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Oct. 18, 2023, Brillion, Wis. – Tackling hilly and mountainous landscapes by remote-control, the OVIS, a high-slope brush mower, expands Gravely®’s lineup of commercial outdoor power equipment. The OVIS was introduced today at Equip Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, North America’s largest outdoor power equipment trade show.
The OVIS is featured at Equip Exposition 2023 at Gravely’s booth #7120 in at the Kentucky Exposition Center Oct. 18 – 20.
The new Gravely OVIS uses a 40-inch-wide flail mower to clear vegetation on steep or inaccessible terrain where traditional lawn mower operation is either impossible or unsafe. Though new to the American market, this proven product is currently built by AriensCo’s AS-Motor brand in Germany and distributed across Europe.
“Adding OVIS to the Gravely lineup fills a gap in the U.S. market to support work adjacent to traditional jobsites on difficult landscapes, such as those in hilly and mountainous regions,” said AriensCo Director of Commercial Product Grant Wilson. “We’re giving landscapers a product to knock down large brush on steep highway viaducts, clear unkempt hiking trails and embankments, and mow in less-accessible areas like solar farms. It also allows that work to be done more safely and with greater ease.”
Scaling challenging terrain with the OVIS is possible through remote-controlled operation, a very low center of gravity, and a track-drive system. With no in-cockpit operator, OVIS can safely climb slopes up to 50 degrees, and it has a control range of up to 1000 feet without “frequency confusion” when operating as part of a fleet with other machines. The machine’s low stature reduces the possibility for tipping and allows it to operate in low clearances.
Additionally, a 23-horsepower Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine supplies ample power for OVIS’ flail-head mower to chew through saplings up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
“Bringing the OVIS into the fold is going to help our customers do their work more safely, and give them access to more jobsites and contracts,” said AriensCo Senior Vice President of Product Engineering and Marketing Matt Medden. “It’s also a great fit for the Gravely brand. Strong and simple German engineering is going to work well for landscape contractors and our dealers who service the machine.”
The OVIS will continue to be manufactured by AriensCo in Bühlertann, Germany, and will be sold at independently-owned and operated Gravely dealers in the U.S. starting in spring 2024. More information on OVIS will be available soon on Gravely.com.
Gravely is also showcasing two other AS-Motor products, the YAK and the SHERPA, in their display booth and on the outdoor demonstration site at this week’s show to gather feedback on the products.
“What better opportunity to hear our customers’ thoughts than at our industry’s largest trade show,” said Wilson. “The voices of this large and diverse group of landscapers will help us determine if there’s future potential for a complete series of high-slope, high-grass mowers in our product offering.”
Like OVIS, SHERPA and YAK also feature very low centers of gravity, but they leverage the weight of an in-cockpit operator for stability on challenging terrain. Both mowers have high-grip, ag-style tires and wide wheelbases, but use different mowing technology to give landscapers a choice in mowing styles. YAK features a 41-inch flail mower and a roller for a more finished result, and SHERPA’s 37-inch rotary cross blade leaves behind smaller debris in windrows.
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About AriensCo
Based in Brillion, Wisconsin, AriensCo is a privately-owned manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for both consumer and commercial markets. Established in 1933, the company manufactures equipment under the Ariens®, Gravely®, RapidCare®, Henry’s Parts and Service®, and AS-Motor® brand names. It also established AriensCo Hospitality in 2020 with two luxury event venues, Stone Prairie, and Round Lake Farms. It opened Ariens Nordic Center December 2022. These venues are part of the mission to create reasons to visit the Brillion community. Visit AriensCo.com for more information.
About Gravely®
Gravely® is a brand extension of AriensCo. The brand features a full line of commercial zero-turn lawn mowers and other commercial job site equipment available at major dealers nationally. Designed for exceptional comfort and built with rock-solid dependability, Gravely has shaped the American landscape for more than 100 years. For more information, visit www.gravely.com.
Oct. 18, 2023, Brillion, Wis. – Tackling hilly and mountainous landscapes by remote-control, the OVIS, a high-slope brush mower, expands Gravely®’s lineup of commercial outdoor power equipment. The OVIS was introduced today at Equip Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, North America’s largest outdoor power equipment trade show.