Archive for November, 2013

Benefits of RED Technology Explained

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

Last week’s GIE+EXPO wrap-up featured an image of the oil barrels Exmark used to demonstrate the fuel savings the EFI and RED Technology-equipped Lazer Z X-Series zero turn rider can deliver. Thanks to increased fuel economy of up to 40 percent, a contractor can save about $1,900 each season on fuel costs alone, based on current prices.

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) a landscape professional can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower. How much can you save, you may ask? If you run 600 hours, you'll save on average 550 gallons of fuel and have about $1,900 in your pocket!

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) you can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower, at current fuel prices. Photo: K. Tauer, Exmark

With such heady efficiency claims, you may be wondering how RED works. In a nutshell, Exmark’s exclusive RED Technology is an on-board intelligence platform that enables communication and response between key systems. RED optimizes mower productivity and durability by actively monitoring and controlling key mower components including the engine and clutch.

Inside this plug resides the brains of the RED system.

Inside this plug resides the brains of the RED system.

RED Technology is Exmark’s green industry-specific adaptation of the active engine monitoring and control that makes modern automobiles so efficient and reliable. RED leverages other on-board engine technologies such as EFI and an electronic governor to deliver both increased efficiency and responsiveness.

The reduced droop of the electronic governor is a key feature that allows Exmark to achieve increased efficiency and performance on RED-equipped mowers.

The reduced droop of the electronic governor is a key feature that allows Exmark to achieve increased efficiency and performance on RED-equipped mowers.

The electronic governor significantly reduces governor droop to offer more consistent blade tip speed and a superior quality of cut. The increased responsiveness of the electronic governor also allows RED to feature three defined performance modes – Low, Efficient and Max. Instead of adjusting a throttle, the operator simply chooses the appropriate level of performance for the task, with the option to significantly reduce fuel consumption without impacting responsiveness when running in Efficient mode.

A three-position rocker switch replaces the mechanical throttle on RED-equipped machines.

A three-position rocker switch replaces the mechanical throttle on RED-equipped machines.

Thanks to the responsiveness of the electronic governor, RED-equipped engines achieve maximum efficiency in Efficient mode, while operating at lower engine RPM. In this setting, blade tip speed is optimized for maximum cut quality and the mower not only uses less fuel, it is quieter and emits fewer emissions, with reduced overall machine wear.

RED also enhances the safety and durability of the Exmark mowers on which it’s equipped. It accomplishes this by actively monitoring vital engine and clutch components to prevent equipment failure in the field. If a situation such as high oil temperature or low oil pressure is detected, RED places the machine in a safe transport mode (clutch disengaged, 2,500 RPM) to prevent permanent damage and allow the machine to be returned for service.

In this age of $3+/gallon gasoline, it’s easy to dream about saving 40 percent on fuel costs. Today that dream is reality for RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series owners. If you’re interested in living the dream, head out to the Exmark website to learn more about Exmark’s exclusive RED Technology and the Lazer Z X-Series mowers it’s featured on.

Click the logo to learn more about RED Technology

Click the logo to learn more about RED Technology

Exmark at GIE+EXPO 2013

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

The 2013 Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) is in the books and by all accounts it was a great show. There was a consistently high level of booth traffic at Exmark’s indoor and outdoor booths, despite near-freezing temperatures during much of the show.

Exmark's "comfort" display included Exmark comfort and Air Ride seats configured as an office chair, love seat, and even a sofa! Image: K. Tauer/Exmark

Exmark's "comfort" display (at right in the photo) featured Exmark comfort and Air Ride seats configured as an office chair, love seat, and even a sofa! Images: K. Tauer/Exmark

Attendees came to see Exmark’s latest innovations, including RED Technology on the Lazer Z X-Series, the UltraCut rear-discharge cutting deck (now available on the Lazer Z S-Series), EFI-propane Lazer Z and Turf Tracer models, and new walk-behind aerators. Each new product innovation was developed to help landscape professionals do more using fewer resources, with increased profitability.

“Doing more with less” was an oft-heard theme during GIE+EXPO 2013, and it’s a goal Exmark has long been focused upon. Our exclusive RED technology is a great example, as it uses intelligent engine and powertrain management to deliver increased efficiency and fuel economy with no sacrifices to the performance of the machine. Learn more about RED Technology and how it contributes to increased efficiency and durability on RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series models.

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) a landscape professional can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower. How much can you save, you may ask? If you run 600 hours, you'll save on average 550 gallons of fuel and have about $1,900 in your pocket!

These barrels represent how much fuel (and money) you can save running a RED-equipped Lazer Z X-Series mower. How much can I save, you may ask? If you run 600 hours in a year, you'll save on average 550 gallons of fuel and have about $1,900 in your pocket!