Ross selects best of new GCSAA products

In the days leading up to the big show in Atlanta, there was a decided nervousness among members, distributors and the GCSAA anticipating the attendance and success of the show. While the numbers were down slightly, most considered the show a success. Conference-debuted equipment was plentiful in spite of the tough economic times.

The following are my top five awards for new equipment:

- The Toro ProCore 648 walk-behind aerator receives my Most Innovative Design award. Although it will not be available until the 2004 season, it generated large crowds and very high interest. Its features include wheels set under the unit, 48-inch-wide coring width and hydrostatic drive. Because the wheels are set under the machine, Toro said it will not run over plugs, allowing for easier cleanup. While this is a good benefit, Toro may be missing the best benefit of all. With the wheels underneath the machine, the unit does not run over any area that was previously aerified. Therefore, it will not make the wheel marks (indentations) to the green surface as in the past.

- The Best New Electric Concept award goes to Jacobsen’s two new electric E-Walk greensmowers. These units will be available for the upcoming season. One has a stationary cutting head, while the other has a floatation cutting head. Although Jacobsen’s E-Plex has been around for a while, this is their first production of an electric walk greensmower. Each year there is more interest in electric equipment, and with this year’s high fuel costs and increasing noise ordinances, the marketplace may be ripe to embrace this type of unit.

- The Pelzmeter takes the Adios Stimpmeter award. Dave Pelz, a former NASA scientist and a guru of golf instruction, has developed a new unit and method for analyzing green speed. The unit corrects past problems associated with the stimpmeter. It eliminates dimple design, ball jumping and height differential, which were all inherent problems with the Stimpmeter. Whether golfing members will ask in the future, “What are they Pelzing today?” will remain to be seen. One thing is for sure, this unit was not something developed overnight, and just may be rocket science.

- The Most Practical Solution award easily goes to the Dakota Greenwave. This is a portable, high-precision unit made for spot treating with chemicals can also be used for regular hand watering. It comes with an eight-gallon reservoir for chemicals, a proportioner range of 0.2 percent (500:1) to 2.5 percent (40:1), and a flow rate of 0.25gpm minimum to 30gpm maximum. On the surface this unit has great potential, from wetting agents to moss material drenching. It comes as a stand-alone unit that is adjustable to fit in a utility vehicle or as a trailer mount. As critical as water and chemical use are, this could become a money saver with its accuracy for spot treatment.

- The Most Improved Design award goes to White Metal for their cup idea. The two-half cup features a bottom made of zinc, plated with copper, then with chrome for long life. The top piece, which twists into the bottom section, is made of high-impact ABS plastic and is estimated to last three to five months. The idea behind the product is the bottom offers life of two to five years and the preferred sound of the ball hitting metal when dropping into the cup. The top piece is replaceable at a minor cost ($2.50). So, instead of repainting and sometimes purchasing new cups, you just purchase the top piece. This saves money in purchasing costs and also labor costs of sanding and painting. This is a vastly improved idea over the basic cup liners presently on the market.

Ross: Five more products to watch

In addition to my top five, there are several other products that deserve a mention.

- The Sand Storm, produced by Zscreen, is a portable trailer unit made for sifting (cleaning) sand in bunkers, and runs off a 12-volt battery.

- Rain Bird’s Wireless Eagle Rotor (GCN, Feb. 2002), which uses no control wires, could be the high tech wave of the future.

- Harco’s new Swivel Loc lateral connection system and quick coupling stabilizers generated much irrigation-fitting buzz.

- Toro’s new redesigned Greensmaster cutting unit uses sealed reel roller bearing with no more zerk fittings, and very high manufacturing tolerances.

- Last, but not least, Jacobsen’s entry to the fairway verticutting/dethatching market with its 3-reel floatation unit, which is sorely needed.