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John Deere has debuted five new P-Tier Skid Steer Loader (SSL) and Compact Track Loader (CTL) models. Entering the market, the 330 and 334 P-Tier SSLs and the 331, 333 and 335 P-Tier CTLs have a brand-new one-piece cab design with premium options. The options include enhanced technology features and an overall increase in operating power.

With the introduction of new CTLs and SSLs also comes the debut of three brand new attachments. These attachments include the MK76 and MH72D mulching heads and the CP40G cold planer. Expanding offerings in grade management solutions on compact models, the 333 and 335 P-Tier machines can be equipped with John Deere SmartGrade™ technology, helping to boost productivity on the job.

New Cab Design and Comfort Enhancements

The new P-Tier models include larger, fully redesigned operator stations. The new operator station is sealed, pressurized, and isolated from the frame to help improve comfort, productivity, and reduce outside noise. A new premium heated and ventilated seat allows comfort in all climates.

Utilizing the 8″ premium touchscreen display interface, customers can experience better insight and customization of machine settings and viewing information. When the premium display is selected, a range of standard features and benefits are included within the software.

The optimized joystick controllers enable more tasks to be completed with easy to reach and adjustable controls that offer personalized setup. The new 25 Button SSM puts all functions in one spot, eliminates rocker switches, and enables easier and quicker machine adjustments while operating.

John Deere’s new cab tilts up in one piece, giving ground-level, all around access to the engine, drivetrain, and undercarriage of the machine. A single operator or technician can raise the boom and enable the mechanical lock out from within the cab. In addition, visibility has increased 20% over the G-Series, improving views out the front, sides, and back of the machine.

SmartGrade™ and Grade Control Features

Both 333 and 335 P-Tier Compact Track Loaders can be equipped with SmartGrade Ready including 2D grade control or 3D SmartGrade with Topcon.

On Board Diagnostics enables an operator to easily navigate through a diagnostic and settings menu structure to look up detailed information on current machine settings and any active codes. With the new monitor option, any active diagnostic trouble codes will also contain more detailed descriptions about the issue and not just a code number.

New Technologies & Machine Capabilities

Two brand new technology capabilities make their debut with the rollout of these models, including Attachment Manager and Surround View. The attachment Manager is available as an upgrade on the 330, 331 and 333 P-Tier Machines and comes standard on the 334 and 335 P-Tier models. This mode enables preprogrammed flow and pressure for John Deere attachments and can display key attachment parameters on the screen while running.
Surround View technology provides a birds-eye-view image to the operator to assist with increasing situational awareness.

When reversing, the display will automatically switch to the rearview camera which gives the operator a closer view of what’s behind the machine. Surround View dynamically integrates two boom mounted cameras in addition to a rear camera onto a dedicated monitor. It provides a 270° view of the sides and rear of the machine.

The John Deere Operations Center™ will continue to be included on all large-frame CTL and SSL, enabling fleet managers to monitor machine location, codes, fuel usage and other key features. Enabling data sharing with a dealer streamlines maintenance and repairs and can help prevent downtime when issues are identified early.

Quick-Tatch™ System Updates and New Attachments

John Deere will also debut new strategic Quick-Tatch™ system updates and three new attachment offerings. A full overhaul of the John Deere Quik-Tatch coupler means customers can continue to easily switch back and forth between attachments.

Also entering the market are the CP40G Cold Planer, and MK76 and MH72D Mulching Head. The CP40G Cold Planer, powered by Wirtgen Group milling machine and cutting technology, provides intuitive in-cab controls and includes tilt float activation. The model can slide horizontally from left to right, for ultra-capable control, and is designed for easy pick replacement. Visible indicators for side plate depth, tilt angle, and milling drum cut boundary ensure jobsite accuracy, while an optional pressure gauge aids in monitoring milling performance.

Additionally, the optional water tank mounts within the cold planer frame to provide convenient filling and the nozzle kit effectively suppresses dust. The model is compatible with the 333, 334 and 335 P-Tier machines.

The MK76 and MH72D Mulching Heads are designed to work with the 333, 334 and 335 P-Tier models to take on land clearing needs in stringy, fibrous, dense, and fast-growing cycles. The optimized knife style head on the MK76 is ideal for fibrous vegetation. In addition, these mulching head attachments produce the finest chip of all John Deere mulchers, broadcasting discharge to mitigate piles.

For more recent Turf Magazine coverage of John Deere, read:

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Pure Dynasty with ACCe, a new herbicide-resistant seeded paspalum developed by Pure-Seed Testing and marketed by Atlas Turf International and Pure Seed, will be launched this Thursday at the Pure Seed Field Day, held at the company’s eastern research center in Rolesville, NC. Pure Dynasty with ACCe is now available in limited quantities.

Pure Dynasty with ACCe is the newest release from the award-winning breeding program of Pure-Seed Testing, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. The new product, representing the first herbicide-resistant paspalum, usesACCe technology developed by the University of Georgia (UGA). Crystal Rose-Fricker, president of Pure Seed and Pure-Seed Testing, and her team conducted multi-year, multi-location research to incorporate UGA’s ACCe technology into the paspalum strains currently making up the Pure Dynasty seeded paspalum blend. Pure Dynasty with ACCe is the result.

Featuring all the characteristics of its namesake, Pure Dynasty with ACCe offers exceptional salt, wear, and disease tolerance with a dark green color, medium to fine texture, tighter density, and versatility in mowing heights for wall-to-wall applications. However, the new variety adds improved tolerance to ACCe-inhibiting herbicides, including sethoxydim, fenoxaprop, fluazifop-butyl, and pinoxaden. This allows for control of unwanted annual and perennial grasses such as bermudagrass, crabgrass, goosegrass, tropical signal grass, and more.

John Holmes, president of Atlas Turf International, comments“Pure Dynasty with ACCe will make turf conversion easier than ever. Turf managers will be able to interseed Pure Dynasty with ACCe into their existing turf stands. As soon as the new paspalum is established, the old turf can be sprayed out with any of the approved herbicides. The process works for all turf areas, including greens, tees, fairways, and roughs, as well as sports fields and landscaping. In most cases, the project can remain open for play throughout the transition.” 

“In addition, people are concerned about keeping bermuda out of paspalum because bermuda is so aggressive,” says Rose-Fricker. “This has always been a challenge with other varieties of paspalum, but I feel this new Pure Dynasty with ACCe is going to be a real game changer.”

Development

UGA professor Paul Raymer is credited with developing the paspalum ACCe technology. “For fifteen or twenty years, I have had a goal to identify a strain of paspalum with herbicide resistance, as I felt this would be a great help in eliminating bermuda and other grasses in paspalum stands,” he says. “This is difficult – it is very hard to kill bermuda – and I have long believed this to be one of the greatest obstacles to the adoption of seashore paspalum. I knew that mutations producing resistance to ACCase herbicides had been reported in several grass species, though not, until now, paspalum. We analyzed billions of cells and eventually identified a mutation that achieved what we needed.”

Rose-Fricker comments, “Paul sent the mutated plants to us, and the Pure-Seed Testing team spent years evaluating and selecting the best parents to cross for the varieties in Pure Dynasty ACCe using natural breeding practices. We now have a substantial quantity of seed harvested and ready for sale, enough for courses to trial. Next year, we will have enough for the complete renovation of several courses.”

“There are other applications as well as interseeding,” says Rose-Fricker. “Suppose you were building a new course, and a lot of weed grasses came up during construction. Traditionally, you would have to fumigate with methyl bromide, but this is now banned in the European Union and many other parts of the world. But with this new seeded product, you would be able to spray with a standard herbicide and ensure the purity of your turf stand.

Pure Dynasty with ACCe is non-genetically modified, using natural breeding practices, and is available exclusively through Atlas Turf International and Pure Seed.

For more on turfgrass, read:

Pesticides & Pollinators

Turfgrass In The Transition Zone

Transforming Turf

Perfect for any upcoming Design-Build project, Aspire Pavers has announced the launch of its latest products – the Bullnose with Legs, Bullnose Corner, Transition with Legs, and Transition Corner. The innovative products promise to revolutionize the installation process for roofers, landscapers, and DIY enthusiasts. The new offerings will offer a blend of efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

The Aspire Bullnose Paver with Legs is designed to integrate with Aspire’s existing line of Resurfacing Pavers. The Aspire Bullnose Corner Paver forms a 90° angle and is compatible with the Bullnose with Legs to form a border with a rounded edge that hides the grid below. This eliminates the need to build a corner in the field by cutting and gluing pavers. Both pavers are designed to fit into the Aspire Grid.

The Aspire Transition Paver with Legs and the Corner Paver are designed to fit seamlessly into the grid. The Transition Paver shifts smoothly from the 1.75″ height down to the original landscaping level, providing a functional ramp for accessibility. Its legs ensure a secure, stable installation without the need for additional fasteners. The Transition Corner Paver complements this by forming a 90° angle that pairs perfectly with the Transition Paver. Together, they create a ramped border that conceals the grid and eliminates the need to cut and fit pavers on site for corners.

The new pavers introduce enhancements that cater to aesthetic appeal and practical installation needs. These products also meet the highest safety standards with a Fire Classification of ASTM E108-007 Class A. This ensures safety without compromising style or functionality.

For Turf Magazine‘s most recent Get Equipped: Design-Build product spotlight, click here.

Nufarm has launched the next-generation formulation of SureGuard, SureGuard® EZ Herbicide. The formula offers easier mixing and handling with the same long-lasting residual control of grass and broadleaf weeds.

SureGuard EZ offers lawn care and landscape professionals pre-emerge and post-emerge takedown of weeds up to 2″ in height. With long-lasting residual control, SureGuard EZ is ideal on bare ground, cracks and crevices, hardscape areas, landscape beds, and around established woody landscape ornamentals.

SureGuard EZ’s improved mixing and handling provides no staining, odor, or volatility concerns. It also delivers reduced foaming and surface adherence. SureGuard EZ pairs well with non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate and glufosinate (Cheetah® Pro) products.

“SureGuard EZ’s easier mixing and handling formulation combined with its compatibility with glyphosate and glufosinate products provides applicators even greater flexibility and options incorporating it into their spray program,” said Nufarm’s Lawn and Landscape segment lead Jamie Heydinger. “These enhancements contribute to improved outcomes and results for landscape professionals.”

In addition to residential and commercial turf, SureGuard EZ can be used on golf course turf and around landscape ornamentals. SureGuard EZ is also registered for use on aquatic uses.

SureGuard EZ is part of Nufarm’s premium herbicide portfolio, designed to address difficult-to-control weeds on the first application, providing applicators tools to save on labor and costs by reducing callbacks.

For more on herbicides and weeds, see:

Get Equipped: 9 New Pesticides, Herbicides & Fertilizers For 2024

Pesticides & Pollinators

Arkansas Turfgrass Field Day Examines Dollar Spot, Weed Control

ALB. Photo Credit: USDA

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced its plans for eliminating Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) from Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina in 2024. ALB is an invasive insect that attacks and kills maple and other hardwood trees. The insect grows inside trees and feeds on the living tissues that carry nutrients. Trees cannot heal from the damage ALB causes.

Currently, 278.3 square miles are under federal quarantine for ALB in the United States: 110 square miles in Worcester County, Massachusetts; 42.9 square miles in central Long Island, New York; 49 square miles in Clermont County, Ohio; and 76.4 square miles in Charleston and Dorchester counties, South Carolina.

“We need people looking for and reporting tree damage now more than ever,” said Josie Ryan, APHIS’ National Operations Manager for the ALB Eradication Program. “Please look at your trees and report any suspicious damage. You can help us find the beetle so we can eliminate it.”

Here’s what to look for:

Adult Insects (warmer months):

Black and white antennae that are longer than the insect’s body
Shiny, black body with white spots, about the size of an almond
Six legs and feet that can appear bluish in color

Exit holes
Frass.

Tree Damage (year-round):

Round exit holes in tree trunks and branches about the size of a dime or smaller
Egg sites that are oval or round wounds chewed into the bark, and you may see sap weeping
Sawdust-like material called frass found on the ground around the tree or on tree branches
Branches or limbs falling from an otherwise healthy-looking tree
Tunneling in the wood may be seen on fallen branches, cut wood, or firewood
Leaves that may turn yellow prematurely or leaves with chewed veins

APHIS Efforts For ALB Elimination

APHIS and its partners are inspecting trees in quarantined areas. The program removes infested trees at no cost to property owners. And they will not use insecticide treatments on residential properties this year. They will continue to respond to calls for assistance and provide outreach.

APHIS continues its work developing new ways to eradicate the beetle. These include:

Using a new dynamic approach to surveying to reduce the time spent re-inspecting trees that are low risk of becoming infested.
Conducting an infested-tree removal study in wetland environments.
Using risk-based models to project the beetle’s spread and plan survey efforts.
Evaluating new tools to find the beetle sooner, such as using trained dogs and remote-controlled technology to help find tree damage or host trees.
Conducting studies to understand when and under what conditions adult beetles emerge.
Improving data collection methods in each state.

As a reminder, people living and working in quarantine zones may not move regulated items out of the area. This includes items such as firewood, nursery stock, woody debris, and green lumber from all ALB host trees, unless the person has a compliance agreement along with a permit, or certificate. The trees the beetle attacks are regulated. This includes maple, elm, willow, birch, poplar, buckeye / horsechestnut, ash, sycamore, mimosa, goldenrain tree, katsura, and mountain ash.

A business or person can enter into a compliance agreement with the program if they want to move regulated items out of the quarantine. Doing this will get them the needed permit or certificate for those items. Or they can request that program staff inspect the items and issue the permit or certificate. To register for free compliance training, please call your local office:

In Massachusetts, call 508-852-8110.
In New York, call 631-288-1751.
In Ohio, call 513-381-7180.
In South Carolina, call 843-973-8329.

For more information about ALB and program activities, please call 1-866-702-9938 or visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/alb. All Photos: USDA

For more on ALB, read:

It’s Spring! Get A Jump On Invasive Insects With These USDA Updates

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Munro, a leading manufacturer of pumps, pump controls, and pump stations for the turf irrigation market, has named Aaron Johnson as its new Pacific Northwest U.S. Regional Account Manager. Aaron will work closely with the company’s network of professional distributors as well as with irrigation specifiers, landscape architects, and landscape contractors. He will provide industry-leading support and further develop and enhance Munro‘s current market presence.

Aaron Johnson

“With over 25 years of sales experience, Aaron has built a strong reputation building customer relationships and maintaining customer loyalty through creative problem solving, efficiency, and dependability. Aaron’s dedication to creating excellent customer experiences makes him an excellent resource for his customers and a great fit for the Munro team,” says Katie Powell, President of Munro.

For Turf Magazine‘s most recent Get Equipped: Irrigation/Water Management Equipment product feature, be on the lookout for the June 2024 Issue, COMING SOON!

For more recent personnel news in the irrigation and water management sector, click here.

Jake Vollbeer & Kyle Quantrell of ECHO Robotics in San Jose, CA.

The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) reports that ECHO Robotics has earned an AGZA Field Tested Certification (AFTC®) designation for their line of battery-powered robotic mowers and golf ball pickers. This Spring marks the culmination of three years of independent testing by AGZA.

AGZA had access to ECHO Robotics distributors, installers, and service operations to gather additional verified hours of use, independent of ECHO Robotics. Through Automated Outdoor Solutions (AOS), AGZA was able to closely monitor several installation projects which became case studies on the performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction of ECHO Robotics, primarily in golf course settings.

ECHO Robotics is part of ECHO Incorporated, a leader in professional-grade outdoor power equipment for more than 50 years. The Robotics division gained traction in the U.S. with its flagship products, the TM-2000 autonomous mower and RP-1200 autonomous range picker tailored specifically for the needs of large commercial property professionals. Over the years, the company has expanded its product line to include a range of GPS-RTK enabled models for precise navigation and increased efficiency and production.

AGZA Founder and President Dan Mabe overseeing real time operations of ECHO Robotics mower and ball picker.

ECHO Robotics joins a growing list of manufacturers whose products have received the AFTC designation. ECHO Robotics and AGZA have made a pledge to collaborate to create new AGZA Certified Green Zone properties or enhance existing Certified Green Zones to be quieter and more efficient. “AGZA hopes to work with ECHO Robotics in the future to substantiate national, even global impact reductions through our ELF (Environmental Landscape Footprint) software. We anticipate folks will see a sizeable return on their investment and profitability,” comments Dan Mabe, president of AGZA

He adds, “AGZA cannot stress enough that our value and credibility depend on our voice remaining independent. We test and vet tools from manufacturers who recognize the value of our field certification, then provide this information to professional crews in commercial, municipal, and academic settings. We insist on the most candid feedback from operators — both positive and negative. That’s our only guide in determining which brands and tools are truly viable to replace gas machines in large-scale electric operations.”

For more information, click here.

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Creating Charging Infrastructure For OPE

Benefits & Challenges Of Transitioning To Battery Power

© Julienne Schaer

Yesterday STIHL donated $45,000 worth of professional battery-powered outdoor equipment to The Trust for Governors Island in New York City. The donation will enable the island’s horticultural team to maintain 120+ acres of open space at the popular public destination. In addition, STIHL donated $10,000 to further The Trust’s mission to educate the public about urban climate solutions and the impacts of climate change on our natural surroundings.

“At STIHL, we believe that as a leader in the outdoor power equipment industry, it is our duty to set the example in sustainability and continue to invest time, energy and resources in innovative technologies, programs and partnerships that promote responsible environmental stewardship,“ said Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Advisory and Supervisory Board of STIHL. “Our values align closely with those of The Trust for Governors Island, and we’re excited to see STIHL battery power in action here in New York.”

The STIHL donation includes the new STIHL RZA 760 battery-powered zero-turn mower, professional battery-powered trimmers, blowers and KombiSystems, as well as battery charging solutions. The tools will be used to maintain a mix of his­toric and new­er, man­made land­scapes — many of which were cre­at­ed to mit­i­gate the impacts of cli­mate change.

Clare Newman and Dr. Nikolas Stihl. Photo: © Julienne Schaer

“We are so thankful for the STIHL donation as Governors Island continues to grow as an accessible, year-round destination for our nearly one million visitors,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of The Trust for Governors Island. “Using equipment that produces zero exhaust emissions while eliminating the need for fuel will enable us to care for the more than 120 acres of open space for our visitors to enjoy in a quiet, sustainable manner.”

Over the past decade, STIHL made significant investments in research and development to address its environmental footprint. The company is dedicated to developing products that are environmentally responsible and will continue to work toward socially responsible environmental stewardship both in operation and manufacturing, including battery-equipment in their Virginia Beach manufacturing facility celebrating 50 years of operations in the United States.

For more information about STIHL battery products, visit www.stihlusa.com.

To read more about STIHL, see:

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Landscape Forms, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-design site furniture, structure, LED lighting, and accessories, introduces a significant expansion to the Americana and Harvest lines created in collaboration with partner brand Loll Designs.

New to Americana is a double lounge chair (shown above), building on the line’s modernized, Adirondack-chair-inspired form and offering new ways for people to enjoy social moments outdoors. The Americana double lounge leans into the casual demeanor of the Adirondack-style chair, bringing a welcome communal element to an established icon. The original single Americana lounge is slightly wider and taller than a traditional Adirondack, and the two-seater follows this same direction—generously sized to ensure comfortable spacing between sitters and with the taller form factor that aids ingress and egress. Americana’s optional tablet arm expands the line’s options, giving users a spot to confidently place drinks and appetizers or even set up a laptop.

Joining the original rectangular Harvest table are four round communal tables, a fire pit table, two new stools, and a dining height bench. The new range of Harvest tables is  designed with togetherness in mind, applying the communal nature of a round table to a wider range of outdoor experiences. Landscape Forms Director of Design, Ryan Heiser explains, “The essence of a round table is one of togetherness. Rather than at a long rectangular table where people at opposite ends don’t have much interaction, at a round table, everyone is close, facing one another and able to connect more effectively.”

Including a standing height table, a dining height table, a casual height table, a side table, and a casual height table with fire pit insert, the Harvest expansion runs the full gamut of postures from upright and more formal to low-slung, kicked back and fully relaxed. New Harvest stools in standing height and dining height pair respectively with the standing height and dining height tables, while the side table is a natural mate for Americana lounge chairs. Measuring a generous 62” in diameter, the tabletops for the new Harvest casual height table and 15”-tall side table are divided into three sections like pie slices, both to enhance visual interest and reduce the amount of material that needs to be replaced should part of the tabletop become damaged. Utilizing a burner sourced from Warming Trends, the Harvest casual height table with fire pit insert creates a signature outdoor experience that reflects the casual, carefree spirit at the heart of Harvest and Americana.

“The expansion to Americana and Harvest is rooted in the overwhelming success of these two product lines, and also informed directly by feedback and requests from our customers,” says Landscape Forms Chief Innovation Officer, Kirt Martin. “Addressing these requests in the form of a new standard offering communicates how highly we regard this feedback, and is an exciting opportunity to give our customers fresh ways to utilize the products that we know really resonate with them.”

With surfaces crafted from recycled and recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and understructures crafted from commercial-grade cast and extruded aluminum, the Americana and Harvest expansions retain the hardworking, sustainability-focused design for which they’re known. The HDPE tabletops and seats have a softness akin to exterior woods while being vibrant in color, UV-resistant, and virtually maintenance-free. The robust understructures are finished with Landscape Forms’ proprietary Pangard II® powdercoating that is rust-proof and highly resistant to fading and chipping. Pieces from the Americana and Harvest expansion are offered in two new standard colors, Navy and Black, in addition to the familiar Dusk, Apple Red, Leaf Green, and Sunset Orange options.

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