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AIRPORT SEES SKY-HIGH RESULTS WITH iMOW® ƒ


Chesapeake Regional Airport, an airport in coastal Virginia, sits on 500 acres with more than 80 hangars accommodating both private and commercial aircraſt. While student pilots, commercial crews and hobbyists who frequent the airport are used to seeing the latest in aviation technology flying the skies above, the newest high-tech addi- tion at this facility is operating on the ground.


CHALLENGES WITH PROPERTY MAINTENANCE With a small staff responsible for the upkeep of the large property, the Chesapeake Regional Airport team’s conventional mower approach was causing more problems than solutions. Every time the grounds crew mowed the overgrown lawn, it resulted in grass clippings, dust and dirt blowing into the air.


In addition, with a recent mechanical failure of their current mower, it was time for an upgrade.


“When our crew was leſt without their primary means to maintain the property, we identified the opportunity to install STIHL iMOW® robotic mowers as a solution,” said Chris Schrantz, Airport Manager.


CLEAN, WELL-MAINTAINED LAWNS Two STIHL RMI 632 PC-L iMOW® robotic mowers were installed to maintain approximately one acre each alongside rows of hangars housing aviation tenants. Unlike the conventional mowers, with STIHL iMOW®, there was no dust, dirt or excessive debris.


Not only did the robotic mowers leave the area cleaner, but iMOW® also provided other benefits. The mowers’ self-mulching functionality returned nutrients and moisture back to the soil providing a greener, healthier lawn. Its smart battery technology automated the mowing work reducing labor, maintenance and fuel costs — saving the airport time and money.


LESS COST, LESS LABOR, HEALTHIER GRASS With LTE connectivity the RMI 632 PC-L robotic mowers deliver a host of enhanced smart features — all operable via an app. From set- ting and updating mowing schedules to monitoring service issues and performance, usage has been seamless.


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Cost is dependent on electricity and may vary. STIHL iMOW® provided by STIHL Inc.


Chris Schrantz, Airport Manager, and Greg Dorson, Ground Maintenance Lead.


National Association of Landscape Professionals 21


According to Greg Dorson, Grounds Maintenance Lead, his experience with STIHL iMOW® has been “super easy,” he added. “It’s practically self-explanatory. In fact, one of the greatest benefits is that I don’t have to do the mowing — and it requires virtually zero maintenance.”


bottom-line results iMOW® provides real solutions to challenges faced by the airport authority and other customers. Instead of mowing lawns, they can now focus on other more pressing tasks, and as an added benefit, the lawns maintained by iMOW® are green and thriving.


“[Installing] STIHL iMOW® was a fantastic decision — and one that has paid off,” said Schrantz. “Over a five-month period, we’ve calculated only $5.75 in electricity costs per unit.1


A conventional solution would


have taken double that amount in labor alone. Add wear and tear on our zero-turn mower plus fuel costs and it is a no-brainer!”


Between labor and fuel costs, Chesapeake Regional Airport is saving upwards of $80 per month by using the two robotic mowers.


THE FUTURE OF MOWING With the overwhelming success of the first two installations, a third iMOW® was installed to further reduce the grounds crew’s workload. Given the expanse of the property and the ROI analysis thus far, the Chesapeake Regional Airport is considering installing even more iMOW® robotic mowers onsite.


“From the management side of things, iMOW® just makes a lot of good sense,” said Schrantz, “Especially for large-scale commercial applica- tions. It’s just a great highly-efficient solution.”


To learn more about the STIHL iMOW® visit STIHLUSA.com/ products/imow.


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