The latest ViO17 and ViO25 mini excavators are upgraded for improved operator comfort, convenience and ease of use.

Yanmar Compact Equipment introduces a new generation of its ViO17 and ViO25 mini excavators. The ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B are upgraded for improved operator comfort, convenience and ease of use. The ViO17-1E is best suited for residential work, landscaping and small general construction projects. The ViO25-6B also excels in those applications but brings additional power and size for benefits in building maintenance projects, irrigation, plumbing pipeline and more.

Yanmar Compact Equipment will showcase the ViO17-1E at the Equip Exposition on Oct. 18-21, 2022, in Louisville, Kentucky. The compact equipment manufacturer will share booth #1142 with ASV Holdings Inc, both under the Yanmar Compact Equipment North America umbrella. The brands will also exhibit in demo area booth #7766D.

“Operators will appreciate the upgraded features in these new generation models,” said Jeff Pate, director of sales at Yanmar Compact Equipment North America. “From improved operator comfort and lighting to enhanced attachment coupling, the improvements make long days in the cab a little easier.”

The ViO17-1E offers a 4,023-pound operating weight and 14.5-horsepower engine while the ViO25-6B features a 5,908-pound operating weight and 20.4-horsepower engine. Both models feature a light footprint for minimized damage to soft, delicate surfaces in landscaping, residential and sculpting applications. Despite their small size, the models feature impressive dig depths of 7 feet, 7 inches for the ViO17-1E and 10 feet for the ViO25-6B.

Yanmar builds the ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B with true zero tail swing technology for maximum workplace performance. Zero tail swing models are designed so that no part of the cab or canopy extends beyond the track width. This helps protect both the structure the machine is working next to and the machine itself in tight spaces.

As an added benefit, the ViO17-1E has a unique, retractable undercarriage that allows operators to hydraulically extend and retract the track width. This makes it even easier for the machine to access narrow jobsites. Paired with Yanmar’s legendary and reliable diesel engines, both the ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B are made for show-stopping performance.

Operators will find it simple to work efficiently in the ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B thanks to added features such as standard PTO quick-connect fittings that allow for easier hookup or switching between attachments. For added efficiency, the upgraded LED boom light integrated into the boom can shine directly onto the work area so operators can easily see what needs to be done.

Additionally, the updated ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B have been upgraded to a four-point tie system for easier loading and unloading as well as reliable stability during transport.

To minimize operator fatigue and further improve efficiency, the ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B also include a new seat and other creature comforts such as an ergonomic throttle and better display positions for easy access. With more intuitive controls, operators will also be able to improve efficiency with less training time needed. Updated positioning for displays and switches as well as control position improve ergonomics to make operating a ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B simpler.

For added productivity and efficiency on the jobsite, the ViO25-6B also includes ECO Mode, Auto-Decel Mode and auto shift 2-speed travel as standard features. ECO Mode helps extend engine life, lengthen oil change intervals and reduces fuel consumption by reducing engine speed and power draw when not needed. The mini excavator’s auto shift 2-speed travel design conveniently shifts the machines between low and high range automatically, making switching between jobsite tasks and longer travel times seamless for the operator.

The ViO25-6B includes SmartAssist Remote, Yanmar’s telematics system, free for five years on new machines. Using the integrated theft protection, the mini excavator’s owner can set a range from a specific location or a starting time, triggering SmartAssist Remote to send a notification if that range is exceeded.

SmartAssist Remote can also detect errors with electronic components and send notifications to service personnel and directly to Yanmar to streamline the diagnostic process. Additionally, the machine’s owner can view the operational status of the equipment in real time and view daily work reports that track use of the excavator, useful data that can improve jobsite productivity over time. Finally, SmartAssist Remote can track maintenance intervals and inspection items as well as notify the owner via email about upcoming maintenance requirements.

Both the ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B build upon Yanmar’s already legendary reliability. The upgraded LED boom light is integrated into the boom for better protection. For added durability, cylinder guards are strategically placed in front of the cylinders on the boom, arm and bucket to protect them from being hit.

Yanmar is including a 4-year/4,000-hour warranty on its mini excavators. Visit www.YanmarCE.com for more information about Yanmar Compact Equipment.

Founded in 2008, the company does commercial landscape maintenance, installation and snow removal.

BrightView has acquired Syringa Landscape, a commercial landscaping company based in Boise, Idaho. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Syringa Landscape focuses on commercial landscape maintenance, installation, and snow removal. Founded in 2008, Syringa services marquee accounts in the greater Boise market, including medical facilities, apartment complexes, corporate campuses, and homeowners’ associations.

“The addition of Syringa Landscape will help to further strengthen our maintenance and development operations in and around Boise – one of the fastest growing markets in the country,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView President and CEO. “Having established itself as one of the market’s strongest and most respected landscapers, we look forward to welcoming Syringa’s team to the BrightView family and to build upon their relationships and reputation to identify new business opportunities, while continuing to provide exceptional service and customer care.”

READ MORE: BrightView also acquired a Hawaiian company this summer

“We are excited to take our company to the next level with BrightView,” said Syringa Landscape owners Rick Prescott and Ken Kope, “At Syringa, we have created a solid base in the Boise marketplace, with a reputation as Landscape Craftsmen. We look forward to cultivating new relationships, building new projects, and maintaining our quality of work.”

BrightView entered the Boise market earlier this year, with the acquisition of Intermountain Plantings.

CEO Mark Bradley will lead the eight-hour workshops across 20 states and provinces from September through November.

Landscape Management Network (LMN)  will host 30 “Build a Better Landscaping Business” workshops from September through November across the United States and Canada. The full day (8 hour) workshops are designed to help landscape business owners of all sizes learn how to deploy the right strategies and tactics to see their businesses experience unmatched growth.

The in-person sessions will be hosted and facilitated by LMN founder and former landscape business owner Mark Bradley, who grew a small landscaping business in Toronto into a large-scale company that generated more than $30 million in annual sales.

Each session comes at a cost of $99, which includes free access to the free version of LMN Pro, the company’s business management software for the green industry, plus complimentary lunch.

Sessions will be held across 20 states and five provinces across Canada. The first training session is scheduled for Sept. 7 in Austin, Texas, with 1-2 sessions each week through November, with the final two scheduled sessions in Sacramento and San Jose, California.

“After more than two years, we couldn’t be more excited to bring back our popular workshop series to business owners and customers throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Mark Bradley, CEO. “We’ve heard from so many business owners on how valuable they found landscape business planning sessions. COVID forced us to shift to a more remote learning environment since 2020, but we can’t wait to reconnect with so many passionate men and women who work in the green industry this fall.”

Dates, times and registration on each session can be found here.

The new name of the future standalone company is contingent on the close of Cinven’s acquisition of the business from Bayer.

Bayer’s Environmental Science Professional business will become Envu as a standalone company, contingent on the close of Cinven’s acquisition of the business from Bayer.  Pronounced “ehn-VIEW”, the name is derived from “environment” and “vision” and developed with input from both employees and customers around the world.

“As a trusted industry leader, we know that ensuring continued customer success requires strong partnerships and a renewed perspective,” said Gilles Galliou, president of the Environmental Science Professional business at Bayer and future CEO of the new standalone company. “That’s why Envu will be dedicated to bringing customers innovative solutions to help them push their business forward and tackle the toughest challenges our environments face today.

“The fact that our new company will be focused solely on environmental science will allow us to solve problems faster, smarter and more efficiently,” Galliou adds. “The challenges we solve today will help ensure a healthy future for all is clearly in view.”

From now until the divestment transaction officially closes, the organization will remain the Environmental Science Professional business of Bayer. However, the company looks forward to fully launching its new corporate identity upon the close, which is on track for later this year.  The business will also continue to collaborate with Bayer as a standalone company.

“We have an established track record of bringing effective, safe and sustainable solutions to customers,” said Tiffany Fremder, head of global marketing for Environmental Science. “We will continue this commitment as Envu and expand our focus on innovation to achieve long-standing environmental health and sustainability.”

Editor Brian Horn will join the webinar this Wednesday at 12 p.m. Pacific time.

Jain Unity is hosting a webinar with Lawn & Landscape Editor Brian Horn this Wednesday at 12 pm. Pacific Time.

Technology is quickly changing the landscape game. Contractors are using technology for everything from mowing turf to managing water. Computer programs simplify the design and installation of landscapes. Scheduling software ensures landscaping teams are at the right place and time. There are smart devices that mow without the aid of a worker.

Jain Unity software manages smart controllers by looking at past, current, and future weather. New battery technology makes sustainable landscaping more of a reality. This past week, Lawn & Landscape magazine held its Technology Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. This conference included 2.5 days of education, pre-show workshops, and the opportunity to embrace technology and move the industry forward.  

Horn will walk attendees through all the cool technology he saw at the conference and how contractors can benefit from the technology. During this webinar, you will learn:  

To register for free, click here.