Gentlemen, start your engines! No, you aren’t in Indianapolis (INDY 500), but instead in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Equip Exposition, an annual trade show for landscape and hardscape. We cruised (or sometimes raced on a riding mower, thanks Kawasaki) the Expo as well as Hardscape North America unearthing trending landscaping tools and hardscaping products. As your self-titled ‘Trade Show Treasure Hunter,’ I’ll be taking you through products at various trade shows throughout the year related to home, jobsite, outdoor, hardware… and many more, so let’s get rolling into this one.
Green Machine Lithium Ion Battery and Gas Hybrid Zero Turn Lawn Mower
The battle between gas versus battery clashes on, with battery power and benefits closing the gap. Hybrid technology is a great bridge to this divide as seen in Green Machine 42” hybrid zero-turn mower that engages a sealed 54V Li-ion battery with a 4kWh gas generator, automatically switching between battery and gas to ensure hours of continuous mowing. Coming in 2025 as a solution to range anxiety, long charge times, and lack of power.
Irrigreen Smart Sprinkler for Effective Irrigation That Saves Water
The grass really was greener in the Irrigreen booth. This next level, efficient way to water your lawn uses less than half of the water traditional sprinklers waste, I mean, use. How it works is basically creating a dot to dot video game in a digital map of your yard with set up effectively ensuring nothing is watered that doesn’t need it. Smart Controller 3 is the most updated version, with a user-friendly control on the box itself, or the option to let Amazon Alexa get in the game by bossing it around to water the lawn.
Belgard Metropolitan Collection Contemporary Class: Melville Tandem Wall and Artforms
Their motto ‘Belgard Paves the Way’ lived up to the hype as their booth felt like walking into the outdoor oasis of tomorrow. The Metropolitan Collection with its natural light, neutral tones and modern feel stacked out above the rest. As outdoor living continues to trend so does the need for easy installation of contemporary modular designs, and Melville Tandem Wall’s distinct chiseled stone texture is a solid fit for firepits, steps, walls, columns. Artforms is another impressive option with its clean lines and current aesthetic, great for outdoor kitchens, seating, planters, even rooftops. Panels are easy to install with minimal disruption to the property owner or waste.
Toro 900 CFM Battery Powered Leaf Blower Elevates Power
And the winner is … for the most powerful residential leaf blower, Toro’s new 900 CFM Battery-Powered Leaf Blower. This race continues to be elevated in the battery-powered outdoor equipment arena. Paired with features like comfortable weight distribution, easy grip, and low hum, Toro, one of the leaders in this space, blew the competition away here.
Pine Hall Brick Rumbled Bluffs Clay Pavers Authentic Style and Quality
The rustic look and dependability of clay pavers are timeless. There’s something to be said for solid clay pavers on walkways, patios, driveways, and more. Pine Hall Brick takes the look and design of clay pavers outside of the norm, with a variety of colors and styles. Rumbled Bluff captured attention with its antique reclaimed paver vibes. Don’t let the antique look fool you, there is nothing aged or fragile about this finish, as they were simply tumbled after firing to mimic the look.
iQ Powertools iQ1550 Supreme Masonry Dry Cutting Dust Management
Stone, brick, or pavers slice ‘like butta’ with the iQ1550 Supreme Masonry Saw. This saw cuts with the ease of a wet saw without the mess as it activates dry cutting technology with built-in dust collection management. Professional contractors are the audience for this new saw, which seems to be the key to faster, cleaner cuts to make the day go faster, and the dollars roll in easier.
Next trade show… Consumer Electronics Show in January 2025, stay tuned!
