Now you can get that professional look on your lawn with reduced operating costs making the compact and powerful Super B even less expensive.

The Super B Standard

Walker’s Super B may be smaller than standard Walker models but the cut is just as clean and professional as the larger machines, and at a price that’s easy to swallow.

Designed for commercial use, the Super B’s front-mounted cutting deck can be tilted upwards for maintenance and cleaning. Equipped with a Yanmar Minimax engine and an over-sized, durable radiator with self-cleaning fans and rubber isolation mounts.

Three different front-mounted deck sizes are available to fit the Super B. Both 60 and 74 inch side discharge units fit the Super B nicely with the 52 inch rear discharge and mulching deck filling out the set of options.

The steering and operations controls are positioned with the driver in mind, allowing you to get a professional cut without complications. The cutting deck slices grass blades close to the ground following contours and landscaping fixtures for a uniform cut across your entire lawn, regardless of the surface conditions.

With all these features, the reduced price and operating costs, and Walker’s professional cut it’s easy to see why the Walker Super B is the best choice in small-sized riding lawn mowers.

Super B Part of a Winning Family

All of Walker’s machines are held to the same high standard. Depending on the job the Super B might not be big enough. In that case, take a look at some of the other mowers and attachments that Walker has to offer.
Walker Attachments: The Winter Lineup
Walker Mower’s Grass Handling System
Walker Mowers: A Natural Weed Management System
Walker Demos: The Best Cut Grass You’ve Ever Had
The Front Mount Mower vs Mid Mount Mowers

Remember, nothing cuts like a Walker.

After 18 years of success and growth the Green Trade Expo is turning 19, and ProPower Canada will be there to help them celebrate in style.

Green Trade Expo 2012

So what makes the 2012 Expo so special? Is it the shear volume of vendors? The number of industries represented? Or maybe the new machines and equipment that gets showcased year in and year out?

Answer: All of the above.

More than 100 companies will be displaying thousands of new products, services and ideas to help you grow your landscape business while saving time and money on site. Here’s a quick list of the various industries being represented at the 19th annual Green Trade Expo:

• Landscape design, construction and maintenance
• Irrigation
• Garden centres
• Golf course construction
• Property management
• Cities & municipalities

More than 1,000 professionals will be attending the show, creating a fantastic opportunity to find out what’s new in the relevant industries and what’s on the horizon for next year. Small and growing businesses have the chance for real growth and vendor selection for their own product lines.

Here’s the highlights of what this years Green Trade Expo has to offer:

• Over 100 exhibitors, major suppliers and tens of thousands of new product, service, business development opportunities, and well over 1,000 industry attendees
• New educational seminars to help you focus on making and keeping profit (speakers and topics to be announced)
• Special Contractors Breakfast
• 7 hours of unparalleled networking with industry colleagues
• Sponsored, complimentary, all-day coffee bar
• Great contests, draws, and door prizes
• And much, much more!

ProPower at the Green Trade Expo

ProPower Canada will be attending this year’s event and we’ve staked our spot so you can come swing by for a visit. We’ll be in booth #436 for the duration of the Expo, so come on out and say hi.

See you soon!

Build up your knowledge before the show! Check out these helpful articles to get you prepared:

BillyGoat’s New yard Machines
Our Yard Work Calendar
Walker Attachments: The Winter Lineup
The Front Mount Mower vs Mid Mount Mowers

3 new machines have been introduced over the last year and they’re just starting to make waves in the landscaping and yard care industries.

BillyGoat Extends Brush Cutter Line

The first new machine in the lineup is the new Outback Brush Cutter BC26. This brush cutter comes standard with Tuff Torque hydro transmissions featuring Enhanced Traction Control and a pivoting deck. The hydrostatic transaxle with ETC is fully automatic, sensing when the rear wheel start to spin, locking the wheel and giving it positive forward traction in wet or uneven conditions.

The pivoting brush deck rides close to the ground for a better cut which also minimizes scalping and improves traction by keeping the weight of machine on its drive wheels. Angled control handles with padded grips offer comfort and protection while shifting gears. Here’s a list of some of the more prominent features:

• Tuff Torque hydrostatic transaxle
• Floating Deck
• Heavy Duty Blade Spindle
• Rubberized Rear Deck Trim
• Ergonomically-Angled Control Handles with padded grips
• Wider tractor Tires

BillyGoat’s Z Force Blower

The Brush Cutter lineup isn’t the only series to gain a machine. The Z Force Blower attachment mounts to any major ZTR mower via standard heavy duty JRCO mounting bracket.

With a 360 degrees of rotation air can be diverted in any direction with the mounted pedal for rapid leaf and grass cleanup. The pivoting throttle control provides easy entry and exit of the mower while the entire unit pivots up & down on rear quick attach so the unit floats with terrain changes. The new Z Force Blower is the ultimate in cleanup attachments.

Here’s the specifics on this yard machine:

• Quick attach process
• Two pins and kick stand
• 360 degree 4” rotational discharge control via Foot pedal
• Magnetically mounted Foot control
• Pivoting Throttle control handle
• Heavy duty caster Wheels for stability
• Wrap around steel Safety guard
• 13 HP engine with 16-blade Composite fan technology

BillyGoat’s New Self-Propelled Over-Seeder

Billy Goat’s new Self Propelled Over-Seeder takes hard work out of the equation with intuitive forward and reverse operator controls. The unit is 22” wide with an exclusive 11 blade slicing reel that floats along the contours of your yard, increasing seed to soil contact & improving germination rates.

The Over-Seeder comes standard with a 30lb seed box that is elevated above the turf to eliminate clogging that may occur from moisture. Billy Goat’s exclusive Auto Drop system automatically starts and stops seed drop with reel engagement & disengagement conserving seed while preventing “end of run” seed piling. Here’s the specifics on the Self Propelled Over-Seeder.

• Self-Propelled Hydrostatic drive
• Elevated seed box
• Auto Drop System
• Infinite Depth Adjustment
• Dual Belts
• No thread, no bolt foldable handles
• Floating Cutting Head

With these new machines you can make short work of yard work. And here’s some more BillyGoat related info for some of their existing lines below:

Billy Goat Leaf Blower: Mow and Blow your yard waste away
Yard Debris Vacuum: Billy Goat’s Vacuums Really Suck
Billy Goat High Weed Mower: Cuts Where Others Can’t

As soon as the snow melts we’re out and about tending to our grass, raking the leaves and starting our yearly compost heaps. In the summer we seed and sod, cut and mulch, generally maintaining our properties. And it doesn’t end until autumn.

With so many tasks to complete for each season and all the moving parts involved it’s pretty easy to forget something crucial in your yard work calendar.

No worries. Your friends at ProPower Canada have drafted this helpful calendar guide to yard work, telling you what’s important and when to do it. Simply follow the list to stay on-track for a healthier lawn this year.

The ProPower Yard Work Calendar

March: It’s not quite growing season in March. Most years there’s still a little snow to contend with so some tasks will have to wait but you can get a jump start on the season by:

• Compost & Mulching - Take the time to walk your grounds. Collect any fallen tree limbs and leaves around the yard and start composting and mulching. These materials can be used as dressing and fertilizers in future tasks.
• Seeding & Reseeding - Once the grass starts to show through we can begin filling out the rough spots. A little early seeding helps crowd out weeds and fill up holes.

April: It’s the first stage of spring in April even though, according to calendars, spring starts in March. Now we get the chance to put some real solid work into our yards:

• Raking & Dethatching - Now that all the snow has melted and our soil has dried out it’s time to ‘cure’ your lawn. Raking out dead grass and compressed thatch allows your grass to breathe while reducing fungal build ups in the soil.
• Sodding & Patching - Sometimes there are spots that seeds can’t handle. Laying sod and patches in spring gives new roots time to anchor themselves for a healthy summer of growing.
• Edging & Trimming - While some places need more grass other places need less. Cut away excess growth around your walkways and gardens. Remember to compost the waste.

May: By the end of May the growing cycle of our lawn has reasserted itself. Regular growth means regular cuttings and with the hot and dry conditions ahead it’s a great time to infuse your yard with oxygen and nutrients:

• Mowing - Love it or lump it it’s time to start mowing your lawn again. Make sure your cutting blades aren’t adjusted to low. Grass cropped to closely has trouble staying alive.
• Aerating - Oxygen and space to grow are two necessities when it comes to grass. Aerate your lawn and let a little oxygen into your soil. This promotes rapid growth and keeps your soil from getting to dense, which can hinder roots.
• Fertilize - Over the past two months your grass has been growing. The nutrients present in your soil have been consumed by your lawn. This leaves your soil and grass starved for usable nutrition. Put some of that life back into the earth with a little fertilization.

June: Now that we’re in the full swing of warm weather a lot of plants are trying to take hold, including weeds. A little maintenance and weeding keeps them from spreading and stealing the nutrients from your soil:

• Weed - It’s not a lot of fun but it’s well worth the effort. Weeding by hand takes unwanted plants out of the equation before they seed and also keeps much needed nutrients in the soil where they belong.
• Spray Herbicide & Pesticide - Hand weeding doesn’t always yield a weed-free lawn. Another route is spraying herbicides and pesticides to keep unwanted plants and bugs out of your yard. Late May to early June is a great time to lay down some solutions.
• Plant – Early June and late May are both great times to start planting new additions to your lawn and garden. Most of the heavy rain, which can drown your plants, has come and gone and frost is no longer an issue, giving your plants the best chance to succeed.

July: The dog days of summer are fully upon us,… and our lawns. It’s a good idea to step up watering slightly during dry seasons. It’s also a great time for those extra garden projects you’ve been wanting to get to:

• Landscape - Fountains, ponds, walkways and fences are best built in the middle of summer. At this point your grass is strong enough to withstand the construction traffic and there’s enough time afterwards for your grass to repair itself, ahead of winter.
• Topdress - Summer can be hot and dry. July is a good time to apply some of that topdressing you created in the spring. Place it on top of flower and garden beds to block out the sun and hold in extra moisture.
• Mowing - Keep at it. If you’ve got a healthy lawn with regular growth you’ll need to cut your grass approximately 3 times every 2 weeks. Consistent growth is a sign of a healthy lawn.

August: The last of the scorchers, August is the perfect time to give your lawn one last meal before you start preparing it for a few months of rest.

• Aerate - It’s solid advice to aerate a second time each year. Late August is a great time to aerate. It infuses your lawn with a second helping of oxygen and prepares your yard to absorb nutrients more easily throughout the summer months.
• Fertilize - Your grass is hungry and there’s a good chance it’s sapped your soil for all it’s worth. It’s time for your second bout of fertilization. This gives your grass some nutrients to consume throughout winter underneath the snow. Grass tends to bounce back faster with a fall application.

September: Now that the sun is setting earlier every night we know winter is on it’s way. It’s time to start thinking of the future. Beyond your regular watering, cutting and raking you should weed one last time:

• Weed - It shouldn’t take much time to weed in September. If you weeded and sprayed in spring the job should be tiny by comparison. Take out any new weeds, killing their chance to proliferate next year.
• Spray - A quick spray can handle the bulk of any weed problem. Don’t let them live until spring when they can infect your entire yard.

October: Your yard isn’t the only thing that needs preparation to get through winter. You equipment needs love too. Taking the time to break down your equipment properly prolongs the life of the machine and related yard equipment.

• Prep Equipment - It’s a good idea to clean and clear your machine. Remove any mechanical liquids, gas and water on-board so it doesn’t freeze or evaporate. Make sure to clean the undercarriage thoroughly as any left over build-up hardens, eventually effecting the revolutions of the cutting blades and moving mechanisms.
• Prep your Lawn - Your lawn machines aren’t the only equipment that needs tending. Sprinkler systems, lighting tracks, lawn ornaments and jungle gym equipment should be removed and stored so they don’t cause compression damage.

November: Well, it’s all over. It’s time to trade in our mowers, sprinklers and fertilizers for shovels and road salt. There’s just a few simple tasks left over to get your lawn and garden ready for hibernation.

• Prep Gardens for Winter - Winter can kill plants, trees and shrubs with ease. Give your yard the best chance for survival by wrapping trees, using left-over mulch to topdress your garden beds and spread any leftover compost on your grass. Waste not want not.
• Overseeding - Some amount of snow may have already come and gone in November. This can cause some weak spots to show through your grass. Put a little grass seed into those weak spots to slowly grow green grass throughout winter and to crownd out weeds in the spring.

December – March: There’s nothing left to do but wait. Sleep, and dream of green grass, lawn mowing patterns and the impending spring. It will be here before you know it.

If you found this information helpful download our printable version by CLICKING HERE.
Here’s a few articles to read before bed as you prepare for next season:
Winter Lawn Maintenance: Tips to prepare your lawn for winter
Winter Landscaping: A Beautiful Yard All Year Round
New Grass Mowing Patterns for Spring
Spring Lawn Care Basics

Landscape Ontario Congress

Landscape Ontario has more than 2,000 loyal members with more than 12,000 industry specialists and buyers attending the Congress in recent years. The cross section of business attendees ranges from landscaping to nurseries, fencing and even government representation from the municipal, provincial and federal level.

And, as usual, ProPower Canada will be there with bells on, showcasing their lawn equipment lines to residents and businesses alike. We will be setting up shop in booth #482 in the Toronto Congress Centre from January 10th to the 12th.

For more information on Canada’s 39th International Horticultural Lawn and Garden Trade Show and Conference and how to attend visit www.locongress.com

The Landscape Ontario Congress may be the first trade show event of 2012 but it certainly won’t be the last. In fact ProPower Canada is already signed up for two more shows in the near future.

S.I.M.A.Q

Based out of Quebec S.I.M.A.Q is one of Canada’s premier landscape and agriculture trade shows. Now in it’s 18th year, S.I.M.A.Q showcases everything from lawn tractors and related equipment to larger farm machinery and harvesters.

ProPower will be front and centre, impressing locals and business owners alike with our lines of yard equipment such as Walker Mowers, Billygoat and Acrease. If you’re going to be in the Quebec City area on January 26, 27 or the 28th stop by and check out the show.

And be sure to pop by and say hello. We’ll be in booth numbers 234 to 236.

For more information on the show itself please visit www.simaq.ca

Canadian International Farm Show

Last but not least comes the Canadian International Farm Show. This event runs from February 7th to the 9th and showcases farm equipment and machinery, now in it’s 26th year.

According to 2010 reports Canadian farmers purchased more than 3.1 billion dollars worth of equipment and machinery. Up by 13% from the previous year. With increasing industry sales and the newest technological innovations being showcased attending the 2012 CIFS was a no-brainer.

Come pay us a visit at the Toronto International Centre and check out all of the fantastic lawn and farm technologies on the market today. We’ll be in booth # 3106 for the duration of the event.

For more information on the Canadian International Farm Show visit www.canadianfarmshow.ca

With three shows in less than a month ProPower is going to be busy. But we won’t be stopping there. Keep watching for our complete event listings for 2012 which will include trade shows, open houses, anniversaries and other important events.

Stay informed on yard equipment in 2012 with ProPower Canada!

Between the constant snow falls that crushes and compresses our grass, the extreme cold or the ice melting sand and salt solutions that trickle in from the roadside, it’s a wonder that we have any grass at all come springtime.

Every year we have to revitalize our lawns, repairing damage and reseeding the weak spots but it doesn’t have to be so hard. In fact, a little care during the winter months can go a long way.

After all, besides shovelling the driveway there really isn’t much to do in winter so it’s looks like you’ve got the time.

So let’s get to it.

The Causes and Solutions for Winter Grass Damage

There are many catalysts for winter lawn damage. Here’s a few of the more common causes for winter grass damage and the solutions to fight back against the hazards of the snowy months.

Don’t rake too early

We’re putting this point first for a reason. In late winter and early spring your lawn and soil are moist and tender. They’ve just spent the past months under a blanket of snow and ice, being crushed and compressed and then soaked solid to the root thanks to all the melting.

Both your soil and grass are in a delicate state at this point.

We know how tempting it is to rake out those matted spots as soon as the snow melts but it simply isn’t the best time for it. Wait until the soil has a chance to dry out and the grass has a chance to absorb some sunlight and fresh air. A little patience means less reseeding on thin, over-raked patches.

Repair animal damage

Without snow coverage animal control is much easier. When an animal digs a hole or burrows in deep they’re pretty easy to spot. Brown holes stick out like sore thumbs on our lawns in a sea of green grass.

Winter is a different story. A couple feet of snow easily conceals the busy work of burrowing animals. There’s not much we can do but wait for the spring thaw and evict the animals with impunity. Just make sure you do it sooner rather than later.

Spring is breading time for many a species. The holes will only multiply if you don’t oust the animals in spring. Hop to it!

Clean up after the kids

Lawn rodents aren’t the only animals causing havok on your lawns. Your kids can put the hurt on your grass even more than small animals. All those forts, snowball fights and snow angels means footprints and compacted snow. Those walking paths used over and over has literally created a small gully running like an aqueduct through your yard. A little aeration and pitchforking of the ground can remedy this damage and re-level your lawn.

Fight back against salt damage

We all know the roads need to stay as dry and clean as possible during the winter for driver safety which means sanding and salting the streets. Of course, with the eventual thaw these harmful minerals are carried right into the edge of your lawn. If soil gets too salty it’s next to impossible to grow anything in it. Fight back!

Douse your salted trouble spots with even more water during the spring melt to dilute the salt content to as low a level as possible. Adding a little topsoil and some grass seed doen’t hurt either.

Get rid of snow mould

Once all the snow and ice has melted there’s a chance you’ll see some brown spots. This doesn’t always mean dead grass however. It can be a sign of snow mould.

Snow mould is caused by a fungus that thrives in wet and cold conditions. Light raking done in stages will eventually nurse these blades of grass back to full health. If possible avoid using fungicides as they can have a negative effect on the rest of your lawn.

And of course, reseeding the rough spots pretty much goes without saying. If you see soil after a few weeks you probably need some seed.

Keeping an eye on your lawn may sound easier said than done when it’s coated in snow but managing the season’s effects is important to bounce back next spring with a healthy carpet of green grasses.

A little bit of care in winter means a lot less work in spring.

We’re not suggesting you go out in snow that’s three foot deep in the middle of winter, in fact this prep-work can be done from right beside the fire. Just like we told you in one of our previous blog posts, winter is the best time for learning so get out your reading glasses and put your green thumb to work turning pages because next year you can be even better with a little self-education.

The Best Places to Learn About Your Lawn Online

Here at ProPower Canada we love telling people about the best equipment on the market and the most effective techniques and practices in the field today but we aren’t the only experts. There are loads of talented landscapers and gardening enthusiasts writing informative material on their blog or website.

Here’s our suggested winter reading list on lawn related topics:

The Lawn Blog is a pretty good source of information, posting new content at regular intervals. Just like ProPower Canada, The Lawn Blog has a few blog posts to help you stay productive during the winter months. Take a look:

Continuing Education for you and your employees
Lawn Mower History

Better Lawn Care has an active blog and alot of support material. Their website covers everything from lawn tips to weed control to equipment maintenance. Take a look at a few of their better posts below:

Should You Rake, or ‘Leaf’ Well Enough Alone?
Lawn and Landscaping News

If you take a look online you’d be shocked at just how much free information is floating around on the web.

Here’s a little of our in-house knowledge to keep your green thumb growing:

• Edging, Trimming and Garden Shaping
• Lawn Fertilizer: What Your Grass Needs to Grow
• Herbicides, Pesticides and Bug Control: How to Kill Weeds and Bugs in Bulk
• Walker Mowers: A Natural Weed Management System
• Weeding, Weed Prevention and Weed-Care
• How to Seed a Lawn. Seeding, Reseeding and Sod
• Spring Lawn Care Basics

ProPower Canada is an industry leader in yard and lawn equipment with more than ?? years of sales experience. Visit one of our affiliates for lawn equipment in your area or contact us for more information.

Crawling out from under that snowfall and maintaining order on your properties isn’t always easy but you may already have most of tools you need to mechanize and automate your winter snow removal.

Walker Mowers offer a wide range of snow blowers, dozer blades and rotary brush attachments needed to keep your personal spaces or snow clearing contracts looking professional through the colder months.

Snowblower Attachments Handle the Bulk of the Load

36” Snowblower

Walker’s 36 inch wide Snowblower attachment converts your Walker Mower into the snow moving machine you need to keep your driveway, walkways, decks, bar-b-q areas and sidewalks completely clear of build-ups this season. The 36 inch unit throws snow and slush up to 20 feet with a full 180 degrees of directional snow vent rotation, all adjustable right from the driver’s seat.

42” Snowblower

For those of us that need a little more reach in snow removal the 42 inch snowblower might just be what the doctor ordered. The powerful two-stage blower throws sow and ice up to 40 feet and also comes with 180 degrees of blowing rotation from the driver’s seat. And, the 50” MBS Two-Stage Snowblower is available for those who need even more reach. Works on MC, MD and MT Model tractors.

42” Snowblower Snow Cab

Building a top-notch snowblowing system from your Walker Mower saves you money and storage space from a second vehicle but it does expose you to the elements.

Let’s face it, snowblowing doesn’t happen very often in sunshine and clear skies.

Going outside means a certain amount of cold but that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way while you work. Walker’s helpful snow cab attachment keeps you protected from the elements and on the job.

These compact but capable snow blowing units keep your Walker in service all year round.

Dozer Blades Clean Compacted Snow and Ice

46” MC Dozer Blade

Your new Walker Snowblower attachment did it’s job well. Your driveway is clean of snow and slush and access to and from your garage is now a breeze but you’ve uncovered another winter problem; thick driveway ice.

Salt and sand work and very well at that, if you have time to wait. Some businesses and families want a more immediate approach. Especially where foot traffic and liability is a concern.

Walker’s line of Dozer Blade attachments make short work of even the thickest and most persistent ice. The blade has a high-strength, replaceable steel edge and fits most models. It’s also useful as a dirt and gravel mover.

If you need even more the 60” MBS Dozer Blade is available for larger Walker models.

Brush Excess Snow Aside With a Rotary Broom

47” MT Rotary Broom & 47” MBS Rotary Broom

These Rotary Brooms, built with a 47-inch sweeping path and five position angle head is ideal for sweeping debris or light snow from hard surfaces.

The Rotary Broom does a great job of sweeping and removing gravel and debris from turf areas along roads, paths and playing fields. Down pressure is spring weighted and is adjustable for great sweeping action and minimum brush wear. The Rotary Broom is another way to extend the usability of your Walker commercial riding lawnmower.

A Walker Mower should never be pedestrian during winter. Keep them working hard and all year round with these handy winterized attachments.