Dolmar Delivers Premium, Powerful Trimmers, Brushcutters

Dolmar features a professional-grade assortment of string trimmers and brushcutters that can be described by one word—power! Models MS-260 C (U, dedicated brushcutter) at 25.6cc and MS-330 C (U, dedicated brushcutter) at 32.6cc feature emission compliant, deep-torque, stratified-scavenged engines. Both models are designed for continuous, professional operation in environments that demand the most from operator and machine!

Strong power-to-weight design, low-vibration, quiet operation and comfortable operator handling demonstrate pure performance! Include an easy-start feature, heavy-duty harness for control and balance and exceptional fuel efficiency, and Dolmar trimmers and brushcutters are great for any industrial-strength trimming, cutting or clearing application.

Efco Presents Trimmer Variety: Commercial, Consumer Use

From precision trimming to major brush clearing, Efco makes a trimmer that is right for the job. Backed by Efco’s “five year no fear” warranty (5 year consumer and 2 year professional), these trimmers are reliable, durable and easy to operate.

All Efco trimmers are made from top of the line internal engine components such as forged steel drive shafts and connecting rods for durability, a 2 ring piston to guarantee longer life and more power, and an oversized heavy-duty clutch to achieve maximum engine power transfer. Every straight shaft trimmer has self-lubricating bronze bushings to minimize vibrations and increase operator comfort while decreasing operator fatigue. A solid steel drive shaft ensures that the trimmer will be able to handle all the demands of basic trimming and heavy-duty weed and brush maintenance. A primer bulb for easy starting and ergonomic handles for increasing operator control and comfort round out the list of abundant features found on Efco trimmer

Honda Introduces Newest Trimmers to Lineup

Honda Power Equipment produces and markets a complete line of premium 4-stroke string trimmers and stick edgers for commercial and residential applications. The product line consists of three trimmer models featuring semi-matic feed nylon cutting heads or available brush cutting blades, and a stick edger.

The newest Honda handheld trimmer, the HHT35S—powered by Honda’s GX35 mini 4-stroke engine—recently replaced the HHT31S as Honda’s most powerful trimmer model. The HHT35S joins the all-new lightweight HHT25S trimmer—powered by Honda’s GX25 mini 4-stroke engine—in Honda Power Equipment’s lineup. The HHT35S is aimed squarely at meeting the rigorous demands of commercial, rental and residential users and is available through Honda Power Equipment dealers and rental outlets.

Jonsered Delivers Quality: Clean Powerful Engines

This is the engine technology that people have been looking for, as Jonsered now introduces the new Clean Power engine into its machines.

“This is an innovation. Users will perceive a noticeable difference. The engine is efficient and powerful, while at the same time using less petrol and is more friendly to the environment,” says Goran Gusthalin, Product Manager at Jonsered.

Kawasaki Trimmers Feature 30% More Engine Capacity

Kawasaki is introducing two new string trimmers built for heavy-duty grass and weed trimming. The KBL35A and the KGT35A are both powered by Kawasaki’s new TJ35E engine that features a hefty 34.4cc (2.1 cu.in.) displacement, which delivers plenty of power for cutting through the toughest grass.

These new trimmers, patterned after other popular Kawasaki units, feature a larger engine, heavy-duty clutch and drum, lightweight hollow steel drive shaft, and an adjustable loop handle with added safety barrier bar on the KBL35A.

Oregon Offers One-Stop Innovation

One blade does it all! Sidewalk edging, sod cutting, mini trenching, bed shaping/edging—the Magnum Edger blade can do it all. Four tools in one, its patented design features a 1" arbor with an 8" length. The unique tooth design cuts and cleans as it edges, which helps reduce soil build-up on the shield. When edging curbs and sidewalks, the Magnum Edger leaves a beautifully manicured lawn, and the 1⁄2" kerf reduces the need for frequent edging.

The Magnum Edger also makes bed edging quick and easy. Its unique tooth design loosens soil and leaves a clean, manicured edge. Because it’s tailored to lightweight equipment, the Magnum Edger allows for more maneuverability, lessening the need for shovels or oversized equipment.

Prüfrex Boasts Years Of Ignition Know-How

Prüfrex digital ignition systems meet the legal requirements for combustion engines and ignition systems. In accordance with the demands, they are provided with microprocessor, microcontroller or a custom-specific IC and comply with the tightened standards for exhaust gas and noise emissions as CARB and EPA, as well as the safety standards for outboard engines, stationary engines, generators, motor-driven leisure time and sporting gear. Power electronics, high-voltage technology and microelectronics are closely packed together. Prüfrex digital ignition systems set the standard for high integration and extremely unitized ignition modules. This is the basis for engine management solutions to control the carburetor or injection.

Rotary Trimmer Products: A ‘Cut Above’ For Quality, Value, Service

A longtime leader in blade manufacturing, Rotary produces over eight million austempered mower and edger blades every year at its state-of-the-art plant. The company’s complete line of premium low-lift and mulching blades is made in the U.S. and available for most commercial mowers as well as consumer walk-behind and riding models.

Rotary blades are manufactured from premium grade high-carbon steel, then heat treated and tested to meet rigid standards for quality, durability and performance. Rotary’s blade division was one of the world’s first to be certified for the ISO 9000 Quality Standard.

Shindaiwa Introduces T282, C282 Trimmer, Brushcutter

When Shindaiwa set out to design the world’s best grass trimmer, the logical first step was to begin with a proven winner—the Shindaiwa T270. The Shindaiwa 282 series is a natural successor to the T270 with more modern features and high-torque performance.

At the heart of the T282 is the proven 270 series engine design with advanced technology. Shindaiwa engines have evolved to meet environmental standards, yet still deliver all the power and performance Shindaiwa is famous for, now in a cleaner and more efficient manner.

Stihl Trimmers: Are You Ready?

As any landscape professional or serious homeowner knows, landscape maintenance is never finished. Fortunately, Stihl has a wide selection of rugged, long-running equipment that can help your customers stay ahead of the game. From the award-winning Stihl HomeScaper Series to the Stihl Professional Series for the pros, all built with quality associated with the name Stihl. Your customers will also find innovative features like the powerful and patented Stihl 4-MIX engine for fuel efficiency, high power, reduced emissions and the Easy2Start system for almost effortless starts.

The Importance Of Keeping It Positive by Greg German

If you spend too much time listening to cable news or roaming the many Internet blog sites, it would be pretty easy to decide that the sky is falling and the only hope you have is to wait for the government to decide that lawn and garden power equipment dealers are the next “bailout” recipients. Don’t hold your breath on that one, and while you are at it, quit watching cable news.

I just finished holding a breakfast meeting with our sales department and giving them the year-to-date sales information, and I believe that they were all pleasantly surprised. We have been able to grow market share in most all of our key areas. We were able to grab some new customers this year away from our competitive dealers, we have grown both parts and service business, our service capabilities have expanded over the past 12 months with the addition of some good new technicians, our product line offering is the best in our marketplace, we have paid down debt, and we are making a profit.

GIE+EXPO Delivers On Issues, Products by Dan Shell

2008, it was the GIE+EXPO of the three “Es”: the election, economy and ethanol—and not necessarily in that order depending on who you were talking to. More than 20,000 people (including exhibitors) attended the 2008 GIE+EXPO at the Kentucky Exposition Center October 23-25, including approximately 7,000 dealer/retailers and 7,000 lawn and landscape pros.

The 625 manufacturers and suppliers at North America’s largest lawn and garden power equipment event included 170 first-time exhibitors and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit space. The GIE+EXPO is not only the largest industry event, it’s also the 14th-largest trade show in the U.S.

Kawasaki Contender: KGT27B Trimmer by Ken Morrison

When consumers hear the name “Kawasaki,” they usually think of high performance motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and personal watercraft. Those who know a little more about the 130-year-old, Kobe, Japan-based company might also think shipbuilding, railroad cars, gas turbines, and sports arenas—all fitting products for a company known formally as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. However, the company, through its U.S. affiliate, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC), also offers some not-so-heavy equipment—a nice range of commercial-grade trimmers, brushcutters and allied landscape maintenance tools.

The Kawasaki line does not run as deep as some others, but it does provide a respectable offering, with six straight-shaft trimmers, a hand-held blower, four backpack blowers, six hedge trimmers, two articulated “hedge trimmers on a stick,” one curved shaft edger and a host of accessories and attachments. About the only thing missing is a chain saw. KMC services its 8,000 U.S. deal

Time-Saving Tools Boost Control, Reach, Torque by Ken Boness

There are tools that are over-designed, having features that are not beyond the wildest imagination—for it seems that it was the wildest of imaginations that concocted them. My favorite tools are those that bring to my shop simplicity of design, rugged durability and a capability to solve difficult access applications. It is precisely those attributes that I found in an array of tools from MotionPro, Inc. Although MotionPro’s focus is to provide products for maintenance and repair of racing and custom motorcycles, a portion of their product offering is tools. And some nifty tools they are.

More Ethanol On Way To Market by Dan Shell

During a GIE+EXPO press conference covering the show and industry issues in general, OPEI VP of Public Affairs Kris Kiser stated that ethanol and a fuel marketplace that’s seeing new blends are issues ripe for “confusion, mistakes and fraud.”

According to Kiser, “this industry is going to be genuinely affected by the transition to renewable fuel blends.” He noted that early results from U.S. Dept. of Energy testing on small engines with higher blends such as E15 and E20 has shown “across the board failures, and it’s important for us to work with Congress to get the message out about the implications for the marketplace.”

Ethanol Experience by David Abbott

Last fall my wife and I bought a new house with a relatively large yard. Prior to this my weekends had benefited from either homes with very small yards or apartments with no yard at all. We had a small, cheap Wal-Mart lawnmower bought in summer 2005 but the yard at that time was on a new construction lot and hadn’t fully grown in yet, and in 2006 and 2007 we had no grass to cut. So my cheap little lawnmower has barely been used, in fact it’s practically new, but to look at it, you’d think it had been in heavy service for five years or more. It just looks worn out. Nonetheless the few times I have used it before this summer, on my dad’s yard a handful of times for instance, it’s run fine. This summer however it seemed that the poor little mower just wasn’t up to the task.

Oh, it ran, but it sputtered and every weekend seemed like it might die any moment. And a couple of times it did, only to crank up again later for no apparent reason. We cleaned the fuel filter and changed

Supplier Sales, Distribution and Program News

A recent study conducted by the Porsche Engineering Group GmbH found that the Stihl BR 600 backpack blower is up to 28% more fuel efficient than competitive models, and can provide up to $644 in fuel savings per unit in two seasons, depending on fuel costs and run time. The Stihl BR 600 is also the cleanest running backpack blower in its class based upon information currently reported on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site, exceeding current EPA emission standards by 73%.

“It’s exciting to have the fuel efficiency of our backpack blower validated by an internationally respected company such as Porsche,” said Adam Hanks, product manager for Stihl Inc. “We are proud of our equipment’s design and manufacture, and to have it backed up by a brand known for engine performance is really rewarding.”