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Steve Goodwin has been running his business, Goodwin Pro Turf, Inc., out of Kansas City for over 40 years. He owns a Steel Green SG52 and decided to pick up an SG54 for liquid applications. This summer, he traded in his SG54 for an SGXL after deciding he wanted a larger machine.
To say Goodwin is a fan of the SGXL is a bit of an understatement. “The overall experience with the machine has been great,” says Goodwin. “I love it.”
Goodwin has been particularly impressed by the SGXL’s ease of operation and straightforward design. “Everything is within hands’ reach,” says Goodwin. “Everything is visible.”
He also likes the SGXL’s centrifugal pump because it allows him to custom blend his applications. Plus, he says the rear-mounted booms keep him from getting sprayed while he’s operating the machine.
“So, the overall design for operator comfort, operator visibility, and then just production is the best,” says Goodwin. “For a zero-turn sprayer, they knocked it out of the park.”
Has the SGXL Boosted Your Productivity?
“I think the productivity out of the SGXL exceeds a sit-down unit. When we get our new computer system on our SGXL with turn compensation and modulation on our nozzles, it is going to be a production machine.”
What’s It Like Living With the SGXL?
“You have to stand, but after spraying four, five, six soccer fields a day, there’s no operator fatigue,” says Goodwin. “I also like the SGXL because of the maneuverability compared to other machines.”
When it comes to serviceability, Goodwin says that everything’s right there at your fingertips. “If you look at the owner’s manual, it’s very detailed. Everything is explanatory. So, I love the machine.”
Goodwin says one of the best parts about Steel Green is that they’re innovative. “They will never be satisfied,” says Goodwin. “They’re always going to take the next step to improve.”
How is Steel Green’s Customer Service?
“Customer service across the board from Steel Green is impeccable,” says Goodwin. “You couldn’t ask for anything better. We had a little problem with the hydraulic fan cooler, and I called Kodi, and a week later, we had one in the mail.”
“As a contractor, you’ll pay the money for quality equipment, but what you look for is service. How do they [the manufacturer] respond? That’s how we are at our business.” says Goodwin. “We’re all going to mess up, but it’s how you take care of the problem. Steel Green is awesome.”
“In today’s age, that means a lot to have that kind of customer service that backs the quality of the machine,” says Goodwin.
What Are Your Parting Thoughts?
“Let’s put it this way: I’ve got a turf degree from Kansas State, and I’ve been in business for 40 years. We’ve designed our own equipment, built our own spray trucks, and modified existing machines, but there’s not much modification to do on a Steel Green,” says Goodwin. “As an operator, as a designer, as a turf major, they did a very nice job.”
