Get your kicks

General Motors says that its Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick have raised the bar in the medium-duty truck segment. For the 2005 model year, factory-engineered four-wheel drive will be added in July 2004.

The four-wheel-drive TopKick and Kodiak models feature wheelbases ranging from 152 to 235 inches in both regular cab and crew cab configurations, and are powered by either the standard Vortec 8100MD V-8 gasoline or Duramax 6600 V-8 Turbo Diesel engine.

Enhancing these vehicles off-road capability is an electronically controlled New Venture Gear Model NV273 two-speed transfer case and an instrument panel-mounted rotary selector switch for 4L, 4H and 2H drive settings.

For more information contact GM at www.gm.com.

Clean the air

RedMax’s new EBZ5000Q backpack blower lets Green Industry professionals clean the air quietly while they clean their job sites. The noise level is just 65 dB(A), yet up to 596 CFM of air is moved at a speed of up to 142 mph.

The blower is powered by Komatsu Zenoah’s strato-charged 47.9cc two-cycle engine that introduces fresh air into the engine between the exhaust gases and the fresh charge of air/fuel mix.

Weighing in at just 19.6 lbs., it’s ergonomically designed for operator comfort and maximum productivity. Comfort features include air cooling, a full-size contoured back pad and left or right-hand throttle.

For more information contact RedMax at 800/291-8251 or www.redmax.com.

Make the cut

Oregon Cutting Systems’ FlexiBlade is trimmer line on steroids, with the power to sever weed stalks up to 3/4 in. in diameter.

The serration on the cutting edge act similarly to the teeth of a saw, bringing multiple cutting surfaces into contact with the vegetation being cut. And it cuts with the leading edge, not just the tip. It comes in diameters from .099 in. for delicate edging to .158 in. for ripping vines.

The Jet-Fit heads are fast loading, third generation fixed-line cutting attachments specifically designed for use with FlexiBlade. They include adapters to fit the majority of counterclockwise turning trimmers.

The two-line head is for use on trimmers of 25cc displacement and larger and includes two precut line segments. The four-line head is for 40cc displacement or larger trimmers and includes four precut line segments.

For more information contact Oregon Cutting Systems at www.oregonchain.com.

All in the grass

A quick attach, 12-bushel grass catcher that allows installation or removal in 90 seconds or less is available for the EverRide Warrior zero-turn mower. Its cable control engagement is easily accessible to the operator, and its hook mount boot allows for quick installation and removal.

The mower, which features a 25-hp Kawasaki engine, 54- and 60-in. decks and hydrostatic drive, was designed to accept a grass catcher, unlike other mowers where grass catchers were designed as an afterthought.

For more information contact EverRide at www.everride.com.

Extend yourself

Stihl’s extended length hedge trimmers are now powered by the emissions compliant and longer running STIHL 4-MIX engine.

The Stihl HL 100 series with STIHL 4-MIX technology provides faster acceleration, more power, more torque, and increased fuel efficiency. Each model offers a varying combination of either an adjustable or fixed-angle cutting head and either a 42- or 59-in. shaft length.

Other features include a double-sided reciprocating 24-in. blade with integrated cutter guard, Easystart system, and anti-vibration system. The HL 100K and HL 100 also feature a loop handle with barrier bar for multi-position cutting.

For more information contact Stihl at 800/467-8445 or www.stihlusa.com,

An easy fit

Rain Bird’s Landscape Drip Division has introduced a new Easy Fit Compression System that helps simplify and expedite installation of landscape drip systems.

The system is comprised of three fittings, five adapters and a flush cap. The three fittings (elbow, coupling and tee) feature Rain Bird’s Easy Fit design that accepts multiple sizes of tubing, from .63 in. to .71 in. O.D.

A connection is easy to make each time, as the amount of force required to insert tubing is reduced by almost 50%. In addition, the system now includes five male- and female-threaded adapters that are attached to the ends of the compression fittings for increased flexibility and installation ease.

For more information contact Rain Bird at 800/724-6247 or www.rainbird.com.