2015 New Residential Lawn & Garden Products
As many of you guessed, I spent last week in Louisville, KY at the GIE-EXPO. It is the largest lawn & garden dealer show with over 650 vendors and 25 acres of outdoor hands-on exhibits. In this article I will go over some of the highlights of the show and give you a glimpse of what’s coming for new residential products for 2014. I’ll write detailed reviews of the products I know you will want over the next few months.
First, I would like to thank everyone I talked to at GIE-EXPO. So many people and so little time – I know I will not remember all of your names. Feel free to remind me as time goes on.
I would like to point out 5 people who did an outstanding job of helping me understanding their products.
Mary Lyn Wininger LinkedIn. Mary Lyn handles social media for Ariens and is one of the best social relationship managers I have met. If I ever have a question on any Ariens product she works as quickly as possible to get me the answer. I watched Mary Lyn talk with hundreds of people at the Ariens outdoor booth on Thursday and after six hours was just as interested in listening and helping as the first person she met that day. Great job Mary Lyn!
Michael Parkins LinkedIn Michael is one of those rare individuals who listens – really listens and bases his decisions on what you tell him, not what he wants you to do. Raven MPV 7100
Hilary Conner LinkedIn Agri-Fab. I really enjoyed discussing Agri-Fab products and where the company is going with Hilary. Hilary is another of those rare individuals who listens to you and then offers help and advice to solve your problems.
Wouter Barendrecht General Transmissions. You don’t know Wouter or the company he manages but I’ll bet you have at least one of his transmissions in your gas powered lawn equipment. Wouter always has the time to listen and help me understand his products so I can help you understand why they work the way they do.
Gary Kunz Kunz Engineering. There are probably less than a hand full of people in the world that know mower deck design as well as Gary. Gary and his son Matt only manufacture three products – AcrEase Tow-Pull Behind Finish Mowers, Rough Cut Trailmowers & Till-Ease ATV UTV Tillage Equipment – and they are best. It is always a treat to visit with Gary and discuss his unique take on the Lawn & Garden Industry.
A Few Pictures Of The Show
Residential Products Showcase

Altoz hit the market last year with two ultra-high end zero-turns that not only mowed well but look like the best mowers on the market. At GIE-EXPO two new high end homeowner versions, the XR540 & XC610S.

Cub Cadet 3X Tractor Mounted Zombie Killer. It uses a full frame mount for better traction when running over the zombies.

Raven Bagger Open. I hope Denver Global patented this because this is the way a bagger is supposed to work!

Ventrac Field Mower. This is what you really need instead of trying to mow your pasture with a lawn tractor or zero-turn

Nordic Plow. Cleans your snow but leaves your gravel and turf intact. These work so well major ball fields are using them. Tractor, ZTR and UTC models

Why-yes! HydroGear Smartec Remote Control Steering. If they don’t get stupid on the price this may revolutionize the way we mow lawn.

Country Clipper for the rest of us. Front step, grab bar, joystick steering. Like Hustler 2 years ago – you may never have heard of these but they are among the best.

Bad Boy Rear End. Those are not decals. Each word is lazer cut into the heavy duty steel. These Bad Boys are meant to mow!
Enough for now! I have over 300 pictures and 20 or so videos that I will share this winter.
Jim
Very cool new products. Thank you for sharing with us! -Jim Myrtle Beach SC