AED Foundation & SkillsUSA Illinois Support Skilled Trades
Jessica Schwartz
Scythe Robotics Surpasses 5,000 Reservations for its All-Electric Autonomous Mower
Scythe Robotics, a creator of commercial-grade autonomous solutions for the landscaping industry, has surpassed 5,000 reservations for its all-electric, fully autonomous commercial mower, Scythe M.52. Founded in 2018, Scythe has seen demand for M.52 from a broad contractor base— with businesses ranging from $1 million to $100’s of millions in annual revenue. This includes some of the largest and fastest growing businesses in the industry like Yellowstone Landscape, Clean Scapes, and Impact Landscaping & Irrigation. “The excitement that landscape contractors have displayed for M.52 shows the direction the market is moving,” said Jack Morrison, co-founder and CEO of Scythe. “The industry is hungry for technology solutions that not only solve some of its biggest needs like labor and productivity but also deliver the environmental benefits of zero emissions and quieter mowing.” The all-electric Scythe M.52 is designed from the ground up and integrates state-of-the-art autonomy with a rugged commercial-grade, all-electric design. “Landscape contractors agree – M.52 is a game-changer,” says Isaac Roberts, co-founder and COO of Scythe. “It is especially true this year as the season is under way and the labor pains seem to be more severe than ever. Our partners clearly see the opportunity to transform their operations with the next-gen technology and pro-level performance of M.52.” M.52 increases productivity while also improving the quality of cut and worker safety. The mower features a suite of sensors that enable it to operate safely in typical landscaping environments by identifying and responding to the presence of humans, animals, and ...
New Scag EVZ Electrifies Lawn Care
Scag Power Equipment introduces an electric-powered zero-turn riding mower: the EVZ. The EVZ is the first electric-powered unit in Scag’s lawn mower lineup. Clean and quiet operation is ensured whether the EVZ is used at home or on the job. Operators will no longer have to deal with a noisy engine, smelly exhaust, or messy gas cans to keep their lawns looking great. The EVZ is powered by a Vanguard® 48V 5kWh Lithium-Ion commercial battery pack. A Smartec® by Hydro-Gear ZT-2800e™ electric drive system delivers smooth drive power and incredible maneuverability. Smartec D2e™ cutter deck motors provide strong cutting power, yet deliver maximum efficiency for extended run time. The machine features Scag’s Hero™ cutter deck to provide quality-of-cut. Heavy-duty construction ensures years of dependable service and worry-free productivity. Aluminum, sealed ball bearing, blade-drive spindles provide reliable performance season after season. A low-maintenance design offers: fewer grease points; no engine oil to change; and no belts to replace. A variety of features further enhance this mower experience, including standard LED lights which illuminate the way to and from the garage or trailer in low-light conditions. A full-featured display screen shows battery charge level, total hours of machine run time, and system diagnostics. Onboard Bluetooth capabilities offer remote troubleshooting through the Smartec Connect™ and Smartec MyMow® apps. For more Scag news click here.
Announcing First AGZA Certified Green Zone To Use Robotic Mowers
Commercial property owners of Woodstock, IL will soon hear the quiet when their lawns are being maintained by Langton Group since the area is now the state’s first American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) Certified Robotic Green Zone. Not only is this the first AGZA Certified Green Zone in the state of Illinois, but the first Certified Green Zone using robotic mowers. AGZA is a California-based non-governmental organization whose charter is to help communities reduce noise and pollution using hand tools and electric-powered lawn and landscape equipment. The group works with non-profit partner Quiet Communities to establish, monitor, verify, and certify properties using more environmentally friendly solutions in lawn maintenance. “From California to New York, people are recognizing the advantages of reducing the use of gas-powered lawn equipment,” said Dan Mabe, President of AGZA. “We at AGZA help educate citizens, business leaders, and policymakers on the benefits of battery-powered options, which can eliminate gas pollution, reduce noise 40% to 70% and generally improve the quality of life in our communities.” In its first Certified Robotic Green Zone in the state of IL, AGZA is working with Langton Group, a full-service, 250-employee, landscape construction, maintenance, and snow removal company also located in Woodstock, IL. Langton Group, with the help of Automated Outdoor Solutions – another company owned by Joe Langton of Langton Group – is converting its current customer base to automatic daily mowing using Husqvarna Automower® and setting up eco contracts to perform property maintenance with battery equipment. Automated Outdoor Solutions ...
STIHL Donates 100 Mowers To The Fuller Center For Housing
STIHL Inc. recently donated 100 battery powered mowers and accessories – valued at $72,000 – to support The Fuller Center for Housing, an affordable housing 501(c)3 nonprofit that partners with families, community leaders, and organizations to build and refurbish homes. The Fuller Center for Housing’s promise is to provide adequate shelter for people in need in more than 75 U.S. communities and 20 countries around the world. “All the houses we build or restore have something in common — a yard, and yards require maintenance. This gift from STIHL will be of tremendous help to these families as they strive to maintain their new homes,” said David Snell, president of The Fuller Center for Housing. “We’ve learned that one new, well-kept home goes a long way towards improving entire neighborhoods, so the benefit of this gift will go well beyond the new homeowner. We are truly grateful to STIHL for this most generous contribution to making the world a better place for us all.” “The Fuller Center is a vital resource for those in need,” said Roger Phelps, corporate communications manager for STIHL Inc. “We want to help The Fuller Center’s mission by empowering these families with the products they need to easily maintain their new properties. STIHL battery-powered mowers will allow them to do this with at a low operating cost , and with virtually zero ongoing maintenance required.” STIHL Inc. has previously supported the organization through a donation of battery products in 2016. The Fuller Center provides a ...
