Archive for June, 2010

Employee Spotlight: Lenny Magnall

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

To put it lightly, our employees rock –every single one of them. They’re the reason Exmark mowers are tough, reliable and deliver the best cut in the industry. To show our appreciation to all of the hard-working men and women who make this place tick, we’re going to feature one employee a month. Consider this to be the first of many “Thank Yous.”

Lenny Magnall – Customer Service Technician

13 years and counting.

In a nutshell, Lenny is a problem solver. Whether it’s over the phone or during face-to-face visits, he can answer questions that deal with everything from electrical issues to warranty inquiries to that clickity-click-veeee sound a mower is making while idling.

But answering questions is only part of what he does. Lenny’s also a presenter, video editor and website developer. During the off-season, he’s a road warrior, traveling around the country to speak with dealers, distributors and technicians in person. There isn’t much this guy can’t do.

On a scale of one to 10, Lenny gives his job in the customer service department a 15. His tenure in Research and Development also ranks pretty high. But he’ll never forget starting out as a welder. Putting mowers together was quite an experience. And wielding a blowtorch wasn’t bad either.

When he’s not working, Lenny’s busy fishing and coaching his three boys’ sports teams. As for mowing the lawn, you’ll rarely see him with his Exmark walk-behind. That’s because his wife has taken the reins. He would say something, but then he wouldn’t have as much time for everything else on his plate.

New Product Announcement: Exmark-Branded Engine Oil

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Much like cars, mowers tend to have different personalities. You have your workhorse or your sleek rider. And much like car enthusiasts, there’s a breed of devout mower enthusiasts. On occasion, the two are one and the same. But whatever camp you happen to fall in, you probably know that a mower shouldn’t be treated like a car, especially where engine oil is concerned. Up until now, your options were limited.

Engine oil specifically designed for mowers didn’t exist. What was available was a common blend almost identical to oils manufactured for the automotive industry. Seeing the need for oil specific to the lubrication requirements of the mower, we’re excited to announce our newest product, Exmark-branded engine oil that’s formulated to deliver everything a mower needs.   It’ll help boost performance and, along with regular maintenance, it’ll help extend the life of your machine. You won’t get that out of the car oil blends.

Key benefits of the new oil include:

  • Both SAE 30 and SAE 10W-30 in one bottle.
  • Contains increased levels of zinc and phosphorus for increased lubricity.
  • No Viscosity Index Improvers that tend to shear down in high heat.
  • Synthetic formulation.
  • Gas & Diesel compatible.
  • Anti-corrosion additives.
  • API ‘SL’ and JASO rated with wet clutch compatibility for other machines in your fleet.

Check out our new Exmark engine oil and see what it can do for your Exmark here.

Keeping the Rays at Bay

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Ahhhhh, mowing – being outdoors, surrounded by the scent of freshly-mowed grass, no walls or fluorescent lights or cubicles standing between you and nature, the feeling of instant gratification that comes with turning a plain lawn into a masterpiece – there’s nothing like it.

The only catch is, spending all that time outside during the prime summer months, when the sun is at its most relentless, can be bad news for your skin. The rays are at their worst between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Aside from painful sunburn, you’ll increase your chances of skin cancer. Fortunately you can protect yourself with a few easy steps.

It’s all in the timing.

When you apply your sunscreen is just as important as actually applying sunscreen. So slather it on 30 minutes before you head out to maximize its effectiveness. And don’t forget to reapply every few hours to keep your skin protected.

Choose the right amount.

Most people think a little squirt of sunscreen will do the job. Those people usually end up burned. What you need is at least a shot-glass full to cover your entire body.

The right outfit.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but what you wear can make a difference in protecting your skin. The color, thickness of material and tightness of the fabric’s weave all contribute to a piece of clothing’s SPF rating.  Clothing’s SPF can range from less than 10 for a plain white T-shirt to more than 50 for sun-protective clothes.

If you get burned.

If you do end up with a sunburn, there are several things you can do to treat it.  The first is to take an anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen to help reduce swelling.  The second is to use a sunburn spray or gel and apply it directly to the burn. Skip the heavy lotions though; they can actually prevent the skin from cooling down.

Do you have any tricks for protecting yourself from the sun? Post a comment and tell us all about it.

To Rent or to Own?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Gas prices, economic uncertainty, unpredictable weather – there’s always something chipping away at your bottom line. You’re forced to find different ways of cutting cost and hopefully staying in the black. One thing landscape pros often think about is whether to buy or rent machines. If you’re in that camp, there are some matters to consider that may help you reach the best decision.

Start by thinking about the region you work in, the amount of time you devote to your business and the style of work you do.

If you’re just starting out, only mow part time or live in an area where lawn maintenance is a concern only a few months out of the year, then renting may be your best and most cost effective option.

Buying is a better alternative for those who’ve been in the business long enough to know exactly what they need. Also consider buying if you live in an area where lawn maintenance takes place close to year round.

You also have the option of doing both: buying core equipment, like a commercial-grade mower, and renting other tools as they become necessary.

To see even more saving solutions, check out our past posts Tax Tips and Maintenance Advice. By the way, if you haven’t read our Spring Maintenance Series, now is the time.  Proper maintenance will save you hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars later on.

Got more ideas? Share with us in the comments.

This post is by Bruce Cooper the director of sales at Exmark Manufacturing.