Attachment A -SM SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.docx

Attachment A:

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Brand Name or Equal Commercial Mowing Equipment

General Requirement The equipment characteristics listed below are required to support the Veteran’s approved self-employment lawn-care operation. Equipment shall be heavy duty commercial-grade equipment designed and warranted for sustained professional lawn-maintenance use.

The following characteristics identify the minimum functional, structural, performance, durability, serviceability, and safety requirements necessary for the intended application.

Brand Name or Equal: A proposed equal product must meet or exceed all material salient characteristics listed below. Minor differences in manufacturer design are acceptable provided the proposed equipment provides equivalent or greater capability, durability, performance, and intended commercial functionality.

ITEM 1: COMMERCIAL ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWER

Brand Name or Equal: Scag Turf Tiger II, 61-inch configuration

1. Cutting Width

· Cutting width equal to 61 inches.

· Equipment shall be configured as a commercial zero-turn riding mower suitable for high-production lawn maintenance.

2. Commercial Construction

· Machine shall be specifically designed and manufactured for commercial lawn-care use and sustained daily operation.

· Residential or light-duty consumer equipment shall not be considered.

3. Cutter Deck Construction

· Cutter deck shall utilize a multi-plate fabricated steel construction.

· Total structural steel thickness shall be approximately ½ inch or greater, or demonstrate equivalent structural strength and durability.

· Deck shall incorporate additional structural reinforcement at spindle mounting locations.

4. Cutter Deck Drive

· Cutter deck shall utilize a mechanically driven deck system incorporating a driveshaft or equivalent direct mechanical power-transfer system, rather than exclusively relying upon a long engine-to-deck belt.

· The system shall provide reliable power transmission during sustained commercial mowing and reduce dependence on a conventional long deck drive belt.

5. Spindle Construction

· Cutter spindles shall utilize heavy-duty cast-metal housings and tapered roller bearings, or demonstrably equivalent heavy-duty bearing construction.

· Bearings shall be designed for sustained commercial operation and serviceability.

6. Cutting Height

· Minimal adjustable cutting-height range of approximately 1.5 inches through 6 inches.

· Adjustment shall be available in increments no greater than ¼ inch.

7. Hydrostatic Drive System

· Machine shall utilize an independent dual-pump/dual-wheel-motor hydrostatic drive system.

· Hydraulic pumps shall have a minimum displacement of approximately 16 cc per pump.

· Wheel motors shall have a minimum displacement of approximately 18 cubic inches per motor, or provide equivalent tractive capability.

8. Hydraulic System Protection

· Hydraulic drive system shall incorporate hydraulic shock/pressure protection to protect pumps and motors during commercial operation.

· System shall include cooling provisions adequate for sustained operation.

9. Hydraulic Oil Cooling

· A dedicated hydraulic oil cooling system/oil cooler shall be provided as standard equipment or equivalent.

· Cooling shall be designed to maintain hydraulic operating temperatures during extended commercial use.

10. Main Frame

· Main chassis shall utilize a heavy-duty steel frame designed for commercial service.

· Frame shall incorporate reinforced structural construction and shall be designed for repeated operation over uneven terrain.

· Frame shall include a replaceable front caster weldment.

11. Engine

· Engine shall be a commercial-grade V-twin or equivalent commercial engine.

· Engine shall provide sufficient power for continuous operation of a 61-inch commercial cutting deck.

· Minimum rated output shall be approximately 31 horsepower, with preference for configurations providing approximately 35 horsepower or greater where required to maintain cutting performance under heavy turf conditions.

12. Drive Tires

· Drive tires shall be a minimum of 26-inches diameter commercial turf tire or provide equivalent ground clearance, traction, and load-bearing capability.

13. Fuel Capacity

· Minimum fuel capacity of approximately 12 gallons.

· Capacity shall support extended commercial mowing operations without excessive refueling interruptions.

14. Operator Station

· Machine shall include a commercial suspension seat designed to reduce operator fatigue during extended mowing operations.

· Seat shall incorporate vibrations/isolation provisions equivalent to a multi-point suspension mounting system.

15. Operator Controls

· Steering controls shall be independently adjustable to accommodate operator ergonomics.

· Deck lift shall be readily accessible from the operator position.

· Controls shall be designed for repeated commercial use.

16. Safety Equipment

· Machine shall include a ROPS system and operator restraint/seat-belt system meeting applicable safety requirements.

· Parking brake shall be provided.

17. Operating Performance

· Forward ground speed shall be approximately 10-12 MPH or greater, while maintaining safe commercial operation.

· Machine shall provide sufficient maneuverability and productivity for large residential and commercial properties.

18. Serviceability

· Engine, hydraulic, spindle, lubrication, and routine maintenance components shall be readily accessible for routine commercial servicing.

· Equipment shall permit routing preventative maintenance without excessive disassembly.

19. Commercial Warranty

· Equipment shall include a minimum two-year commercial equipment warranty covering major structural and drive-system components.

· Cutter deck shall have a minimum three-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

20. Overall Durability

· Equipment shall be capable of sustained commercial use involving frequent loading, unloading, transportation, and operation across varying turf conditions.

· Components shall be designed for professional lawn-care applications rather than intermittent residential use.

ITEM 2 – COMMERCIAL 36-INCH HYDROSTATIC WALK-BEHIND MOWER

Brand Name or Equal Scag SWZ 36-inch Hydro-Drive-Walk-Behind Mower

Required Salient Characteristics

1. Cutting Width

· Cutting width shall be approximately 36 inches.

· The compact cutting width is required to access narrow gates, fenced yards, confined areas, and properties where a larger zero-turn mower cannot safely or efficiently operate.

2. Commercial Construction

· Machine shall be specifically designed for commercial lawn-care use and sustained professional operation.

· Residential walk-behind equipment shall not be considered equivalent.

3. Hydrostatic Drive

· Machine shall utilize a dual-pump/dual-wheel-motor hydrostatic drive system.

· Hydraulic drive system shall provide independent power to the drive wheels.

4. Hydraulic Performance

· Forward gear ground speed shall be approximately 7 MPH or greater.

· Reverse ground speed shall be 3 MPH or greater.

5. Cutter Deck

· 36-inch commercial cutter deck.

· Deck shall use fabricate multi-plate steel construction with structural reinforcement at the spindle mounting locations.

6. Spindle Construction

· Cutter spindle housings shall utilize cast-metal construction with tapered roller bearings, or equivalent heavy-duty spindle/bearing configuration suitable for sustained commercial use.

7. Cutting Height

· Adjustable cutting height shall cover approximately 1.75 through 4.5 inches.

· Adjustment increments shall be no greater than ¼ inch.

8. Blade Engagement

· Cutter deck shall utilize a commercial-grade electric PTO clutch/brake system with adjustable air gap or equivalent serviceable design.

9. Engine

· The engine shall be commercial-grade gasoline engine suitable for sustained professional operation.

· Engine shall provide a minimum output of 14 horsepower.

10. Fuel Capacity

· Minimum fuel capacity of approximately 5.5 gallons.

· Capacity shall support extended commercial mowing operations without frequent refueling.

11. Drive Tires

· Drives tires shall be approximately 16 inches in diameter or greater and suitable for commercial turf applications.

· Tires shall provide sufficient traction and ground clearance for operation across varying residential and commercial turf conditions.

12. Operator Controls

· Machine shall utilize ergonomically designed drive controls suitable for repeated commercial operation.

· Controls shall minimize operator hand force and fatigue.

13. Adjustable Handlebars

· Handlebar/operator control position shall provide multiple adjustment positions to accommodate operator height and ergonomics.

14. Tracking Adjustment

· Machine shall provide a field-adjustable tracking/neutral system permitting correction of tracking without requiring extensive shop disassembly.

15. Parking Brake

· Machine shall incorporate a mechanical parking brake or equivalent system capable of securely holding the mower when unattended.

16. Serviceability

· Engine compartment and routine maintenance points shall be readily accessible.

· Grease fittings and other routine service points shall be positioned to facilitate preventative maintenance.

17. Commercial Warranty

· Equipment shall include a minimum two-year commercial machine warranty covering major structural and drive-system components.

· Cutter deck shall have a minimum three-year warranty against manufacturer defects

19. Durability

· Machine shall be capable of repeated commercial operation and transportation as part of a professional lawn-care business.

· Equipment shall be designed for sustained professional use rather than occasional residential mowing.

EQUIVALENCY REQUIREMENT

Any proposed “equal” product shall demonstrate compliance with each applicable salient characteristic above.

An alternate manufacturer shall provide sufficient manufacturer documentation, specifications, or other technical information to demonstrate that the proposed equipment meets or exceeds the stated requirements.

Similarity in appearance, horsepower, cutting width, or retail classification alone shall not establish equivalency.

The proposed equal must provide comparable:

· Commercial-duty construction

· Cutting capacity

· Hydraulic drive capability

· Structural durability

· Spindle/bearing construction

· Deck construction

· Operator ergonomics

· Serviceability

· Safety features

· Warranty protection

· Expected suitability for sustained professional lawn-care operation