The unit is designed to be easy to use and transport for one-man jobs.

LIVINGSTON, Texas – Little Beaver’s UN-Towable Drill offers an easily transportable solution for one-man hole digging projects. Now, with an updated transport frame, the drill is more convenient and safe for users. The unit is easy to transport and maintain, and is designed for numerous industries including landscaping, fence and sign installation, and park and recreation departments.

Little Beaver will highlight the UN-Towable unit, along with other drills, at booth 2478 at the ARA Show, and booth 730 at Fencetech.

“While our product line is tried and true, we’re always looking for ways to improve,” said Joseph Haynes, product engineer and fourth-generation Little Beaver team member. “Taking a great product and making it even better is what my great-grandfather had in mind when he started the company years ago. Improvements like this carry on his commitment to making dependable, easy-to-use products.”

Unlike most drills of similar power and size that must be towed behind a truck or loaded onto a trailer, the UN-Towable can easily be moved to the jobsite in the back of a pickup truck or SUV. Alternatively, an optional slide-in receiver hitch offers an additional transportation method. The user-friendly E-Z load bracket is designed to fit in any two-inch receiver, commonly found on most pickup trucks and SUVs. Simply secure the unit in the hitch, crank up the machine until it stops, and insert the pin to lock it in place.

The updated transport frame of the UN-Towable Drill features an added stop so the unit can’t be cranked past the designated cradle. Without the added stop, the drill could potentially lodge itself behind the cradle, making it difficult for one person to lift the drill back into the proper position.

The UN-Towable is built with an 11-horsepower Honda engine. Hydraulic pressure of 2,500 psi and an operating speed of 150 rpm further enhance power output.

Equipped with 16-inch semi-pneumatic tires, the UN-Towable easily moves across jobsites and pivots into digging position without damaging delicate lawns and turf. Because it’s easy to maneuver, the drill can operate in places inaccessible to larger equipment like skid steers and tractors. And for added convenience, the one-man handle enables drilling near buildings and in other difficult-to-access areas.

The unit features lightweight construction and a removable power pack, making loading and unloading easy. By detaching the power pack, the overall weight is reduced by 50%, allowing the machine to be transported in two parts. Quick-disconnect fittings allow the operator to connect the power source to other types of hydraulic accessories, such as post drivers and hydraulic tampers.

The balanced and torque-free design of the UN-Towable enhances operator safety and convenience. An integrated forward and reverse auger rotation component protects the user if the auger gets caught under an obstruction, such as a rock or tree root. A pressure relief valve is incorporated for added safety. When the drill reaches a certain hydraulic pressure, the valve releases and the auger stops, protecting the operator from potential injury.

Constructed of sturdy steel with a durable powder-coated finish, the UN-Towable drill is built for extended service life. Heavy-duty construction and an advanced hydraulic system also help to reduce maintenance and eliminate repair hassles.

To increase product versatility, three styles of auger cutting tips are available. The standard tip can be used for drilling in typical ground conditions, including sandy soils and softer clay. A carbide tip is available for tougher jobs and is useful for solid materials such as hard clays and asphalt. Both augers are offered in 1 1/2-inch to 18-inch sizes. Finally, the heavy-duty tip is ideal for harder soils that are mixed with gravel or small rocks, and is available in 7 sizes ranging from 6 to 16 inches. All three augers feature a convenient spring-loaded snap button that secures the auger to the drill head, eliminating the need for pins or bolts. The units are compatible with any Little Beaver auger, and will also accept adaptors that can be used to attach various competitive augers.

The UN-Towable drill is backed by Little Beaver’s two-year warranty, with the engine covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

The program is celebrating its 10th year in helping families of deployed military personnel.

CLEVELAND – The SnowCare for Troops program, which is supported by BOSS Snowplow, is celebrating its 10th year and is continually looking for volunteers to bolster the initiative.

Assembled by Project EverGreen, the SnowCare for Troops program delivers a helping hand and peace of mind for the families of deployed military personnel. January 19-25, 2020 is National SnowCare for Troops Awareness Week and will shine a spotlight on the program’s dedicated volunteers, the families they bring relief to and the need for more volunteers to join the cause. Volunteers are matched with families within their service area.   

“SnowCare for Troops provides military families in need with peace of mind and lifts a significant burden from their plates,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “We’re very grateful for the commitment of our dedicated volunteers and the continued support from BOSS Snowplow. The leadership they have demonstrated in support of military families goes above and beyond the call of duty.”

“BOSS Snowplow continues its support of the SnowCare for Troops program because we have seen firsthand the impact it has on military families,” said Mark Klossner, director of marketing, BOSS Snowplow. “We are grateful for our armed forces and the freedom we have because of their sacrifice. This is one way we can show our support and appreciation.”

Project EverGreen also sponsors the GreenCare for Troops program that offers complimentary lawn care and basic landscape services for families of deployed military personnel.

LDA recommends members join the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association in light of the decision.

After 28 years, the Landscape Design Association has dissolved.

LDA began to face the challenge of attracting new people to key leadership positions that are committed to seeing the association continue to grow. LDA’s membership formally voted to dissolve their organization as of January 1, 2020.

According to LDA leaders, it was their goal to work with another professional organization to create a home and complete suite of benefits that would draw their members to the new organization. LDA viewed the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association as the strongest association to best advance the interests of landscape design professionals.

“Although it was difficult to give up LDA after so many years, we’re looking forward to being part of a larger organization that will offer new opportunities for networking and growth," said LDA President Suzanne Frank. "Thanks to all who have given us a warm welcome to ILCA.”  

ILCA will welcome a transition team of former LDA members to review ILCA's suite of member benefits and determine where LDA individuals and energy can best be utilized. The transition team will be headed by Wanda Evangelista of Evangelista Floral and Landscape Studio. The ILCA will also work with the current design committee to add former LDA members and will open up spots on all standing ILCA committees to LDA members who join ILCA.

In addition, ILCA has built a dues bridge for LDA members to come over to the ILCA. Individual members of LDA will receive a discounted member rate for their first 18 months of ILCA membership. ILCA also underwent several other consolidations, including with the Midwest Ecological and Landscape Alliance and the Illinois Professional Lawn Care Association.

Two new gas models were rolled out in the Pro XD line.

MINNEAPOLIS – The Polaris Pro XD is now available as a gas-powered product. With the addition of two new gas models to its Pro XD line-up, Polaris Commercial broadens the applications where the utility task vehicle (UTV) can be used. Pro XD is built to withstand tough duty cycles and usage on the worksite and enhance job site productivity.

“At Polaris Commercial, we are passionate about delivering state-of-the-art capabilities to all of our hard-working customers. With the launch of our Pro XD diesel work vehicles last year, we delivered huge value to our rental, construction, commercial and government sectors,” said Sean Cheatham, vice president of product development, strategy, and marketing at Polaris Commercial. “Today, with the addition of gas-powered models, customers who prefer gas can now take full advantage of the ultra-productive Pro XD line.”  

Like the diesel models, the new Pro XD gas models provide seating capacity of up to four individuals, a payload of up to 2,075 pounds and towing capacity of 2,500 pounds. Designed for work across various off-road and on-road terrains and factory shipped at 26 mph, the gas-powered models are the ideal vehicle for increasing jobsite capabilities within the sectors of entertainment and events, municipalities, utilities and emergency response. The new models continue to provide the same durability, serviceability and safety features with some additional model updates.

Pro XD vehicles lower total cost of ownership with heavy-duty components such as puncture resistant seats and tires, commercial-grade wear components and heavy-duty suspension. These components provide customers with peace of mind that their vehicle will last through jobsite duty cycles and worksite abuse. Additionally, the all-new Pro XD gas models include a Polaris Pro-Star 1000 cc gas engine capable of enduring harsh jobsite conditions. 

By designing with universal and simple-to-replace parts such as easy-install accessories and common size, non-directional tires and easy maintenance access points, Pro XD vehicles make service updates simple. The gas-powered models further decrease necessary downtime with a high output charging system that increases battery life and powered accessory capacity 

All Pro XD models provide added safety features to comply with jobsite rules and regulations. Safety components include operator warnings, highly visible colors, improved sightlines for greater visibility, operator horn and pedestrian alarms, and minimized dust ingestion within the sealed cab. Additionally, the new gas models are designed with a tamper proof, digital speed calibration, allowing the owner to decrease the top speed to as low as 15 mph.

The gas-powered models include the two-seat 2000G AWD with a payload of up to 1,900 pounds and the four-seat 4000G AWD with a payload of up to 2,075 pounds. The vehicles join the current Pro XD line-up of the diesel-powered 2000D 2WD, 2000D AWD and 4000D AWD.

Shifting your sales approach can improve customer relationships.