POST-SHOW RECAP

Equip Expo is the best opportunity for any mower manufacturer to show new and rebranded products to an enthusiastic pro audience. Viper Manufacturing used the Louisville event to show its new Viper Mowers. The company also manufacturers trailers, loaders and more, but it hopes its new ZTRs can make a name in a crowded market. How crowded? If you Google Viper Mowers, you’ ll have to scroll past Worldlawn’ s line of Viper mowers.

Honda Power Equipment drew attention for its“ new” line of zero-turn and autonomous mowers. If you went to the show looking for the Yakta-branded mowers you saw last year, you might have walked right past them in the Arrowquip booth. The manufacturer rebranded and changed the color of the mowers from black to forest green.

The better-known names of mower manufacturers were as busy as ever. Makers such as Ariens and Gravely, Grasshopper, Scag and Wright Manufacturing were busy with attendees kicking tires inside and kicking up dust outside.

This is a trade show

Equip Expo is a trade show; it’ s a business event. Exhibit No. 1 of that appeared at Hydro-Gear’ s display. The manufacturer of hydrostatic drives and transaxles showed a prototype hybrid-drive zero-turn mower on the indoor show floor. But it wasn’ t one they want you to buy; it was one they want another manufacturer to buy. Maybe Wright Manufacturing, which stated publicly that it’ s testing the technology; or another manufacturer.

Hydro-Gear’ s Smartec Hybrid Commercial ZT system combines the efficiency of an electric machine with the proven power of a traditional gas mower. Hydro-Gear partnered with Kawasaki to offer the FT730V EFI engine in a unique hybrid mower system. Other manufacturers showed or at least discussed hybrid technology. Senix claims to be the first manufacturer with a hybrid commercial zero-turn, since the manufacturer is offering one currently in Australia. DNA manufacturing showed a hybrid zero-turn designed for homeowners, and said it could be ready next year. But the Hydro-Gear Smartec was unique both in features and in its appearance shopping for a brand partner.

We also spoke with a smaller accessory manufacturer called Lawn Stryper looking for manufacturing partners. The company makes a bolt-on roller that attaches to walk-behind mowers to give homeowners that coveted striped lawn look. The

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Scraper Bars

• Rubber Paddles

• Skids & Shave Plates

• Belts, Shear Pins, Carburetor Kits

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• Accessories

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www. OPE-Plus. com December 2025 OPE + 11