Turf, Lawn & Garden.

Wide-Area Mower

John Deere's 1600 wide-area mower was designed specifically for parks, golf courses, educational facilities and other institutional applications where speed equals economy. It can cover 8.5 acres an hour at 6.5 mph and has a transport speed of up to 14.4. The mower has

Reader Service #170

Hydro WalkBehind

Hustler's line of new Hydro WalkBehinds has deck sizes of 37", 48" and 54" and Kawasaki air-cooled engines in 15 and 17 hp. The mower is built of reinforced 3/16" welded steel with formed doublers at key wear points. The company says the leading edge of the deck's box section reinforcement makes it up to 25 times stronger than the leading competitor and virtually eliminates deck "fold under." It features H-bar steering with simple motorcycle-style controls. Zero-degree turns reduce the need for trimming.

Reader Service #171

Woods Rear Discharge

The Turf Batwing line is the new generation of flexible wing finish mowers from Woods Equipment. It is available in three models: 7144RD, with seven spindles and a 12' cutting width; 9180RD, with nine spindles and a 15' cutting width; and 9204RD, with nine spindles and a 17' cutting width. They feature a three-point hitch, single V-belt drive, industrial quality blade spindles with tapered roller bearings and stagger mounted caster wheels. Woods says the mower is capable of cutting up to 8.8 acres per hour.

Reader Service #172

LasTec Articulator

Model 425D's four individual 25" articulating mower decks have a total cut-path of eight feet. The zero-turn radius riding mower is powered by a Kubota 38-hp, water-cooled diesel engine. A unique system allows remote deck height changes from the operator's seat, and a hydraulic system lifts the mower deck automatically for transport or maintenance. Features include headlights and flashers, extra-wide tires and certified ROPS. Reader Service #173

Swisher ZTR Mower

Swisher's concentration on lawn care products resulted in the "Big Mow" zero-turning-radius mower. It was designed to provide 360-degree pivots, which the company says is used for close-in cutting around trees, shrubs, lawn ornaments and any area that requires sharp turns without stopping or changing gears. The mower features a 32" cutting deck and an 8-hp engine.

Reader Service#174

Land Pride Powered Rake

Land Pride says the PR1572 3-point powered rake, with a 72" width and close coupling, is just right for the landscaper. It was designed for use with 25 HP and above compact tractors. It has two roller choices, an adjustable material control deflector and 20-degree left and right angling. It moves dirt like a boxscraper, windrows rocks like a rake and works the soil like a pulverizer.

Reader Service #176

Derby Stallion

Simplicity's Ferris Industries introduces the Derby line of professional-quality lawn mowers designed for homeowner use. The Stallion, one of line's three models, is a 23-hp mid-mount zero-turning riding mower. It features a patent-pending independent suspension system of control arms and coil springs on the drive wheels, so each wheel can move up and down to increase operator comfort, mowing speeds, traction and mower life. It is powered by a Kohler V-twin engine and has a dual hydro drive system. MSRP is $7,299. Reader Service #175

Barreto Trencher

This hydraulic walk-along trencher, built to withstand demanding use, is available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Barreto says the trencher has a unique hydraulic headshaft drive system that eliminates the need for gears, chains and belts and that the trencher's shaft will always turn straight and true. Other features include ground speed control, chain reverse lever and optional trailer. The trencher won't jam up, according to the company.

Reader Service #177

330H Hole Digger

General Equipment's 330H hole digger was designed for professional contractor-related markets. Operator handles, fabricated form high tensile plastic, flex under load to help absorb shock and stress. It features a totally enclosed spur gear transmission with an all-metal centrifugal clutch. It handles augers up to 18 inches in diameter, in standard three-foot digging lengths. Greater depths can be done by adding full length, flighted auger extensions.

Reader Service #178

Shindaiwa Hedge Trimmer

The AH230 is Shindaiwa's first ever extended-length articulated hedge trimmer. It features a professional-quality double-sided articulating cutting blade that the company says is ideal for shaping tall hedges and trimming ground cover. It has a 10-position, 150-degree cutting range, articulating gear case, 58" shaft and reciprocating two-sided blade. Power comes from a Shindaiwa 1.1 hp, 230-series engine that has a full anti-vibration system.

Reader Service #179

Top Handle Chain Saw

The German manufacturer SOLO enters the US market for top handle chain saws with model 633. Weighing less than eight pounds, it has a high-performance two-cycle 2.2 cubic-inch displacement engine that delivers 2.0 DIN horsepower. It is equipped with a safety chain brake that engages automatically to stop the chain in fractions of a second. It features a 12" guidebar, electronic ignition, adjustable chain oil flow and ergonomically-grouped controls.

Reader Service #180

Solo Blower

Solo says the Model 470 gas powered backpack blower is the industry's first blower to meet Category I sound levels of the new ANSI standards. The 50-percent reduction in noise is credited to a totally new design, a technologically-advanced engine that reduces engine speeds by nearly 50 percent and still achieves a high air output. Features include a padded backrest, wide carrying straps, quick-release buckles and an anti-vibration system. It retails for $399.

Reader Service #181

John Deere Blower

This Model BP50 backpack blower, with adjustable padded shoulder straps, has 185-mph air velocity and 470-cfm air volume at the end of the tube. It is powered by a 48.6-cc engine and weighs 19.4 pounds. It has a 54-oz fuel tank, operates at 7,000 rpm and has a 69.5 dBA rating at 50 feet. A "pistol type" throttle provides precise control of sweeping force and heavy-duty air filters protect the unit in dusty conditions.

Reader Service #182

Narrow Drive Transaxle

Tuff Torq's K66 narrow drive model, designed for yard tractors and light-duty garden tractors, uses an internal wet disc brake configuration and aluminum die cast housings. Its "d" shaped center section makes the overall package smaller and narrower and allows the input shaft to be centered on the casing. Reduction ratios are 37.22 and 22.19:1, with max tire diameter of 23 and 18 inches, max static weight capacity of 584 lbs. and a dry weight of 50.7 lbs.

Reader Service #183

True Temper Wheelbarrow

The "EZ 2 Handle" wheelbarrow features handle grips contoured to fit the hand, an angled base to prevent the wheelbarrow from tipping while loading and molded grips on the legs to make dumping easier. A steel rollbar on the front provides leverage and balance and prevents the wheelbarrow tray from contacting the ground while dumping. Molded tool clips over the lip of the steel tray are available for carrying long-handled tools.

Reader Service #184

Aero-Flex Trimmer

The company says this trimmer head and line system offers greater control, 20 to 50 times more durable cutting swath diameter, easier re-loading and quieter performance. The system is easily adapted onto most straight and curved shaft trimmers. It features two patented "teardrop" shaped nylon line elements that are inserted into the head and exit from four outlets as line cutters.

Reader Service #185