Providing superintendents with a variety of technologically advanced irrigation features, John Deere's new 5.50 firmware is now available for all Aurora® series irrigation field controllers. The new firmware is fully compatible with Aurora Professional Software and eAurora™ Online Management Systems.

"At John Deere, we're constantly absorbing market feedback to better meet the needs of superintendents," said Brian Birdwell, irrigation business manager, John Deere Golf. "Thanks to that feedback, John Deere's new 5.50 firmware offers even more advanced functions and convenience with improved radio communications reception and additional programming capabilities.

The most compelling function of the new 5.50 firmware is the ability to use program link starts between controllers without any central control software. This feature allows linking of program starts between field controllers in a peer-to-peer controller network. Additionally, it provides shorter watering windows and improved pump usage.

With a multi-manual feature that uses existing programs, John Deere's 5.50 firmware has six new dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) programming commands for handheld maintenance radios. In addition, two additional remote sensor outputs have been added, bringing the total to two direct sensors and four remote sensors for each field controller. This advanced sensor capability for "on-demand" irrigation now allows even more convenience for superintendents from anywhere on the course.

In addition, with the expanded 32 independent program capability added to the Aurora ALT and AUT series field controllers, superintendents now have even more flexibility to develop customized irrigation across the course, allowing irrigation of specific areas such as greens, tees and fairways more efficient independent programming.

John Deere firmware Version 5.30 will continue to be available through John Deere Golf distributors.

In addition to Beard Equipment, other distributors honored for excellence in salesmanship included Colorado Golf & Turf Inc. of Littleton, Colo., Arizona Machinery of Avondale, Ariz., Guertin Equipment of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Northwest Outdoor Equipment Inc. of Clackamas, Ore.

Take on Anything - with Style
When the architect designed the course, it wasn't necessarily designed with maintenance in mind. Fortunately, John Deere TerrainCut mowers were. Standard for both machines, the GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System ensures that hydraulic traction power is maintained at all times. Wheel slip is minimized by diverting hydraulic flow from wheels that slip to wheels with grip.

With 43.1 hp for the 8800 and 37.1 hp for the 7400, the TerrainCut mowers feature powerful turbo-charged diesel engines that provide the power to mow, to climb or to do both.

Both mowers are superb followers of terrain contours, thanks to a double-yoke mounting system. Once the decks are in the mowing position, the double-yoke system allows the decks a full range of motion independent of the hydraulic lift system. The 8800 is comprised of five 21-in. rotary mowers for a flawless cut and superior ground following across an 88-in. cutting span. A double-acting steering cylinder is also included to help equalize turning efforts, allowing the operator to hold a straight line with less effort.

For flexibility and productivity, the 7400 offers three 27-in. decks and its patented Width-on-Demand feature, allowing the operator to select a 68-in. or 74-in. cutting width at the touch of a switch. The cutting units overlap to ensure accurate cutting on slopes and tight turns at the 68-in. width of cut, and can be increased to a 74-in. width of cut for wide open areas to increase productivity by nine percent.

Additionally, the Reach system allows operators to shift either the front right or left decks a maximum of 15 inches outside the front tires for trimming around bunkers or hazards.

Simplified Controls for Easier Efforts
Knowing that every moment out of the seat translates to a longer working day, John Deere designed the TerrainCut mowers with ease of use in mind to increase operating efficiency and productivity. Rotary decks lift and lower with a single-lever joystick. Deck heights are easily adjusted without tools. Dual pedal controls make forward and reverse operation easier than ever. And an operator command arm, Sit-on-Seat diagnostics and the John Deere patented White Box™ Controller allows maximum control and quick problem resolution without leaving the seat.

Comfort for the Operator
Even though the TerrainCut mowers make the job go faster, it doesn't mean that operators don't deserve more comfortable operator stations. The operator stations include excellent leg room, foot room and wide-spaced traction controls for optimum comfort for all sizes of operators. The TerrainCut line also features foot-operated tilt steering and parking brake operation. The command arm connects to the seat so controls stay within reach regardless of the seat's position. Even a drink holder and a two-way radio holder come standard. ROPS and seatbelts are standard on both machines.

With four models - the 7500, 7700, 8500 and 8700 - the PrecisionCut line reflects customer input through its power, traction and cut quality, as well as comfort and ease of use. Innovations include more precise steering and a best-in-class hydraulic down-pressure system. And the new GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System results in improved traction and better hill-climbing ability.

Professional Turf for the Turf Professional
With more power but less noise and emissions, the 7000 series offers a 37.1-hp engine, and the 8000 series features a 43.1-hp engine. All PrecisionCut models are designed to deliver the high-quality cut needed on the course. The 7500 and 8500 models feature 22-in. standard bedknife-to-reel cutting units with 5-in. diameter reels, a fixed front roller and adjustable reel roller for less aggressiveness at lower cutting heights. The 7700 and 8700 mowers utilize 22-in. ESP cutting units with 7-in. diameter reels. They feature reel-to-bedknife adjustment, adjustable front and rear rollers and a patented Rotate-for-Service (RFS) system to easily complete those adjustments.

All cutting units feature a patented rear-attaching point for the cutting unit yokes, placing force on the rear roller for a more consistent cut height. Two pressure-sensing, flow-compensating backlapping valves also enhance the quality of cut by allowing for reel speed adjustments to meet any course condition.

For the most consistent cut height, Fairway Tender Conditioners (FTC) and rear roller power brushes can be added to all PrecisionCut mowers. The FTC stands up grass prior to cutting and improves cutting dispersal, while the power brush keeps the rear roller clean.

Climb to New Heights
Because course conditions can be unpredictable, all four mowers feature a servo-controlled hydrostatic drive system that provides increased flow to the traction system for more power and better traction in either two-wheel or all-wheel drive. For increased hill-climbing ability, the John Deere exclusive GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System can be added to any of the mowers. Through this innovation, wheel slip is minimized by routing hydraulic flow from one of the front wheel motors to the opposite rear wheel motor. This allows for excellent traction traveling not only when mowing up and down inclines, but on side hills as well.

Down Pressure, Up Quality
For the ultimate in cut-quality control, John Deere has improved an already great system. The patented, hydraulic down-pressure system can now be turned on and off by the superintendent with a simple pin system to better match ever-changing golf course, seasonal and weather conditions.

Precision Steering
The PrecisionCut mowers feature a double-acting steering cylinder that equalizes right and left pressure - like a riding greens mower - making it easier for operators to hold a straight line and achieve superior striping.

Easier Ways to Get the Job Done
Catering to operators and technicians, the fairway mowers feature an LED instrument cluster and Sit-on-Seat (SOS) diagnostics, as well as John Deere's patented White Box™ Controller for easy troubleshooting. For daily service checks, all access points are conveniently located on the left side of the machine. Even the oil cooler tilts for easy cleaning and features a screen that can be removed for cleaning without the need for tools.

A work light kit comes standard and an 18-gallon fuel tank helps ensure that operators can work effectively throughout the day.

Enjoying the Ride
It may be work, but operators don't deserve to suffer through the process. With increased leg room, a wider platform for optimum pedal spacing and a highly adjustable, standard deluxe seat, the PrecisionCut mowers make it more comfortable for operators to spend a day mowing. The command arm is connected to the seat to ensure that controls stay within easy reach, regardless of the operator's seat adjustments. These mowers also include improved fuel gauge visibility and foot-operated tilt steering. With standard ROPS and seatbelts, the operator's protection zone has been increased to meet pending ISO standards.

Busy golf superintendents will soon have two more tools to help them remotely manage golf course irrigation systems: John Deere's eAurora™ Professional and eAurora Mobile.

eAurora Professional is an enhanced version of eAurora Lite, John Deere's popular Internet-based irrigation management software. The new eAurora Professional includes all the functionality that eAurora Lite users have come to count on, but also includes flow management capabilities, allowing golf course professionals to control water volume from anywhere in the world.

"With eAurora Lite, we've allowed superintendents on the go to access their irrigation system from any location and have eliminated the need for a dedicated computer to run the irrigation program," said Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing, John Deere Golf. "Now, with eAurora Professional, users can have even more control of their irrigation any time, any place."

eAurora Mobile also gives superintendents an added level of control and freedom. The new application allows superintendents to access their eAurora accounts over any Web-enabled PDA.

Optimized for a small-screen format, eAurora is streamlined enough to run quickly on a handheld device but powerful enough to handle any function performed by a maintenance radio. It also allows programming, program writing and alarm log review.

And while similar products allow PDA users to control irrigation on-site, eAurora Mobile is the only software that can be used anywhere cellular service is available.

"eAurora Professional and eAurora Mobile offer superintendents an unprecedented level of convenience and freedom," said Brian Birdwell, irrigation product manager for John Deere Golf. "The quality of a course depends on the success of its irrigation, and with these powerful tools, superintendents can develop precise irrigation programs and deploy them from any location. eAurora Professional and eAurora Mobile users are in complete control of their water management - on and off the course."

eAurora Professional will be available in early spring 2008. eAurora Mobile is available now to eAurora Lite users. The eAurora Mobile capability will be included with all future eAurora Professional subscriptions at no additional cost.