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Bobcat Introduces TL623 Telehandler
Jessica Schwartz
Deere Debuts Autonomous Tractor
We’ve seen the rise of autonomous mowers, cars, and even snow plows. But now we can add tractors to the list! During a press conference Tuesday at CES 2022, John Deere revealed a fully autonomous tractor that’s ready for large-scale production. The machine combines Deere’s 8R tractor, TruSet-enabled chisel plow, GPS guidance system, and new advanced technologies. The autonomous tractor will be available later this year. Geared toward farmers, the autonomous tractor serves a specific purpose: feeding the world. The global population is expected to grow from about 8 billion to nearly 10 billion people by 2050, increasing the global food demand by 50%. Not unlike landscapers, farmers must accomplish their jobs with less available skilled labor, while working through variables like changing weather conditions and climate, variations in soil quality, and the presence of weeds and pests. The autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360˚ obstacle detection and the calculation of distance. Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds and determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected. The autonomous tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is within less than an inch of accuracy. To use the autonomous tractor, farmers only need to transport the machine to a field and configure it for autonomous operation. Using John Deere Operations ...
Deere Debuts Autonomous Tractor
We’ve seen the rise of autonomous mowers, cars, and even snow plows. But now we can add tractors to the list! During a press conference Tuesday at CES 2022, John Deere revealed a fully autonomous tractor that’s ready for large-scale production. The machine combines Deere’s 8R tractor, TruSet-enabled chisel plow, GPS guidance system, and new advanced technologies. The autonomous tractor will be available later this year. Geared toward farmers, the autonomous tractor serves a specific purpose: feeding the world. The global population is expected to grow from about 8 billion to nearly 10 billion people by 2050, increasing the global food demand by 50%. Not unlike landscapers, farmers must accomplish their jobs with less available skilled labor, while working through variables like changing weather conditions and climate, variations in soil quality, and the presence of weeds and pests. The autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360˚ obstacle detection and the calculation of distance. Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds and determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected. The autonomous tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is within less than an inch of accuracy. To use the autonomous tractor, farmers only need to transport the machine to a field and configure it for autonomous operation. Using John Deere Operations ...
Maximize Winter Productivity With Turf Teq Machines
Sponsored by When it comes to winter snow removal contracts, grounds care professionals know that speed and productivity can make or break their season. And with economic uncertainty in the forecast, a profitable winter is critical to the health of landscaping and snow removal businesses nationwide. In fact, businesses that figure out how to get the most out of their crews and equipment this year stand to gain the most in 2021 and beyond. According to Tyler Templeton, General Manager of Turf Teq, demand is high for a certain type of snow removal machine. “Folks are looking for ways to do more with less. For their business to stay strong, they need to complete more work in less time, and with less manpower.” That means they’re looking for machinery that will help them work faster and smarter. Turf Teq manufactures walking-forward, commercial-grade brooms and plows that are designed to save time, and that’s a key benefit going into this winter season. These machines are especially fast at clearing sidewalks, allowing one laborer to replace a full crew of shovelers. Says Templeton, “Our customers tell us that they’re choosing our machines because they’ll get more work done in less time. Or in some cases due to labor shortages, they want to get the same amount of work done but with less manpower. It’s win-win for them either way.” Machines Designed For Productivity Turf Teq designs their snow removal machines to maximize productivity in a number of ways. According to ...
Get Equipped: Snowplows & Attachments
Take a look at this assortment of snowplows and attachments that can improve and add value to your professional snow and ice management services. SK-R 6 Box Plow From BOSS Snowplow The SK-R 6 joins the SK-R 8 and SK-R 10 to expand BOSS’ line of SK Box Plows for tractors, skid steers, and other compact vehicle equipment. SK Box Plows from BOSS are designed to put the full force and maneuverability of compact vehicle equipment into getting the pavement back to black. The floating edge and pivot system keep the cutting edge in contact with the pavement regardless of the contour. The new SK-R 6 features a reversible 1” rubber cutting edge designed for quieter plowing operation and better protection to sensitive surfaces. The SK-R 6 joins the five other models in the SK Box Plow line; it features a 79” width, four vertical ribs, and two horizontal pans. SG Snowplow From Steel Green Don’t let your fertilizer spreader/sprayer sit unused all winter long. The SG Snowplow attaches to Steel Green Manufacturing spreader-sprayer machines and enables contractors to utilize this equipment for snow plowing. The SG Snowplow is compatible with Steel Green models SG46 and SG52. Steel Green purchased the rights to manufacture the Z-Plow™ and is producing a snowplow attachment to transform its zero-turn spreader/sprayer into a sidewalk snow-removing machine with up to 350 pounds of salt-spreading capacity. The SG Snowplow is made with all stainless-steel construction and resists corrosion from salt and liquid deicer. It features a poly plow blade, ...
Get Equipped: Plows And Attachments
Take a look at these five plows and attachments that can improve your professional snow and ice management services. Challenger & Snow Blades by Cub Cadet Whether you’re removing snow from a driveway or clearing walking paths, Cub Cadet has two UTV snow blades for the job. If you’re plowing walking trails or campus pathways, the 58-inch blade is specifically designed for the Cub Cadet Challenger 400 4×4, with heavy-duty 13-gauge steel and e-coat for protection. For larger snow removal jobs such as parking lots, the Cub Cadet 72-inch snow blade allows operators to plow snow from the comfort of an enclosed Challenger MX 550 or MX 750 EPS cabin. Both kits include blade, side markers, skid shoes, rubber flap, and synthetic rope. Heavy-Duty XV2™ V-Plow by Fisher Engineering Measuring 10 feet 6 inches wide, this new model is designed to fit Class four to six vehicles, is offered in both powder coated and stainless steel, and is available with optional new FISHER INTENSIFIRE™ LED headlamps with EdgeView™ Technology. It’s constructed with four vertical ribs and eight exclusive x-bracing ribs that provide structural integrity and torsional strength. The flared wings soar from a 35-inch center height up to 45 inches at the outer edges. The new model has a larger center snow control, a new T-Frame that uses a solid, one-piece construction, and includes integrated blade angle stops and an oscillating pivot bar. Other features include a trip-edge design to get over bumps and hidden obstacles whether in V, ...
Husqvarna + Yeti = Autonomous Grass Cutting & Snow Plowing
Husqvarna Group recently announced an investment in Yeti Snow Technology, a Norwegian company delivering autonomous snow clearance systems to airports. Husqvarna, together with original investors, Semcon and Øveraasen, now hold equal parts in Yeti. The collaboration in Yeti is aimed at further exploring autonomous solutions for airports and more, including robotic grass cutting, in which Husqvarna is an industry leader. Yeti, for its part, is the first in the world to operate autonomous snow clearance systems and trucks in a live airport environment in Norway. Together with solutions from Husqvarna Group, the aim is to provide airport operators with a more comprehensive autonomous solution for all seasons of the year. For Husqvarna Group, the collaboration means entering a brand-new market but evolving its existing solutions. Grass cutting at airports is a key safety issue. Tall grass attracts birds that can potentially be drawn into aircraft engines causing security hazards. Autonomous robotic grass cutters provide a cost efficient and flexible way of always keeping the green spaces surrounding runways and taxiways in great shape, minimizing the risk of bird strikes. Also, manual grass cutting is not only time consuming and costly, but requires a continuous scale-up and down of task force depending on season. Autonomous machines can operates 24/7 enabling high operational efficiency, while digital control decreases human error and enhances safety, a top priority for airports. “Autonomous technology has been a focus for quite some time at Husqvarna Group. By combining our know-how with the knowledge and experience of our ...
SnowEx, Fisher Raffle At GIE+EXPO Benefits Susan G. Komen Kentucky
For the seventh year in a row, Douglas Dynamics’ brands Fisher® and SnowEx® sold raffle tickets at the GIE+EXPO, October 21-23, 2019, in Louisville, KY, for a chance to win a limited-edition pink Fisher XV2 V-plow and SnowEx HELIXX poly hopper spreader. Douglas Dynamics raised a total of $11,173, with all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen® Kentucky. In total, the company has raised more than $85,000 for the charity since 2013. Anna Miller from Casa Grande, AZ, was the winner of the Fisher XV2 V-plow, and Chad Green from Dyer, IN, won the SnowEx HELIXX poly hopper spreader. “We’re thrilled to announce the money raised for Susan G. Komen Kentucky through our equipment raffles at GIE+EXPO,” said Katie Sandieson, director of advertising and business communications for Douglas Dynamics. “Given the timing of the show coinciding with breast cancer awareness month, and the great support we’ve consistently received from lawn and landscape professionals, this has always been the ideal event to focus our efforts. We’d like to thank everyone who helped make this another successful fundraising year!” Booth space for the promotion at GIE+EXPO was donated by Sellers Expositions; Hedstrom Plastics donated the pink poly hopper for the HELIXX hopper spreader; and Fern Exposition Services donated the booth furnishings.
Seven Steps To Reducing Your Salt Use
Not ready or can’t make a big investment in equipment that can help you reduce your company’s salt usage? It’s OK to start small and to grow and invest as you’re able – even the most basic steps can result in big gains. 1. YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE Examine your current operations to identify areas of weakness or opportunities for improvement in material inventory and tracking, product types, application rates, calibration processes, etc. This could take awhile to identify and correct, so be patient! A hastily implemented plan can result in failure or unrealistic and unrealized expectations. 2. BABY STEPS They say: “Go big or go home!” But that may not be the best rallying cry when it comes to wholesale changes in your salt management program. Consider clients who might be receptive to experimentation with application rates, alternative products, etc. Once you have success on one site, expand your horizons. 3. EXPAND YOUR PRODUCT TOOLBOX Consider treated products that can be used in colder temperatures and when dealing with longer-duration storms can generally allow you to use less. If treated salt is cost prohibitive, consider purchasing a liquid product to prewet your salt stockpile. Take it a step further by adding a system to your spreaders to prewet salt at the spinner. 4. GET YOUR FEET WET Research anti-icing as a prestorm tool to reduce bonding of snow and ice. Do your homework and test and train before starting with liquids. Again, start small. Sidewalks are a great ...
