Upfront: Green movement evident at GIE+EXPO
By Steve Noe
As I took in the sights and sounds at the second annual Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) Oct. 23-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., I was reminded of an excellent speech delivered by Paul Bartelt, then-president of Kohler Engines, in mid-April 2007.
In his speech, which was the keynote address at the Equipment and Engine Training Council’s 11th annual conference and titled “Innovation, Service and the Future,” Bartelt noted three key industry trends: 1) Increased sales through retail channels; 2) The Wired Generation; and 3) The Greening of America. Though he listed “The Greening of America” last, he predicted that it would make the biggest impact of the three trends on our industry during the next five years.
About 18 months later, Bartelt’s prediction looked to be right on the mark at GIE+EXPO as green, or environmentally friendly, products stole the show.
Kohler announced that it will introduce the first flex-fuel electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine with its Command PRO 30 gasoline twin-cylinder model in March 2009 and will convert all of its Command PRO air-cooled and Aegis liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engines to this technology over the next two years. Several other engine manufacturers also unveiled environmentally friendly engines (see page 38).
Hustler Turf Equipment, which introduced the first gasoline-powered zero-turn riding mower in 1964, made history once again at this year’s show by unveiling the world’s first all-electric zero-turn riding mower. Known as the Hustler Zeon, this eco-friendly mower is powered by a 48-volt computer-controlled battery system called Smartec (developed by Hydro-Gear), which eliminates the need and cost for gasoline, oil, spark plugs, belts, pulleys and filters. On a single charge, the Zeon will quietly cut up to 80 minutes or slightly more than one acre of grass, making it more of a residential mower. However, Hustler Turf Equipment underscored its commitment to expanding the line, so don’t be surprised to see it produce a commercial electric-powered zero-turn riding mower.
Likewise, Ecosport unveiled an all-electric residential lawn tractor called the Whisper Mow. It is available in 36- and 48-volt models that mow up to 80 and 100 minutes, respectively, and can recharge from a standard 110-amp household service outlet in approximately 10 hours.
Exmark announced that all diesel-powered Lazer Z XS mid-mount zero-turn riding mowers in its 2009 model year lineup (serial #790,000 or higher) will be B20 Biodiesel ready.
Scag Power Equipment unleashed a dual-fuel Turf Tiger mower that allows the operator to run the machine on gasoline or liquid propane and switch from one fuel source to the other with the simple flip of a switch — even while mowing. Other propane-powered mowers on display were made by Ariens (Gravely brand), Bad Boy, Dixie Chopper, EnviroGard, Ferris, Husqvarna and Zipper Mowers.
In addition to the propane-powered mower, Husqvarna introduced several other green products, including the Automower Solar Hybrid and Automower 230 ACX fully robotic mowers, TB 1000 battery-powered cultivator, and 540 Novolette and 54 Exclusive push reel mowers — all of which run without the use of gasoline.
Schiller-Pfeiffer Inc. also rolled out two reel mowers (manually operated push and battery-powered cordless models) under the Mantis brand.
These were just a few of the many green products that were introduced at GIE+EXPO. And if Bartelt’s prediction holds true, which I strongly believe it will, look for the green movement to continue to grow in our industry.
OPE Editor Steve Noe
snoe@m2media360.com
