Landscape Contractor September - October 2023

Husqvarna

From the editor

Moving into the second half of the year means things are heating up for the various industry awards, and I love watching it happen.

The work the associations – LIAWA, LVML and TLA – put into supporting their members throughout the year is fairly awe-inspiring. It’s hard to accept such a very small number of people are involved in organising the trade shows, expos, training events and lobbying efforts throughout the year, but the awards nights are seriously huge commitments tackled with a daunting level of professionalism by the very few people concerned.

I’m still a little overwhelmed at the memory of my first awards night last December. If I’d known how incredibly huge and glamorous the night would be I doubt I’d have had the courage to accept the responsibility of presenting awards to a category.

Fortunately, I had no idea and said, “Yeah. Alrighty. I’ll have a crack.”

When I arrived and saw the sheer magnitude of the event I nearly dribbled

champagne down the front of my hired black-tie getup.

And now I’m watching it happen again. I feel as though I’m prepared for the grandeur this year, but I also have a niggling suspicion I may once again be on the path to underestimating the calibre of the presentations.

In any case, I want to indulge myself a little and give these excellent organisations and their annual highlight events whatever support I can. If you haven’t already marked the relevant date in your calendar, I encourage you wholeheartedly to do it now, and to book in as soon as you possibly can. Your small gesture of support will be miniscule compared to the support the associations offer the landscaping industry and people in their respective states, but it’ll be appreciated.

And I can tell you in total honesty, and from personal experience, you’ll have a sensational time with great people:

• In NSW The Landscape Association will host the 2023 Landscape Excellence

Awards on Friday, November 3, at Doltone House, Darling Wharf, Pyrmont;

• In Victoria, Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers has set aside October 28 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre; and

• The Landscape Industries Association of WA does things a little differently and announced its winners for 2022 in March at the Sky View Lounge, Optus Stadium. By the time you’re reading this the LIAWA folks will have the next WA awards night well underway, I expect.

So there it is. It’s a very small group of people providing a huge service to an entire industry and celebrating the individuals and companies who’ve excelled.

Log on to the relevant website for tickets. Rock along and show the associations we appreciate just how much they themselves excel at what they do.

Tom Foster Editor

The association awards nights are seriously huge undertakings and underline the dedication and commitment of the associations.

Since 1990, Jonathan has built his reputation as one of the industry’s most skilled gardeners and knowledgeable horticulturists. He provides various horticultural services, including onsite training, industry mentoring, and estate management to landscape contractors, designers, and garden owners. His professional integrity, enthusiasm, and respect from industry peers saw him elected as AIH NSW President for five terms.

Tuscan Path Garden Screens are perfect for privacy, fencing off areas, and adding decorative accents.

John Gabriele John has more than 23 years’ experience in the horticulture industry. He is a member of the Nursery Garden Industry Association and the Horticulture Media Association. John has presented garden talkback radio at ABC 97.3FM and works as head teacher of Horticulture with TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute Yallah Campus.

Anna Turner Anna is an expert in landscape construction, estimating and business management, with over 20 years’ experience in the industry, working in both the residential and commercial landscape sectors. Anna recently updated the LNA Rates Book.

Jonathan Garner

Marc Worner

Marc started his own business in 1991, armed with a Diploma of Horticulture in Landscape Design and a structural landscape licence. Previously both the NSW and National President of the Australian Institute of Horticulture, Marc has been a consultant to the NSW state government, taught at TAFE, worked in TV and been a design consultant at retail garden centres.

Andrew Tulloch

Andrew has been involved in the landscape-maintenance industry for more than 20 years. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers. In 1991 Andrew started A.R.T. Landscape, which provides a landscaping and property service to commercial, industrial, and residential clients.

CEO

John Murphy

COO

Christine Clancy

Sales Director

Bradley Buchanan

Editor Tom Foster tom.foster@primecreative.com.au

Advertising Sales Manager

Arron Reed

Arron.reed@primecreative.com.au

0466 923 194

Production Editor Michelle Alder michelle.alder@primecreative.com.au

Design Cat Zappia/Daz Woolley

Subscriptions

P. +61 3 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au

Website landscapecontractor.com.au

Copyright Landscape Contractor Manager is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Landscape Contractor Manager is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in Landscape Contractor Manager are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher unless otherwise stated.

© Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2023

Articles

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

Head Office

379 Docklands Dr, Docklands VIC 3008

P: +61 3 9690 8766 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.primecreative.com.au

Sydney Office Suite 3.06, 1-9 Chandos Street Saint Leonards NSW 2065, Australia

P: +61 2 9439 7227

Seven ways to streamline your business: part 2

4. Materials

Materials are a big cost of any project so we need to be smart about how we buy, use and store them.

We’ve seen unprecedented increases in material prices over the past two years, and while those increases appear to be easing off, in recent times it’s been very easy to chew up all the profit in material increases. One way to combat this issue is to place deposits on large materials, like tiles, as soon as the contract is signed. That way you lock in the price you allowed in your estimate, preventing the cost increasing.

Of course, cashflow becomes an issue there, because you’ll likely be purchasing the materials many months before you get paid for them. Securing a substantial deposit for the project will help you make those purchases. For really big material purchases it’s not unheard of to ask the client for part payment on top of the deposit.

Another very important way to combat material price increases is to price check all materials just before the contract is signed. Often the contract for a project is not awarded until six months or more after the project is quoted, and while you may lose a small percentage of jobs repricing when the client is ready to sign, it’s worth doing over winning work with zero profit.

If you’re a design-build company, try to specify the same materials over multiple projects. Not only can you reuse excess material on the next project, but your team will get really good at using that product.

Unless you’re in the privileged position of a design-build company as above, you should never save materials. It’s much more cost effective and efficient to bin the excess material than store it in the yard for a project that will never come. Storing small amounts of material at your yard will quickly make the space cluttered and inefficient.

5. Contracts and invoicing

Streamline your contracts and invoicing to fit with your cradle-to-grave. Use estimating software to systemise the estimating process and send out the same contract to each client. Create a system to keep track of all quotes, including quote revisions, to make it easier for you to know your sales funnel and quotes with a higher chance of conversion. Systemising the invoicing process, from how they look to invoicing dates and progress payments, will help with cashflow. You’ll be able to plan your invoicing to easily predict when payments are expected – and don’t forget to chase invoices regularly.

Invoicing and chasing invoices regularly is the single biggest boost you can make to your cashflow.

6. The workhorse

Standardising the work utes/vans/trailers is one of the most effective ways to declutter the workplace. When each team is set up with the same materials, equipment and machinery in the same way, it makes life much easier for all staff. Not only do staff from another team know where to find

something, but it’s easy to take a stock inventory or identify a missing tool. Yes, it’s an investment to set each team up with the same rig, but you should see a benefit in productivity.

7. Tools and equipment

Tools and equipment are like the ute setup: the more consistent they are, the better. Try to stick with one brand, especially now batteries are the biggest cost. Try to set each team up with the same tools so they’re not having to share. An extra wacker plate may seem like a big outlay, but think of the cost of waiting for, and/or driving around town borrowing, one from another site. That cost and then some will be eaten up in inefficiencies.

Regularly maintain tools and equipment (that’s what rain days are for) to reduce the likelihood of breakage on the job. Replace old tools and equipment before they break, so they don’t cause a hold up on site.

Try to create a culture of pride in the tools and equipment which will hopefully lead to staff taking better care of them.

Be efficient

If you look hard enough you’ll find many ways to declutter your business and increase efficiencies. It all starts with your company culture and the cradle-to-grave. They’re the backbone to how your business will run.

From there dive deep into each aspect of your business to identify and reduce inefficiencies.

Continuing on from the article in the July/August issue, let’s look at more ways to streamline and reduce clutter in your business.

Introducing the first and only skid steer with a telescopic boom the JCB Teleskid; a truly unique, versatile skid steer with endless possibilities. Now you can lift higher, reach further, dig deeper.

This revolutionary product is designed to suit all types of job sites meeting the need of multiple machines wrapped nicely into one. Combining the strength and safety of our single side boom with side door entry and extendable boom JCB has increased the versatility of the SSL-CTL world.

To find out more contact your local JCB CEA dealer today. Ph: 1300 522 232

www.jcbcea.com.au

Planning financial security

As landscapers we our plan our daily schedule, we plan our projects weeks in advance, we plan our holidays to coincide with the quiet times, months in advance – and yet how many of us plan our financial security into retirement while building our wealth along the way?

In the past accountants typically gave advice on investments, superannuation and tax issues, while lawyers were concerned with estate planning and family trusts. Then there were insurance agents giving advice and real estate agents recommending strategies incorporating direct property investments. There was no all-encompassing approach to an individual’s wealth creation.

This fragmented approach often left clients with no clear plan as to how their overall financial goals and aspirations were to be met, and whether, given their circumstances, those goals were even realistic and/or achievable.

Enter the financial planner – a university-

trained professional skilled in all these areas who is capable of delivering an overarching plan throughout our life, and at times recommending the specialist skills of other professionals depending on the complexity of these plans.

Stages

We can broadly define our life into segments. Growing up, getting our first car and becoming independent when we leave home is the start.

We then begin to accumulate assets and perhaps find a life partner and have children. This stage lasts for many years while we advance our chosen career and our young family matures. Hopefully our wealth increases because we upgrade our home, achieve promotions as an employee, or build up our business if we are self-employed. Sometimes our wealth increases through inheritance or Lotto.

All the while our superannuation accounts

may be growing, but not at a pace that sets us up for some financial security in retirement without having to rely on the pension.

Then our children eventually leave home and we begin to think about cutting back our working hours and ‘smelling the roses’. Visits to the doctor become more frequent and we begin to realise we are mere mortals.

Retirement suddenly looms.

By the time we reach our seventies we are considering downsizing the family home and enjoying life’s pleasures.

Some of us will move into retirement villages and enjoy a social life with all the amenities at our doorsteps. At this stage we might consider leaving our assets to our children and grandchildren when we pass on we ‘get our affairs in order’ as they say.

Never too early for a will

All these stages require planning and careful execution if we are to gain the maximum advantage from our efforts.

Marc Worner reminds us to look to our financial futures.

Landscapers need to plan for financial security into retirement while building wealth during the working years.

WORDS: MARC WORNER

Make first impressions better

Green spaces that create inviting environments for residents, guests or customers are crucial whether you manage sporting fields, golf courses, parklands, facilities or private property. Achieving the desired results is simple with Husqvarna by your side, and now with new EPOS technology it’s even easier to experience outstanding results, reliability and lower emissions. With virtual boundaries, the possibilities are endless.

Let’s think about each stage in more detail and maybe there are some things we can do to achieve better outcomes for our families and ourselves.

Alan Lakein once said: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

When we are young we think we are bulletproof. If we own assets, we need to protect those assets from the clutches of

the state or people who may make a claim against our estate…people we don’t want to benefit. Everyone should have a will and it should be updated as our circumstances in life change. For example: marriage, divorce, and the death of beneficiaries. We may not want our child to receive our inheritance of $1 million at 15 years of age, so by making a will we can direct that $1 million be received

later in life, meanwhile, earning interest and/ or providing living expenses or for their education costs.

Invest

As our career advances and our disposable income increases, it may be prudent to save and invest more. For instance, we may decide to invest in insurance bonds (tax-free with

How many of us plan our financial security into retirement while building our wealth along the way?

conditions) for our children’s education when they turn 18 and go to university, or buy an investment property which is negatively geared (expenses are greater than the rental income) and so reduce the amount of tax we pay on our primary income which may be at a high marginal rate.

Perhaps we might decide investing in the share market for the long term will offer us a rate of return above what we could earn elsewhere, and also allow us quick access

to cash should we need it for, say, medical expenses or a holiday.

Managing tax

We may decide it’s best to distribute our high income among family members so we pay less income tax overall and/or protect our assets in case of things like death or temporary or permanent incapacity. In this case we would set up a discretionary family trust with the help of our trusted financial

planner and lawyer. Our trustee, which could be you and your partner or just you, may decide the trust distributes income to the trust beneficiaries (including children and grandparents) in times of lower income, and withholds income when the trust earns higher amounts in order to flatten the income tax payable which will offset earnings from other investments such as share dividends or managed funds.

We may decide adding extra amounts on

Everyone should have a will and it should be updated as our circumstances in life change.

a regular basis to our superannuation during our working life will add to our accumulated wealth and reduce the amount of income tax we pay at the same time.

Managing income

Salary sacrificing a percentage of our income to put into our super account is a viable strategy which, at the same time; reduces the amount of tax we pay.

I have a friend who is 63 and is still working fulltime along with her husband. For the past eight years she has put all her salary into her super and they live off his income. They estimate they will have $2 million by the time they retire at 68, which is considered by experts to be the amount needed to live out a comfortable retirement well into our 80s. By comfortable, I mean enjoying an annual overseas holiday, eating out once a week and being able to afford living expenses without needing to be frugal. It also means being able to financially help the children with mortgages or spend up on the grandkids.

Cover

All through life we take risks of all sorts. Whether they be financial, emotional or physical. We can mitigate those risks by taking out insurance.

We can pay for them over time with everincreasing premiums or flat rates. We might buy products to pay for our living expenses in case of disability, or reimburse us for the loss of our home and contents, and to protect our income level in case we are retrenched or until we get back on our feet. It may be we decide to ensure our life so on our death the insurance company pays our family an agreed sum so they don’t have to struggle when we are gone.

Ensuring others can carry out our wishes if we cannot is most important to us all.

For instance, if we became comatose, who

An Enduring Power of Attorney allows someone trusted to make decisions about our businesses and assets.

would make decisions about our business? How would our loved ones access our bank accounts? How could they sell the house (if in two names) to pay for medical expenses? All these dramas can be eliminated if we give a trusted individual what’s called an Enduring Power of Attorney. In law, that person can make all financial and medical decisions in our best interests on our behalf.

Be prepared

Perhaps a loved one is on the verge of suffering from dementia. Before it’s too late, we could persuade that person to have a lawyer draft a power of attorney, attend their office and have it signed in front of witnesses. The services provided by a financial planner include:

• The preparation and presentation of

written financial advice or a plan based on current financial circumstances, investment risk-taking profile, aspirations and wealth goals

• Acting on instructions to implement their recommended plan strategies

• Asset portfolio management

• Ongoing financial advice as and when our circumstances and goals change during life

• Access to investment and economic seminars

• Regular newsletters, and

• Regular reporting.

Most Financial Planners offer the first consultation for free. So visit one today and learn how you could build your wealth and secure your financial future.

Why you’re missing out if you don’t hire an apprentice!

John Gabriele outlines the benefits – to businesses and the industry in general – of the Australian Apprenticeship scheme.

WORDS: JOHN GABRIELE

Askilled workforce of landscape professionals design, construct and maintain gardens and green spaces in public areas and urban dwellings. As urban blocks get smaller, people are looking to landscapers to create and deliver solutions which get the most out of garden space. Many backyards these days are an extension of the living area, so it’s important they offer a safe, comfortable, and sustainable space for entertainment and enjoyment. Well-designed public gardens, parks, and streetscapes also play a role in increasing the livability and wellbeing of local communities.

To achieve these outcomes, landscape businesses require competently trained staff. This is fundamental to producing quality products and services.

In the landscape construction industry, it can be challenging to source appropriately qualified, and more importantly, skilled, trained, employees, which is where the Australian Apprenticeship system may be a suitable option to attract and retain employees.

The responsibilities of employing an apprentice should be considered carefully before signing up to an apprenticeship agreement.

Training organisations

Employing an apprentice is a serious responsibility for both the employer and the apprentice. An employer has a duty to ensure appropriate work tasks and opportunities are available for apprentices

to develop and enhance the skills of their trade. The apprentice has a duty to work to the best of their capability and to learn the skills and knowledge required to become a competent tradesperson. Emphasis needs to be placed on the training that takes place on the job. The duration of off-the-job training in a four-year apprenticeship only accounts for approximately 10 per cent of the total apprenticeship.

Off-the-job training is designed to enhance the skills learned on the job and is in no way a substitute for any lack of workplace training. The off-the-job training component of an Australian Apprenticeship must be completed by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). TAFE colleges in all states and territories are an obvious choice

Treat apprentices well and your business will retain qualified and highly skilled personnel.

as an RTO, however landscape industry associations have also established longstanding relationships with some private RTOs and can supply members with contact details of preferred training providers.

If your business can’t offer the full range of skills an apprentice needs to work in the industry, or the amount of work required to complete during their training, consider using a Group Training Organisation (GTO) which can organise for you to host an Australian Apprentice or share one with another business.

Employer incentives

An employer of an Australian Apprentice may be eligible for financial support from the Australian Government to help offset the cost of that apprentice. The Commonwealth Government introduced the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme on July 1, 2022, aiming to get apprentices working in secure, in-demand jobs to fill skills shortages, both now and into the future. There are, however, eligibility criteria.

For an employer or an Australian Apprentice to be eligible for payments under the Incentives System, the Australian Apprentice must be employed in an Australian Apprenticeship arrangement in an Australian state or territory, and employed under the terms and conditions of a Training Contract. The Training Contract must:

• Include a signed Training Plan

• Be signed by the Australian Apprentice and the employer

• Be formally approved by the State or Territory Training Authority; and

• Stipulate undertaking accredited training which includes both paid work and structured training.

Another part of the scheme is the Priority Wage Subsidy. The subsidy aims to maintain strong Australian Apprenticeship commencement levels and improve retention and completion rates. Employers can claim a wage subsidy paid to the Australian Apprentice over a three-year period. Eligibility for some payments may be affected by other criteria, so check the details of the scheme with the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network at australianapprenticeships.gov.au, or contact the Skilling Australia Hotline on 1800 020 108. The people there can put you in touch with an Apprenticeship Network Provider. Apprentices should not be considered cheap labour. Treat them well and your business will retain qualified and highly skilled personnel. It’s also in your business’ best interest, and the best interests of the industry, for apprentices to be trained

An employer has a duty to ensure appropriate work tasks and opportunities are available for an apprentice to develop and enhance their skills.

Landscape businesses require competently trained staff to produce quality products and services.

standards expected.

Get qualified

The nationally recognised qualification for landscape construction apprenticeships is AHC30921 CIII in Landscape Construction. This qualification provides the skills and knowledge for trade-level roles in the landscape industry and consists of 17 units of competency: 10 core units plus seven elective units. Customisation of training can be negotiated with an RTO to develop course delivery with a mix of appropriate units of competence from the elective units to best fit your organsiational needs. Certificate III Landscape also serves as a pathway for further learning and skills development. On completion an apprentice may choose to enrol in a Certificate IV in Landscape Construction Management. This would prepare them to develop skills to effectively supervise landscape construction work, to operate, monitor and improve performance of landscape systems and projects, and supervise staff.

A Certificate IV in Landscape Design or a Diploma of Landscape Design would be the next step.

Short stacks

In addition to full qualifications, there are a range of accredited skills sets being offered by RTOs that can also be customised to

requirements. These skill sets consist of packaging a small number of units from nationally recognised qualifications that are quite targeted, which means trainees can gain mastery in a subject rather than just learning the foundational material. Skills sets can be stacked over time to gain a full certificate qualification depending on how they’ve been packaged through credittransfer arrangements.

A good example of a skills-set qualification is the Certificate III in Chemical Applications. Non-accredited short courses can also be developed to meet an enterprise’s immediate training needs. Non-accredited skills sets or courses do not contribute towards the completion of a nationally recognised,

accredited qualification, but can be beneficial in enhancing job performance in a short timeframe in areas such as conflict resolution, leadership or customer service.

A good investment

If you value your staff, invest in their training. Should you be considering employing an apprentice, contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider by calling 1800 020 108. With approximately 500 mobile field officers nationally, they can provide you with a seamless transition through the process of establishing an apprenticeship.

With the final months of the school year upon us, there is no time like the right time to employ an apprentice.

Priority Wage Subsidy Year 1 10 per cent of an Australian Apprentice’s gross wage, up to a maximum of $1500 per quarter, or up to a maximum of $6000 per Payment Rate Period (where more than four quarters are required due to suspension or cancellation)

Priority Wage Subsidy Year 210 per cent of an Australian Apprentice’s gross wage up to a maximum of $1500 per quarter, or up to a maximum of $6000 per Payment Rate Period (where more than four quarters are required due to suspension or cancellation)

Priority Wage Subsidy Year 3Five per cent of an Australian Apprentice’s gross wage up to a maximum of $750 per quarter, or up to a maximum of $3000 per Payment Rate Period (where more than four quarters are required due to suspension or cancellation)

* Table extract from Apprenticeships Incentives System Program Guidelines.

Emphasis needs to be placed on the training that takes place on the job.

Stock selection

Now we’ve selected the right plants for the right places within the project and established that the varieties are available, there’s a few more steps to take before we contact the nurseries and price them up.

Let’s consider growth rates and spacing. Our quest is to create a garden where the plants gradually establish together in a consistent manner so maturity of the understorey is more or less achieved across the garden around the same time. Obviously the maturity of trees and larger shrubs will take longer, so these aren’t part of this particular conversation.

Unless we’re working in specific garden styles – such as Japanese, cactus or other varieties where there is a deliberate minimalist design intent or there is horticultural importance of maintaining significant space around the plants – the quest is to have close spacing between each plant. This enables each group of the same variety to grow together at a similar time

as the neighbouring plantings. Depending on how long this takes for each variety will dictate how many plants and what container sizes are needed.

Here’s an example…

We’ve got a simple planting scheme of Murraya paniculata at the back of the bed with Gardenia florida and Lavandula stoechas beside each other in front. The Murraya are intended to grow to 1.5 metres high, the gardenia 60cm x 60cm and the lavender 50cm x 50cm. Although Murraya and gardenia grow to different sizes, they still have similar growth rates, whereas lavender grows much faster. With this in mind, I would be inclined to buy the Murraya in 300mm or 25-litre pots with spacings of 80cm to one metre. I would buy gardenias in 200mm or 4.5-litre pots spaced 40cm apart, and lavender in 150mm pots spaced 40cm apart. The reasons for the differing pot sizes is due to growth rates and ages to maturity. Lavender matures in two years, gardenia two

to four years, and Murraya three to six years. So, as a rule of thumb, the faster the growth rates of the particular plant will allow planting in smaller containers.

The final item with regard to this planting scheme is if the Murraya are intended to be grown as singular rounded shrubs rather than a hedge or screen. If it’s single shrubs I would space them out further to complement their eventual size, or I would remove the excess plants in a couple of years’ time.

We’ll cover thinning in another discussion.

Pot sizes

When it comes to container sizes of up to 300mm, consider buying larger growing plants in larger sized pots with smaller shrubs in smaller pots.

Gardenias in a 300mm pot look fantastic, but are quite expensive to buy and plant. Conversely, Murraya in a 200mm pot look quite underwhelming and will take much longer to achieve any size of substance. With

Jonathan Garner outlines some important considerations when specifying and buying plants.

Plant brokers usually have a collection of reliable nurseries from far and wide that specialise or grow what you need.

the Gardenia example, consider the extra soil preparation required to successfully establish them as semi-advanced shrubs compared to establishing them from 200mm pots. In addition to this, consider the fact you can buy three or four 200mm pots for around the same cost of one 300mm pot. Essentially the smaller plants will achieve a coverage of around one square metre much faster than one 300mm pot size ever will.

Although I’ve touched on it here, we’ll talk more about plant establishment practices later in the year.

Once we’ve estimated the quantities and pot sizes, we can send the planting schedule to our plant broker or wholesale nursery. Plant brokers can be useful to supply your entire plant list from one phone call or email. They usually have a collection of reliable nurseries from far and wide that specialise or grow what you need. Naturally, their price will usually be higher, although this can often be offset by the reduction in your time to source. Some wholesalers also provide the service of buying in from other growers to fill your order. Regardless of where the plants are coming from or who’s supplying them, it’s important the stock we are planting are true to type and of suitable quality to ensure successful establishment.

Buy a smaller plant with many stiff branches compared to the less-branched, taller specimen.

When nurseries are potting on plants into larger sizes, the root flare is often gradually buried in the potting mix and the plant ends up too deeply potted.

Sometimes you have to physically break open the pot to access the root ball.

Although Murraya and gardenia grow to different sizes, they still have similar growth rates, whereas lavender grows much faster. Buy gardenias in 200mm or 4.5-litre pots, and lavender in 150mm pots.

Things to look for So what are we looking for?

What are the tell-tale signs of possible trouble brewing?

Are there signs of current pests or diseases? Is there evidence of previous pests or disease? What’s lurking under the foliage, stems, branches and root ball? Are there bite marks or holes in the leaves? Does any of the older or new foliage have silvering? Is there black, sooty mould on the older leaves? Sooty mould is evidence of sucking insect activity. Silvering is a sign of thrip or mites. Bite marks are usually snail or caterpillar.

For their own survival, most pests are very skilled at concealment. Many are difficult to control with retail chemicals and without effective control can spread very quickly. It’s a nightmare returning to check on plantings only to find an outbreak. It’s even worse when the client calls to report the problem. If you observe pest or disease, effectively deal with it. I always contact the grower as well. If it’s a major infestation and you have a relationship with the supplier it’s likely they will help with the pest or disease.

Are the plants hardened off?

Hardening off is where a plant is acclimatised from a protected area such as a shade house, glasshouse or poly tunnel to an area with conditions that it will eventually grow in. If demand is high at the nursery, the

plants might be sold before they’ve become accustomed to the harsher environmental conditions, such as cold, frosts, excess sunlight, heat and wind. The plant might look fine at planting time, then decline over the

Bite marks are usually snail or caterpillar.

next week or month because of it not being accustomed to conditions. Scorched and wilting leaves are often a sign of this.

Size, structure and proportion

Consider the size of the plant in relation to the pot. We’re looking for a balanced structure with many sturdy branches.

Some nurseries, prefer to grow their shrubs to a reasonable size then sell them without any establishment pruning. These plants often look lanky, with several long flexible branches that clearly haven’t been pruned to create a sturdy shrub with a robust branch network close to the base of the plant. My preference is to buy a smaller plant with many stiff branches compared to the less-branched, taller specimen.

The taller shrubs are often grown too close together in bays and rely on the neighbouring plants to keep their delicate growth upright. Splitting branches is often the outcome with these plants. Another item to look out for is how many times the plant has been pruned. Anything over two or three times indicates the plant is possibly old in the pot.

We’ll find this out once we check out the root system.

Root of the problem

Healthy roots are crucial for successful establishment and health, so we need to remove the pot for a look at the business area.

Firstly, is the plant easy to remove from the pot? Are there roots growing out of the drain holes?

Sometimes you have to physically break open the pot to access the root ball.

This happens more so in smaller pots such as 150mm and 200mm. If this is the case, then I’d definitely consider returning these plants. Many of the faster-growing shrubs such as hebe, cistus, lavender and escallonias grow out of the pots quickly and don’t transplant very well from this state. It is highly likely you will suffer losses or inconsistent growth rates when planting rootbound plants. Further evidence of rootbound plants are thicker roots circling or girding the pot. These are often present in the plants I mentioned earlier but can’t be seen due to the density of fine roots. Again,

I would decline plants with girding roots as well. We’ll cover planting practices in a few months’ time.

Another concern is when the plants are too young in the pots and the potting mix literally falls apart when they’re removed. Either plant them with great care or send them back.

Check, please

Finally, I’m looking for a root flare at the base of the plant. This is particularly important with trees and slower-growing shrubs such as camellia. The root flare is the part of the plant that must be located on the soil surface. When nurseries are potting on plants into larger sizes, the root flare is often gradually buried in the potting mix. Although it’s no major problem to the nursery while the plants are young, it can be a major issue further down the track. We’ll cover collar rot and other diseases further in our next chat.

As plants are usually supplied in batches, you only need to check a few. Occasionally, when plants are supplied from different batches or sometimes different growers, then consider checking more.

When nurseries are potting on plants into larger sizes, the root flare is often gradually buried in the potting mix and the plant ends up too deeply potted.

Roots exiting the drain holes indicates root-bound conditions.

NEW RANGE

INTRODUCING THE H-SERIES LOADERS

Newly designed with comfort and reliability at the core, SDLG’s H-Series wheel loaders deliver optimal power and efficiency at a competitive price, without compromising on quality. SDLG has over 50-years’ of manufacturing expertise, and has been a member of the Volvo Group since 2007. Additionally, all new SDLG machinery includes a 3-year, 6000-hour warranty , backed by CJD Equipment’s national branch and SDLG dealer network.

L936HLA 11-tonne, 105kW / 141hp

Powerful and versatile the L936HLA suitable for small to medium sized applications, and features a 1.8m3 bucket capacity and has a rated load of 3-tonne.

L938H 11-tonne, 129kW / 173hp

Robust and highly efficient, the L938H features a 4-speed power shift transmission for smoother shifting and greater speed capabilities.

L946H 13-tonne, 129kW / 173hp

Reliable and durable the L946H has a small turning radius and heavy load capacity, with a optimised frame and boom structure for increased stability, manoeuvrability.

Husqvarna CEORA™ makes the lawn greener and denser, thanks to its unique cutting technology, low weight, and the opportunity to mow more frequently.

Husqvarna CEORA™

After a successful introduction to a select number of European markets during 2022, Husqvarna’s ground-breaking robotic solution for commercial turf-care management is finally available in Australia.

Husqvarna CEORA™ is expected to revolutionise an industry dominated by heavy, conventional, petrol-powered mowers by automating time and resource consuming tasks and, at the same time, help reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 83 per cent during the machine’s life cycle compared to a petrol Husqvarna P 525DX ride-on mower*.

Well received

Husqvarna is a world leader in robotic mowing solutions, and the European reception of CEORA™ has been extremely positive, underlining – among many things –the great cutting quality and the consistently good turf quality over time.

“We have seen a rapid acceleration in the use of robotic lawn mowers for commercial

A new standard has been set for sustainable, large-scale robotic commercial turf care.

A ground-breaking robotic solution for commercial turf-care management.

Robustly built and easy to manage.

CEORA™ makes the lawn greener and denser thanks to its unique cutting technology, low weight and opportunity to mow more frequently.

turf care in Europe over the past few years,” said Pauline Nilsson, Vice President at Husqvarna Australia. “It’s clear CEORA™ is a solution that lives up to the expectations and hopes of greenkeepers, golf course and sports fields managers, and we are looking forward to seeing the same acceleration occur here in Australia.”

Reducing your carbon footprint

The benefits of choosing CEORA™ are many, especially for professionals caring for large grass areas.

Switching from conventional commercial mowers is estimated to result in cost savings up to 50 per cent^, and the electric operation of autonomous machines, minimises noise and reduces CO2 emissions significantly.

“Husqvarna is dedicated to a sustainable future, leading the industry with low-carbon, battery-powered, resource-smart solutions,” said Nilsson. “Through pioneering solutions we empower people to make sustainable choices daily.”

Over the complete product lifecycle –from production via transportation and operation, to end-of-life – the overall carbon footprint can be reduced by as much as 83 per cent, when comparing a CEORA™ robotic mower with a petrol Husqvarna P 525DX ride-on mower*.

A wide range of benefits

The machine is purpose-built to be autonomous and with safety in mind. Future releases will see CEORA™ evolve to have a

wide range of accessories to support the various needs of green-space professionals.

“We’re actually just seeing the start of all that can be made possible with CEORA™,” said Kylie Berge, Robotics Acceleration Manager at Husqvarna Australia. “We see Husqvarna’s commercial robotics being able to free up staff from time-consuming, repetitive tasks, allowing them to use their expertise for more varied and value-adding tasks, this is an enormous benefit for just about any maintenance or landscaping business in our market.”

Healthier grass with minimal maintenance

CEORA™ makes the lawn greener and denser thanks to its unique cutting technology,

Husqvarna CEORA™ sets a new standard for sustainable, largescale robotic commercial turf care.

low weight and opportunity to mow more frequently. Instead of manually operating the mower, green-space professionals can simply use their smartphone to control how, when and where CEORA™ mows.

The performance on the lawn is efficient and systematic, mowing in a lane-by-lane sequence.

Maintenance during the season is limited to changing blades and cleaning.

Flexible operation and intuitive control

CEORA™ is robustly built and easy to manage, even for somebody with little experience using robotic mowers.

Greenkeepers can expect CEORA™ to navigate with a precision of between two and three centimetres, thanks to Husqvarna’s satellite navigation system, EPOS™. It is possible to select individually defined areas on demand, with different schedules and height settings. The user keeps perfect control of all mowers in the fleet through the Husqvarna Fleet Services application.

CEORA™ is backed by Husqvarna’s maintenance and support program, providing fast repair and replacement services.

Obstacle detection

CEORA™ is designed to avoid obstacles. With the ultrasonic remote object avoidance system, the mower slows down as soon as it senses an approaching object. This increases uptime by eliminating interruptions and undesired stops.

Husqvarna introduces two models to Australia: Husqvarna CEORA™ 544 EPOS capable of up to 60,000m2 , and Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 EPOS capable of up to 75,000m2 , with capacity variable due to grass type, soil, cutting height, lawn complexity, slope and working hours.

^ Based on calculations made by Husqvarna in June 2023, using estimates of total cost of ownership of CEORA™ compared with a conventional rideon-mower, on average over a five-year period. Calculations of total cost of ownership include installation, staff, energy consumption, service, maintenance and repairs in Australia, on average.

* Lifecycle assessment performed by accredited European analyst Ramboll and reviewed by thirdparty reviewer Research institute of Sweden (RISE). The comparison is made based on a scenario of a 30-week cutting season (an April–October season in North Europe) per year. The Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)

is based on the functional unit of cutting two football pitches (16,000m2) of average pitch grass lawn. CEORA™ is powered by EU electricity grid mix and Husqvarna P 525DX is powered by standard diesel. Result in global warming potential per season (kg CO2e/season).

Husqvarna

is expected to revolutionise an industry dominated by heavy, conventional, petrol-powered mowers.

About Husqvarna CEORA™ 544 EPOS/Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 EPOS

Dimensions: 124 x 108 x 44cm

Weight: 72kg

Maximum cutting capacity: 20,000m2/25.000m2 for every single day mowing. 40,000m2/50,000 m2 for every second day mowing. 60,000m2/75,000m2 for every third day mowing.

Cutting height with CEORA 43M cutting deck: 20-70mm

Cutting height with CEORA 43L cutting deck: 10-60mm

Cutting pattern: Systematic (mows in a lane-by-lane sequence)

Cleaning: IPX5

Area management: Up to 20 different areas

Reference station range: Up to 500m

Accessory: Rear-wheel brushes, EPOS reference station

CEORA™ is backed by Husqvarna’s maintenance and support program, providing fast repair and replacement services.

CEORA™

Hitachi and Designer Image

AQueensland structural landscaping specialist is showing its support for research into, and awareness of, breast cancer – with a bright-pink Hitachi ZX17U mini excavator.

Designer Image is a leading southeast Queensland residential landscape construction company which specialises in cutting-edge structural landscaping complemented with soft landscaping services.

Designer Image has had a strong presence in the landscaping scene since 2002, successfully completing thousands of residential projects in both new-build

areas and existing suburbs. Services on offer include all aspects of earthworks, retaining walls, fencing, decks, pool restorations and installation of other external features.

Recently Designer Image added a Hitachi ZX17U to its fleet, and while that may not be remarkable, painting the machine pink raised a few eyebrows.

Supporting a friend

Baden Fallon is one of the owners of Designer Image, and he’s keen for everyone to know about the company’s newest excavator.

“It’s all about breast-cancer awareness,” he explained. “Our Hitachi rep has a relative with breast cancer, so it’s close to home.

“We have a few Hitachi diggers in the fleet and we wanted to do something different. We wanted to do some fundraising with the machine to support breast-cancer research, and we plan to have the Hitachi at a charity golf day we have coming up. It’s a really good talking point for the staff on site. When the customers see it they always ask about it, and it gets the conversation going.”

So the bright-pink colour scheme works for Designer Image and Hitachi on several levels.

Designer Image added the new Hitachi ZX17U to its fleet earlier this year and is planning to do fundraising with the machine to support breast-cancer research and awareness.

Crawlers can be extended and retracted by control lever: retracted for truck transport and easy access to narrow job sites; extended for surefooted excavation.

Case study

The operator station boasts easy-to-use controls and a comfortable operator seat. Ergonomically arranged hydraulic pilot control levers provide light, smooth control.

The ZX17U is ideal for tight-access jobs.

Transformed through evolution, the ultimate species delivers more power, productivity and precision than ever before.

MINI EXCAVATORS BUILT

TOUGH.

Kress and Saints Landscaping and Garden Maintenance

Not quite a year ago Dwayne Paisley kitted out his business with some cordless Kress gear. He’s never looked back.

have quite a large crew,” said Dwayne Paisley, a very cheerful bloke, and boss at Saints Landscaping and Garden Maintenance in Victoria. “I have about six or eight of us working on any given day –mowing crews, guys doing commercial work, some heavier jobs like trees and trimming, and we do landscaping as well.”

When Kress offered Dwayne the chance to trial its new commercial cordless gear and the CyberTankTM, he was happy to jump in –but he covered his bets.

“That was one of thoughts at the start,” he recalled. “Is it going to be as heavy-duty as the petrol gear?”

“The very first day I got it I had a big garden clean-up which I’d held back deliberately so I could use these tools. The property hadn’t been touched for two years and it had blackberries and grass up to our knees. Everything was overgrown and it was a disaster.

“I took all the Kress CyberSystemTM product there, but I took my petrol stuff too, thinking, ‘That’s my backup plan if it all goes pear shaped.’”

As it turned out, the petrol gear stayed on the truck. “The Kress battery product mowed through it absolutely perfectly,” beamed Dwayne. “We didn’t even touch the petrol gear.”

“We had the Kress Commercial 60V 42 cm Brush Cutter which hit the blackberries and burst through them, the mower went through the knee-high grass – it was a wet morning as well, which made it a bit trickier – and the Kress gear cleaned up this property 100 per cent perfectly.”

The performance of the cordless Kress gear on that first day left him with no doubts whatsoever. It loses absolutely nothing to his petrol-powered equipment and is quieter and less fatiguing to use.

“That was a job I turned up to half dreading,” he remembered, “and the Kress equipment was magnificent.”

What downtime?

Once it was obvious the Kress equipment had all the power needed for Dwayne’s professional work, the next consideration was downtime. How much of the workday would

Kress batteries are capable of producing up to twice the power output of standard lithium-ion batteries.

Dwayne Paisley kitted out his business with cordless Kress gear and has never looked back.

be lost while batteries were charging?

The answer: none.

“I had a hand mower, hedgetrimmer, chainsaw, whipper-snipper, backpack blower, three batteries and the CyberTankTM,” glowed Dwayne. “The CybertankTM went on the back of my ute, and it’s like a mobile-phone charger for portability, but much bigger, obviously.

“Every night I charge that CyberTankTM, which takes between three and four hours to charge to 100 per cent.

“Most days we mow between 10 and 14 customers a day. We have our batteries on the CyberTankTM, and they charge in only 8 minutes. The battery in the mower would last 45 minutes to an hour on a standard lawn. If it was a big job and the battery did run out at any stage, we’d just take that battery out, grab the other one that’s already charged, put it back in the mower, put the depleted one back on the CyberTankTM and keep on mowing.”

“I’ve been using this equipment for nearly a year now, and I haven’t had any downtime whatsoever. And the batteries charge in 8 minutes every single time.”

Comfort

The CyberTankTM and mower were obvious winners. But how did the other gear perform?

Dwayne’s excitement as he talks about the new Kress gear is clearly visible.

“The whipper-snipper and other gear, instead of putting the battery on the tool,

we had a backpack with a cord that plugs into the end of the whipper-snipper or the hedger,” he explained. “That means there’s no extra weight on the tool. If you’re whippersnipping or hedging it feels like you’re carrying something like a broom or a mop… something about that weight.

even feel that.”

facet of the Kress battery as he worked through the long days.

you used them excessively. The technology Kress has meant the batteries do not heat up. Even in the middle of summer when we were

The Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower is battery operated, and its quieter operation minimises neighbourhood disruption and provides greater operator comfort.

giving these things a full go all day, they

The performace of the Kress equipment made big fans of the Saints Landscaping and Garden Maintenance folks.

Site dumpers

JCB site dumpers

The Stage V range of JCB site dumpers is leading the way with unparalleled levels of safety and industry-first ideas.

Comprised of a range of machines across four weight categories between one and nine tonnes, the new JCB dumpers have been designed with a great deal of innovation and expertise.

See more at JCB.com.

1TE electric site dumper

JCB’s pioneering 1TE electric dumper is a one-tonne, fully electric machine which challenges perceptions of where site dumpers can operate. With zero emissions during use, the 1TE can operate indoors and in noise-sensitive environments.

Features include:

• Powered by two 48V 5kWh robust lithium-ion batteries, the 1TE will work a full day’s shift.

• Two charging options, 230V and 415V, let you get to work when and where it suits

• Low noise: The 1TE electric dumper can carry on working through the night in any conditions, with nearsilent operation and powerful led work lights

• Allows for ‘out-of-hours’ working to maximise time on site and speed up the job

• Pair with the 19C-1E electric mini excavator for a complete quiet solution.

Specifications

Payload: 1000kg

Enclosure type: ROPS frame

Power type: Electric

Skip tipping type: Front tip/high tip

Operating Weight: 1625kg

1T-2 site dumper

Built to cope with the challenges of the rental market, the agile JCB 1T-2 site dumper benefits from tough components and exhaustive manufacturing processes.

Features include:

• State-of-the-art manufacturing processes and innovative assembly techniques help to achieve the very highest levels of build quality

• Skip strength is class-leading, courtesy of thick steel side walls and heavy-duty steel front and base plates

• Heavy-duty articulated chassis and skips help the machine to withstand the toughest work sites.

Specifications

Payload: 1000kg

Enclosure type: ROPS frame

Max. engine power: 16.1kW

Power type: Diesel Skip tipping type: Front tip

Operating weight: 1515kg

3T-2 site dumper

A true mid-range dumper, the JCB 3T-2 offers a wealth of versatility and performance, along with several configuration options to ensure you get exactly the right machine for your intended use.

Features include:

• State-of-the-art manufacturing processes and innovative assembly techniques help to achieve the very highest levels of build quality.

• Skip strength is class-leading, courtesy of thick steel side walls and heavy-duty steel front and base plates.

• Heavy-duty articulated chassis and skips help the machine to withstand the toughest work sites.

Specifications

Payload: 3000kg

Enclosure type: ROPS frame

Max. engine power: 18.9kW

Power type: Diesel

Skip tipping type: Front tip/swivel tip

Operating weight: 2345kg

6T-1 site dumper

Superior safety, comfort, serviceability and ease-of-use are all part of the JCB 6T-1 package, so this six-tonne site dumper is guaranteed to maximise productivity wherever you deploy it.

Features include:

• State-of-the-art manufacturing processes and innovative assembly techniques help to achieve the very highest levels of build quality

• Skip strength is class-leading courtesy of thick steel side walls and heavy duty steel front and base plates

• Heavy-duty articulated chassis and skips help the machine withstand the toughest work sites

• Finite element analysis and rig testing ensures superior structural strength and durability. Cold cell testing guarantees starting performance down to -15°C

• Folding ROPS/FOPS level II with optional folding ROPS frame

• Optional JCB cab ensures operator safety and comfort

9T-2 site dumper

The largest site dumper in the JCB range, the 9T is an extremely powerful and productive machine that’s designed to shift huge loads of material.

Features include:

• State-of-the-art manufacturing processes and innovative assembly techniques help to achieve the very highest levels of build quality

• Skip strength is class-leading courtesy of thick steel side walls and heavy duty steel front and base plates

• Heavy-duty articulated chassis and skips

• Finite element analysis and rig testing ensures superior structural strength and durability. Cold cell testing guarantees starting performance down to -15°C

• Folding ROPS/FOPS level II with optional folding ROPS frame

• Optional JCB cab ensures operator safety and comfort

• Safety assured through sequenced two-stage drive inhibit system: the operator needs to be on the seat with the lap belt engaged before driving

• JCB 55kW EcoMax Tier 4 Final engine incorporates an array of state-of-theart features to maximise power, torque and economy

• Safety assured through sequenced two-stage drive-inhibit system: the operator needs to be on the seat with the lap belt engaged before driving.

Specifications

Payload: 6000kg

Enclosure type:ROPS frame/optional cab

Max. engine power: 55kW

• Four-speed permanent 4WD powershuttle transmission

• Wheel-to-ground contact has been maximised thanks to large oscillation angles

• Easy ground-level service access with a tilting seat base providing maximum access to all areas

• Leading service access with up to a 62 per cent lower SAE serviceability rating

• Flat, clean skip design enable effective material discharge and easy cleaning.

Specifications

Payload: 9000kg

Enclosure type:ROPS frame/optional cab

Max. engine power: 55kW

Power type: Diesel

Skip tipping type: Front tip

Operating weight: 5400kg

Site dumpers

Reliability you can trust

Brand-New SDLG H-Series Wheel Loader Range

design and low-noise environment ensure operator comfort and alertness during operation.

mproved performance: For clear visibility, SDLG has designed an airconditioned cab with improved sealing performance, a suspension seat, and a wraparound pillarless front and rear windscreen.

Versatility: The factory-fitted quick coupler and third-function hydraulics enable the wheel loaders to adapt quickly to different attachments, enhancing their versatility and usability.

The line up

The first new machine in the SDLG H-Series line-up is the 11-tonne, 105kW/141hp, L936HLA wheel loader with a bucket capacity of up to 1.8m3 and a rated load of three tonnes. The rear-axle-rated load capacity has been improved by 25 per cent, offering superior durability and increased productivity. This loader has a small footprint making it maneouverable, perfect for removal jobs and utility work.

The new SDLG H-Series wheel loaders are an exceptional addition to an outstanding range. These loaders combine durability and superior comfort, fuel efficiency, and productivity. Their proven track record makes SDLG wheel loaders a trusted choice for Australian operations, and they are now available in Australia through CJD Equipment.

Ideal for Australian landscapers

SDLG H-Series wheel loaders are an excellent choice for your Australian landscaping operations, delivering:

• Reliable performance

• Simple operation

• Low maintenance, and

• Value for money.

As a member of the Volvo Group since 2007, Shandong Lingong Equipment (SDLG) is one of China’s fastest-growing construction-equipment manufacturers. Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the internationally renowned brand is available in more than 130 countries around the world.

SDLG machinery also integrates Volvo’s design influence and quality standards, providing a cost-effective, versatile solution for heavy-load operations.

“CJD Equipment has been distributing SDLG wheel loaders in Australia for over 11 years,” explained Andrew Egan, National Product Manager for SDLG at CJD Equipment, “and in that time, our customers have experienced great success with the product in several different industries, including waste and recycling, agriculture, timber plants, and general construction.”

H-Series wheel loaders

The CJD offering of SDLG wheel loaders consists of five models ranging from the LG918 with 77hp, through to the 217hp L958F, including three new H-Series models: the L936HLA, L938H and L946H.

The new H-Series wheel loaders feature a high-torque, fuel-efficient, six-cylinder engine for powerful performance with superior reliability, and low maintenance that’s easily accessible for daily checks and service.

1. Safety features: SDLG wheel loaders prioritise operator safety by incorporating all necessary safety features within the cab. This series also features fully certified ROPS-FOPS rollover protection as standard.

2. Comfortable and low-noise environment: The cab’s ergonomic

The L938H wheel loader is also an 11-tonne, 105kW/141hp loader that delivers a 2.1m3 bucket capacity and the same impressive load capacity as the L936HLA. Although it features a four-speed power-shift transmission over the two-speed for greater speed capabilities and smoother shifting. It’s perfect for transporting and loading loose materials such as sand and soil. It’s also well-suited for tasks like feedlots and general material handling. With its exceptional performance and reliability, the L938H ensures smooth operations and increased productivity.

The L936HLA and L938H also include an automatic bucket and boom kick-out function to ensure optimal productivity during load carrying.

That leads us to the L946H, the largest wheel loader in the new H-Series range that CJD Equipment offers. At 13 tonne, 129kW/173hp with a four-tonne rated load capacity, 2.3m3 bucket, and optimised frame and boom structure, the L946H is widely used in heavy load and material handling applications.

Andrew emphasised: “The SDLG wheel loaders are an excellent option for customers looking for a premium product at a competitive price. SDLG machines come

The new H-Series wheel loaders feature a high-torque, fuel-efficient, six-cylinder engine for powerful performance with superior reliability and low maintenance.

with a three-year, 6000-hour warranty as standard. The SDLG and CJD Equipment partnership delivers customers a robust and reliable product with 24/7 sales, parts and service support stretching across the nation’s regions and capital cities.

“CJD has consistently prioritised the satisfaction of its customers. Whether you are in the market for purchasing or replacing used equipment or simply seeking a reliable, user-friendly, and highly efficient machine, an SDLG wheel loader is an excellent choice,” Andrew added.

Mini excavators

CJD also recently introduced SDLG’s three new mini excavators.

Providing comfort and reliability at the core, the ER616F, ER636F, and E660FL have either zero or reduced tail swing, durable rubber tracks and pilot hydraulicoperated controls, and are equipped with engines from globally recognised manufacturers Kubota and Yanmar.

“We are introducing 1.8-tonne to 6-tonne machines in the mini excavator range, all newly designed by SDLG, and offering exceptional power and stability at a competitive price. These machines will be great options for the landscaping industry, offering optimal power and stability without compromising quality,” Andrew mentioned.

Founded in 1974, CJD Equipment is a privately-owned Australian company and leading provider of world-class construction equipment and trucks.

For more information on the SDLG machinery range and to locate your local CJD Equipment branch or SDLG Dealer, visit cjd.com.au or call 1300 139 804.

SDLG machines come with a threeyear, 6000-hour warranty as standard.

The CJD offering of SDLG wheel loaders includes three new H-Series models: the L936HLA, L938H and L946H.

Construction Equipment

An undercarriage worth talking about

John Deere 333G Compact Track Loader – anti-vibration undercarriage system.

The John Deere anti-vibration undercarriage system for the 333G Compact Track Loader has been an exciting innovation to John Deere’s compact construction line up over the past few years since introducing the feature. Designed to reduce machine vibration and increase operator comfort, the anti-vibration undercarriage system was created as a solution to combat operator fatigue and enhance user experience.

“At John Deere, we are committed to enhancing our operators’ experience and creating a more productive and dynamic job site,” said Luke Gribble, solutions marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “The new anti-vibration undercarriage delivers on that commitment, providing a solution to increase comfort, in turn boosting operator performance. By improving the operator experience, we’re helping to maximise overall productivity and profitability on the job site.”

Faster and smoother

The popular undercarriage option offers a solution to enhance machine operation, helping operators to remain focused on the

job at hand. Key features of the anti-vibration undercarriage system include:

• An isolated undercarriage

• Bogie rollers

• Updated grease points

• Hydrostatic hose protection shield, and

• Rubber isolators.

By utilising an anti-vibration suspension at the front and rear of the track frame, and absorbing shock through the rubber isolators, the machine provides a smoother ride for the operator. These features also enable the machine to travel at higher speeds while retaining material on the job, and permit the machine to flex up and down, creating a more comfortable operator experience, ultimately helping reduce operator fatigue.

Faster and smoother

Designed with productivity in mind, the bogie roller system allows for oscillating movement of the rollers, promoting smoother transitions when cresting a hill, improved stability on uneven grounds, and enabling larger debris to pass between the roller and track system. This design also features an oscillating bogie arm, further enhancing operator efficiency. It includes only four new grease points which

are easy to access, meaning operators can spend more time being productive.

Improving operator experience was a key priority during development of the antivibration undercarriage system back in 2021. With that in mind, additional enhancements were made and a new angled steel shield was added to protect the hydrostatic hoses from exposure to debris. As a result, operators can expect less downtime due to a reduction in potential damage to the hydrostatic hoses. Additionally, rubber isolators were implemented to offer longer track life and allow easier repairs compared to other competitive solutions.

Faster and smoother

The anti-vibration undercarriage system is available on zig-zag bar tracks on the 333G Compact Track Loader models available in various locations.

To learn more about the anti-vibration undercarriage system, as well as the full lineup of John Deere compact equipment solutions, please visit deere.com.au/en/ compact-track-loaders/333g-ft4-compacttrack-loader/ or your local dealer.

The John Deere anti-vibration undercarriage system for the 333G Compact Track Loader has been an exciting innovation to John Deere’s compact construction line up.

MINIMIZE PASSES, GUESSWORK, AND HEADACHES.

NEVER IDLE

It’s all about doing more with less. So we did, with the widest range of machines equipped with grade management tech to suit your job needs today, and tomorrow. From 2D Laser Control to fully-integrated SmartGrade™, it allows any operator to grade with precision. Reducing passes, labor costs, and dreaded rework, to ultimately boost your bottom line.

Construction Equipment

UHI excavators

Excavator specialist UHI (United Heavy Industries) services customers all around Australia, offering everything from compact machines through to heavyweights. Here’s a few of the most popular. Get the full specs and equipment inclusions at unitedheavyindustries.com.au.

UME12P $19,990

14hp Kubota engine

1.2T operating weight

Adjustable track

Swing boom

Joystick control

Nine attachments included

UME15P $21,990

11.8kW Yanmar engine

1.5T operating weight

Swing boom

Joystick control

Eight attachments included

UME10T

Sale price! $12,990 $11,990

10hp Koop engine

One tonne operating weight

Swing boom

Nine attachments included

UME15P

UME12P

Construction Equipment

57hp Yanmar engine 7.8T operating weight

Tilt Quick Hitch

Rubber pads

Seven attachments included

UME25 $37,990

20hp Yanmar engine, 2.5T operating weight, Swing boom, Hydraulic thumb, Eight attachments included

UME28 $41,990

20hp Yanmar engine, 2.6T operating weight, Swing boom, Eight attachments included

XU36 $59,990

27hp Yanmar engine, 3.8T operating weight, Swing boom, Hydraculic Quick Hitch, Seven attachments included

UME80 $69,990

63hp Yanmar engine, 7.2T operating weight, Steel track, Hydraulic quick hitch, Optional rubber pads

XU80 $89,900

DL Civil has found the 2.8-tonne, zero-swing 9027F LiuGong excavator’s ability to work in tight-access areas a real asset. The roof was easily removed to work inside a garage.

Strong performance in doing the job for a machine price that is $20,000-$30,000 less than others makes LiuGong rollers, like this 6032 model, particularly attractive.

landscaping, indoor and outdoor demolitions, and construction.

It’s easy to operate and transport and the zero tail and boom swing allows it to dig right alongside its tracks.

“With the zero swing, it can work in tight access areas,” David said.

“For one job, I also took the roof off to work inside a garage. It only required unscrewing a few bolts – it was easy.”

He said the 9027F machine completed some excavation work initially before being set for the dry hire business and heading out to a company to assist demolition works. It uses a quick-hitch for all buckets and also includes a hammer and a grab to pick up rubbish for loading into skip bins.

The roller

The 6032 LiuGong roller is the dry hire business’ first roller on civil jobs, including road and car-park construction, and its operators have been highly impressed.

“For their performance in doing the job for a machine price that is $20,000-$30,000 less than others, the LiuGong rollers are really good,” David said.

Power and vibration with the LiuGong 6032 roller are delivered via a reliable Tier 3 Perkins engine, which David said helped to provide even further confidence to operators.

Meanwhile, operators can take a closer look at LiuGong’s strong line-up of equipment at field days and shows being held around the country during September, and find more information on the entire LiuGong range at liugongaustralia.com.au.

UHI T40 skid steer loader

United Heavy Industries specialises in small machinery with a big heart. It has available a big range of electric, dieseland petrol-powered loaders, forklifts and excavators, and they’re all on the compact or smaller end of the machinery range.

The T40 is a diesel-powered stand-on skid-steer loader driven by a three-cylinder 30hp Perkins engine, and it’s supplied with an Italian Hansa triple pump and a four-inone bucket. Running speed is 2400rpm and the machine will move at a maximum of five kilometres per hour.

If you’re feeling like the T40 reads like it’d be a great asset for working hard on tight-access domestic sites, we’d have to say you’re on the right track.

Or in the case of the T40, the right two tracks.

Measuring up

Being able to flex a little muscle is important of course, but the physical size of this type of

For moving materials in tight spaces, a compact skid-steer loader is hard to beat. UHI’s T40 is a great example.

A three-cylinder 30hp Perkins engine moves the T40 at a maximum of five kilometres per hour.

Rated load capacity is 400kg and should be plenty for the T40’s intended purpose.

machinery is an integral part of its appeal.

The T40 rides in with an overall width of 1070mm, which is about the norm for this class of machine, and should mean access to backyards and alongside houses is okay. Length with the bucket in place is 2702mm, so most landscapers would be able drop the bucket and haul it about with a trailer.

Rated load capacity is 400kg, which, again, is about what we’d expect for a machine of this size and should be plenty for it’s intended purpose. A big bucketload of topsoil or turf rolls should be well within the T40’s comfort zone. And for the heavy materials, a competent operator can make sure the bucket isn’t overfilled. It’ll still be far more efficient and cost effective than trying to move those materials by hand.

On the job

When it came to put the T40 through its paces the first thing which caught our attention was the sprung operating platform. Across a long day it’ll make a huge difference to operator comfort. Instead of the rough and tumble of traversing a building or construction site being pounded straight up through the operator’s legs and knees, the sprung platform reduces the shocks to an amazing degree.

Response to the controls is smooth and predictable.

The sprung operating platform makes a huge difference to operator comfort.

Test drive

While we’re talking about comfort, the guard rails around the controls are really good. They’re strong enough to lean on or hold onto if the machine has to rock’n’roll on tough terrain, and they mean the operator never has to put his weight on the controls themselves. They’re a common feature on machines of this type, but we felt the design on the T40 was particularly good.

On the job

Our driver for this review, Matt from Dual Landscapes & Stonework on Sydney’s northern beaches, is an experienced machinery operator and pro landscaper, but he’d worked primarily with cabin-rigged machinery, and he was rapt with the allround vision of the T40. He was especially impressed at the power and size of the UHI.

The machine was actually put through its paces in a stoneyard, and while a competent and experienced operator will show a machine at its best, the UHI humped some serious chunks of rock, and Matt’s grinning surprise at the T40’s capabilities was obvious.

The 30-horsepower Perkins diesel powered the T40 really nicely, with torque and drive delivered well and truly in the

UHI is all about small machinery with a big heart.

The T40 is supplied with an Italian Hansa triple pump and a four-in-one bucket.

sweet spot, and the handling and manoeuvrability were really good, with the tracks proving very surefooted on the less-than-ideal surface. Matt even remarked at how stable the T40 felt, and how well it handled the terrain compared to wheel loaders he’d used in the past.

Response to the controls was smooth and predictable, and when we asked Matt if there was anything he didn’t like about the T40 he thought for a while, looked around, scratched a couple of circles in the dirt with his toe, and said, “For the size of the machine, and what I’ve seen it handle today, for something with 400kg capacity and the reach, I think the price tag is very reasonable.”

And while Matt didn’t come up with anything he didn’t like, he did underline a major attraction of the UHI T40: For the skid-steer, Italian Hansa triple pump and a four-in-one bucket, the asking price as we go to print is a razor-sharp $27,990, and that includes a two-year/2000-hour engine factory warranty and a two-year components parts warranty.

That’s nearly as amazing as the UHI T40 itself.

Put through its paces in a stoneyard, the UHI humped some serious chunks of rock.

The guard rails around the controls are really good – strong enough to lean on or hold onto if the machine has to rock’n’roll on tough terrain.

Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower

After announcing its launch to dealers in June, Kress has revealed its zero-emission 60V cordless blower for professional use.

The Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower is battery operated, and while rivalling petrol power, it’s quieter operation minimises neighbourhood disruption and gives greater operator comfort and increased productivity.

The 35 N Backpack Blower is one of the many Kress tools that could diminish the use of the petrol-powered equipment in the commercial landscaping industry.

The no-emission mission

We went through an introduction to the Kress company and its philosophy in the July/August issue, and a big part of that philosophy is offering outdoor

Kress’ battery cordless commercial blower is quiet, beautifully balanced, and a stellar performer.

The Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower is clearly ready for professional use, and, more than that, it’s a very easy piece of equipment to live with.

This blower packs a wallop.

power equipment with no emissions. The Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower is a great example of Kress vision made reality.

Thanks to the 8-minute Cybersystem™, charging the 11Ah battery from zero to 100 per cent charge takes just 8 minutes – we’re still a little stunned at that, but we know it to be true – Kress sent us a couple of the 11AH 660 with Cyberpack™ batteries and a 30A Dual Port charger, so we had plenty of power on tap to work the blower hard.

Despite an airspeed of 85 metres per second, the Kress runs quietly at 62dB. The four speed settings and modulating throttle allow the operator to be fairly choosy about how much power is unleashed, and that’s a good thing, because this blower packs a wallop. It’ll need to work at considerably less than full throttle around delicate garden beds and sensitive areas, and the quiet running makes it deceptive. A little too much trigger and it could be Dorothy’s house in the Kansas hurricane all over again.

A smooth and responsive throttle allows the commercial-grade brushless motor to work at its best in just about any situation. There’s four speed settings and even a ‘cruise control’, so if the situation demands a certain pace for an extended time, the throttle can be set in place and left there.

We were able to move large volumes of leaf litter and clippings during our Autumn test, and ‘impressed’ doesn’t come close to how we felt about the 35 N.

Four speed settings and a ‘cruise control’ are easily managed with the LED display on the handgrip.

And of course, there are no emissions when using this equipment. That’s a big plus, not just for the operator and nearby members of the public, but for the many generations yet to come.

Comfort

Kress has obviously done its research when it comes to the ergonomics of using the blower.

The backpack rig is adjustable in all the right ways, and we found it easy to get everything sitting just right. Where the harness rests on the operator’s back is a sturdy – but fairly light – arrangement that kept a small space between the operator’s back and the unit itself, and it let plenty of air through. It also distrubuted the weight and kept the blanace of the whole rig feeling good. Settling in to a long session of moving a heap of Autumn leaves across driveways and lawn didn’t create any stress at all. The blower is quiet, very comfortable, and, best of all, has some serious grunt.

Hold on tight

We’ve actually seen it a few times now, but it still makes us smile: the unsuspecting operator slips into the harness, gets everything settled, then presses the handy trigger on the joystick control and instantly steps back as their eyes fly wide open. The thrust from the Kress backpack blower takes everyone by surprise on their first try.

Once over the initial surprise, it’s immediately obvious the 35 N is serious commercial equipment. From the LED display on the controller to the 1529m3/h air volume and IPX4 water-resistance index, it’s a powerful work unit. We moved large volumes of leaf litter and clippings during our Autumn test, and ‘impressed’ doesn’t come close to how we felt about the 35 N.

Tech advantages

There’s great advantages in the battery system for tracking use and maintenance.

Without the operator needing to adjust anything the Kress IQ software opitimises

energy supply, battery protection and communication between the battery and charger. Battery cells are protected to prevent impact and vibration damage, and the Kress Connected app keeps track of battery charge, lifecycles and tool status, and offers maintenance and repair alerts.

Good gear

There’s not much more we can say about the Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower. It’s clearly ready for professional use, and, more than that, it’s a very easy piece of equipment to live with. Swapping batteries is so much faster and more convenient than mixing and pouring fuel, the backpack harness is well designed and comfortable, and the blower itself is clean, powerful and very effective.

All that with no emissions and running at an incredible 62dB.

Want to know more?

Log on to kress.com.

Charging the 11Ah 660Wh CyberPack™ battery from zero to 100 per cent charge takes just 8 minutes.

The backpack harness is sturdy and well designed. We had no trouble adjusting things to get comfortable for a long session of clearing Autumn leaves.

GREENWORKS Commercial OptimusZ CZ60R 24kwH 60” zero-turn

An environmentally friendly 24kwH 60” zero-turn with one of the safest and best-performing battery technologies on the market.

GREENWORKS claims its OptimusZ is ‘the ultimate productivity machine’. Engineered for all-day commercial use, the built-in battery module on the 24kwH CZ60R has safe LFP (lithium-phosphate) cell technology and, depending on load, allows landscapers to mow up to 21 acres with up to eight hours runtime.

The 82V Prismatic LFP battery tech is notable for a few different high points, but a big one is safety. These batteries won’t ignite if there’s an issue with a battery pack. They only smoulder.

Other interesting traits include a lifespan of up to 2000 full charge cycles, and the fact they retain 70 per cent of original output once end-of-life is reached. That allows the battery to be run down to zero per cent and charge without issue.

Operation is quiet, and high-intensity,

The CZ60R performed well in the varied conditions of our test site, especially in heavy going. Fast,

360° LED lighting opens the door for earlier starts, longer working hours, more business opportunities and increased profitability.

Intelligent response

A constant 19,000FPM blade-tip speed, controlled by GREENWORKS’ SmartCut Blade Management System and powered through the CZ60R’s high-performance 1.8kW Blade Motor System, is one of the highest blade-tip speeds in its class of battery and petrol zero turns. There are no belts or pulleys, so there’s no slipping or loss of power in heavy conditions, and the CZ60R automatically adjusts to various grass conditions. The high speeds mean shorter job times, and an intelligent 3-in-1 blade controller ensures responses to changing conditions are instant, allowing the blade motors to maintain consistent blade speed and prevent the bogging often found in petrol mowers and underpowered electric motors.

A state-of-the art traction-control system controls responses to changing conditions, applying power when needed, leaving the driver free to concentrate on getting the best result on inclines, declines and through tall, thick and wet grass.

As far as we could tell, the high speed of the blades didn’t result in any decrease in the quality of the cut, and while we didn’t run the machine into any unexpectedly swampy ground, it performed well across the varied conditions at our farm test site, allowing fast and efficient cutting. Even in some fairly long grass where we were expecting the CZ60R to struggle it didn’t slow up at all.

The suspension seat is a winner.

GREENWORKS’ hub motors and planetary gearboxes allow the entire drive system to be placed outside of the frame.

Test drive

Specifications

Weight 725.7kg

Length 187.5cm

Height 118.6cm

Width (with discharge) 186.7cm

Deck widths available48" 52” 60’"

Forward speed 0-25.7km/h

Mowing speed 0-19.3km/h

Reverse speed 0-8.0km/h

Cutting speed 19,000FPM constant

Cutting height range 2.5cm – 12.5cm

Runtime Up to 8 hours

Charge time 7 hours std charger. 3 hours with SuperCharger

Petrol equivalent 1000cc/38hp

360-degree ‘Halo’ LED lighting and the 25 patents applying to this mower all reinforce its claim to be one of the most advanced ZTRs available.

It’s a solidly buit machine, backed by GREENWORKS’ five-year/2000 hour commercial warranty.

High comfort level GREENWORKS’ hub motors and planetary gearboxes allow the entire drive system to be placed outside of the frame, resulting in the OptimusZ range having the lowest centre of gravity in the industry. The inhub planetary wheel motors also make for very smooth drive, high torque and speeds of up to 25.7kph, and we have to say, it’s a very comfortable ride for the driver. The suspension seat is a winner, and a touchscreen LED control contributes to reduced stress for the operator as well. The IPX56-rated screen allows adjusting drive speed and blade speed on the go with just a fingertip, and nice touches like the USB charging ports, phone storage and even a couple of water-bottle holders make for a well-thought-out pro-standard unit.

It’s not just the LED screen which can cope with moisture. The whole mower carries the IPX56 rating.

The CZ60R has a real-time 4G+GPS connectivity, so fleet management via the unit’s software and the GREENWORKS Commercial app is very efficient. It means usage statistics and live insights into battery status system functions are available with a quick glance at a connected phone, laptop or tablet. Also, the 4G module enables over-theair (OTA) software updates to guarantee the machine is always up to date.

A great package all round GREENWORKS backs the unit with a five-year/2000-hour commercial warranty, and things like the 360-degree ‘Halo’ LED lighting, amber strobe, and the fact there

are 25 patents applying to this mower all reinforce its claim to be one of the most advanced ZTRs available.

As an overall, professional zero-turn, it’s hard to find fault with the OptimusZ CZ60R. It’s fast, smooth, quiet, and a pleasure to use. Our test driver, Finn Wilson of MP Garden Maintenance, came up with a great summation: “What I love about this mower is the simplicity of everything,” he explained. “We’ve got a simple ‘on’ button, and the settings are right there – mower speed, blade speed, height – all right next to the driver.

“And the speed on this thing is crazy. You can basically up the speed from zero per cent all the way up to 100 per cent, and its top speed is super-fast.”

That’s the kind of thing we like to see in professional equipment.

There’s no slipping or loss of power in heavy conditions, and the CZ60R automatically adjusts to various grass conditions.

Zero-turn mowers

Engineered for power, versatility, stability and comfort, the Mean Green RIVAL is an excellent all-round choice for community mowing needs.

EcoTeq’s Mean Green RIVAL

52”/60” electric Li-ion ride-on zero-turn mower

High versatility and operator comfort for all-day performance, with up to 15 acres of continuous mowing on a single charge.

Engineered for power, versatility, stability and comfort, the Mean Green RIVAL is an excellent all-round choice for community mowing needs.

The 100 per cent electric Impulse Drive System™ produces power comparable to a 36hp petrol mower, and maximum speeds of 18kph, with low noise and zero emissions. Longer, thicker Spring growth is no challenge to this powerhouse.

Operable with your choice of a 52” or 60” deck, each charge delivers up to seven hours

of continuous run time, allowing crews to mow up to 15 acres per shift.

The Mean Green RIVAL also features an ergonomically designed, customisable highback suspension seat to ensure optimum operator safety and comfort levels at all times.

Tried, tested and proven

Mean Green has been manufacturing commercial zero turns in the USA since 2009. Far from being a ‘new’ product, Mean Green’s

been involved in serious development of battery power for over a decade. The brand is distributed in Australia exclusively through Australian company EcoTeq, with branches, trained technicians and spare-parts backing on a national scale.

Built to last

The construction of the RIVAL is quite different to conventional zero turns.

Both the machine and the fabricated 60” deck are aircraft-grade aluminium, which is

both incredibly strong and lightweight. The 11 individual battery cells are housed in a sealed compartment within the rear of the machine and barely protrude past the back wheels, so there’s no large overhang like conventional machines. This greatly reduces the footprint and means what feels like a large, sit-on machine is only about the same size as a stand-on zero turn.

The RIVAL being so incredibly light for its robust build is possibly a reflection of the unit being designed and built from the ground up as an electric zero turn, not an adaption from a petrol-powered outfit.

Plenty of drive

The Impulse Drive System gives instant power. In fact, it can be a little surprising. The top speed of 18.5kph is achieved in 1.3 seconds, so an unwary driver who pushes the control levers from neutral to full forward will find himself needing to hang on.

Controls are light and precise, and contribute to the high level of comfort which is so important on a machine which can run for a full shift on a single battery charge.

Plenty of support

For those who still need to see the RIVAL to believe it, EcoTeq offers a demonstration to landscapers and contractors serious about making the transition to electric.

For more information, or to find your nearest dealer, log on to ecoteq.com.au.

Mean Green RIVAL key features:

• Zero emissions, hydraulics or oil

• 100 per cent electric Impulse Drive System™

• 8.25kW (DECK) & 6.8kW (DRIVE) –equivalent to 36hp petrol

• Quiet operation – just 78dB

• 7.5 hours of continuous mowing per charge

• 20° slope capability

• Interactive touch screen display

• SmartDeck™ Rapid Height Deck Lift System

• Choice of side or rear grass discharge

• Michelin TWEEL® airless radial tyres (front)

• Highly manoeuvrable for tight areas

• SAM solar canopy (optional), and

• Five-year battery and machine warranty.

Zero-turn mowers

Zero-turn mowers

Take the wheel, take it to the hills!

Test driving Cub Cadet’s new Ultima ZTXS Zero-turn range with Synchro-Steer technology for steep-terrain mowing.

Get ready to elevate your lawn-care game with the all-new Ultima Series™ ZTXS from Cub Cadet.

This line of zero-turn mowers has commercial-grade features for residential landowners who demand the very best. With state-of-the-art technology and an array of impressive features, the ZTXS range is designed to take your mowing experience to the next level.

Cub Cadet’s patented Synchro-Steer® system is a true game-changer, with its four-wheel steering providing excellent manoeuvrability and control, eliminating the need for traditional lap-bar steering. And with the ability to handle slopes of up to 20°, you

can be confident in the stability of your ride while mowing steep terrain.

Power and Performance

A choice of commercial-grade Kawasaki® V-twin engines and dual hydrostatic transmissions provide effortless power and reliability, allowing you to tackle tight corners and obstacles with ease. The heavy-duty 10-gauge steel fabricated cutting deck ensures superior strength and durability, delivering precise and consistent cuts even in the toughest conditions. With deck sizes ranging from 122cm (48”) to a large 152cm (60”), you can choose the perfect fit for your lawn size and mowing preferences.

Comfort and Convenience

Comfort is key, and the ZTXS range is built with a premium high-back seat with armrests and lever seat adjustment. Changing cutting height on the go is effortless with a footassisted deck-lift pedal and simple dial adjustment at your fingertips to select your ideal cutting height.

The three-blade AeroForce® Max reinforced fabricated steel cutting deck ensures quick and efficient mowing, and with a max ground speed of 12.9kph, you’ll be able to mow large blocks and acreage faster than ever before.

The ZTXS Series offers multiple cutting modes, including bagging with an optional

Your one-of-a-kind lawn has finally met its match.

Zero-turn mowers EQUIPMENT

grass catcher, mulching, and side-discharging, so you can customise your lawn care to your specific needs. With efficient coverage of large areas, Cub Cadet’s ZTXS zero-turn will significantly reduce your mowing time, while providing a professional finish that will leave your lawn looking immaculate.

Get ready to be amazed by the Ultima ZTXS series from Cub Cadet.

The Ultima ZTXS Range

The Cub Cadet Ultima Series™ ZTXS is now available in the following models:

• Z TXS4 48 powered by a 23HP Kawasaki® engine and 122cm (48”) fabricated deck

• Z TXS4 54 powered by a 24HP Kawasaki® engine and 137cm (54”) fabricated deck

• Z TXS5 54 powered by a 24HP Kawasaki® engine and 137cm (54z) fabricated deck

• Z TXS5 60 powered by a 25.5HP Kawasaki® engine and a 152cm (60”) fabricated deck.

Visit cubcadet.com.au to book a test drive online with your local dealer.

Synchro-Steer® technology. Four-wheel steering with steering-wheel control.

Commercial-grade features for demanding residential landowners.

Scan for more on the ZTXS Series!

Toro ride-on, zero-turn and stand-on mowers

Toro’s range of ride-on zero-turn and stand-on mowers feature advanced technology and innovation right across the range.

The TimeCutter® Series of zero-turn mowers come with features like the Smart Speed® control system: a three speed range – Trim, Tow and Mow – that can be changed with the flip of a lever. The lowspeed ‘Trim’ mode can be used for trimming, parking and training. The medium-speed ‘Tow’ mode is designed for use when towing attachments, bagging or mulching. The top-speed ‘Mow’ mode is ideal for mowing wide-open areas.

MyRIDE® Suspension System

Selected Toro TimeCutter®, Titan® and Z Master® ride-on mowers are equipped with the amazingly comfortable MyRIDE® suspension system.

The fully suspended, adjustable operator platform isolates bumps and vibrations so you don’t feel the rough terrain.

The TimeCutter® Series of zero-turn mowers come with features like the Smart Speed® control system: a three speed range that can be changed with the flip of a lever.

The ride-on Z Master® Revolution and stand-on GrandStand® Revolution series.

The personalised ride settings allow operators to easily and quickly adjust ride preferences without the use of tools.

More efficient

The new battery-powered commercial zero-turn Z Master® Revolution and standon GrandStand® Revolution series, which will be introduced into Australia in October 2023, boasts superior feel and control due to patent-pending software that also gives the operator the ability to adjust the top traction speed and blade tip speed. Together with adjustable deck rake, performance can be dialled in to suit the conditions.

The Revolution Series mowers are powered by Toro’s HyperCell® Power System and delivers all day power and reliability. The Battery Management System (BMS) allows for longer run times and quick charging to maximise productivity. HyperCell® is built to run cooler than other power systems for long-lasting efficiency. Ultimately, you gain efficiencies, cut down on emissions and can complete more jobs with less hassle.

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

Zero-turn mowers

Find out more

For more information on the Toro mower range, go to toro.com.au. Also check out the Toro 2023 Spring Catalogue for finance offers on walk power mowers and TimeCutter®, Titan®

and selected Z Master® range of zero-turn ride on mowers, GrandStand® stand-on mowers. Look out for the brand new lithium-ion battery Revolution series Z Master® and GrandStand® mowers in the catalogue as well. The new battery-powered commercial zero-turn Z Master® Revolution boasts superior feel and control due to patent-pending software that also gives the operator the ability to adjust the top traction speed and blade tip speed.

Personalised ride settings allow operators to easily and quickly adjust their personal ride preferences without the use of tools.

‘

Bad Boy Mowers

Rogue and Renegade: two hardworking ride-ons with serious attitude.

Mow with an attitude’ is the driving force behind each and every mower Bad Boy Mowers builds.

It’s a promise to every owner that Bad Boy Mowers continues to lead the industry in delivering innovation and powerful mowing performance across its entire mower lineup. And it’s all for mowing pros and demanding homeowners.

It takes brains and brawn to build a mower as ruggedly simple to operate, easy to maintain and which provides the best value over years of use. Bad Boy Mowers have been over-built and over-powered since the very beginning.

Check out the Rogue and the Renegade as two great examples.

Outlaw Renegade

The Bad Boy Outlaw Renegade Diesel is built to outlast, outcut and outperform. Featuring an 1100cc, 24.7 horsepower Perkin, the Renegade Diesel zero-turn mower delivers pure, long-lasting, brute-force performance. It packs a combination of topof-the-line comfort, durability, and cuttingedge innovation that sets it apart from any other commercial-grade zero-turn mower on the turf.

Standard features

• 1100cc, 24.7 horsepower Perkin diesel

• New updated tank styling

• Dual 16cc hydro-gear pumps

• Dual 18ci Parker wheel motors

• Patented three-link rear trailing-arm suspension

• Patented independent front suspension

• Heavy-duty cast I-beam rails

• Sloped 3-gauge/6mm deck with reinforced 9.5mm sides

• Heavy-gauge, all-steel, all-welded frame

• Dual-pump belt system with tensioner design

• Patented dual deck-support isolators

• PEER, maintenance-free spindles

• Deck-lift pedal with deck dial adjustment

• Premium adjustable suspension seat

• E xclusive Reaper® rear tyres

• Adjustable footrest

• Rear deck striping kit

• No-Flat front tyres

The Bad Boy Outlaw Renegade.

Test drive

Outlaw Rogue

Picking the perfect balance of power, performance and comfort doesn’t mean you have to give up your edge.

From the commercial-grade dual hydraulic pumps and drive motors to Bad Boy Mowers’ patented EZ-Ride three-link trailing suspension, the Outlaw Rogue doesn’t give up an inch to Bad Boy Mowers’ other machines. Available in sizes from 61” to 72” with a Kawasaki FX1000 999cc 38.5hp EFI engine, you can’t go wrong with the Rogue zero-turn mower for professional-grade performance

and cut. It raises the bar for every other commercial or large-acreage mower in its price range for dependable, long-lasting performance and comfort.

There has never been a better time to go Rogue.

Standard features

• Kawasaki FX1000 999cc 38.5hp EFI engine

• New updated tank styling

• Dual 16cc hydro-gear pumps

• Dual 18ci Parker wheel motors

• Patented three-link rear trailing-arm suspension

• Patented independent front suspension

• Heavy-duty cast I-beam rails

• 3-gauge/6mm deck with reinforced 9.5mm sides

• Heavy-gauge, all-steel, all-welded frame

• Patented dual deck-support isolators

• PEER, maintenance-free spindles

• Deck-lift pedal with deck dial adjustment

• Premium adjustable suspension seat

• E xclusive Reaper® rear tyres

• Adjustable footrest

• Rear deck striping kit

• No-Flat front tyresw

The Bad Boy Outlaw Rogue.

Proud partner of Planet Earth

The EGO Power Plus revolutionary 56V ARC Lithium™ battery technology delivers superior performance without the noise, fuss or fumes of petrol-powered engines. Now, EGO has evolved lawn care once again with the all-new 107cm EGO Z6 E-STEER™.

Pure green battery power

The 107cm Z6 E-STEER™ puts revolutionary features in the palm of your hand, giving the added precision of a traditional driving experience, plus a whole host of functions at the push of a button thanks to the interactive LED screen. That includes driving modes, blade speeds, and power-status indicator. Everything you need is at your fingertips.

Better yet, the E-STEER™ wheel itself features two rear paddles. It’s the kind of

detail that really puts the sports in ‘Sports Mowed’, allowing a switch into reverse with ease. And if it’s a lazy Sunday, there’s a cruise control mode, too. Just turn it on and let your Z6 E-STEER™ handle the rest.

The Z6 E-STEER™ features four independent brushless motors powered by four 12.0Ah 56V ARC Lithium™ batteries. That’s the equivalent of a 22-horsepower engine and enough juice to comfortably cut up to two acres of lawn. And if you need more, it can hold up to six batteries for an extra boost. EGO calls it Peak Power™ performance.

No two backyards are the same. That’s why the Z6 E-STEER™ features a complete zero turn radius with ten cutting-height positions ranging from 25mm to 100mm. All that grass can either be mulched or side

discharged, and if you need a cleaner finish, there’s a bagging kit sold separately, too. No need to stop. Just ride on.

Of course, the Z6 E-STEER™ has been designed to cover a fair amount of ground and you’ll have three driving modes at your discretion. The control and standard functions let you manage your power output to suit the job at hand.

And the sports mode? We’ll let you figure that one out for yourself.

You won’t be waiting to re-charge all day either. The Z6 E-STEER™’s 1600W charger is the industry’s fastest, topping up four 10.0Ah batteries in two hours, and four 12.0Ah batteries in under three. And when you’re running low on charge, the Z6 E-STEER™ will direct you to the nearest battery bay – which will probably be in your garage.

EGO Power Plus is the world’s leading outdoor battery powered equipment with no vested interest in petrol.

The 107cm Z6 E-STEER™ puts revolutionary features in the palm of your hand.

Zero-turn mowers

Grass can either be mulched or side discharged. A bagging kit is available, sold separately.

The Z6 E-STEER™ features a complete zero-turn radius with 10 cutting-height positions ranging from 25mm to 100mm.

An interactive LED screen gives information that includes driving modes, blade speeds, and a power-status indicator.

Clever, isn’t it?

There’s a few extra bells and whistles too. Like adjustable seat suspension for total comfort, front, side and rear LED lights, charging port, cupholders and an IPX4 weather-resistant construction.

Rain, hail or shine, there’s not much that can get in the way of the Z6 E-STEER™.

A no fuss or fumes future

But that’s just the riding mower. EGO has over 50 products, each with their own ground-breaking features that make garden care cleaner, easier and more efficient than ever before.

Take the Powerload™ Line Trimmer with

Zero-turn mowers EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

Line IQ™. It auto-feeds and auto-loads itself. Or the EGO handheld blower, which delivers power that exceeds petrol and every other battery equivalent available in Australia.

These innovations are only possible without the restraints of a rudimentary combustion engine. And with EGO’s interlinked battery system, you’ll never touch one again. That’s because every EGO battery is compatible with every EGO tool, including the Z6 E-STEER™.

Once you’re done with the lawn, pop those batteries into your EGO Chainsaw, Brush Cutter, Multi-Tool or whatever else you need to get the job done. When you’re

on the world’s most awarded cordless platform, the possibilities are endless.

The revolution is here

There just hasn’t been an effective and efficient alternative to petrol-powered riding mowers until now. The EGO Z6 E-STEER™ not only outperforms traditional mowers, it also packs in plenty of features that innovate lawn care in ways we once never thought possible.

If you’ve ever wondered what the future looks like, here it is.

See the whole EGO Power Plus range at egopowerplus.com.au.

EGO has over 50 products, each with their own ground-breaking features that make garden care cleaner, easier and more efficient than ever before.

Designed to be quiet. At only 79dB, you can mow your lawns when the petrol guys can’t.

GREENWORKS® selfpropelled lawnmowers

GREENWORKS 25” self-propelled lawnmower

The muscle of this mower flexes with its heavy duty 25” heavy-duty steel deck and with more intelligent power than any of its 160cc comparable petrol competitors. The 25” cut delivers superior cut quality with premium blade speed, ranging between 4000rpm and 4500rpm.

This mower features dual, counter-rotating mulching blades for the best quality cut, providing a 30 per cent better cut quality, and the large 25” deck gives the user a 20 per cent quicker cut time compared to 21” competitors. Runtime is a sure thing, up to 90 minutes on a single charge, with the dual battery ports and the powerfully tough

commercial grade motor allowing effortless manoeuverability, giving increased traction up hills and slopes, and cutting through the thickest challenges with ease. It also provides a higher lift for the best cut in any condition.

The single-lever height adjustment quickly raises or lowers the deck for different grass conditions, with seven positions for precise mowing, and the handle adjusts for the user’s height and folds down for easy storage.

Designed to be quiet, at only 79dB, mow your lawns when the petrol guys can’t. Forget the petrol, oil, sparkplug, fuel filter, and air filter. Enjoy fume- and emission-free mowing. Features include:

• 160cc petrol-powered equivalent

• 25” commercial-grade 14-gauge steel deck

Turn heads and make the competition jealous with performance, intelligence and innovative independence that they’ll wish they had. Here’s a couple of great GREENWORKS® mowers that’ll do that and more.

• Mow up to 1.5 acres on a single charge

• Commercial-grade brushless motor

• Two-in-1 cutting system

• Seven-position height-adjustment system

• Dual port system provides more power and doubles runtime, and

• Recommended retail: $1349 (skin only).

GREENWORKS 30” self-propelled lawnmower

Featuring some of the best modern technological advances in outdoor power equipment, the GREENWORKS® 82V 30” self-propelled lawnmower is equipped with two independently controlled hub wheel motors and twin dual brushless cutting motors delivering more power than 200cc petrol mowers. The ETS (Easy Turn System) drive system automatically adjusts the power to compensate for sloped conditions and effortless control.

Constant power and torque is directed to the hub motors, providing faster cutting speeds and more torque than petrol units. It is also the first push lawnmower to have a reverse function to easily power out of tight areas.

Petrol units lack the technology to adapt to grass conditions on the fly and are limited to only 3600rpm on average, leading to uncut grass, clumping and inefficient bag collection. With independent brushless motors, GREENWORKS® mowers achieve higher blade-tip speeds and automatically increase power to maintain consistency throughout the

Push mowers

Runtime is a sure thing. Up to 90 minutes on a single charge.

cut. Our intelligent mowers never bog down, even in the tallest, thickest and wettest grass. Designed for the commercial landscaper, the 82V 30” lawnmower boasts an extralarge grass bag that carries 12 per cent more clippings than comparable units, and has independently controlled wheels for optimised traction. It also includes a smart LCD screen that provides the status of the lawnmower (battery status, speed control, blade speed and error codes), and a tri-port powerhead that holds three batteries for

• 224cc petrol-powered equivalent

• 30” commercial-grade 12-gauge steel deck

• Mow up to two acres on a single charge

• Tri-port powerhead holds up to three batteries to deliver superior runtime

• Independently controlled wheel motors for optimised traction and manoeuverability

• High-visibility LED light for navigating in low-light conditions

• Dual sealed motors provide up to 16,000ft/ min blade-tip speed for best cutting performance

The GREENWORKS® 82V 25” and 30” self-propelled push mowers are full of features, including counter-clockwise brushless blade motors for maximum catching performance.

Push mowers

Award winning battery lawn mowers

From self-propelled options through to automated mowing solutions, STIHL’s diverse range of battery mowers allows users to accomplish more using a single rechargeable battery.

Pairing inspired battery technology with 95 years of German engineering excellence and robust, ergonomic tool design, STIHL battery lawn mowers deliver users the precision and power needed to tackle every job with the utmost reliability – day after day.

Purpose-designed to power through the heaviest of workloads, STIHL’s industry leading and award-winning battery lawn mowers feature a host of world-leading innovations along with a number of added comfort and safety features. STIHL batteries

also have a very high energy density and an exceptionally long service life that makes them a sound investment.

There are eight mowers in the STIHL range. Let’s take a closer look…

For large gardens and commercial use

The RMA 765 V was released in 2020 and is the largest battery mower in the STIHL range.

This self-propelled powerhouse enables those working in public areas to extend their hours of operation and complete their work when and where required without disturbing those around them. The RMA 765 V, which is part of STIHL’s AP battery system and purposely designed for use in larger gardens

or by professionals, features a mammoth cutting width of 63cm and flow-optimised synchronised twin-blades, housed in an aluminum and polymer hybrid deck. The front wheels can be set to swivel in place or set on a zero-turn. So, if you need to manoeuvre the machine in order to mow around bushes or trees, you can do so with ease.

Next in line is the incredibly popular RMA 510 which needs little introduction. STIHL’s most popular mower in the AP battery range boasts a whopping 51cm/21” cutting width, a dual battery slot so you can change over the battery in an instant, large rear wheels, and a huge 60L grass catcher, making the RMA 510 more than capable of tackling the toughest of lawns. Awarded Best Battery

Whether you’re a professional that requires a mower every day for work, or if your only use for a mower is to keep your own backyard looking lush, there’s a STIHL model to suit.

Awarded ‘Best Battery Mower Recommended by CHOICE 2021’.

The

Mower Recommended by CHOICE 2021, ‘22 and ‘23, the RMA 510 V is the self-propelled alternative perfect for pros tackling larger or sloped areas, or for those working over longer periods of time.

The fourth mower in the AP battery system is the RMA 443 C, which features a durable polymer deck and a cutting width of 41cm/16”. For comfortable handling, the RMA 443 C is equipped

with a mono-comfort handlebar and a grass-catcher box with a foldable opening, something unique to this model within the AP range, which makes disposing of grass clippings incredibly easy. This model has also been awarded Best Battery Mower Recommended by CHOICE in 2022 and ‘23.

For home gardens

STIHL’s AK battery system offers four

different mowers, all designed for use in small to medium sized gardens. The RMA 460 which has also received an award for Best Battery Mower Recommended by CHOICE in 2022 and ‘23, and the selfpropelled alternative, the RMA 460 V, are the most popular models in the range. Featuring a 46cm cutting width, a tear-resistant 50L mesh catcher, seven different cutting heights – from 35mm right up to 90mm for the RMA 460, and 25mm-100mm for the selfpropelled model – and a dual battery slot so you can cover twice as much ground in a single outing and switch efficiently.

Next up is the RMA 339, which will cover up to 330m2 on a single charge using the AK 30 battery and has the optional accessory of the mulching function so you can cut and mulch as you go. It has a 37cm cutting width and a 40L grass catcher box with a foldable opening similar to that of the RMA 443 C. And last, but certainly not least, is the RMA 235.

This compact powerhouse is capable of covering up to 300m2 on a single charge with the AK 30 battery, making it perfect for small to medium sized suburban blocks. It’s incredibly lightweight and has a durable polymer deck with a 33cm/13” cutting width and a 30L rear-opening catcher. It also has five height settings ranging from 25mm60mm, which are easily adjusted with a lever.

Backed by over 95 years of German engineering excellence. STIHL battery mowers boast the advanced features users have come to expect from STIHL tools. For example, under the cover you’ll see a safety key, a great safety feature if you’re worried the kids might try and take the mower for a spin. And the ECO-mode option, which optimises cutting performance to conserve battery life. When the blade senses less resistance on shorter or lessdense grass, it drops the blade speed to reduce battery consumption and maximise the area you can cover.

And the benefits don’t stop there. The same battery that powers your lawn mower, whether that be an AP battery or an AK battery, will power several other tools in the same range: grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, blowers, and even chainsaws!

STIHL battery lawn mowers received the ‘Highly Commended’ award in the Lawn Mowers category at the Trusted Brands Australia awards in 2022 and 2023.

RMA 510 V is the self-propelled alternative and is perfect for professionals tackling larger or sloped areas, or for those working over longer periods of time.

The RMA 443 C features a durable polymer deck and a cutting width of 41cm/16”.

Push mowers

Masport Contractor® AL S19

3’n1: a cut above the rest

Built tough, made to last. The Contractor® is a reliable and highly durable mower.

Built strong and made to last, the Masport Contractor AL 19” 3’n1 mower features the powerful Briggs & Stratton 190cc OHV Series™ 850 Professional I/C® ReadyStart™ four-stroke engine. With 3’n1 functionality, this mower can either catch, mulch or rear discharge the cut grass.

Hard-wearing

Made with a high-quality 485mm (19”) heavy-duty die-cast aluminium deck, this robust chassis is hard-wearing and rust resistant. Combined with a full open discharge and Masport’s renowned Quadcut four swing-back blade cutting system, the mower delivers a superior cutting, catching, mulching and rear discharge performance to provide a professional looking finish to your lawn.

With 3’n1 functionality, The Masport Contractor® can either catch, mulch or rear discharge the cut grass.

Built strong and made to last, the Contractor features the powerful Briggs & Stratton 190cc OHV Series™ 850 Professional I/C® ReadyStart™ four-stroke engine.

Tough

The large, 200mm (8”) adjustable dual-bearing wheels make it easy to push, while the newly designed bolt-in heavy-duty axles provide a solid fix to the chassis. Large diameter and heavy-gauge reinforced handles withstand the heavy forces applied during commercial mowing.

Easier mowing

Three-position handle height, soft-grip handle and an ergonomic start position ensure a more comfortable mow. The large, durable, 80-litre fabric catcher means less time spent stopping to empty the catcher, while the mulch feature recycles the cut grass, returning nutrients back to the lawn. This Contractor® takes the hard work out of mowing the lawn.

Backed by a comprehensive warranty and extensive specialist retailer network, the Masport Contractor® Mower is designed for professional operation and built tough to handle our local conditions.

For further information, and to see the entire Contractor® range, visit masport.com.au, or contact Masport on 1300 366 225.

CONTRACTOR SERIES BUILT TOUGH, MADE TO LAST

Choose from Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki or Honda powered engines

For more information on our new Contractor series, contact your local Masport dealer or visit 1300 366 225

Large, 200mm (8”) adjustable dualbearing wheels make it easy to push.

Newly designed bolt-in heavy-duty axles provide a solid fix to the chassis.

Landscapers can win big!

FormBoss garden edging is offering a big sweetener to landscapers showing its product in use.

FormBoss wants landscapers and homeowners to show off their projects using the incredibly versatile and durable FormBoss garden edging. The idea is to post pics of the garden work to FormBoss’ Facebook or Instagram pages, and while the the pics are going up, the landscaper or homeowner can fill out a few details about themselves and the project and, boom! They’re in the draw for a FormBoss prize!

Just like that.

On November 30 the garden gurus at FormBoss will select the winners and the landscaper will score a gift voucher for $1000 worth of FormBoss garden edging.

A homeowner – someone who’s not a pro landscaper – will be drawn to win a voucher for $500 worth of FormBoss product.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help

highlight the great work and projects landscape gardeners undertake using FormBoss garden edging,” said FormBoss CEO, Gerry Boerlage. “We’re happy for – and indeed encourage – all landscape gardeners to mention their business name and project location, and to tag in their friends and relevant business associations and contacts if they wish. “Best entry wins the prize, which is redeemable within a 12-month period from the date of draw,” he beamed, clearly excited at the whole idea.

What are you waiting for?

Get those pics onto the FormBoss Facebook and Instagram pages. Chop-chop!

Make sure you use the hashtags: #FormBossMetalEdging and #FormBossTransformations

FormBoss Insta and Facebook pages.

Homeowners can enter, but the big prize will go to a landscaper.

Post a pic showing your use of FormBoss garden edging to go in the draw!

Landscape gardeners should mention their business name and project location, and tag in friends, relevant business associations and contacts.

Tuscan Path Garden Screens

Perfect for privacy, fencing off areas, and adding decorative accents.

When it comes to creating a captivating and tranquil outdoor space, finding the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality is key. Tuscan Path Garden Screens are a versatile solution that allows transforming a garden into a private sanctuary.

Easy to install, these screens act as elegant partitions, creating secluded areas within an outdoor space and providing the perfect backdrop while enhancing the overall aesthetic of a garden.

Crafted with attention to detail and designed to seamlessly blend into the natural environment, the unique designs are available in various patterns that present as works of art. They have a quality finish made from weathering steel, so are durable and require minimal maintenance. They are built to withstand the elements and maintain their beauty over time.

Add character and a touch of artistry with this affordable solution for outdoor spaces. Get the look from Tuscan Path.

Tuscan Path 1800 x 900mm Rust Blackout Screen

Tuscan Path 1800 x 900mm Rust Geometric Screen Panel

Visit the Tuscan Path website to view product specific information. Go to tuscanpath.com.au.

Tuscan Path makes aspirational landscape and décor style affordable. Sold exclusively at Bunnings. Head in store to Bunnings or visit bunnings.com.au.

Instagram and Facebook: @tuscanpath

Tuscan Path 1800 x 900mm Rust Ficus Screen Panel

Tuscan Path 1800 x 900mm Rust Leaf Screen Panel

Right now the SK900 is available in a package, which includes a trailer and attachments, that’s ready to tackle the toughest jobs in the widest range of applications.

Ditch Witch SK900 mini skid steer

The ultimate mini skid steer for tough jobs is now available in a ready-to-work package that includes a trailer and attachments.

The SK900 takes the best of Ditch Witch’s larger SK models and features them in a beast of a mini stand-on skid steer.

The Ditch Witch SK900 features new hightorque ground drive motors, a significant upgrade which provides increased tractive effort power to attachments. An easy-flip

throttle allows operators to conveniently manage speed for more efficiency, and the new Yanmar engine runs at a lower rpm, making it a lot quieter.

An all-new troubleshooting gauge ensures it’s easy to identify faults and monitor engine parameters.

Features

CEA offers a wide range of quick-change attachments for the SK900. A swap from the 4-in-1 bucket to the pallet forks attachment only takes about a minute, and can be conveniently changed in the tightest of work areas with a minimum of fuss.

The SK900 tracks effortlessly around sites, manoeuvring through tight spaces and around the sides of houses, and is rated for a tipping load of 1208kg.

The SK900 also features intuitive controls that are easy to learn and use effectively which is especially good value when the machine is destined to be use by multiple operators.

Ready to go!

Right now the SK900 is available in a package that’s ready to tackle the toughest jobs in a widest range of applications.

The kit includes:

• 3.0T ATM galvanised trailer (with attachment storage)

• 4 -in-1 Bucket

• Spreader bar

• Pallet forks

• Auger drive unit

• 150mm, 300mm, 450mm tungsten augers

• 1m auger extension

• Trencher (900x150) with combo chain.

There are amazing offers currently available. Log on to ditchwitchcea.com.au to find out more.

The SK900 also features intuitive controls that are easy to learn and use effectively.

Ditch Witch CEA offers a wide range of quick-change attachments for the SK900.

Build like concrete, finish like landscaping

Arborgreen is proud to distribute the Flex MSE vegetated wall system throughout Australia.

The widely acclaimed Flex MSE vegetated wall system is an innovative patented solution that is a superior alternative to traditional timber, concrete, or block retaining walls commonly used for erosion control. By harnessing the unique qualities of Flex MSE, a soft building material with the characteristics of a hard material, this engineered system creates strong modular block structures using geotextile technology and mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) principles.

Advantages

The advantages of the Flex MSE vegetated wall system are numerous and include a significantly reduced installation time compared to conventional walls, requiring only half the duration. Heavy machinery is not needed, further streamlining the process. Moreover, the overall costs of constructing a Flex MSE wall are typically between 40 per cent and 50 per cent lower than alternative systems. This cost-effectiveness

is attributed to machinery, labour, materials, and transportation savings, making the Flex MSE system an obvious choice for projects seeking to maximise cost savings. Installation of Flex MSE can be accomplished by day labourers or professional contractors using straightforward methods.

Features

One of the system’s key features is its ability to accommodate various vegetation types, resulting in visually appealing walls. Grasses, ground covers, flowers, vines, and small shrubs can all be incorporated into the Flex MSE system, enabling the establishment of

Flex MSE, a soft building material with the characteristics of a hard material, creates strong modular block structures using geotextile technology and mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) principles.

The Flex MSE system is an obvious choice for projects seeking to maximise cost savings.

Grasses, ground covers, flowers, vines, and small shrubs can all be incorporated into the Flex MSE system, enabling the establishment of lush greenery.

is compatible with the Flex MSE system, providing another avenue for desirable vegetation integration.

The design of the Flex MSE system ensures long-term soil retention and slope stability. Under ideal conditions, the system meets the project design life criteria of 120 years, with full vegetative coverage protecting against UV exposure achieved within 1000 hours of peak UV exposure after installation.

Proven in Australia

Known for its light weight, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable engineering, the Flex MSE system was recently installed at St Joseph’s College in Geelong, Victoria, following an

The overall costs of constructing a Flex MSE wall are typically between 40 per cent and 50 per cent lower than alternative systems.

embankment collapse around the oval perimeter caused by adverse weather conditions. The project was a success and exceeded expectations, leading to further considerations for additional Flex MSE installations at the site.

Flex MSE’s versatility allows landscapers to build walls to suit their landscape plan. Builders can install a vegetated wall built with Flex MSE from horizontal to 85 degrees. This adaptability empowers landscape teams to construct walls that align with the project’s evolving needs, including the ability to follow natural landscapes and flow over land formations. The flexibility of Flex MSE eliminates the constraints of right-angle

decisions, enabling the creation of organic structures.

The strength of Flex MSE rivals that of concrete upon installation and improves over time as the vegetated face’s root web takes hold.

Get in touch with Arborgreen

The knowledgeable staff at Arborgreen are readily available to discuss your future projects and provide technical assistance regarding incorporating the Flex MSE vegetated wall system into your plans.

For a quote, or if you have questions, call 1300 760 642.

Rubber wetpour

The Rotatub has been designed specifically with the installer in mind, packing in many features to make rubber wetpour installation as simple as possible, and overcoming common installation issues. After decades of experience and feedback from wetpour installers, A1 Rubber is confident the latest iteration of the Rotatub is the best rubber wetpour mixer in the world.

Great features

One of the newest features on the Rotatub is an adjustable mixing timer with an auto-stop function, which ensures all mixes are even and consistent, eliminating the potential for colour variations between mixes.

Getting the Rotatub to site is an easy task, with large-diameter rubber wheels to easily traverse terrain, and trolley wheels to load and unload effortlessly from vehicles.

The Rotatub doesn’t compromise on safety, and can be completely operated without the need to put hands or limbs inside the machine. This is achieved with a mesh lid and serrated bag slicer on top of the machine, allowing full bags to simply be placed on top of the machine and slid off to load the mix into the machine without the strain of supporting heavy loads. The finished mix is effortlessly emptied from the machine automatically, by opening the spring-loaded trap door and allowing the non-stick polyurethane blades to scrape the barrel and empty the load.

The paddle-blade design simultaneously empties the machine and self-cleans the barrel by scraping all product to the bottom of the machine and out the trap door, and the switchbox in the latest Rotatub has been upgraded to a tough, water-resistant metal box for durability in the harshest conditions, and the buttons are housed in polyurethane coatings to prevent fouling from messy hands.

The Rotatub features an auto-stop safety switch which, if the lid is ever opened while the machine is operating, immediately stops the blades from rotating.

Shockpads

A1 Rubber hasn’t just made wetpour installation simpler with the invention of the Rotatub, but also with Shockpad prefabricated playground underlay.

Shockpads are 1m x 1m tiles, manufactured by A1 Rubber up to 50mm thick, that cut labour and installation times by more than a day in a standard playground installation by negating the time needed to trowel and set a base layer before adding the top layer. Reduced installation times also translate to reduced risk of weather or debris contamination, reduced risk of vandalism during installation, and reduced security fencing time requirements.

Shockpads are factory controlled, ensuring consistent compression across the play space and compliance with AS4422:2016 for playground surfacing impact attenuation. The compression of the Shockpad surface is higher than what can be achieved by hand trowelling, resulting in a firmer, more integral feel underfoot.

Good for all

As always, A1 Rubber is grateful for the ongoing support of those who choose its products and support its innovation. By choosing A1 Rubber you are supporting Australian manufacturing and contributing to a more sustainable society.

A mesh lid and serrated bag slicer on top of the Rotatub allow full bags to be placed on top of the machine and slid off to load the mix into the machine without the strain of supporting heavy loads.

The Rotatub has been designed specifically with the installer in mind, packing in many features to make rubber wetpour installation as simple as possible.

A1 Rubber has been leading the way in innovation in the rubber wetpour industry for over 30 years. A1 Rubber not only manufactures rubber surfacing products, but also designs and manufactures the Rotatub wetpour mixer locally in Australia.

Shockpads are 1m x 1m tiles, manufactured by A1 Rubber, up to 50mm thick, that cut labour and installation times by more than a day in a standard playground installation.

Renault Trafic

smartphone charger and multiple USB ports, your devices will stay charged throughout the work day. Travel time in Trafic is an opportunity to order material for the next job, stay in touch with the team or even check in with the office to update the day’s schedule.

Work space

Renault Trafic has an impressive cargo area. It features the longest loading length in its category, up to 4.15m, so keeping long items like posts and borders secure and out of the elements is made easy thanks to the innovative load-through flap in the bulkhead. Plus, with up to 14 anchoring points and a 12v power socket, the cargo area allows the safe and secure transport of bulky and awkward machinery like mixers and compactors.

Renault Trafic has been thoughtfully redesigned for maximum freedom and flexibility in day-to-day business use, while remaining comfortable and practical.

With refined exterior styling for a dynamic road presence and new safety, driver assistance and connectivity features, Trafic will cope with the toughest of work days, ensuring comfort on the way to and from the worksite for those in the cab, effortlessly

hauling the tools and equipment needed for full day’s landscaping or property maintenance in the secure cargo area.

The modular workstation is unrivalled in the industry and provides plenty of practical and generous storage areas to make Renault Trafic the ultimate mobile office. Loaded with new tech, Renault Trafic features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard to stay connected on the move. Plus, with a wireless

Trafic is powered by an efficient and powerful turbo-charged 2.0L diesel engine which delivers impressive performance – 125kW of power and 380Nm of torque, making towing a breeze. But power doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency. The auto gearbox delivers a very budget-friendly 6.5L/100km fuel consumption on the combined cycle. When combined with the large 80L fuel tank, Renault Trafic delivers

With huge storage capacity and premium finish and features, Renault Trafic is the ideal van for professional landscaping businesses.

An impressive cargo area features the longest loading length in its category.

best-in-class driving range, and that means more time delivering first-class earthworks and less time sitting idle at service stations.

Work safe

Trafic keeps you safe on the road too, with 10 new driver-assistance systems, including active emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Plus, with front, rear, and side

RENAULT TRAFIC

parking sensors and a rear-view camera, Trafic makes parking effortless.

After a long, tough day labouring in the sun, Trafic helps make the drive home a safe and comfortable one.

All rounder

When a business needs to rely on its vehicles, it can rely on Trafic.

The Renault van is built and designed for

big space for big things

work. Whether it’s taking advantage of the robust construction for hauling the tools and materials of a big job, towing a loaded work trailer or making the most of travel time using the modular mobile office in the cabin, Renault Trafic sets the standard for mediumsized commercial vehicles.

It even looks good, making a great impression on potential clients and existing customers.

built for landscapers, engineered for growth, Trafic features the longest load length in its category with best in class driving range stock available now

With up to 14 anchoring points and a 12v power socket, the cargo area caters to different needs.

Loaded with new tech, Renault Trafic features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

Plenty of practical and generous storage areas make Renault Trafic the ultimate mobile office.

Eye on the industry

Get Your Garden On

look their absolute best. Boasting powerful four-stroke engines that run on regular unleaded fuel means they run much quieter than the competitors, as there is no fuel mixing required. You also know you will get both power and performance with your handheld starting first time, every time.

Honda’s UMS425 Bent Shaft Brushcutter is the world’s bestselling four-stroke line trimmer for a RRP of just $399. Available through the Honda Dealer Network, the UMS425 Bent Shaft Brushcutter is lightweight with excellent manoeuvrability to make trimming garden beds and driveways an easy task. Not only are more UMS425 Bent Shaft Brushcutters sold than any other Honda Power Equipment product, but they’re one of the most popular Honda products in the country.

Battery power

for a RRP $1299. No matter your price, benefit

Honda Mowers and Handheld range are also available battery-powered in Honda’s Professional Battery range. Honda offers a Universal Battery System with 2Ah, 4Ah, 6Ah and 9Ah single lithium-ion batteries paired with a single charger to work across the entire range. They’re ideal for contractors, providing a portable tool that will give the same performance Honda enthusiasts love.

When investing in a Honda, you will only have to buy once. Honda’s Power Equipment will provide you with peace of mind knowing you’ve purchased a product that offers durability, reliability and quality.

its own. No matter what kind of mower you are looking for, Honda will have the right one for you, offering the exceptional quality, performance, reliability and durability it is renowned for worldwide.

The Honda Mower range features powerful four-stroke engines with tough alloy decks, push or self-propelled drive systems, plus mulching and catch or discharge options.

The Honda Buffalo family includes two of Australia’s best-in-class mowers: the HRU196 Buffalo Pro Engine Brake Push Mower and the HRU196 Buffalo Pro Blade Brake Push mower.

Assembled in Australia and ideal for the Aussie contractor, the HRU196 Buffalo Pro Engine Brake retails for a RRP of $1199 with the HRU196 Buffalo Pro Blade Brake retailing

business or backyard across Australia. Honda’s Handhelds are built with cuttingedge technology that ensures gardens will

With stock now readily available, it’s time to head in store and visit your local Honda Dealer, or find out more at honda.com.au.

Big or small, from the home gardener to the serious contractor, Honda has you covered this Spring with its impressive range of Lawn and Garden Power Equipment.

Honda Mowers and Handheld range are available as battery-powered units in Honda’s Professional Battery Range.

Honda’s Handheld petrol range includes Blowers, Brushcutters and Hedgetrimmers.

QUALITY PERFORMANCE RELIABILITY DURABILITY

Honda’s Lawn and Garden range is built from extensive research and the latest technologies to bring you comfort, safety, trust and joy.

It’s time to get your garden on with Honda.

Discover the Lawn and Garden range at powerequipment.honda.com.au

Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower

Kress launches a battery cordless commercial blower to rival traditional petrol equipment.

After announcing its launch to dealers in June, Kress has revealed its zeroemission cordless blower for professional use.

The Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower is battery operated, and while rivalling petrol power, its quieter operation minimises neighbourhood disruption and provides greater operator comfort.

The Backpack Blower is one of the many Kress tools that could diminish the use of the petrol-powered equipment in the commercial landscaping industry.

Built to work

The Kress Commercial Backpack Blower has an ergonomic backpack design that is adjustable and air permeable, improves users’ comfort, and lessens fatigue.

With an IPX4 water-resistant design, superior power levels and an elevated comfort level, the Kress Commercial Blower will address landscaping needs regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, the Backpack Blower features a cruise control function, four speed settings, a modulating throttle and a Kress-built commercial-grade

brushless motor, providing more power, longer runtime, and extended lifespan over brush-type motors.

No downtime

Critically, the Backpack Blower includes the Kress 8-minute CyberSystem™ that has unlocked the product potential up to 10x the battery life, 2x power output, 8-minute charge time and zero downtime. Rather than the expense of multiple battery packs, slow overnight charge times and high battery replacement costs, the new Kress CyberSystem™ promises lower operating costs longer term, and a sustainable solution for professional landscapers forced to accept higher-emissions petrol-powered equipment as the only viable economic option for performance, efficiency, and runtime. The CyberSystem™ is operated by 60V CyberPack™ batteries available in 4Ah/240Wh and 11Ah/660Wh. These batteries are capable of producing up to twice the power output of standard lithium-ion batteries.

A greener future

Don Gao, Chairman and CEO of Positec Group, said, “Thanks to the Kress silent technology, there is no issue disturbing customers and bystanders. Landscaping teams can even converse with co-workers while the equipment is in operation. With 85m/s air speed and 1529m3/h equating to 35N of air force, there is no alternative to the Kress Commercial Blower.”

Kress has a long-regarded international reputation in advanced German engineering. It is leading the transformation to battery-powered lawn and garden maintenance gear in a platform that will power a full line of Kress professional outdoor equipment, including the commercial-grade Backpack Blower. There are no more excuses to keep operating noisy, high-cost petrol equipment or wasting time with cordless battery tools that won’t get the job done.

Join

Commercial

The Kress Commercial 60V 35 N Backpack Blower is battery operated and rivals petrol power.

Should small businesses use an insurance broker?

A broker can take the stress out of insurance.

It’s easy to always opt for the cheapest product, but when it comes to insurance, that can have expensive consequences. If a policy appears too good to be true, it’s likely to be just that. You may find when it comes time to make a claim, you aren’t covered for what you need.

Insurance brokers are able to compare policy prices and features to ensure you not only get value for money, but you’re also fully covered for your requirements.

Covering all bases

While there are a number of online sites that can do an instant comparison of insurance companies and policies, these offerings don’t take your specific situation into consideration. A broker can provide a thorough assessment of your insurance needs and find a policy that better suits your specific needs.

Know who you’re dealing with

Buying insurance direct may be easy, but what about when you need to make a claim? When you work with a broker, not only do you have an established relationship with the person who advised you on your policy, if you need to make a claim, you can hand the process over to them, leaving you free to run your business.

Lack of understanding a major risk

Daniel Holmes, Fitzpatrick General Manager, says the greatest risk of dealing with your insurance needs yourself is not understanding the product you’re buying.

“Liability policies can also be confusing. If you don’t fully understand what you’re buying, then what you end up with may not be the most appropriate product for you. But you won’t know that until it comes time to make a claim.”

Never used an insurance broker before? Talk to a Fitzpatrick Insurance broker today about the benefits they can bring to your business.

Important note:

This article provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this article, including any information contained in it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

For more information, please contact Fitzpatrick & Co. Insurance Brokers on 03 8544 1636 or email: insure@fitzpatrick. com.au OR visit our website at www.fitzpatrick.com.au

$500,000

0,000

To assist with cash flow, monthly payment plans are available

Covers OHS & Environmental Fines. by authorities this policy covers you. Rashmi Soni Horticulture Facility Manager Fitzpatrick & Co. Insurance Brokers Direct 03 8544 1610 Phone 03 8544 1600 Email FINANCIAL LOSS UP TO STATUTORY LIABILITY UP TO fitzpatrick.com.au Public liability insurance with additional benefits Industry provider and sponsors to industry leaders and Associations for over 20 years Horticulture & Arboriculture Insurance Specialists 631 Waverley Road Glen Waverley 3150 ABN: 25 050 242 914 | AFSL NO: 2344386 Fitzpatrick & Co. Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd rashmis@fitzpatrick.com.au

Victoira’s Suburban Parks Program will create up to 6500 hectares of new parkland, walking and cycling trails, pocket parks and dog parks.

Major facelift for Melbourne’s Southbank

$1.5 million to be spent on park upgrade.

Melbourne’s Southbank will soon have a new green recreational space, following the announcement of a new park near the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA).

A $1.5 million investment for the design and delivery of the park, which will be in addition to new urban gardens in the surrounding area, will sit alongside future works to be delivered as part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.

“Today is just the first step in delivering what will be a fantastic open space for

Southbank locals to enjoy,” announced Member for Albert Park, Nina Taylor.

The space, delivered in partnership with the City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria, and ACCA, will serve as a gathering place for locals and visitors to connect with nature. The park is one of 11 open-space projects across Victoria as part of the state government’s $7.4 million Better Parks and Playgrounds program.

Minister for environment Ingrid Stitt said the introduction of green spaces in metropolitan areas ensures communities still

have unique and inclusive open spaces.

“We’re ensuring Melburnians in urban areas have easy access to quality open space to exercise, relax or just enjoy the outdoors,” she said.

Through the Suburban Parks Program, 87 new and improved public spaces, including parks and dog parks, have been delivered. Once complete, the Suburban Parks Program will create up to 6500 hectares of new parkland, walking and cycling trails, pocket parks and dog parks – the equivalent of more than 170 Royal Botanic Gardens.

Request a FREE demonstration to get started on your electric fleet transition. Mean Green Mowers exclusively available from EcoTeq Australia-wide.

Zero Emission Solutions

Advocating for advanced industry training, knowledge and recognition

Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers (LVML) has long been campaigning for the introduction of a recognised advanced skill set for landscape designers.

Current landscaping and related courses do not offer a combination of extensive design and construction skills in the one qualification. Recent graduates face employment barriers due to this lack of knowledge, and more broadly, even skilled landscape designers are limited in the services they can provide.

Identifying this gap in training back in 2018, LVML embarked on initial research in conjunction with a broad range of industry experts to identify a way forward. Excitingly, after nearly five years of planning and applications, incorporating 16 months of development work, the Workplace Training and Innovation Fund project ‘Towards

Accreditation and Registration: Landscape Design & Construction Course-In’ has just entered the Pilot Phase, under funding received from the Victorian Government.

The way forward

A small army of people have been working with LVML acting as Subject Matter Experts to reach this point. They have been guiding, checking and critiquing the input of professional course writers and adult-

The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP, Minister for Skills and Training, publicly launched the Project in April 2022.

Course development.

In-class and online learning feature in the course.

toolbox resources, VR/AR and video content. With a cohort of industry experts comprising LVML and LDI members, along with independent designer professionals, the course is now being piloted with the support of Holmesglen TAFE and industry facilitators.

understandable way to achieve the highest outcomes for learners.

Feedback provided by the pilot learners will shape the final submission to accredit the content, which will take place in early 2024. The Course-In is designed to scaffold as

an additional level of accreditation to existing Certificate IV and Diploma Landscape Design courses, and it is planned it will be available to all Victorian RTOs for delivery in 2024, and rolled out nationally beyond accreditation.

Team effort

The project has been designed to provide an innovative approach to upskilling currently qualified landscape designers working in the industry and who need the skills and knowledge to meet industry standards and operate as registered practitioners in their field.

Further, it will:

• More accurately reflect job functions and the range of tasks landscape designers are required to perform

• Incorporate the latest technologies, equipment, regulations and consumer trends

• Be designed to meet industry skill requirements relevant to landscape design – ie providing graduates with both the theoretical and practical construction knowledge to produce landscapeconstruction drawings to meet regulatory requirements

• Become the minimum requirement for the development of a new registration category for landscape designers within the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registration framework.

Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers is extremely grateful to the many industry professionals who have assisted with this project.

For more information please contact Megan Flower at LVML via wtif@landscapingvictoria.com.au.

Video production of course content.

Interviewing pilot participants to capture their feedback.

Industry professionals volunteer as pilot participants.

Private sanctuary

An award-winning garden provides a secluded haven from the bustle of the inner city.

It can be a challenge to create a lush sanctuary from a concrete jungle, but this award-winning garden designed by Adam Robinson Design shows it’s possible.

Called Sanctuary House, the home was an extensive renovation in Sydney’s Paddington and the garden was the last piece of the puzzle. The client’s brief was to ground the large home and walls into the property with a feeling of being submerged in a retreat, with a sense of canopy and full of lush greenery. Additionally, because the client lives between Brisbane and Sydney, all green areas required irrigation with a lock-and-leave solution.

The project was a collaboration with Jason Gibney Workshop, ARD and Ivory Gardens, and the result is a Mediterranean respite in the heart of the inner east. The design was recognised at the 2022 Landscape Excellence Awards and Adam Robinson Design was honoured with the Husqvarna Landscaper Of The Year award for Residential Design.

Softening the hardscaped areas

As part of the brief, hardscaped areas were to be blurred and counterbalanced with planting. The client wanted the area above the garage to be enticing to use and interesting to look down onto. The balconies were to be dressed, with the kitchen balcony planted with edibles for practicality.

Adam Robinson said the biggest site constraint was all areas were concreted already, which made the client’s wish for a green retreat quite challenging. Plant placement was crucial to the overall design, while the existing concrete meant everything had to be carefully planned.

“The towering boundary walls required the concrete slab to act as the footings to the existing walls,” he explained. “We worked with the engineer and builders to puncture two large holes to allow the two Kentia Palm root balls to be craned into these holes next to the pool.

“We then punctured a series of 100mm

core holes throughout this area to plant mini mondo grass and allow this area to drain into ag lines created underneath. All services from the house to the garage and pool ran under this concrete and needed to be avoided!

“It was challenging, but the outcome is really great.”

Incorporating the pool

The design extended to the pool area, with Adam’s team working to add greenery to the space as well as create a relaxing spot for the family.

“It was important to the client to have greenery around the pool and a pool breakout area, even though it’s a tight space,” explained Adam. “The outdoor shower is a nod to the retreat vibes they wanted. The steppers add green and make the area more functional. Two sunlounges allow for a pool break-out area, while the oversized pot dresses the space and adds further greenery.

“On the other side of the pool, we created

Dwarf Date Palms and other planting give the area scale and provide instant filtered shade.

raised garden beds from structural steel against the existing wall. More core holes were punctured into the concrete to allow the drainage water to get taken away by further ag lines.”

The structural steel boxes contain advanced Dwarf Date Palms and other planting to give the area scale and provide instant filtered shade.

Paving choices

Adam chose Viscount White granite paving from CDK Stone on the concrete slab throughout the space, including the pool surrounds and steppers. A grout was chosen to blend into the natural colours of the stone.

The steps were poured and paved in granite, with mitred details in the risers

and treads. An aluminium steel tough was fabricated to allow the garden bed to be installed next to the steps. Lomandra was planted throughout the area to blur the lines between the hard and soft elements. A tallowwood deck was included, which was oiled with a natural oil.

About the awards

The Landscape Association’s (TLA) annual Landscape Excellence Awards are the highest accolades in the industry and celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in landscape construction, design and maintenance. The 2023 Awards will be announced at the Gala Dinner, the industry night of nights on Friday, November 3, in Pyrmont, Sydney.

Visit the TLA website to purchase tickets or learn more about the awards.

The Landscape Association Expo

The Landscape Association is launching its newest industry event – the exciting new TLA Landscape Expo – in September. This large, trade-focused and informative event will be held at TAFE NSW, Ryde Campus – Horticulture Faculty, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 8.00am-3.00pm. Landscape professionals across the full spectrum of the industry (maintenance, construction, and design) will love the trade exhibits, product demonstrations and speaker program, with the event promising a tactile, ‘hands-on’ experience. Special guests include TV personality Charlie Albone as well as TLA members and staff.

Purchase tickets at landscapeassociation. com.au/2023-landscape-expo/.

About The Landscape Association

The Landscape Association (TLA) is the peak industry body for landscaping in NSW and the ACT. TLA members enjoy a wide range of events, resources, information, services, and advice to assist landscapers to run their business and stay ahead of industry trends.

The design extended to the pool area, adding greenery to the space as well as creating a relaxing spot for the family.

Towering boundary walls required the concrete slab to act as the footings to the existing walls.

LIAWA’s bold shift: paving the way to progress and success

The Landscape Industries Association of Western Australia (LIAWA) is on the cusp of a remarkable transformation, fuelled by a commitment to elevate professionalism and operational excellence. Through a newly appointed board comprising industry leaders and a focused strategy, LIAWA is set to deliver even greater value to its members, ushering in a promising future.

The excitement surrounding LIAWA’s new board is palpable, as it brings together a diverse array of experienced and knowledgeable individuals.

Board members

During the August AGM, LIAWA unveiled its new board, comprised of distinguished industry leaders: Darren Seinor, President and Owner of Garden Solutions, known for his horticultural expertise as ‘the 6PR Garden Guru’; Nathan Phillips from Landscape Elements; Grahame Houston of Skyline Landscape Services; Lisa Hall, a respected Senior Lecturer at TAFE; Joshua O’Keefe from The Greenscape Collective; and Stacey Shepherd, HR Consultant and Southwest Regional representative.

It’s an impressive team.

The addition of two highly qualified professionals specialising in finance, risk, and governance, and media, communication and events, further bolsters the board’s capabilities.

A pivotal focus for LIAWA is sustainability and financial stability, a departure from the past’s uncertainty. With a clear strategy in place, the board is determined to build reserves and explore new revenue streams, ensuring the association’s long-term success.

Building an industry future

Recognising the significance of welltrained and skilled employees in propelling businesses forward, LIAWA is actively exploring staff-augmentation services for its members. The industry has faced challenges due to a scarcity of adequately qualified personnel, hindering its growth potential. LIAWA is taking a proactive approach by engaging with various educational bodies to foster relationships with international students. These students, equipped with expertise in diverse disciplines like engineering, project management, marketing, finance, and team leadership, are eager to

infuse the landscaping industry with fresh perspectives and invaluable contributions.

Beyond member-centric initiatives, LIAWA plays an active role in shaping the industry’s future through its representation on South Metropolitan TAFE’s Industry Advisory Group. Providing valuable feedback on local landscaping industry needs related to design, construction, and maintenance, LIAWA actively contributes to the industry’s advancement.

Opportunities

LIAWA’s inclusiveness and support for its community are evident in its warm welcome to new members and sponsors. Recently, Thorne Landscaping won the LIAWA member raffle and received EV equipment from Farm and Turf Equipment – WA, showcasing the association’s commitment to fostering camaraderie and collaboration among members.

Excitement continues to build as LIAWA unveils its future programs, projects, and events. Special events catered exclusively for owners and managers, such as the August 31st Commercial Owners Long Lunch, offer invaluable networking opportunities. The Trade Night, hosted by Hunter Industries on September 7th at Perth City Farm, will be a vibrant networking event featuring various landscaping suppliers displaying their products and services.

Moreover, for designers, LIAWA welcomes a collaboration with Boffin Books to present Paul Bangay’s landscape design presentation in November 2023. Added to this, business forums, and events focused on mental health,

occupational safety, team building, and leadership development promise valuable insights for members. The association also eagerly anticipates organizing a family day, inviting venue suggestions from its members. Addressing vital environmental concerns, LIAWA takes Waterwise training to regional areas, empowering landscapers with essential knowledge. Educational forums and workshops will further equip aspiring waterwise landscapers and garden designers.

Gratitude is expressed to LIAWA’s partners, sponsors, and trade suppliers, who have played an integral role in the association’s growth and success. Notably, Water Corporation, Benara Nurseries, Hunter Industries, Frenchams Nurseries, The Lawn Doctor and others have contributed significantly to shaping LIAWA into a proud professional body.

A bright future

LIAWA’s bold shift towards sustainability, professionalism, and enhanced value for its members signifies the association’s unwavering commitment to driving progress and success in the landscaping industry. Guided by its visionary board, innovative programs, and steadfast partnerships, LIAWA is poised to shape the landscape of Western Australia’s landscaping industry, forging a path to a bright and prosperous future.

If you’d like to learn more, please contact Christine Stanton, Executive Officer at liawaexec@landscaping.net.au or call 0497 120 519.

Thorne Landscaping won the LIAWA member raffle and received EV equipment from Farm and Turf Equipment.

MUSCLE WHERE YOU NEED IT MOST.

Stronger than the competition, the Ditch Witch® SK900 puts in more muscle on landscaping and construction-grade jobs with a lower ground drive speed and more power directed where you need it most. With a lower ground drive speed the SK900 provides superior power to the attachment, outperforming the competition to dig, lift and drive.

DITCH WITCH STAND ON SKID STEERS

Designed for demanding jobsites and built to outperform, a Ditch Witch stand-on skid steer will deliver unbeatable performance time and time again. Check out the extensive range

An improved ground drive hydraulic system bulks up the longevity of the machine while daily upkeep is made easier with an accessible fuel cover and thicker exhaust pipe

Customer-driven control placement optimizes operator comfort and reduces fatigue.

Featuring a Yanmar® 24-HP (18.5 kW) diesel turbo engine allows for more torque where it matters so you get more done.

Smaller, narrower frame is perfect for tough jobs in hard-to-reach areas.