belts, electrical components, fi lters, fuel system components, shear pins, skid shoes, tires, tools and much more.

Choose Sunbelt Outdoor Products for our massive collection of replacement parts, accessories, and components to keep your machine running all winter long. Precision Equipment: There’s a spreader for every application. Keep your sidewalks safe this winter with high quality Precision Equipment spreaders from Sunbelt Outdoor Products. Sunbelt carries a variety of spreader options from basic hand operated spreaders, ideal for residential or small business use, all the way up to large commercial push and tow behind options that carry up to 200 lbs. of salt.

BY DAN SHELL

First thing I ever heard about Chain Saw Age was when my boss, Hatton-Brown Publishers co-Publisher DK Knight, called and asked me to meet him at the Associated Publications office in downtown Portland. The company was looking at buying another magazine called Chain Saw Age, he said.

This was December 1990. I was living in Salem, Ore. at the time, working with H-B’s timber industry magazines, and I made the drive up to Portland one afternoon. I met with DK, had my first meeting with my inimitable power equipment guru-sinsei and dealer advocate extraordinaire Ken Morrison. In my dim memory it was late afternoon, and Ken and the staff were working to get an issue out.

Founded in 1952, Chain Saw Age was acquired by Norm Raies in 1961, and he brought the publication to a higher level in terms of professionalism and quality as an Associated Publications product before he died in 1973. His wife, Marge, carried on, and soon his daughter Jenni and son-in-law Ken Morrison were working with the publication full-time.

Yet by the late 1980s Raies was looking to sell the company. After a bit of

Power Equipment Trade’s first issue under new owners Hatton-Brown Publishers.

People sometimes ask, “What happened to Chain Saw Age?” Well, here’s exactly how it went down: At top is the CSA logo that Hatton- Brown Publishers acquired, along with PET inside teaser, from 1990. Next up is the first issue of CSA-PET produced by Hatton-Brown Publishers, and the logo brought both titles up as “equals” in graphic representation. By the time of the next change, in 1993, PET was larger and the CSA tag line was greatly reduced at top right. The blue logo was in place by 1995 and has only undergone minor changes since then, as the current logo at bottom shows after it was adopted in 2011.

time searching for the right fit, she found Hatton-Brown and contacted DK. The fit between the two independent publishers was a good one: CSA-PET found a new home where it was a priority, and the new home gained solid diversification from its logging and forest products industry publications.

That was all fine and dandy, but I remember that afternoon thinking I sure didn’t want to come to an office on Broadway St. in downtown Portland every day.

Of course, the decision to acquire Chain Saw Age was a smart one: It was a great time to be in the lawn and garden media business. In 1991, the industry was largely unconsolidated, with lots of independent suppliers, vendors and manufacturers working through mostly through independent two-step distribution systems to communicate, promote and sell through their respective dealer bases. Perhaps most important, home center chains and mass merchants in general had yet to completely remake the face of lawn and garden retailing, and dealers maintained a much larger role in supplier sales channels.

In 1991, dealerships were mostly un-computerized and a lot of the industry, especially dealers in the far-flung corners and rural markets, still operated much as they had in the 1960s-70s-80s. But sweeping changes were on the way…

The first issue of CSA-PET (see logo sidebar) produced by Hatton-Brown Publishers in Jan.-Feb. 1991 featured Las Vegas dealership Rhino’s Turf and

owner Rhine Preas on the cover. Preas had founded it in 1983 and it’s still in business as part of Ahern Rentals after Preas sold it in 2007.

An article covering a dealer survey on service noted the average dealer labor rate nationwide was $28/hr., and on average dealers gained 55% of revenue from service, 27% from equipment sales and 17% in parts and accessories.

Related to the survey, a shorter dealer profile highlighted the service approach at Andover Small Engine in Andover, Mass. Owner John Winter profiled in the story passed away soon after it was published, but the dealership remains in the family and is currently owned and operated by John’s son, Mike Winter.

One issue that arose—and Morrison knew it too—was the need to change the publication’s name to reflect a broader industry that incorporated all lawn and garden and small engine market segments.

While Chain Saw Age’s name and title focus served it well in the 1950s- 60s-70s and much of the 80s, the saw-only dealerships were becoming few and far between. Morrison had seen the future and in 1988 began incorporating a Power Equipment Trade section in CSA that was promoted on the cover. This section covered mowers, trimmers and other non-saw equipment and news.

The move to change the title brought on its interesting issues. I distinctly remember at our first Lousville show in July 1991 at our booth there were two separate conversations occurring simultaneously where one sales rep was explaining to a Snapper media buyer why they should advertise in Chain Saw Age, while across the booth another rep talked to a Poulan media buyer who wanted to know why he should advertise chain saws in Power Equipment Trade. Good times.

And speaking of Louisville, 1991 was our first introduction to the then mega-event old school four-day dealer-only International Lawn, Garden & Equipment Expo. We had been to some big and wild (like driving a skidder into the Holiday Inn pool wild at a logging show in Tifton, Ga. in the early 80s) trade shows before, but this was a different animal.

Getting to know all the suppliers and players in the industry was a welcome chore beginning in 1991 when the magazine was acquired, and it’s led to three decades of great and lasting relationships and good business in a growing industry. And 30 years in, we’re just getting started. PET

This Expo issue from 1994 remains the alltime single issue page count champion at Hatton-Brown Publishers with 166 pages.

With impressive attendance numbers, GIE+EXPO returned in person to Louisville, Ky. at the end of October and saw an increase over attendance numbers in 2019 and 2018. 23,922 came from all segments of the power equipment and lawn and garden industry to see the latest products from an impressive roster of exhibiting manufacturers. In addition, the new owner of the show, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), debuted the new name and branding for the annual event. Equip Exposition was introduced as the name for the 2022 show, which will take place in Louisville, Oct. 19-21. A popular draw to the show, prize winners were also announced.

These included: UTV $15,000 winner: Chris Gregorius, C&R Lawn Service, Daphne, Ala. Stihl $5,000 winner: Cathy Holdeman, Run Right

Power Equipment, Harmony, Wis. Landzie Swardman reel mower winner: Howard

Evans, Garden of Evans, Toano, Va. Bobcat ZT6000 commercial zero-turn mower: David

Williamson, Aberdeen, Md.

Power Equipment Trade daily recap videos of GIE+EXPO 2021 were (and still are) a hot commodity. From new technology to puppy dog tails, PET’s managing editor Jessica Johnson saw it all and gives you a peek into what you may have missed on the show fl oor. During the three-day event PET live streamed 13 Dealer Workshops that included everything from “Seven Habits of Highly Successful Dealers” to “Creating Recurring Revenue In Every Department Of Your Dealership.” The popular dealer workshop roundtables are also included on PET’s YouTube channel and cover a range of topics such as dealers thinking about selling trailers and bulletproofi ng your dealership. Since some dealers were unable to attend this year the workshop video series on PET’s YouTube channel has proven to be an invaluable resource.