5 Trends in the Commercial Turf Equipment Industry

Saturday, January 30, 2021 by Fluid Gas Handling Team

Five Trends in the Commercial Turf Equipment Industry + sports field tended by commercial turf equipment + Lawn/OffRoad | Parker Global The future looks bright for the commercial turf equipment industry, both in the United States and globally. Equipment manufacturers are, in turn, introducing new features intended to help operators do their jobs with even greater quality and efficiency.

The commercial turf equipment market outlook

While the number of golf courses has declined slightly in the U.S. in recent years, the number of golfers has remained steady since 2015. The U.S. still has about 43% of the world’s 39,000 golf courses, followed by 23% in Europe, and another 21% in Japan, Canada, Australia and South Korea combined.

Meanwhile, large outdoor sports stadiums are popping up in cities across the globe. A total of 102 stadiums are presently under construction, with another 55 proposed. This construction is spread across multiple continents, with Europe leading the way.

According to a 2019 report published by Research and Markets, the market is expected to grow 5% between the forecast period of 2018 – 2024. Such equipment includes not only mowers and turf tractors, but aerators, sprayers, and spreaders.

To learn more about trends in the commercial turf equipment industry, read our white paper, Off-Road Trends: Driving Cleaner, More Efficient and Connected Machinery.

Here are five trends that industry pros may recognize as they purchase new commercial turf equipment:

Greater operator comfort: In an effort to help their customers improve productivity and increase employee retention, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are focusing on improving operator comfort in their equipment. Enhancements include better cushioning, improved suspension, and more ergonomic controls.

John Deere®, for instance, recently unveiled new walk-behind mowers touting enhanced operator comfort through new steering controls, increased operator leverage, more ergonomic handles for better maneuverability, and improved ground clearance to make it easier to climb curbs.
In promoting its stand-on mower, Hustler®, meanwhile, cites ergonomic controls to provide for less fatigue and a superior operator position for greater comfort.
Reel mower performance from a rotary: Reel mowers are traditionally preferred over rotary in many commercial turf applications. They can cut cleanly at shorter grass heights. That may be changing, as improved rotary mowers are able to cut grass at heights down to one inch. Rotary mowers are known to be easier to maintain and adjust compared to reel mowers, helping save operators time and effort.
Floating deck tech: Unlike a fixed deck, which is built into the frame of the mower, a floating deck is connected to the frame by a moving suspension system. This allows the deck to move independently across the ground, accommodating bumps and inconsistencies, and providing a better and more even cut.
Equipment that gets more done: With many commercial turf market segments struggling with a shortage of labor, the industry has put a focus on equipment that helps operators get more done with fewer people.

Many OEMs are promoting versatility and maneuverability as features that allow operators to work smarter and faster. Stand-on combination sprayer/spreaders, for instance, are viewed as the most efficient way to distribute granular materials such as fertilizer. The USGA® is also suggesting greenskeepers save time by switching from walk-behind mowers to using riding mowers, such as the triplex mower, to cut sensitive areas of greens and tee boxes. Meanwhile, one company now produces self-sharpening mower blades: as they cut, dull metal is worn away to reveal a new, sharp edge.
Technology interface: Operators have an increasing number of technology tools available to help them better manage their commercial turf equipment. The Toro® myTurf® Pro, for instance, allows operators to access equipment use data on a mobile-enabled, real-time Web platform. This provides guidance in helping them maintain and manage that equipment.

Commercial turf equipment OEMs are responding to customer needs

As the commercial turf industry continues to grow, OEMs are listening and responding to customers’ needs by producing equipment that offers greater comfort, performance, versatility, and efficiency.

To learn more about trends in the Lawn and Turf industry, read our white paper Off-Road Trends: Driving Cleaner, More Efficient and Connected Machinery.