John Deere has added six models to its P-Tier excavators and one to its G-Tier line.
Aimed to deliver a range of products at different levels of capability and user experience, John Deere debuts its latest P-Tier and G-Tier excavator models to its portfolio of mid-size machines. As part of its Performance Tiering Strategy, John Deere has added the 135, 210, 245, 250, 300 and 345 models to its lineup of P-Tier excavators. In addition, John Deere is introducing a brand-new model to its family of G-Tier excavators: the 200 G-Tier. Motor And Pump Coupling
“Every job site is different, and our customers want excavator options that can be personalized by performance, price and operator experience,” said Justin Steger, solutions marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Our newly expanded lineup of P- and G-Tier excavators, including the brand-new 200 G-Tier, provides machine solutions built for various applications and jobs to enhance profitability and efficiency.”
For customers looking to enhance their job site productivity, the P-Tier excavator models can be counted on to produce at high levels, day in and day out. These models boast advanced features and deliver exceptional performance, efficiency and comfort. Offering improved front-joint durability, the P-Tier mid-size models, including the 135, 210, 245, 250, 300 and 345, promote better performance and operator stability. With grease points at the arm-tip for easy greasing, extended uptime and better torque retention at the clamp, which reduces the likelihood of the front hydraulic pipes moving, the new P-Tier models were designed to provide optimal performance and easier serviceability. In addition, the redesigned boom-foot bushings offer enhanced durability for an extended machine life span.
The latest addition to the John Deere lineup of mid-size excavators is the brand-new 200 G-Tier. Helping to enhance efficiency and reliability without sacrificing power or torque, the PowerTech 4.5-liter engine on the 200 G-Tier delivers optimal performance for operators of all skill levels. In addition, the easy-to-maintain, high-uptime exhaust filters help decrease downtime for service while the in-monitor adjustable flow and pressure auxiliary hydraulics can be easily controlled using the auxiliary function lever.
The Powerwise Plus hydraulic-management system in 200 G-Tier combines extra ability with smooth control and pinpoint finesse. Through intuitive technology, the system delivers on-demand power. Offering precise pump flow, the pilot controls are metered, helping to provide reliable, fuel-efficient machine performance. With the push of a button on the joystick, operators can boost power and toggle on automatic boom-up and lifting functions. In addition, the optional hydraulic single pedal propel system moves the machine when and where you need it to without having to articulate both hand levers and both foot pedals, making for easier operation.
Customers looking to make the most of their machines can benefit from two factory-installed high-pressure, high-flow auxiliary packages, which deliver additional hydraulic capability to power attachments. Aimed to support operator ease of use, the ergonomically correct, short-throw pilot joysticks on the 200 G-Tier provide smooth, precise fingertip control with less movement or effort. Designed to accommodate different operators with the simple flip of a lever, the control pattern-change valve comes standard on the 200 G-Tier, helping to provide consistency on the job. Also standard on the 200 G-Tier is the pattern-control switch, which is conveniently accessible at ground level.
The lineup of John Deere G- and P-Tier excavators can be equipped with a full line of buckets, which are offered to meet the needs of a wide variety of applications. The new hydraulic coupler-ready option includes factory-installed hydraulic plumbing to the end of the arm, additional coupler controls integrated into a switch in the cab and a quick and efficient coupler installation capability. Popular in the underground segment, couplers allow excavators to efficiently switch attachments and get more productive working hours each day.
To learn more about the full lineup of excavators within the John Deere Performance Tiering Strategy, please visit www.JohnDeere.com or visit your local dealer.
Despite Knox Lane's investment, Ruppert management will retain a significant investment in the business.
Knox Lane, an investment firm focused on partnering with businesses in the services and consumer sectors, has acquired a majority stake in Ruppert Landscape, a Lawn & Landscape Top 100 company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Ruppert is a family and employee-owned business and provides commercial landscaping services. Since its founding in 2004, the company has grown to serve over 3,500 customers throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern U.S., employing more than 1,800 professionals across 30 branch locations.
The partnership with Knox Lane will support the Ruppert team's long-term vision to continue growing the company's footprint within current and adjacent markets, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. Ruppert founder and CEO, Craig Ruppert, and the current management team will retain a significant investment in the business and continue to lead the company.
"We are incredibly proud of our team and the successful business we have established together over the past two decades," said Craig Ruppert and Phil Key in a joint statement. Key is the president of Ruppert Landscape. "Knox Lane's investment is a testament to the strength of our company, outstanding culture, and exceptional employees. We look forward to leveraging Knox Lane's extensive operational expertise and experience building and scaling high-quality businesses as we continue our focus on our team, customers, and innovation across all facets of the company."
In another joint statement, Shamik Patel, partner at Knox Lane, and David Coghlan, principal at Knox Lane, added, "The commercial landscape services market is large and growing, underpinned by resilient customer demand. At Knox Lane, we are dedicated to partnering with quality businesses and exceptional teams, and we look forward to working with Craig, Phil, and the Ruppert team to execute on a shared vision and capitalize on new opportunities together."
"We are thrilled to welcome Ruppert Landscape to the Knox Lane family," said John Bailey, managing partner at Knox Lane. "Ruppert's phenomenal, longstanding organic growth is a direct result of its best-in-class service, operational discipline, and strong culture. We are excited to partner with yet another exceptional founder-owned business and look forward to building on the strong foundation Craig, Phil, and the Ruppert team have created."
The new Dri-Flo spreaders are the second new product release this year from the company.
Earth & Turf Products announces new line of drop spreaders to spread dry, fine materials with 15 precise settings. The launch of the Dri-Flo drop spreader series marks the second release of a new product in 2022 for the Lancaster-based company.
These spreaders are designed in 3-, 4-, and 5-foot models to accommodate those looking to spread dry lime, seed and fertilizer.
The Dri-Flo line is modeled after the company’s Conestoga stainless-steel drop spreaders. It provides a more affordable quality option with a simpler build, leaving the box lid and 2nd agitator as options, and also changing to 14 gauge painted steel box and removing the main auger clutch. They will have a thick axle to handle their full box capacities of lime and other heavy materials. The spreaders also include 23” x 12” tires and offer an all-terrain option for straddling rows or going down ATV trails.
The Dri-Flo spreaders are available for order through the Earth & Turf Products website or by phone.
Positec recently launched Kress in North America, which creates battery-powered landscaping tools.
Positec Tool Corporation has appointed Michael A. Jones as president and CEO of Positec North America.
Previously, Jones served as Executive Vice Chairman for Ranpak Holdings Corp (NYSE: PACK). Positec most recently launched the Kress brand in North America, introducing new battery technologies for commercial lawn and landscape professionals. In addition, the company is pioneering new consumer and professional-grade robotics for in-home and outdoor applications.
“With decades of experience in domestic and international sourcing, as well as sales and service excellence across a broad range of consumer and professional-grade goods, Michael comes to Positec at a time of tremendous product innovation and portfolio growth,” said Ben Dalziel, group executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Michael’s ability to drive business excellence is second to none, and we are delighted to have him guide Positec’s strategy and operations at this important moment in our company’s history.”
Beginning his career as a long-tenured executive with General Electric, Jones served as chief commercial officer – Europe, while living abroad in Budapest Hungary with his family for GE’s European Lighting, Appliance and Power Control business, serving Europe, Middle East and Africa. He then became president for Husqvarna AB’s North and South American business operations, followed by executive roles with Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), including Chief Merchandising Officer and then EVP/Chief Customer Officer for the home center retailer.
“Together with the Board of Directors, I share tremendous optimism for Positec and its category-leading brands,” Jones said. “The founder, Don Gao, and his global leadership team – with best-in-class R&D and proven brand-development capabilities – have built a powerhouse portfolio of innovative products, and I sense tremendous potential for growth in the coming years.”
"Estimating and Bidding for Landscape Installation” will occur in two locations in January and February.
Landscape business operators can gain knowledge that can help them build a profitable company by attending a two-day Penn State Extension workshop, titled “Estimating and Bidding for Landscape Installation,” that will occur in two locations in January and February.
In Bucks County, the workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, and Friday, Jan. 20, at the Penn State Extension office, 576 Penns Park Road, Newtown.
The Allegheny County event will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, Feb. 9, at Soergel Orchards, MacIntosh Hall, 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford.
This course is intended for landscape installation job estimators, small and large landscape businesses, and anyone considering starting a landscaping business. The two-day intensive workshop is designed to help participants understand how to determine the overhead of operating a landscaping business and create a profitable bid. Attendees can ask questions and discuss bidding with other contractors.
Participants will consider questions such as:
— Do you know your actual costs?
— Are you covering your overhead?
— Are you making a profit?
Instructors will discuss overhead recovery and its importance to profit; building a bid that works to recover overhead and direct costs; and industry benchmarks.
To keep an existing business healthy, or to start a successful new business, business owners must constantly hone their business skills, organizers point out. This course will focus on proven estimating techniques that participants can start to use right away.
The workshop presenter, Scott Burk, owns Scott’s Landscaping Inc., a mid-size, full-service company in Centre County. He is a graduate of the landscape contracting program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and serves as a guest instructor on campus for current students. Burk will share insights on running a profitable, successful landscaping business.
The event carries a $250 registration fee. Participants must register by 11:45 p.m. Jan. 13 for the Newtown event and by 11:45 p.m. Feb. 3 for the workshop in Wexford.
Stainless Cotter Rings In the case of heavy snow, instructors have reserved Jan. 26 and 27 as alternative dates for the Newtown event and Feb. 15 and 16 as alternative dates for the Wexford workshop. They ask participants to hold these dates. If bad weather causes organizers to reschedule, participants will receive notice in advance.