Commercial Mowers

While many homeowners look forward to less time behind their mower at the end of the summer, fall provides an opportunity to set the conditions that will give your lawn a head start come next spring. Cool-season lawns benefit the most from fall activities such as fertilization and aeration while moderate fertilization and weed control help increase spring vitality for warm-season grasses.

Fertilize Responsibly
Cool-season grasses benefit the most from fall fertilization, as the turf is busy storing energy during this time that will help the lawn over winter and spur spring growth. Dr. Van Cline, agronomist for The Toro Company, recommends applying two thirds of the annual nitrogen fertilizer requirement during the fall season for cool-season lawns.

The opposite is true for warm-season grasses, as they require greater quantities of nutrients during late spring and early summer when they are most actively growing. Cooler fall temperatures provide warm-season grasses the opportunity to increase root production while overall shoot and leaf development rates decline. While nitrogen fertilization is recommended for warm season grass in the fall, it should be limited to quantities that will keep the plant active, but not generate succulent growth that has the potential to foster winterkill.

Your local cooperative extensionist or a garden center expert can help provide you with the tools necessary to test your soil fertility and recommend a fertility program that will optimize your fertilizer applications throughout the year.

Aeration stimulates root growth and improves nutrient uptake
Fall is the best time to aerate cool-season turf as the grass plants will quickly heal from the coring action of the aerator – especially with the help of fall fertilization and irrigation programs. Aeration allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate further into the soil, encouraging deeper root and reducing soil compaction that restricts root growth – especially during the hot summer months when healthy roots are needed to help cool-season grass survive stress conditions.

For warm-season turf, aeration is best performed in the late spring to early summer in conjunction with increased fertilizer application that help support its active warm weather growth habit.

One of the drawbacks from aeration is the production of cores that will litter your lawn. While the cores will break down over time, the use of a mulching mower will help break up the cores more quickly and provide a ‘topdressing’ for your lawn.

Some weeds are better controlled in the fall
Common, yet troublesome winter annual weeds such as henbit and chickweed germinate during the fall and overwinter as juvenile plants. By applying a post-emergent herbicide in the fall, winter annual weeds are more easily controlled and won’t have the chance to mature come springtime.

Likewise, perennial broadleaf weeds such as dandelion and clover will also have a flush of vegetative growth during periods of cooler temperatures. Controlling these weeds in the fall will help improve overall turf density while reducing spring weed populations.

Remember that not all herbicides are lawn-safe. Choose a herbicide that is effective against the types of weeds present in your lawn. The product label is your guide to effectiveness, application rate and timing and, most importantly, safe use and disposal guidelines.

Exmark, a leading manufacturer of commercial mowers, introduced the new Next Lazer Z today at GIE + EXPO. Three years in the making, the Next Lazer Z is an evolution of Exmark’s premier product, the Lazer Z, and includes dozens of enhancements that will reduce maintenance, improve traction and handling, and make the mower safer and more comfortable for landscape professionals.

“There are probably people who will wonder why Exmark made changes to what was already considered by many to be the best commercial riding mower on the market,” said Mark Stinson, president of Exmark. “But as the market share leader, we know it is our responsibility to evolve our products to meet the changing needs of our customers, dealers and distributors.”

The Next Lazer Z resulted from a combination of customer feedback and Exmark’s own research and development of new technologies. Long before production of the Next Lazer Z began, Exmark engineers, product managers, marketing staff and customer service representatives spent hundreds of hours in the field talking with landscape professionals.

“We started with our customers,” said Dave Converse, director of engineering at Exmark. “Our goal, as it has been for 25 years, was to understand their needs and expectations so that we could enhance our product in ways that could make customers’ lives a little easier.”

On a parallel path, Exmark began investigating a number of new technologies and solutions to improve customer experience, without sacrificing Exmark’s trademark superior quality of cut and productivity. Exmark engineers started with a blank slate when designing the Next Lazer Z, incorporating many of the Lazer Z’s most popular elements while improving upon others, or adding new features entirely.

Some of the most significant innovations on the Next Lazer Z include:

• Cutting Deck: The new UltraCut™ Series 6 was created by combining the best features of the UltraCut™ Series 4 and Triton™ cutting decks.
• Seating System: To lessen operator fatigue, Exmark created an entirely new seating system with a three-dimensional motion isolation layout that reduces vibrations, bumps and jarring. Its rubber mounts allow 1/2 inch free movement in all directions.
• Hydro Drive System: Exmark designed a custom Hydro Drive System with no hoses, a serviceable pump and motor, tougher bearings, and an improved cooling system for better productivity and increased oil capacity. When used with exclusive Exmark Premium Hydro Oil, the new Hydro Drive system requires even less maintenance.
• Rollover Protection System (ROPS): The ROPS’ new rear-sloping position allows it to shed low-hanging limbs away from the operator. Its fold points are lower so it won’t hit objects when in the folded position.
• Unibody Frame: The Next Lazer Z’s unibody frame sits close to the ground, allowing for the optimum placement of the mower’s heaviest components, and helping to improve center of gravity.

In addition to increasing comfort, traction and handling, and safety, Exmark engineers and product managers focused on reducing required maintenance of the mower. Exmark simplified or removed certain components from the original Lazer Z, reducing the number of parts on the Next Lazer Z by 40 percent. The Next Lazer Z also has fewer grease points.

The Next Lazer Z will be introduced at select dealerships in November. The new mower, available with a 3-year commercial and 5-year consumer warranty, will be available for purchase across Exmark’s network of 1,500 dealers by the end of 2008. A select number of customers tested the Next Lazer Z during the summer months. Reaction was positive.

Efficient watering and common sense saves this precious resource.
Experts estimate that Americans use nearly 408 billion gallons of water per day. On average, 50 to 70% of home water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens.

The Irrigation Association Organization’s goal is to raise awareness of the importance of water conservation in the lawn and garden. According to IA, most homeowners are sending their watering dollars down the drain.

Technological advances in home watering systems are making it easier than ever to preserve this resource and save money at the same time. “Smart” watering systems, from computer-assisted programmers to inexpensive drip watering kits, are now available to homeowners.

 Here’s the top ten things you can do to conserve water right in your own backyard:

1. Put a layer of mulch around your plants. Mulching helps to retain moisture and prevents evaporation. A generous amount of 3- to 5-inches is best.
2. Install a drip irrigation system around your shrubs, hanging baskets, flower and vegetable gardens. Drip irrigation systems use 50% less water than conventional sprinklers. And, they’re more efficient because they deliver the water slowly and directly to the plant’s root system.
3. Install a home irrigation system with a rain sensor. Many states and local water districts now require rain sensors. Homeowners who have irrigation systems use less water on their lawns and gardens than those who don’t. Watering efficiently, and only when your plants and lawn need it can save a great deal of water. Rain sensors interrupt the watering program if it rains, saving even more water.
4. If you already have a home irrigation system, make sure you’re getting the most out of your timer. New technology makes it easier than ever to program and monitor your watering needs. Consider upgrading your timer. Automatic, programmable timers save more water than mechanical models.
5. Don’t fertilize during hot, dry weather. Applying fertilizer can actually enhance drought problems. When you do feed your lawn and garden use a slow release fertilizer.
6. Raise the blade on your lawn mower. Closely cropped grass requires more water.
7. Recycle your grass clippings back into your lawn by using a mulching mower. You’ll not only conserve water, you’ll save time while mowing.
8. Cut back on routine pruning. Pruning stimulates new growth, and new growth requires more water. Only prune your plants when it wilts or leaves die out.
9. If you use a hose and portable sprinkler, buy a hose end timer to regulate your watering time.
10. Sweep your sidewalks and driveway rather than hosing them down.

Hustler Turf Equipment has come up with the world’s first all electric zero-turning radius riding lawnmower! The Hustler Zeon™ is the result of ground breaking innovation and precision engineering.

Dealer and distributor personnel in attendance for Hustler’s biannual event “Hustler Days” were the first to get a look at the Hustler Zeon™. First introduced at a special breakfast meeting, the Zeon™ was later available to test drive at Hustler’s Hesston, Kansas headquarters. Dealers and distributors were impressed with the smooth operation and quality of cut delivered by the Zeon™. Also impressive was the machine quality and length of charge which is good for up to 80 minutes of mowing time – enough to mow over one acre.

The Hustler Zeon™ features nearly zero maintenance with no belts, filters, fluids, pulleys or plugs and is very inexpensive to operate. The welded steel deck guarantees the outstanding quality that Hustler Turf is known for. The Zeon™ carries a two-year, limited warranty on parts and labor.

Look for the Hustler Zeon™ at your local Hustler dealer beginning spring 2009.

Features & Benefits:
• Up to 80 minutes of mowing time – enough to mow over 1 acre!
• Earth-friendly – Zero emissions
• Nearly zero maintenance – just plug and mow!
• Clean and neat – no belts, filters, fluids, plugs, pulleys, etc.
• No engine noise – much quieter than gasoline-powered equipment
• Compact design so you can mow in tighter spaces to
increase productivity
• Very inexpensive to operate
• High blade-tip speed for beautiful quality of cut!
• Welded steel deck and tubular frame. NOT STAMPED!
• 18” drive tires, 13” caster tires
• Dual electric transmissions for true zero-degree turning maneuverability
• Silky-smooth SmoothTrak™ steering with patented automatic park brake system
• 48-volt, 42” side-discharge mulching deck
• Two-year, limited warranty on parts and labor!

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (October 13, 2008) – The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) today announced that it has acquired certain assets from Southern Green, Inc., a leading manufacturer of deep-tine aeration equipment based in Zachary, Louisiana. The acquisition of Southern Green’s versatile line of Soil Reliever® aerators helps grow the company’s offering of highly-productive cultivation equipment and provides entry into a new product category.

“Enhanced cultivation practices are becoming increasingly critical to the success of our customers,” said Michael Happe, general manager of Toro’s commercial business. “Southern Green brings a well-respected line of deep-tine aerators known for their precision, performance and unique functionality. During the past several years, we have worked intentionally to deliver innovative products to enhance our lineup of cultivation equipment. Along with the recent market success of our ProCore aerators and ProCore Processor, the addition of the Soil Reliever technology helps complement and extend our offering to customers around the world.”

Established in 1993, Southern Green is a leading manufacturer of deep-tine aeration equipment for golf course and sports field applications. Southern Green has built a solid reputation around its popular Soil Reliever product line, which is considered to be the only purpose-built, deep-tine aerator manufactured in the United States.

The beginnings of KOHLER engines can be traced back to 1920, when the KOHLER Automatic Power and Light 1500-watt Model “A” generator set was introduced. Designed to serve rural markets, it delivered 110-volt DC current and was powered by a KOHLER four-cylinder water cooled cast iron gasoline engine.

In 1939 work began on the development of liquid-cooled diesel engines. A variety of models were planned — speed constant 1200-rpm engines for KOHLER generators; engines would range from single cylinder 5 hp to four-cylinder 20 hp. Variable speed engines up to 2400-rpms from 10 to 60 hp. High speed diesels from 5 to 20 hp for the U.S. Navy. Kohler also continued to make news on other fronts: “Increase in factory working time to the basic five-day 40-hour week” read the headline in Kohler of Kohler news.

In 1948, Kohler increased the company’s focus on manufacturing engines by opening a small engines factory and introducing the first “stand alone” KOHLER engines for industrial applications. Just three years later, Kohler’s K90 cast iron single cylinder air-cooled engine went into production, followed by the K160 in 1952. Throughout the fifties, Kohler added to its K-Series engines and in 1959 introduced the first of the four “interchangeable” models with common mounting foot pattern and crank height.

The decade closed with the groundbreaking for a new Engine and Electric Plant building east of Pottery. The building opened for business in 1960 and would be the first of many Kohler “firsts” during the sixties. In 1965 the company introduced Automatic Compression Release (ACR) for use on KOHLER engines. This new technology allowed for more effortless recoil starts.

The company reached yet another impressive milestone in 1966, when the one-millionth engine came off the assembly line.

In 1968, two-cycle engine production for the snowmobile industry began. Just eight years later Kohler shipped its one-millionth international engine in 1976.

The company made huge strides again in 1983 when the “New Shape of KOHLER Power” brought newly designed products and a revitalized commitment to quality within the engine division. Twin cylinder Series II models were launched featuring full-pressure lubrication, steel-backed sleeve bearings at both ends of the crankshaft, and a redesigned connecting rod to name a few.

Magnum 18 Hp

One year later Kohler introduced the first in a series of single and twin cylinder Magnum engines, the result of extensive engineering improvements and featuring a new, sleek restyling. These innovative engines included electronic ignition and superior air filtration for greatly improved reliability. In 1986 the first Magnum vertical shaft twin cylinder engines were introduced.
The next year, Command engines were introduced with features including OHV design and hydraulic valve lifters for improved efficiency, longer life and quieter operation.

Command 20 Hp

In 1991, Command twin cylinder horizontal shaft engines were first introduced followed by vertical shaft twin cylinder engines for the commercial and consumer lawn and garden market.
1995 marked yet another category changing innovation from Kohler when overhead cam (OHC) engines were unveiled, a “first” in the industry. The company’s relentless pursuit of quality and innovation was recognized in 1998 when Kohler received a prestigious award from the National Society of Professional Engineers for the innovative Overhead Cam (OHC) 18 HP engine. The award lauded the engine as the best new product of the thousands of new products introduced in 1998 by all major manufacturing companies. (In 1997, the same award went to Boeing Commercial Airplane Co. for its 777 jetliners.) That same year, the company began production at a new manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Command Pro 15 Hp

In 1999 the Command PRO series was launched introducing both single and twin cylinder models. These premium engines were specifically targeted to the commercial turf and consumer garden tractors. The first Kohler liquid-cooled Aegis engine was also introduced in 1999. This top of the line engine was the first to offer a 3-year warranty.

The Courage engine entered the market in 2002 with new features including an inverted crankcase for

Courage 18 hp

leak-proof operation, dual-camshaft for superior cooling, a ported power intake for better power and combustion, and a cross-flow cylinder head for greater air-flow and cooler operation.

Most recently in September of 2004 Kohler announced higher horsepower offerings, up to 31 horsepower available on its liquid-cooled Aegis engines.

Aegis 31 Hp EFI

Yes Bad Boy Mowers is going to have a New Multi-Terrain Vehicle.

Bad Boy, Inc. is preparing to unveil the new multi-terrain vehicle (MTV) to their dealers at the 2008 Bad Boy Dealer Meeting October 5-8, 2008, and then to the public at the GIE Expo in Louisville, KY October 23-25, 2008.

They said at last year’s dealer meeting nearly 250 dealers came in from all over the world to witness the unveiling of the BBM prototype multi-terrain vehicle. The unveiling was held at the former Boeing aircraft facility in Melbourne, AR. Bad Boy also unveiled the prototype at the 2007 GIE Expo to tens of thousands of eager onlookers.

The MTV will be available to dealers beginning in 2009 when it goes into production.

What will it look like? How much will it cost? Where can you get yours? Keep your eyes open for updates on this story (here) or at Bad Boy Mowers Inc

Basic Adjustment

The basic carb adjustments are about 1 turn out for the low speed screw and 1 and a 1/2 turns out for the high speed. This should get the engine running.

Most settings for low speed are around 1 to 1 and 1/4 and 1 and 1/2 to 1 and 3/4 turns out for high speed.

Final adjustments

The LOW speed screw (Engine at Idle Speed) should be adjusted (OUT) until the engine puffs out some black smoke, runs a little rough and appears to be getting too much fuel. Then turn the screw (IN) slightly until engines runs smooth.

Next adjust the HIGH speed screw with the engine running fast (Full Throttle). Turn the HIGH speed screw (OUTWARDS) until the engine puffs black smoke or begins to run rich. Then back the screw (IN) about 1/4 turn.

Once the engine is adjust correctly, going from idle to full throttle the engine will not die, bog down, hesitate, etc.

These procedures will also work with most other small enginnes.

Bill Wright and Jim Velke introduced their first sulky in 1989, and named it “Velke” after Jim. Both men had been mechanics and innovators. Wright started out in the lawn maintenance business in Gaithersburg, Md., in 1981. Two years later, he designed and built a grass catcher for walk-behind mowers, which he called the Grass Gobbler. Velke joined his firm a couple years later and, today, the two men hold some 24 patents together.

The first Velke was a one-wheel model that the company still offers under their patented design. Wright introduced a two-wheel sulky in 1996. The Grass Gobbler is still manufactured for 20 different makes of commercial mowers, and an extension for leaf pickup, called the Leaf Gobbler, is available as well.

Wright sold his lawn maintenance operation in 1993 to concentrate on developing the Wright Stander mower, a further evolution in the quest to make mowing less fatiguing for commercial operators.

A good market for sulkies still exists. Deere’s Dan Schmidt says the walk-behind market still takes some 40,000 units every year. Many of those are candidates for sulkies.

As winter approaches, it reminds us that it is time to winterize our air cooled gasoline-powered lawn mowers . Winterizing will help extend the life of our lawn mowers. This post is for air cooled engines only. There is a lot of steps that are the same for liquid cooled engines but there is also a lot of steps that are not covered here. My next post will be for liquid cooled mowers.

The first thing I like to do is put a mixture of Fuel Stabilizer an gas in the fuel tank. Do not fill tank full, I will only put a small amount of this mixture in the tank. (We will come back to the fuel system later in this post).


Next Step: blow(with compressed air) or wipe the mower off, removing sticks, grass clippings an so on. The deck should be washed with soap and water and a stiff bristle brush, then blow the water off with compressed air. Spray the underside of the deck with W-D 40 or some other rust preventer. Clean the outside of the engine making sure to blow the air vanes that keep your air cooled engine cool. Do this with compressed air making sure to blow all debris from the air vanes.
You can wash the whole mower if you want, just be sure to dry it off as much as possible. Where I work at I washer all of our mowers with an agent called Luster. Luster has the washing detergent and polish mixed together.

Next Step: grease all grease fittings(Zerk Fittings) and a little 3 in-one oil on contact points that slide like hood hinges and etc.

Next Step: drain the crank case oil and refill with new oil. If it has a filter change the filter also. We do this to remove all the contaminants from the crank case, which could damage the internal engine parts from setting idle over the winter. If the engine has a foam air filter you can wash it with soap and water. You can dry the air filter by putting it in a clean dry towel and squeezing it dry with your hand.
Most all foam filters have to be oiled, you do this by putting a little pre-oil or 30 w motor oil on the filter an lightly work the oil through the filter. I usually put the filter back into a clean towel after putting oil on it and lightly squeeze to remove any excess oil from the filter. If your mower has a paper element filter then just put it back in for now.


Next Step: Start the mower and let it run. This will let the fuel stabilizer we put in the tank distribute through the fuel lines and the carburetor.
Make sure the mower is in a safe place with the deck up (if possible)engage the cutting blades to distribute the grease we put on the spindle bearings(grease fittings) in early steps.
Yes, we are getting close to being done so stay with me.

Next Step: In the earlier steps we put fuel stabilizer in the tank, now if your fuel tank is easy to remove, do so. Pour the gas out of tank into a clean approved container. If you can,t remove the tank try to siphon the gas from the tank into a clean approved container.

Next Step: Restart the mower and let it run until the engine goes dead or stalls.
If the tank is difficult to remove or siphon from, then fill the tank completely with the fuel/stabilizer mixture. (By filling the tank to the full level you are eliminating the air space that causes moisture).
You can remove the spark plug and add a little oil through the plug hole(about 50ml) to the cylinder and spin the engine over. I like to spin the engine over by hand or the crank rope if possible. If the mower has a electric starter just use it it briefly spin the engine over. This lubricates the cylinder wall to prevent it from rusting.

Next Step: Fill up the tires with air and store your mower in a dry place away from the weather.
Neglecting to empty the gas tank and perform other end-of-season care can shorten your mower’s life considerably, and can lead to costly repairs.

When grass cutting time gets close next spring, I will have a post telling you how to get your air cooled mower ready to mow.

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