5 Factors To Consider Before Building in Australia’s Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands is mix of colourful gardens, leisurely pursuits, diverse landscape, history and heritage. Geographically it sits between 500m and 900m above sea level on the Great Dividing Range. Like other regions along this plateau, such as the Blue Mountains and Australian Alps, the Southern Highlands is known for its cool temperate climate. It also has a reputation for producing some great wine, the high annual rainfall (460mm – 1,883mm) and quality basalt soil being a match made in heaven for viticulture.

Thinking of building in the Southern Highlands? Here’s 5 factors to consider.

1. Bioregion

The Southern Highlands bioregion covers the dissected ranges and plateaus of the Great Dividing Range. The substrate is formed of Palaeozoic granites, transmuted sedimentary rocks and tertiary basalts. The area is characterised by high, flat country, which has been extensively cleared and used for grazing purposes.

Topographically, the dominant features of the bioregion are plateau remnants, granite basins with prominent ridges formed on contact metamorphic rocks. Soils vary across the bioregion in relation to altitude, temperature and rainfall. Limited areas of shallow organic loams are present at high altitude on Canobolos.

Rich in biodiversity and supporting large areas of land of very high conservation value, Wingecarribee Shire Council aims to protect and enhance the region’s distinct and diverse natural environment. Any new development must ensure that there is no loss of biological diversity or ecological integrity.

A flora and fauna assessment allows Council to make informed decisions regarding the likely impacts of your building proposal on the natural environment. It will report on the nature and extent of impacts, addressing plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

A flora and fauna assessment is required to be lodged with a Development Application (DA) if your property contains native vegetation, is adjacent to native vegetation, contains sensitive environmental areas likely to contain habitat resources for fauna or contains aquatic habitats.

2. Trees and vegetation

Approvals are required to remove one or more exotic or native trees or patches of native vegetation, including trees and understorey.

Under the NSW Government 2017 Biodiversity Law Reforms, Tree and Vegetation Clearing applications which are not part of, or related to, a development application in the Shire are now handled by different agencies depending on the zoning of your property. Local Land Services will handle your application if your property is zoned as Rural while council will handle your application if your property is zoned as non-rural.

Use Council’s Tree and Vegetation Clearing Guide Map tool to locate your property and obtain specific information on who to contact and what application process may be required.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Fire and flooding

You don’t have to live right near the bush to be at risk of fire. Fire can affect homes located by bush, grassland, paddocks or near the coast. Check for bush fire prone areas on your local council website or by looking at the RFS Bush Fire Prone Land online tool.

Prevailing weather conditions associated with the Southern Highlands bushfire season (October to February) usually coincide with strong south-west to north-west winds. There are also frequent dry lightning storms that occur during the bush fire season. Risk is generally influenced by drought and rainfall conditions.

Obtain free property information such as zoning, flood risk and minimum lot size by searching the NSW Planning & Environment planning portal.

4. Water & Sewerage

Wingecarribee Shire Council is the local water authority that provides potable water supply and reticulated sewerage services to residents in the Southern Highlands. Council operates six separate sewerage systems, which serve urban areas around the towns of Berrima and New Berrima, Bowral, Bundanoon, Robertson, Mittagong and Northern Villages, and Moss Vale.

The Council’s regular Capital Works Improvement Program is currently underway with a comprehensive water and sewerage improvement plan. The expected completion date for this is February 2019 subject to weather.

5. Council regulations

Building in the Southern Highlands requires the right balance between protecting the environment, supporting a healthy local economy, and providing effective access to community services and infrastructure.

If you intend to make any changes to a building, build a structure, occupy premises or subdivide land in the Southern Highlands, you will need to check whether the proposal is permissible and whether it requires an application. Obtain advice from Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Development Control Branch, where there are planners and duty surveyors available.

Development applications must be made on Council’s Approvals Application form, with full details of documentation and plans required for lodgement. Good engineering practice and a high standard in design, construction and development must be met. You can learn more about engineering standards here.

Kit home designs to build in the Southern Highlands

Prestige – Kensington, Homestead, Richmond Grove

Build a kit home in the Southern Highlands

Want to take the hard work out of building in the Southern Highlands? Download a Kitome brochure today and work with us to design and build your dream Southern Highlands home. All of our kit home designs are 100% flexible. That means you can alter any of our designs how you like to suit your block of land, or we can design a home with you from scratch. Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more today.

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Touchdown Turf: Survey Studies What It Takes To Have A Winning Season

In a recent survey of lawn and landscape professionals, Environmental Science, a business unit of Bayer Crop Science, garnered data that emphasized what nearly every lawn care company is struggling with — a lack of qualified folks on the field.

According to the survey findings, maintaining strong customer satisfaction doesn’t appear to be a key challenge for lawn and landscape companies. In fact, nearly six in 10 survey respondents noted that they have die-hard customers. And to further underscore that confidence, 42% of the respondents also ranked “an unhappy fan base” as having the least impact on whether or not their business is winning. The challenge with the most impact, according to more than four in 10 survey respondents, is “a shallow bench” or not enough team members.

“The lawn and landscape industry is built on leaders who understand what it takes to satisfy customers and to rally teams that can deliver on that,” says Rob Golembiewski, Ph.D., Green Solutions Team specialist for Bayer. “It’s a classic story of finding the right talent to get the job done — to push through the last yard, to win the next new account or to beat the elements and keep your fans happy.”

According to the survey, the ability to build and operate a team likely comes second-nature to lawn and landscape professionals — with 84% of respondents reporting that they played a team sport in high school or college.

“As the Bayer Green Solutions Team, our goal is to get in the huddle, so to speak, to provide lawn and landscape companies with the tools and training they need to succeed,” Golembiewski says. “When customer expectations are high and teams are lean, building a strategy that improves efficiency and keeps lawn and landscape professionals ahead of the game is critical.”

Playing too much defense was also a common concern among lawn and landscape professionals. Survey respondents reported that they are typically taking on curative or reactive activities about 37%t of the time, but they would prefer it to be even less (closer to 27%).

“It’s easy to understand why this preference for a strong offense is top of mind,” Golembiewski says. “With the right product portfolio and the right strategy at the right time, there’s a lot lawn and landscape companies can do to reduce repeat applications, callbacks, and other activities that increase costs in the long-run.”

Visit the Bayer website to view full stats from this survey and to learn more about addressing these business management challenges.

The Bayer Lawn & Landscape Survey was distributed to 4,437 green industry representatives who have opted in to receive email communications from Bayer. Of 537 total survey respondents, 220 were qualified and analyzed in these findings. 

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Is Ground Cover the Right Choice for Your Yard?

A lush green lawn is most people’s go-to image for a gorgeous and well-maintained landscape. However, there are some landscapes where consistent grass coverage is particularly difficult – perhaps parts of the lawn are too shady or too dry for healthy grass to grow. If your landscape is struggling with grass coverage, an attractive solution could be planting some ground cover over these trouble spots.

Ground cover typically consists of mostly low-lying plants that provide a layer of protection for your topsoil. In addition to providing a more dynamic and colorful look to your landscape, ground cover can also be simpler to maintain than grass once it’s been established. Some ground cover plants, such as Bugleweed, Heartleaf Foamflower, or Orchid Frost, require less water than grass. Others, such as English Ivy or Pachysandra, can thrive in darker and shadier areas.

Ground cover also requires less trimming than grass. Some homeowners plant ground cover over steep, hilly parts of their landscapes for this very reason, as is it more difficult to run a lawnmower over a hilly landscape than a flat one.

Fall is the best time of year to plant ground covers, as they will more easily establish themselves in cooler temperatures. If you’re interested in a ground cover for your landscape, the best place to start is Borst. We can help you choose the ideal plants for your lawn, and craft a beautiful design to complement your unique landscape. Contact the experts at Borst today to get started.

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Get Your Free Subscription To Turf

We’re excited to announce that Turf magazine will relaunch in the first quarter of 2019, and free subscriptions are now available for lawn and landscape professionals. To sign up for your free subscription to Turf, please click here.

With a fresh editorial focus and a mission to help build better landscape businesses, Turf will provide industry professionals with product news, business management advice, and strategic insight.

Special reports in 2019 include: The Mowing Issue, how to secure government and municipal clients, top business owner issues and concerns, and snow & ice management. Plus, each issue will feature articles on Customer Service Solutions, Operations, Add-On Services, and Product Focuses.

Be a part of this exciting new chapter in Turf’s history. Sign up for your free subscription today.

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Ferris Adds Commercial Turf Care To Product Lineup

Landscape professionals can now rely on Ferris® for turf care product offerings. At the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, KY last week, Briggs & Stratton Corporation showcased the new corrosion-resistant stand-on spreaders, stand-on spreader/sprayers, and stand-on blowers. Ferris will become a larger part of the commercial cutter’s trailer with these stand-on products, and will allow landscape professionals to expand their service offerings into turf treatment and debris management with the level of increased productivity they find with Ferris commercial mowers.

“Commercial landscapers can now visit qualified Ferris dealers and choose products beyond just mowing,” said Dan Roche, marketing director, commercial products at Briggs & Stratton. “Professionals have come to trust and demand the highest quality from our commercial mowers, and they can expect the same level of performance from our stand-on blowers, spreaders and spreader/sprayers.”

Rover Series Granular Spreaders

The Ferris Rover FS1100 is a compact stand-on granular spreader with a 100 pound capacity hopper for maximum coverage of over half an acre. The Rover FS1100 is optimal for residential areas where maneuverability around objects such as trees and flower beds is critical. For bigger jobs, the Rover XC FS1200 has a 200 pound capacity hopper for maximum coverage of 1.1 acres. This unit is capable of handling large acreages or commercial sites, covering more ground between refills. Additional Rover Series features include:

• Corrosive Resistant: A Peerless 855 Series coated transmission, stainless steel frame and well-placed cables, hoses and wires, increase the Rover’s durability to withstand consistent chemical with each application.
• Low Friction Sulky: The dual-pivot sulky has a ¾ inch tapered roller bearing which delivers a smooth ride at 5 mph.
• Easy-to-Operate Controls: Operator controls are optimized to position the dry pattern and throttle on the right, and the spreader gain and gate control on the left.

Pathfinder Series Spreader/Sprayer

The Ferris Pathfinder Series stand-on spreader/sprayers release both dry and liquid fertilizers. This unit is ideal for residential communities where navigating obstacles is important. Its low center of gravity enables the unit to hug sloped terrain while its compact 36 inch width allows easy access to smaller backyards. The Pathfinder XC FS2200 is ideal for larger properties or commercial sites. Additional Pathfinder Series features include:

• Adjustable Spray System: Operators efficiently change the depth of spray to 3 feet for trim and 10 feet for broadcast coverage.
• Coverage and Capacity: The Pathfinder FS2100 has a Spyker® Hopper that is capable of holding 100 pounds for over half an acre of maximum coverage. The Pathfinder XC FS2200 has a Spyker Hopper with a 200 pound capacity for 1.1 acres of maximum coverage.
• Large Spray Tank: The onboard spray tank on the Pathfinder FS2100 can hold 12 gallons of liquid fertilizer for maximum coverage of 1.1 acres while the Pathfinder XC FS2200 has a liquid capacity of 16 gallons for a maximum coverage of 1.4 acres.

Venture Series Zero-Turn Spreader/Sprayer

The Ferris Venture FS3100 and Venture XC FS3200 are powered by a rugged 18.0 gross horsepower  Vanguard® V-Twin engine and are equipped with a Hydro-Gear® transaxle, providing excellent zero-turn performance and quiet, smooth operation. Designed to tackle the largest jobs, these models make quick work of expansive properties. Additional Venture Series features include:

• Three-section breakaway boom: With an adjustable spray width of 2 feet, 4 feet, 6 feet or 8 feet, the Venture series models allow the operator to customize coverage to the site and conditions.
• Dual Spray Tank: The Venture Series models feature two 12 gallon spray tanks, providing a maximum liquid coverage of 2.2 acres.
• Granular Coverage and Capacity: The Venture FS3100 features a Spyker Hopper that has a 100 pound capacity, providing maximum coverage over half an acre, while the Venture XC FS3200 has a Spyker hopper with a 200 pound capacity, providing maximum coverage of 1.1 acres.

Stand-on Blowers

Powered by a trusted Vanguard engine, the Ferris FB2000 and FB3000 have a patented Dual Deflector Air Flow System that is capable of blowing air left, right and forward at an air speed of over 165 mph. A torsion-mounted front axle assembly and Hydro-Gear ZT-3100® transaxles provide a zero turning radius and added stability to easily navigate sloping terrain and obstacles. The Ferris FB2000 provides airflow of 6,500 cubic feet per minute while the FB3000 provides airflow of 8,500 cubic feet per minute. An air shut down system on all three blower discharge chutes and an automatic parking brake allow the operator to quickly power down the blower to safely pick-up large debris or trash. Additional FB2000 and FB3000 features include:

• LED Lights: Operators can extend cleanup hours well into dusk with a bright, energy-efficient front L.E.D light.
• Quieter Experience: The FB3000 operates at 2600 rpm, resulting in less noise output for the operator and work crews.
• Easy to Navigate Dashboard: An ergonomically-designed patented Quad Control Handle System increases driver comfort and ease of operation.

Landscape professionals looking to find their local authorized Ferris dealer, or schedule a demonstration of the stand-on spreaders or stand-on spreader/sprayers can visit the dealer locator on the Ferris website. The stand-on blowers will be available in January 2019.

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New John Deere Mulching Head Shreds Wood In Minutes

John Deere continues to provide best-in-class vegetation management with the addition of the MH60D mulching head to its Worksite Pro lineup. Designed to remove 8-inch (203-mm) trees and 12-inch (305-mm) stumps with ease, the MH60D model shreds underbrush and woody materials into beneficial mulch in minutes. Like all Worksite Pro attachments, this mulching head is optimized to work with John Deere skid steer loaders and compact track loaders, as well as most competitive models.

“With 30 double-carbide tipped teeth, our new mulching head attachment is a job site beast that easily takes big bites out of trees and stumps,” said Jessica Hill, global program manager, attachments. “It’s an invaluable tool for customers who need a powerful mulching solution, no matter the tree type or location.”

Delivering superior large-material knockdown, the MH60D also works well below soil level for chewing out difficult stumps. A two-speed hydraulic system efficiently uses available horsepower. When the preset pressure level is attained, the motor automatically shifts to a higher displacement, increasing torque for reduced stalling and faster rotor-speed recovery time. A prominently positioned pressure gauge allows operators to easily monitor hydraulic operating pressure.

The mulching head was developed to deliver exceptional job site performance. A 1,524-mm (60-inch) high-capacity, smooth rotor design reduces material drag and horsepower requirements. The rotor is balanced for smooth operation, and oversized 64-mm (2.5-inch) sealed rotor bearings deliver long-term durability. A redesigned mulching chamber enables more efficient material flow and reduces wear points for optimized shredding performance. Internal counter-combs help shatter incoming material, creating finer mulch. Optional knife tools allow smoother cutting and finer chip size.

For added durability, the attachment’s three-position heavy-duty push bar helps protect the carrier while toppling tree or brush. The door cylinder inside the frame body is better protected, while the enhanced frame construction and bolt-on skid shoes reduce debris buildup, extending wear life.

The new mulching head attachment is backed by John Deere parts, service and warranty coverage.

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Bringing Luxury Design to Your Landscape

Putting some extra care into designing your landscape can make your home’s outdoor living spaces feel like luxurious getaways. There are plenty of different directions you can go in for a more inspired backyard – but whether you’re planning a complete overhaul or just an update of your current space, these tips will help bring the most out of your home.

One thing to keep in mind for a more comfortable outdoor space is to think of your yard as an extension of your living room. This can be accomplished through carefully arranged lighting, which can add warmth, dimension, and a relaxing ambiance. Adding a fire pit or fireplace can also contribute to this sense of warmth (literally and figuratively), and provide an attractive focal point for a lounging area.

Another exciting way you can bring the indoors outside is to build a full-service kitchen and bar onto your patio. Cooking in your outdoor space allows you to remain more engaged with any guests you may be entertaining, and can lead to a more fun, free-flowing, and interactive type of dinner party. To take it a step further, an attractive organic garden can even provide fresh and readily accessible ingredients to whatever you’re cooking up.

Despite the warmth that may come from making your yard feel like an indoor space, it’s still important to keep some semblance of outdoor living (otherwise, what’s the point?). Water features such as fountains can capture this perfectly, combining elegant stonework with the almost meditative quality that water provides.

If you’re interested in enhancing your outdoor space, Borst is here to help. Our expert designers will work with you to create the perfect layout for your unique landscape, and transform it into your favorite place to spend time. Contact Borst today to get started on your brand new backyard getaway.

 

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Billy Goat Expands Line Of Stand-On Blowers

Billy Goat® will broaden its world class Force pedestrian blower line starting in January 2019 with the new addition of the Hurricane X3 and Z3 zero turn radius stand-on blowers, for the largest line of blowers on the market.

Ideal for full-size landscapers, schools, parks departments, golf, sport field, estate properties and street departments, these best in class stand-on blowers take commercial leaf and debris clean-up productivity to a whole new level.

The feature-rich Billy Goat Hurricane boasts an array of distinctive components that set this machine apart from others on the market. A Patented Quad Control Handle System offers seamless operation of forward/reverse direction, automatic return to neutral, integrated operator presence control and a self-activating parking brake. The Joystick Deflector Control provides quick and easy adjustment of airflow from left, right or forward directions, eliminating the need to blow in reverse. The unique blower housing design efficiently draws air from both sides of the housing to move more air faster and quieter, up to165+ MPH.

Combined with the patented Dual Deflector Airflow System, allowing the operator to change the angle of airflow for deeper, more efficient cleaning of leaves and debris, this machine doubles down on performance and productivity so operators can get more done in less time. And with air shutdown on all three discharges, along with convenient front and rear built-in tie-downs, all points of machine transport is a cinch.

More features for best in class productivity include a Torsion Mounted Front Axle Assembly to negotiate curbs with ease and high flotation turf tires for superior hill handling. Max travel speeds of 9 MPH for the X3 and 11 MPH for the Z3 help complete jobs faster, plus an easy-fill 10-gallon fuel tank provides long hours of operation. And with an LED light for night operation, cleaning up in daylight savings time just got easier!

The Billy Goat Hurricane X3 is powered by a 627cc and the Z3 a 993cc Vanguard® engine.

A commercial grade Twin HYDRO-GEAR 3100 IZT transmission is designed for heavier loads with a standard charge pump for increased performance and external oil filter for easier maintenance.

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PBI-Gordon Introduces SpeedZone® Southern EW

Through advancements in formulation technology, PBI-Gordon has developed new SpeedZone® Southern EW Broadleaf Herbicide for Turf, a novel, emulsion-in-water (EW) formulation. SpeedZone Southern EW offers a lower odor profile and lower Volatile Organic Content (VOC) compared to original SpeedZone Southern, and the EW formulation technology creates smaller particle sizes, helping improve efficacy by letting more active ingredients impact the leaf surface.

SpeedZone Southern EW provides the same performance that made SpeedZone Southern an industry favorite, controlling more than 70 tough broadleaf weeds, including dollarweed, ground ivy, and spurge. And because it’s formulated specifically for sensitive southern turfgrasses, SpeedZone Southern EW is highly selective in established cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses.

Ideal for use on golf courses, residential and commercial areas, SpeedZone Southern EW is labeled for use in the most common turfgrass species, including centipedegrass, seashore paspalum, common St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass.

Other features include:

• Most effective when applied February through April
• Rainfast in as little as three hours
• Allows for reseeding in one week
• A visual response within 24 hours, and weeds die within 7 to 14 days

Note: SpeedZone Southern EW is currently in the registration process for use in the state of California. Registration is expected in mid-2019. In the meantime, PBI-Gordon will continue to manufacture and sell the original SpeedZone Southern formulation in one-gallon packages exclusively in California.

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Grow Business, Not Overhead

Courtesy of Buyers Products & SIMA

Preventive maintenance keeps your equipment young and your expenses low.

Routine Plow Maintenance

1. Check the hoses in your plow routing and look for any leaks or signs of wear.
2. Tighten all the thumb screws. If you have a V-Plow, make sure the screws holding the covers on are secured tight. Replacing a cover because the screws fell out on the road is an expensive and easily preventable setback.
3. Inspect your cutting edge and shoes. Assess the cutting edge for signs of uneven wear. Make sure the shoes aren’t worn down and can still do their job. Fatigued parts can expose your plow to damage and should be replaced.
4. Make sure your pins are attached and in position. If your pins aren’t properly positioned, the plow may disengage and damage the mounting. Get into the habit of checking, so you’re not in for a nasty surprise later.
5. Check your spring tension. Make sure your trip springs are properly calibrated. A loose spring can cause the trip mechanism to malfunction, leaving your plow vulnerable to damage every time it tries to trip.
6. Wipe down and inspect your plow lights. Clean the lights to maximize your road visibility. While you’re cleaning you can also make sure the housings are tight and no wiring or electrical components are exposed.

Before you remove the plow from your truck:

• Extend and grease all chrome cylinder rods. Fully compress all cylinders where possible. Greasing the cylinder rods and then compressing the cylinders will help to protect them from rust during summer storage.

After you remove the plow from your truck:

• Coat all electrical connection points with dielectric grease. This protects connection points from corrosion.
• Apply a coat of oil or grease to all pivot points on your plow, including the A-frame, angle cylinder, and trip springs. Also grease all fittings on trip pins and on the kingpin/hinge.
• Repair and touch up any chipped paint or rusted areas on your plow to prevent further rusting during the off-season. If your plow is made of stainless steel, you may want to apply a light coat of mineral oil to protect the surface.
• Don’t change the oil. Wait until you bring it out of storage next winter so you can start the season with fresh oil.
• Store your plow indoors or on a pallet under a cover.

Routine Spreader Maintenance

Keep your spreaders in tip-top shape by following these tips:

Use compatible material. Make sure that you use the appropriate material for your auger-, chain-, or gravity-fed system. Hint: You can buy an alternate auger for some spreaders for use with fine materials like calcium chloride.

Put it away empty. Remove any material left in the spreader at the end of the day, and load it fresh right before you hit the road. Material can clump or freeze in frigid weather. That can give you serious issues with spreader operation.

Keep it clean. Power wash and dry your spreader after every use. Salt and deicing materials are corrosive and can damage your spreader. Hint: While you clean, inspect the spreader and tighten any loose fasteners. Make the small repairs before they become bigger issues.

Keep it lubricated. Grease all moving parts and electrical connectors/terminals as recommended by the manufacturer. This will prolong the life of the parts, and ultimately your spreader. Many manufacturers recommend that you lubricate bearings every 7 to 10 hours of operation.

Care for your controller. The controller should be stored indoors in a dry, cool place. Take it inside between uses in extreme temperatures.

Use the manual. Good spreader maintenance will vary based on spreader construction. Your owner’s manual is always your best resource to optimize spreader upkeep and settings.

Perform easy end-of-season maintenance. Before you store your spreader for the off-season, wash off any remaining material, grease the bearings, and lubricate the auger. You may also want to apply a light coat of mineral oil on stainless steel spreaders, and touch up paint on carbon steel spreaders. End-of-season maintenance will help your spreader perform when it’s time to get back to work, and ensure it will last for years to come.

For more plow and spreader tips, check out the Buyers Products Youtube channel. It’s regularly updated with new product videos, tips, tutorials, and more. Subscribe to receive notifications each time a new video goes live. 

This article was featured in the Snow & Ice Management Association’s SB In Focus issue focused on transitioning from a residential to commercial snow company. Read the whole issue, sponsored by Buyers Products, here.

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EPA WaterSense Awards For Toro, Hunter Industries

The U.S. EPA announced its 2018 WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award winners, Partners of the Year, and Excellence Award winners at the recently held WaterSense and Alliance for Water Efficiency Awards Luncheon in Las Vegas. WaterSense recognizes nine Sustained Excellence Award winners, four WaterSense Partners of the Year, and eight Excellence Award winners for helping to advance and promote WaterSense and water efficiency throughout 2017. Since this EPA program began in 2006, WaterSense labeled products have helped Americans save 2.7 trillion gallons of water and $63.8 billion in water and energy bills. In 2017 alone, WaterSense labeled products saved 631 billion gallons of water.

Two manufacturers, Toro and Hunter Industries, have been recognized this year, along with a number of water organizations for efforts that include outreach to landscape professionals and their customers.

2018 WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award Winners
American Standard
Athens-Clarke County (Georgia) Public Utilities Department
City of Charlottesville (Virginia)
Cobb County (Georgia) Water System
Delta Faucet Company
Energy Inspectors Corporation
KB Home
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
Sonoma-Marin (California) Saving Water Partnership

2018 WaterSense Partners of the Year
City of Fort Worth (Texas)
City of Plano (Texas)
Citrus County (Florida) Utilities
The Broward Water Partnership

2018 WaterSense Excellence Award Winners
City of Durham (North Carolina) Department of Water Management
Sacramento (California) Suburban Water District
City of Frisco (Texas)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Sonoma-Marin (California) Saving Water Partnership
The Toro Company
Hunter Industries
San Diego County (California) Water Authority

2018 Excellence in Education and Public Relations: The Toro Company received its third Excellence Award — and its fourth WaterSense Award overall — for education and outreach efforts ranging from scholarships for students to attend the Irrigation Association Show, to sponsorship of the award-winning Water Zone radio show. The show discusses water-saving outdoor practices and products to a growing audience of five million people. In 2017, Toro increased its social media activity related to water efficiency, including more than 45 posts on topics such as Fix a Leak Week and smart irrigation. The company also participated in or conducted dozens of training programs featuring WaterSense labeled products, reaching several thousand homeowners and professionals. And the WaterSmart.Toro.com website topped more than one million visitors since it was launched in 2015.

2018 Excellence in Labeled Products in the Marketplace: Hunter Industries became the first manufacturer to earn the WaterSense label for irrigation spray sprinkler bodies. These devices regulate pressure to minimize outdoor water waste in irrigation systems. Noticing that many contractors were reluctant to install Wi-Fi-enabled weather-based irrigation controllers, Hunter also conducted extensive research to understand the barriers to uptake of the products. Based on the results, Hunter developed a new weather-based controller that better manages the needs of contractors with flow meter connection capabilities, failure reporting, and daily watering schedule modifications based on local conditions. Several of the 19 WaterSense labeled models Hunter launched in 2017 were engineered with these water-saving features to encourage best practices for irrigation management within the complex systems that contractors encounter.

Read more on the 2018 winners on the EPA WaterSense website.

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LawnSite Forums: This Week’s Hot Threads

From the challenges of mowing wet grass to the best equipment for leaf season, here are some questions from the landscape professionals on LawnSite forums this past week.

LAWN MOWING

• A LawnSite Member from Harker Heights, TX is dealing with frequent rains, hates mowing wet grass, but wonders if he’s being too cautious. How do you gauge whether grass is too wet to mow? Share your thoughts…

 

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

• A LawnSite Gold Member wants to know how much revenue two employees in a truck should be generating. How do you handle it if one of them calls out sick? Share your thoughts…

 

LAWN MOWING EQUIPMENT

• A LawnSite Member is looking for opinions and feedback on mowing equipment he’s planning to buy in the next couple of months. Is a walk behind mower or a stand on mower the best choice for his budget? Any other suggestions? Share your thoughts…

 

TURF RENOVATION

• A LawnSite Bronze Member from Massachusetts is dealing with a very wet season that has caused problems with his slice seeder. He wants to know if other landscape pros use top dressing on top of seed? If so, how deep do you run the seeder before the seed is actually too deep? Share your thoughts…

 

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

• A LawnSite Member from Prairie Village, KS just hired his first employee and is getting ready for a busy leaf season. Does he need a gate mounted leaf vacuum? Share your thoughts…

 

Do you need feedback on a professional challenge you’re facing within your landscaping or lawn care business? Tap into the wealth of knowledge at LawnSite, the largest and most active online forum serving green industry professionals.

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Utility Vehicles Are Multi-Faceted Tools

By Chuck Bowen
From the October 2018 Issue of Facility Executive

As you look at budgeting for upcoming equipment purchases this fall and in 2019, consider adding a utility vehicle (UTV) to your fleet. These UTVs (sometimes called side-by-sides) are the multipurpose workhorse cousins of the off-roading, dune-jumping ATVs that many are more familiar with. Initially developed as practical outdoor equipment for ranchers and hunters, UTVs are now coming into play in a big way for facility management teams and landscape professionals who are looking for a single piece of equipment that can fill many practical purposes in their fleet.

Many sites, one machine. UTVs have expanded their applications and moved into the mainstream as outdoor power vehicles that make sense for facility management and landscape professionals. Whether you’re responsible for moving people around a stadium, clearing snow from sidewalks and drives at a business park, or taking care of the landscape at a campus, a side-by-side can be customized and configured to specific site and equipment needs, serving as a flexible, customized piece of equipment that can shift applications as needs (and the seasons) change.

Attachments. What makes UTVs such a practical addition to a landscape management fleet are the many attachments and accessories that these machines support. For example, a UTV can be kitted out as a snow removal vehicle with an enclosed cab, plow or snow brush, and salt spreader. In the spring, that same piece of equipment—thanks to its dump bed—can be used to transport and install mulch or stone for landscape applications. Adding a tank and sprayer set-up allows users to water exterior plantings across a wide area. An outdoor power equipment dealer or retailer can advise on the best UTV and attachments to purchase based on current or future application needs.

Going places. UTVs are powerful outdoor equipment—they can be equipped with four-wheel drive and winches and even treads in place of wheels. They are able to reach locations that can be difficult to access by foot or with a large pick-up truck. In fact, many police and fire departments employ UTVs in their fleets as search-and-rescue vehicles when they encounter rough terrain. And with optional seat configurations, UTVs can haul as many as six people.

Pick your power. Just the like power sources for outdoor power equipment such as mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers continue to expand, so too do the options for UTVs. Major manufacturers offer side-by-sides powered by gasoline, diesel, or batteries. So, depending on the site, specific job needs, and user-related preferences you’ll be able to choose the best power source for your equipment.

Where to buy. A local outdoor power equipment dealer or retailer is the best place to start your search for the right UTV for your fleet. Consider your current and future site needs and what options you’ll need your equipment to have, as well as your budget. With dozens of manufacturers offering many different products and options, there’s a UTV out there that can address your landscape management needs and make an excellent addition to the fleet of a facility management team or a landscape professional company.

Bowen is director of communications and member relations for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association based in Alexandria, VA. OPEI represents more than 100 power equipment, engine, and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below or send an e-mail to the Editor at acosgrove@groupc.com.

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Sustainable Winter Management Guidelines

By Phill Sexton
From the October 2018 Issue of Facility Executive

Sustainability and winter management (snow and ice management) are two terms that have more recently become interconnected. As the expectations, costs, and environmental effects of winter management services increase, facility management executives are looking to more sustainable practices for these exterior services.

(Photo: Snow & Ice Management Association)

The additional stresses winter weather causes facility managers are unlike those experienced inside buildings. Cost control, risk management, and rising expectations for near perfect conditions (a.k.a. “black top”, “wet”, “zero tolerance”) are typical challenges. More recently, liability linked to the overuse of de-icing salts (e.g. “rock salt”—sodium chloride) is a challenge facilities face. Multiple research studies have validated that most non-point source chloride contamination of freshwater bodies and aquifers originates from parking and sidewalk surfaces (see Figure 1). Therefore, facility managers need to be prepared for future regulations and liability linked to use of de-icing salts to control slippery winter conditions.

Sustainable Winter Management (SWiM) guidelines are available help facility managers and other stakeholders navigate this winter maintenance landscape. Like LEED which is a synonymous with standards for green buildings, SWiM is a solution developed for establishing standards of practice for responsible snow and ice management. The lack of tested and verified industry standards for winter management operations inspired this author’s two-year thesis research at Harvard University, which focused on a sustainability analysis of the commercial winter management industry. The results of the Harvard research revealed a framework of best practices and solutions interventions that evolved into the SWiM standards for properties and highway departments to follow and to qualify for SWiM certification. Unlike other sustainability initiatives that typically are costly to initiate, SWiM guidelines provide these benefits to properties: saving money, managing risk, and reducing salt use.

Figure 1. Most non-point source chloride contamination of freshwater bodies and aquifers originates from winter maintenance of parking/sidewalk surfaces.

A recent case study conducted by the NY Pollution Prevention Institute (NYPPI) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) validates that the implementation of SWiM guidelines produced significant results in cost efficiencies, reducing salt use, and increasing environmental responsibility. Beyond these immediate results are the anticipated long-term benefits to a property’s infrastructure.

Although SWiM certification audit guidelines include over 100 criteria that must be met for a property or portfolio of properties to earn SWiM SITE certification, the broad criteria of policies are available for any facility owner or manager to apply. These straightforward categories of policy enable standards of practice for in-house or contracted winter maintenance operations. The categories are: Measure, Calibrate, Prevent, Analyze, Improve, and Optimize.

Measure. You must measure what you want to improve. Compare current practices with industry production rates guidelines published by the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA). These guidelines include examples of average times required for plowing an acre of parking lot; shoveling 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk; and the average quantity of time and salt required for anti-icing and de-icing applications.

Salt application rate guidelines have been established through the Sustainable Salt Initiative (more at www.sima.org/resource/sustainable-salt). It’s important to always measure surface temperatures (not air temperature) when deciding application rate guides to utilize.

Measure salt application rate output on a per application basis. Salt measuring technology and cloud based, GPS enabled tracking software is available that makes measuring salt applications easy and affordable.

Measure level of service (LOS) expectations and results. This can be achieved using site weather cameras or assigning someone to observe and document snow operations, including with pictures. It’s important to understand when LOS expectations are being met and when they are perhaps being over-serviced, which typically includes over-applying salt.

Calibrate. Salt application equipment should always be calibrated to confirm minimum and maximum material flow rates. Calibration should be performed pre-season and mid-season at a minimum. Recalibration should also be performed any time a repair or other change is made to this equipment.

Calibration of storm response times with resource allocations (i.e., quantity of people, materials and equipment) is also important to practice. Timing of storms and accumulation thresholds, compared with shift schedules for example, are important to establish.

Prevent. Prevent bonding of snow and ice on paved surfaces by using anti-icing application techniques as a standard of practice, when conditions allow. Although dry salt applied as an anti-icing application can be effective, salt brine is the recommended method to prevent dry salt “bounce and scatter” waste.

When outsourcing to contractors, prevent the overuse of salt with service contract terms that incentivize for efficiency rather than charge by the amount or the frequency of service and materials use.

Analyze. Analyze inconsistencies with plow production and salt application rates by categories of variables including; a) parking lot/road; b) vehicle (truck); c) equipment (spreader type); and d) operator (driver/employee). Analysis can be achieved using GPS enabled technology and salt tracking hardware readily and affordably available to contractors and facility managers.

Improve. Improve salt rate output by analyzing inconsistencies of measured salt application rates. Identify the lowest measured rate that achieves desired level of service, and recalibrate all salt application equipment to the lowest successful rate(s).

Improved production cycle times can be achieved using site maps and scheduled training with operators on how to best route a site or a portfolio of sites.

Optimize. Optimize dry salt output by “pre-wetting” dry salt flow with salt brine at the spinner of the spreader. Salt is only effective for melting snow in its liquid form which is brine. Pre-wetting dry salt with a small quantity of brine helps to expedite the brine reaction that is desired.

Meanwhile, new plow technology options are available that enable greater efficiencies for clearing snow accumulation from parking lot surfaces down to near bare conditions. Less snow and ice accumulation left on the parking lot surface means less salt is needed to melt.

SWiM: Retail Parking Case Study

The NYPPI/RIT case study of SWiM certified sites conducted last winter season 2017-18, for a multi-location retail property owner located in the snow belt region of Syracuse, NY, validated significant cost, risk, and environmental benefits. Two sets of retail store properties owned and operated by the same company, with virtually the same parking space quantity and footprint, and located only a few miles from each other is compared. One set of stores followed SWiM guidelines, and one set did not follow the guidelines (see Table 1).

Whether the parking setting is that of retail or office, public or private, the standards of policy are consistent for developing a sustainable winter management program. Following the SWiM guidelines in the proper order and holding maintenance operations accountable to implement these standards of practices are important to manage for achieving similar results and benefits.

Sexton is founder and managing director of WIT Advisers and industry adviser to the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA). WIT Advisers administers the Sustainable Winter Management (SWiM) program and certifications for properties. Sexton also serves as adjunct professor at the Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill. He holds degrees in agriculture, horticulture, and business economics from the State University of NY and a master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University where he focused his studies on corporate innovation and sustainability and researching salt use by the winter management industry.

Do you have a comment? Join the conversation in the Comments section below or send an email to the Editor at acosgrove@groupc.com.

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Finding Fur-Ever Homes At GIE-EXPO 2018

On October 18, MUTT MADNESS, a dog adoption event for GIE+EXPO attendees will take place from 11am to 2pm in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Held in partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) and GIE+EXPO, the leading trade show in the outdoor power, landscaping, and garden equipment industries, this event offers an opportunity for rescue dogs to find their forever homes.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)’s education platform, TurfMutt, and the trade show will donate a $10,000 check to KHS during the event to support their good work in animal rehabilitation, rescue, and adoption.

“Louisville Tourism is so pleased to be a part of this innovative partnership between one of our longest running shows and the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS). Not only will our furry friends bring smiles to the nearly 23,000 show attendees, but will also promote the importance of shelter adoptions – something I wholeheartedly believe in as an adopter myself,” said Karen Williams, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “As a premier outdoor tradeshow, GIE+EXPO is the perfect organization to partner with our own KHS as they both share a common interest of beautifying the outdoors – something both humans and dogs can appreciate. We are grateful to GIE+EXPO for the lasting impact they are making on the Louisville community with their $10,000 financial commitment and adoption drive.”

Added Kris Kiser, “We are taking the definition of “show dog” to a whole new level.” Kiser is President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which is the managing partner in the outdoor living and equipment exposition.

”Thousands of GIE+EXPO attendees drive to Louisville for the show and can bring a dog home with them. After all, who knows your yard the best? Your dog. And who makes your yard possible? The contractors, manufacturers, and landscapers who attend GIE+EXPO. It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Kiser.

Partnership Is 10 Years Strong

The connections between the outdoor power equipment industry and rescue dogs began a decade ago, when TurfMutt was launched as a cartoon education program in a handful of Sacramento-based elementary schools with the help of well-known children’s education organization Weekly Reader. Now, after forging partnerships with numerous federal agencies and nonprofits, TurfMutt is delivered to thousands of educators and students in grades K-5 (and soon to 6-8 grades) annually by education curriculum partner, Scholastic. Kiser and TurfMutt have been an on-screen education voice on CBS’s Lucky Dog television show and will appear in a new broadcast television show debuting this month on the CW Network called Ready, Set, Pet. The show airs on Saturday mornings.

TurfMutt was created by OPEI’s Education and Research Foundation and has reached more than 68 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official Education Partner of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and part of its global Learning Lab. TurfMutt is an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017 and 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars.

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A Guide to Building in Far North Queensland

Far North Queensland is like nowhere else on Earth. Fringed by reef, enveloped by rainforest, ringed by the red dirt of the Outback – it’s a place of unique diversity and an interesting place to build. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering it.

Building in Far North Queensland

There’s lots to consider when building a home in Far North Queensland:

Climate

Far North Queensland has an average daily temperature range of 18.3 to 30.2°C. On average it receives 1998 mm of rainfall each year – 1393 mm in the wet season (November – April) and 610 mm in the dry season (May – October).

The climate, however, is comprised of three distinct regions: coastal, inland and tableland. These represent distinct agro-ecological types comprising different landforms, soils and topography as well as climate.

Climate responsive design is important for Far North Queensland, improving the comfort of your home and ensuring it can stand up to the conditions. Varying the width of your building, for example, can change the way it will perform.

To minimise the effects of climatic conditions you should get to know the sun’s seasonal path and the varying breeze patterns during the year. Talk to us here at Kitome about how we can make use of these two region-unique factors. We offer passive design options so that you can take advantage of the climate whatever it’s like and not only stay comfortable but reduce heating a cooling bills.

Topography

Much of the Queensland landscape reflects ancient geomorphic processes. In a word… Erosion. At the most basic level Far North Queensland’s topography can be divided into bedrock landscapes and unconsolidated deposits derived from various sources.

An understanding of the local hard rock surface is fundamental to land classification. You can learn more about land zones here. If your land proves to be a challenging block, Kitome has near limitless designs, making our homes ideal for any topography.

Fire and flooding

The weather in Far North Queensland can make for fire-prone conditions during the dry season. High temperatures, low humidity, little soil moisture and dry vegetation can be a bad combination. Click here to see if your land is in a Bushfire Hazard Area.

Flooding can also be a problem in some areas. The Queensland Government, as well as us here at Kitome can work with you to assist in mitigating and preparing for floods. To discover flood data in your location, check the FloodCheck map.

Soil and vegetation

Soil in Far North Queensland is a mix of sand, loam and clay. It can be acidic, dystrophic or Brown Dermosol with many stones and cobbles. But there is also an abundance of fertile agricultural land and mineral wealth .

The region’s natural environment is a major economic asset and the value of the landscape for nature conservation, primary production, renewable energy resource areas, priority carbon sequestration, cultural heritage, outdoor recreation and scenic amenity is given appropriate recognition in land use planning and development assessment.

Water

Water is a precious commodity and it pays to know where it’s coming from.

Prior to 1 February 2013, all new homes and commercial buildings in Far North Queensland were required to install rainwater tanks or other water supply systems such as greywater treatment plans. This is no longer true for all of Far North Queensland, so check with your local council. If in doubt, rainwater tanks are great addition to your home.

Local council regulations

Through Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans and other policies, councils regulate building and development within the Far North Queensland community. Development Applications can be for land subdivision, commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural land uses.

By seeking approval for your development, council is able to assess each development application on its merits and can:

• Implement environmental and community safety objectives
• Provide the opportunity for community input into decisions
• Provide an independent, impartial and objective framework for decision making
• Acts in the public interest, at arms lengths from the parties involved.

It is then up to you and your contractor to ensure the building work is carried out to an acceptable standard.

To learn more about local council regulations speak directly with your local council.

Kit home designs to build in the Far North Queensland

With the bedrock terrain of the Far North Queensland, as well as it’s warm and wet temperament, there are certain kit home designs that are best suited to the landscape.

• From the Prestige Series we have the Brookland and the Homestead designs that lend themselves to being elevated if needed.
• From our Freedom Series the Harrington and Haven kit home designs would also be suitable for Far North Queensland.

Take our kit home selector quiz to discover which kit home designs are best suited to your lifestyle needs and personality.

Customise your home to suit the Far North Queensland

Our kit home designs are 100% customisable. That means you can choose the design that you like the most, and add features that best suits your needs and the environment of the Far North Queensland region.

Learn more about how to customise a kit home

Considering a kit home for your land? Download a brochure today or give us a call and discuss the above. We’ll be able to help you find the right Kitome to suit both your land profile and needs.

Build your dream home

Having considered the factors above you can set to work planning your dream home. Think a Kitome could be a perfect fit for your land? Download our brochure today or give us a call and discuss what you’ve learnt about your area. We’ll be able to help you find the right Kitome to suit both your land profile and needs.

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Keeping Facility Grounds In Top Shape

By Christine Menapace
From the October 2018 Issue of Facility Executive

Imagine a workplace that attracts top hires, increases employee productivity, reduces healthcare costs, and even saves money. Sound too good to be true? Perhaps not. But it may require looking beyond the building envelope to capitalize on the beneficial effects of the outdoors. “It has even been called the new ‘workplace frontier,’” says Megan Horn, principal with BrightView Design Group & Pre Development.

Benefits Of Outdoor Workspaces

In an initiative launched this past June, outdoor retailer L.L. Bean partnered with coworking provider, Industrious, and workplace strategy expert Leigh Stringer, author of The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employee—and Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line, to better understand the benefits and barriers of the outdoor environment as it relates to work. The L.L.Bean 2018 Work and the Outdoors Survey revealed:

This past summer, L.L.Bean debuted its first outdoor co-working space in partnership with Industrious, complete with individual workspaces, collaborative conference areas, cycling desks, and outdoor team building activities, to encourage people to spend more time outdoors. (Photo: Elena Saido)

• 82% of indoor workers liked or loved the concept of an outdoor workspace.
• Workers believe there are tangible benefits to working outside. The top five perceived benefits are: improved mood (74%); lowered stress level (71%); relaxation (69%); promotion of health and wellness (66%); and increased happiness (64%)
• Respondents say they are most likely to do creative work (77%), brainstorms (73%), or one-on-one discussions (73%) outside. They are least likely to do computer-based work (41%) or conference calls (32%).

Steve Smith, President and CEO of L.L.Bean, said he hopes the initiative “will inspire employees to be creative in finding new ways to incorporate outdoor time in their day. We also hope that by demonstrating the benefits, employers will be supportive of this idea.”

Take the case of Pasadena, CA based Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., which has won multiple awards for its “cluster model” of sustainable buildings and campuses. It cites its mission as “to create ecosystems that ignite and accelerate the world’s most innovative companies.” This means, among other things, providing amenities such as multi-use open green spaces and organic gardens (with accompanying cafes) for its life science tenant companies. At the Torrey Pines Science Park in San Diego, CA, employees can reportedly enjoy lunchtime bocce games, a barbeque patio, or sit in an Adirondack chair beside a garden. “It’s not just the building—it’s also a lifestyle,” Daniel Ryan, Alexandria’s San Diego regional marketing director and executive vice president told the La Jolla Light. “What’s unique about this is the ability to really accelerate discovery.”

Horn concurs. “Having outdoor amenities within and part of the workplace landscape provides opportunity for employees to be more active, and to engage with nature and their peers. This more casual and natural environment provides varied social opportunities that contribute to team building and finding opportunities for casual conversations and engagement—and potential innovations.”

Commercial Landscape Trends

For facility executives, the message is clear: inviting outdoor spaces can not only enhance corporate perception, but can facilitate meaningful work. And measures need not be extreme. Walking paths, shade canopies, comfortable seating, and attractive landscaping can all go a long way. In fact, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) reports 7% higher rental rates for commercial offices having high-quality landscapes. According to NALP, some of the current trends in commercial landscapes include:

After an initial conversion project delivered significant water and cost savings, Oracle plans to install smart irrigation products at all its California locations. (Photo: Oracle)

Experiential landscape design. Walking and biking paths, outdoor eating areas, garden views, and even the aforementioned bocce or BBQ areas all allow interaction with nature and peers. “Having beautiful grounds makes a facility more inviting to work for, and some companies have developed walking paths and garden areas for employees to have lunch,” says Brian Schoenthaler, marketing coordinator for Grasshopper. “Grounds are typically not high on the order of facilities. However, besides the buildings, they reflect on the company’s image… Landscaping design of new facilities is becoming a higher priority than previous years.”

Climate-cognizant landscaping. Design elements like hardier hardscape materials, retractable awnings, and outdoor heaters allow for extreme or unpredictable weather patterns. Horn comments, “Our best recommendation is to understand the natural processes that impact sites, to work with nature instead of against it, and leveraging the landscape’s inherent ability to respond and repair.”

Water management and conservation. Native plant use (accustomed to the climate and less water dependent); xeriscaping (designing with low-water use plants); and smarter irrigation technology can aid in more sustainable landscapes—and great cost savings. At Oracle’s Redwood City and Santa Clara, CA facilities, a savings of $573,000 was realized by converting 50 conventional controllers to smart controllers over a three-month period. The project saved 91 million gallons of potable water in one year, reducing consumption by 29%.

“We take the plant type, sprinkler type, slope, and soil type and combine them into a formula to determine the water needs for each zone,” says Brandon DeYoung, vice president general manager at BrightView, which conducted the conversion at Oracle and maintains the grounds. “The controllers also alert us of any issues from the last water cycle.” In addition to using HydroPoint WeatherTRAK controllers, BrightView planted native plants and changed to drip irrigation with high-efficient matched precipitation rate nozzles. With awards from the Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards Coalition, Oracle has decided to install smart irrigation products at all its California locations.

Enhanced Equipment

The many forms of new technology are indeed making their mark on landscaping equipment, perhaps most notably in the area of ergonomics. According to NALP, the latest tools on the market “consider ease of use and storage while incorporating more eco-friendly innovations. Many lawn mowers, leaf blowers and similar equipment feature low or no emissions, are battery-powered, and are quieter.”

Ergonomics. Landscape equipment manufacturers agree. “Consider the cost of finding, training and replacing [service] employees,” says Schoenthaler. “Grasshopper spends a tremendous about of time in testing and designing products that are durable and ergonomic for the operator.” He continues, “Grasshopper mowers are built with the operator in mind. Seats and footrests are iso-mounted to eliminate vibration to the operator. Hydra-smooth, swing-away steering levers are dampened to provide that comfortable Grasshopper feel and they return to neutral when let go. The result is a smoother ride that leaves the employee less fatigued at the end of the day and helps retain employees.”

Pierre Pereira, director of sales, N.A. for Billy Goat Industries Inc. also sees more ergonomics built into their products. “It used to be a chore product, but the last few years, it’s all about making the job easier.” He mentions how heavy, boxy and noisy backpack blowers with steel housings are now being replaced by lighter, rounder, quieter ones of composite materials.

Productivity. Evolving product design is also making tasks less time consuming. “Mechanical transmissions couldn’t match the actual ground speed to the work,” says Pereira. “Now hydro drive transmissions make that easier.” Mentioning Billy Goat’s new self-propelled PLUGR 25” Hydro-Drive Aerator, he says moving from drum style to reciprocating technology also offers advances in production speed. It’s also easier to maneuver with smoother turning without lifting.

Grasshopper uses the time savings of its zero turn maneuverability and applies it to snow removal, leaf collection, clearing sidewalks, edging, and more. With the company’s FrontMount Power Units, operators remove the front-mounted cutting deck and replace it with commercial-grade implements that cost less than walk-behind or backpack implements. Tasks can also be finished in less time, with less labor.

Connectivity. “Professionals are also integrating more technology—mobile apps, 3D modeling, and drones—into landscape planning,” asserts NALP.

At Billy Goat, a major enhancement has been its “text to video” informational program, available across its entire rental product line. Visual guidance from basic use to changing a belt can be accessed with a text. “It’s a game changer for facilities executives and their personnel,” comments Pereira. He expects telemetrics and “connectivity to your machine” will be an even greater focus moving forward. “Imagine thinking, ‘Did he cut the back quad?’ then checking your computer or mobile device and seeing it was cut at 2pm on Wednesday,” he says.

Pereira recalls a presentation from Adam Lawver, director of campus services at Michigan State University, on developing an evidence-based Landscape Management Plan model that is revolutionizing how the university’s Landscape Services group manages and funds the maintenance of the 2,100-acre developed campus. It involved intelligently mapping the entire campus down to the last sprinkler and equipping personnel with over 1,100 mobile devices, says Pereira. “All the jobs and details are there on your device. From a facility point of view, think of how valuable that is.”

Lawver writes, “A landscape management plan with focused metrics is critical to maintain a safe and aesthetically pleasing physical environment. We decided to go one step further and align the campus master plan and the landscape management plan—the long-term theoretical vision and the day-to-day operational reality—with realistic metrics that allow us to strategically manage with limited resources.” Pereira says the project started with one section to justify the numbers. “It’s amazing. The huge efficiency gains make it pay for itself.”

“Anything that can help you understand, track, manage and analyze your site certainly is valuable,” says Horn. “Long-term data collection will deepen your understanding of the site, and be highly informative for maintenance planning and evaluation. I suspect it would also assist in management and overall facility planning.”

As a final thought, Horn says, “If we look to our university and college campuses you’ll see a very high value placed on the outdoor environment. There’s a direct correlation to successful student recruitment and enrollment. Applying this same sort of attitude—that the exterior environment is the new ‘workforce frontier’ is different than the neat, clean, and somewhat non-descript landscapes of corporate America. While change is slow, we are seeing significant new design and retrofit projects that represent rethinking outdoor environments and making them more social, more dynamic, and more sustainable.”

Menapace served as a former managing editor of Facility Executive for six years. Currently a professional freelance writer and editor, she has over 25 years of experience in publishing, journalism, copywriting, and marketing.

Do you have a comment? Join the conversation in the Comments section below or send an email to the Editor at acosgrove@groupc.com.

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