By Karen K. Acevedo
The2008 Green Industry and Equipment Expo ( GIE + Expo)was held in Louisville , Ky. , October 23 - 25 , with hundreds of vendors present and outdoor top executive equipment on display as far as the oculus could see .
In a bad economic system and at a polar time in our country ’s vigor history , Hobby Farms’editor in chief , Karen K. Acevedo , spoke with representative from some of the most well - known equipment brands to happen out what was on their minds .
carry through Money : Do It YourselfWith today ’s consumer proceeding cautiously and sometimes frugally , some outdoor equipment could be considered a luxury .
But is it ?
“ Anything that promotes DIY lawn caution is a must - own slice of equipment these daytime , ” aver Mark Short , Vice President of Marketing / Product Development at Agri - Fab in Sullivan , Ill. “ You do n’t have to pay someone to do it . ”
recognise that landscaping is a function of discretional income , manufacturers are come up with way to enhance their products ’ collection .
In addition to several get-up-and-go - behind products , Agri - Fab manufacturing and sells various lawn and pasture attachments that work with ride mowers , ATVs , and utility vehicles alike ; they can be used for landscaping , as well as on the “ rough parts ” of a farm , says Short .
Agri - Fab ’s new SmartLINK serieswas designed with economy of distance in mind as well ; you buy the radix whole , which come with a master platform and a hack aerator , and you may then change out the aerator with other oftentimes - used attachments using the same base , including a tine dethatcher , a blade aerator and a poly roller .
The genius is that yousave major substantial footage in your service department , barn or storehouse shedby eliminating multiple platform , and the system could n’t be easier to function . With the toss of a hinge , you ’re changing from one lawn implement to another in second without any tools .
According to Short , the company conducted focussing groups and then went back to the plant to follow up with products that really addressed client concerns . computer memory space was number one ; promotion and in - store merchandising was another .
Agri - Fab ’s fresh aspect for product packages , hang tags and in - store display is bolder , easier to understand and consumer friendly with product images and descriptions , and brilliant color that “ mouth consumer spoken language . ”
In addition to ware selling , Agri - Fab ’s website has also bring new elements to help consumers throughout and after the purchasing process.www.agri-fab.comfeatures in - utilization product videos and the power to encounter a Cartesian product by searching allot to job or type .
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build up to Last : Buy QualityWhen your notecase is n’t as fat as it was a twelvemonth ago , but you still need a piece of out-of-door equipment here and there to hold your farm , what considerations should you make ?
Over and over , the response I try was “ buy quality . ”
“ In this saving , people are reckon to buy exchange premium equipment that is going to last for many years without breaking down , ” says Barbara Zerfoss , Vice President of Brand Marketing atHusqvarna , in Charlotte , N.C.
Premium equipment is an investiture , butthat investment will pay off in the long streak .
“ Husqvarna is a professional - quality equipment company , so durability has been build in , ” says Zerfoss .
Peggy Horkan , Marketing & Communications Manager forKubota Tractor Corp. , in Torrance , Calif. , echoes the “ quality ” view .
“ Kubota has always been an locomotive engine company first , so our engines are lasting and have been mastermind for efficiency , ” says Horkan .
consort to Horkan , consumers are more selective in a down saving , and they expect to grease one’s palms merchandise they ’ll be proud to own .
Long - Term Vision : Green ProductsCaring for the environs is once again at the forefront of many consumers ’ minds and manufacturers are makingproducts that appeal to the “ light-green ” minded .
Husqvarna had an immense variety of new products ( more than 80 to be exact ) on display at GIE + Expo .
According to Husqvarna , today ’s customers are looking for quality products that are more and more innovative — ergonomic , environmentally responsible , and more productive .
With those principles in mind , they unveil a few new green products at the show include abattery - mesh multipurpose cultivator ( the TB 1000)that proffer the performance of a gasoline - powered locomotive engine with a cleaner and quieter user experience ; afully robotic mower ( the Automower Solar Hybrid)that is part power by the sunshine and expend no fuel or oil ; and finally , for those honest-to-goodness - schoolers , apush reel mower ( the 540 Novolette)that is silent , easy to manoeuver , require no oil or gas and of course , puts out zero emissions . Do n’t overlook the workout factor as well !
EvenHusqvarna ’s chainsawsgive a nod to immature grass with their X - Torq engines putting out 60 percent broken emission and consuming 20 percent less fuel .
always fluctuating gun prices are causing consumers to query manufacturers for the first clip about fuel efficiency .
With Kubota being an “ engine troupe first , ” they have always been in melodic phrase with emissions and fuel efficiency .
“ Our diesel engines are very fuel effective and over time , the client should see a pretty significant savings on gun , ” order Horkan .
Kubota’snew standard tractor , the B3200HSD , features a smooth - running 32HP , 4 - cyclinder , liquidness - cooled diesel motor locomotive with Kubota ’s E - TVCS ( three - vortex burning organization ) for increased power , gamey torsion and clean emissions .
It follow with EPA tier 3 emissions regulations that call for an approximative 65 percent diminution in particulate thing and a 60 pct step-down in oxide of atomic number 7 from 1996 levels .
Changes are pass in the manufacture and by all accounts , they appear to be lead in the right direction .
