LP Gas, May 2011

PROPANE LAWN EQUIPMENT Continued from page 23 The company first converted two mowers in 2008 in response to high gasoline prices and has continually added propane to its new equipment in stages with plans to convert them all to propane We were and still are concentrating on environmentally friendly practices and this is just a natural step for us to be more environmentally responsible and at the same time it does have its economical advantages to us says Leavell crediting the guidance and support of Jim Coker at Heritage Propane Turf Managers which receives its propane supply in tank exchanges from Heritages Metro Lift division saves about 105 per gallon with propane The company is able to pay off the 1000 to 1200 per mower conversion cost in about one year Leavell says But there are other benefits as well particularly with the clean qualities of propane You dont have to worry about filling up out of gasoline cans and the trash that gets in the gas tank and goes through the engine The engines are much cleaner in that regard says Leavell adding that the engines run and sound similar to gasoline I didnt meet a gas can that didnt have a leaky nozzle these cylinders attach just like a gas grill and youre good to go he adds Its not nearly as volatile in a transport type of situation If a propane cylinder falls over it might roll around but its not going to spill And I havent had one ounce of propane stolen gasoline is liquid gold right now LPG Qspwfo Sfmjbcjmjuz When it comes to installing or removing any size residential propane storage tank the EZTC 206 from Renaldo Sales makes it easy More stability Greater power Unmatched traction Requires just one operator Get more information at www renaldo org Renaldo Sales Service Inc North Collins NY 800 424 5564 Manufactured and Distributed in the USA Resources According to the Propane Education Research Council PERC there are 150000 to 200000 new commercial mowers sold each year and the OEMs are making efforts to grow propanes share to 15 percent by 2015 That could translate to more than 150 million gallons of propane sales each year PERCs Marketer Technology Training Program educates propane marketers on opportunities in commercial mowing among other applications Visit www propanecouncil org MTT Online www poweredbypropane org mowers www allpropanemowers com www autogasusa org Propane lawn equipment manufacturers Bad Boy Gravely Bob Cat Husqvarna Cub Cadet Lehr Dixie Chopper Scag Exmark Snapper Pro Ferris Zipper Propane engine conversion options Alliance AutoGas Envirogard AltFuel LLC Roush CleanTech CleanFUEL USA Brian Feehan vice president of engine fuel for PERC says Even though propane in commercial mowing was out there four years ago with two small OEMs Envirogard and Dixie Chopper and the adoption of larger OEMs points us in the right direction this still needs to be viewed as an infant market and it requires us to maintain our presence and get stronger in it Our challenge today is working with the OEM dealers so they can understand what is available from a technology standpoint but also what is out there from a training perspective Its also providing the propane industry with information on product availability and how to incorporate it into their own businesses to grow gallons 24 LPGas May 2011 www LPGasmagazine com