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Bobcat Introduces TL623 Telehandler
Jessica Schwartz
Achieving Liquidity In Snow Services
ICYMI: Winter’s not done with us yet–which means salting, spreading, and plowing aren’t done with us yet either. Find out how John Langton’s crew at Langton Group in Woodstock, IL makes salt brine profitable. The good, bad, and profit potential of liquids. What many snow operators don’t realize is that they’re already using liquids in some way. When applying rock salt and pre-wetting or using treated salt, you are using liquids as an accelerant to speed up the melting process. Even when you are using just rock salt, you are still using liquids. Let me explain. You apply rock salt to a coating of snow, the rock salt uses the liquid in the snow to mix into a liquid salt brine, which then effectively lowers the freezing point, turning the snow into liquid! Now that we realize we all have experience using liquids at some level, let’s talk about what holds most contractors back from going all in. Most people fear change. We get caught up in the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” mentality. Here’s the problem with that: the system is broken. Applications of bulk rock salt are often more than what is needed to get the job done safely. Liquids can help with achieving lower application rates on both pre- and post-event treatments. Additionally, it can dramatically lower application rates on post treatments, even if you choose to apply bulk rock salt at that point. What holds most contractors back is slip and fall liability, capital ...
The Robots Are Here!
But who’s using them and how? If you’re like a lot of lawn and landscape businesses right now, you might be standing on the other side of robotics and wondering if there’s any scenario in which they make sense for you. In the past, it may have been easy to dismiss these zippy autonomous mowers as a novel curiosity or passing trend. But as the labor shortage intensifies, robotic mowers continue to improve, new mandates demand battery-powered equipment, and clients look for cutting-edge, greener practices, you may now be second-guessing that stance. Joe Langton, CEO of Langton Group, a landscaping business in Woodstock, IL, first saw a robotic mower at a trade show. He says he realized its relevance boiled down to a simple equation: The mower cost and the cost-per-acre compared to his current labor rate and cost-per-acre. “I realized I could be more affordable with robotics,” Langton says. At the time, he found support for robotic mowers from local dealers was minimal to null. So Langton founded Automated Outdoor Solutions (AOS), a company for landscape professionals who want to incorporate autonomous mowers into their businesses. Now, he creates content on a You-Tube channel, Automating Success, in which he shares his expertise in getting started. Currently, Langton Group is 20% robotic, but Langton’s goal is to be 80% in the next five years. He says that robotics makes sense for most landscapers, particularly if they’re currently seeing any profit loss in mowing services. Getting Started Getting started in robotics ...
The Robots Are Here!
But who’s using them and how? If you’re like a lot of lawn and landscape businesses right now, you might be standing on the other side of robotics and wondering if there’s any scenario in which they make sense for you. In the past, it may have been easy to dismiss these zippy autonomous mowers as a novel curiosity or passing trend. But as the labor shortage intensifies, robotic mowers continue to improve, new mandates demand battery-powered equipment, and clients look for cutting-edge, greener practices, you may now be second-guessing that stance. Joe Langton, CEO of Langton Group, a landscaping business in Woodstock, IL, first saw a robotic mower at a trade show. He says he realized its relevance boiled down to a simple equation: The mower cost and the cost-per-acre compared to his current labor rate and cost-per-acre. “I realized I could be more affordable with robotics,” Langton says. At the time, he found support for robotic mowers from local dealers was minimal to null. So Langton founded Automated Outdoor Solutions (AOS), a company for landscape professionals who want to incorporate autonomous mowers into their businesses. Now, he creates content on a You-Tube channel, Automating Success, in which he shares his expertise in getting started. Currently, Langton Group is 20% robotic, but Langton’s goal is to be 80% in the next five years. He says that robotics makes sense for most landscapers, particularly if they’re currently seeing any profit loss in mowing services. Getting Started Getting started in robotics ...
AGZA Collaboration Creates Robotic Green Zones
The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) has formed a collaboration with Automated Outdoor Solutions (AOS) and the Langton Group which benefits people, the planet, and profits. AOS sells, installs, and maintains robotic mowing systems and Langton Group is a premier landscaping company providing enhancing landscaping designs. The collaborative group has created five robotic AGZA Certified Green Zones in three locations in Illinois: in Woodstock for companies including Sweetwater, Woodstock Sterile Solutions, and Dura Bar; in Geneva for Marklund; and in Marengo for Thompson Linear. An AGZA Certified Green Zone is a defined area of land on which routine landscape maintenance is performed with the use of quiet, low impact equipment using battery, electric, robotic, and people-powered tools. Green Zones are created through a structured, multi-step program designed to achieve a transition away from fossil fuel-based landscape maintenance. It has become the independently verified standard for low impact and sustainable grounds maintenance operations with education and certification at the core of the program. AOS President Joe Langton, and dozens of his employees at AOS and the Langton Group, were among the first to become AGZA Service Pro® Certified. The Certification Course – a 15 lesson online course available in Spanish and English – was developed to help achieve professional competence in the new technologies.“The feedback was positive with employees appreciating the quality of the course and its comprehensive coverage” said Langton. Training in the use of battery electric equipment, and proper set-up and installation of robotics and power hubs in the ...
AGZA Collaboration Creates Robotic Green Zones
The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) has formed a collaboration with Automated Outdoor Solutions (AOS) and the Langton Group which benefits people, the planet, and profits. AOS sells, installs, and maintains robotic mowing systems and Langton Group is a premier landscaping company providing enhancing landscaping designs. The collaborative group has created five robotic AGZA Certified Green Zones in three locations in Illinois: in Woodstock for companies including Sweetwater, Woodstock Sterile Solutions, and Dura Bar; in Geneva for Marklund; and in Marengo for Thompson Linear. An AGZA Certified Green Zone is a defined area of land on which routine landscape maintenance is performed with the use of quiet, low impact equipment using battery, electric, robotic, and people-powered tools. Green Zones are created through a structured, multi-step program designed to achieve a transition away from fossil fuel-based landscape maintenance. It has become the independently verified standard for low impact and sustainable grounds maintenance operations with education and certification at the core of the program. AOS President Joe Langton, and dozens of his employees at AOS and the Langton Group, were among the first to become AGZA Service Pro® Certified. The Certification Course – a 15 lesson online course available in Spanish and English – was developed to help achieve professional competence in the new technologies.“The feedback was positive with employees appreciating the quality of the course and its comprehensive coverage” said Langton. Training in the use of battery electric equipment, and proper set-up and installation of robotics and power hubs in the ...
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 ...
