My problem with the Expo

[summitgroundskeeping]

Don't get me wrong I had the world's greatest time at the Expo this year. However, I saw some crazy driving there. People just flying around weaving in, out, and around other people on machines. People like at Dixxi, Hustler, and and Ferris flying around, ripping up turf, and racing each other. There were too many unsafe people there for me. I was afraid I was going to get hit by some body. Any one else?

[Guido]

It looks pretty crazy. But the way I see it is this : How much order can you actually have with that many people running around demo'ing your equipment? Your right though, they should draw the line somewhere.

I can't wait till I get to go see the madness in person, I'm tired of looking at the pictures! ;)

Hope you still had a good time, even with all the confusion!

[Randy Scott]

What? Did you think the expo wouldn't draw stupid people? I bet it can get pretty nuts. Like Guido said, I'd really like to go next year too. There has got to be alot of neat things there.

[jnjnlc]

You are absolutely right, summit. It seemed like every time I drove or tried something there was someone trying to see how fast they could make that fancy ztr go in a 20x20 space. I was testing out one of the Hustler walk behinds and after nearly getting run over twice I decided to put it away.

But what can you expect. There were a lot of people there. I had a good time and tested out a lot of different mowers. I was most impressed with the Hustler Super Z. The controls were very smooth. I guess my second choice would have been the Kubota. I drove it expecting it to be a dud but it had very good controls and handling. I liked the new Husqvara walk behinds. I like the Walker and Wright Stander as well. I now know that when I go to buy new equipment which ones I will demo. My least favorites were the Rich Convertible, Dixie Chopper (sorry Eric) and Ferris.

All in all, I would say it was a good expo. I cannot compare it to years past, since it was my first, but I was told that it seemed to be smaller by some of the repeat expo goers. Anyway I had a good time and it gave me a chance to get away from work for a couple of days with the wife.

[EJK2352]

I've been to the Expo 4 times in the last 6 yrs. I have not been down there the past 2 yrs. I too have run into the jerks flying around & ripping things up. I can't believe they haven't cracked down on these idiots. Someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed and then we won't have the hands on outdoor demo's anymore. The operators of the Expo need to address this problem as I see by summitgrounds post it hasn't stopped. :( ED

[Evan528]

I saw 9 year old kids with better control over some of the equipment then there Dad! The venders have a lot of work ahead of them getting the demo feild back into the condition as when the show started! Not only were there 10ft pits to back fill from back hoe demos but ground torn up all over from ztrs and bobcats...... sure was impressed! I didnt want to get out of the air conditioned kabota back hoe!

[lawnMaster5000]

Jeff,
You mentioned that you were not too happy with the DC and the Ferris, could you please just say a little about what you did not like.

Thanks

[Alanky]

yes there were some bad drivers there. I had to stop a few times to avoid being plowed into. I missed the turf mag booth! where was it?? i looked and asked people but didnt see it. That was about the only thing i didnt see though. Maybe next year ill find it and sign in, maybe meet some of you. I liked the smooth operation of the land pride ztr's. had never heard of them before the expo, anybody else like those? I also have never been to impressed with snapper's commercial equipment, liked the ones they had there. their ztr's looked alot like the great dane chariots.

[mowerconsultant]

The Landpride Z is made by Hustler.
Paint, name, engine cover and muffler cover, are the only differences.

There was way to many wild drivers out there the last 3 days...
We could not keep up with the traffic in the Hustler booth, we had people on the mowers at all times.
Wish there was more grassy areas there, so we could get more room....

[crazygator]

I got there early to demo equipment. But later, WOW, it was really crazy. I stopped back by the Hustler booth and they where swamped. All of them were trying to pull the keys, especially on the super z (15 MPH). I feel sorry for all of you manufacture's, too many to really keep up with, but at the same time you want people to try your machines. Maybe you can just limit the number of machines running to 2 at a time, just to be more safe. Just a thought. I loved then demo. It does give everyone a chance to check out the stuff. Nothing like a little hands one try out! I had fun and as Arnold say's "I'll be back". Thanks to everyone at both Hustler booths. Everyone there was very friendly and nice to talk with!

[jnjnlc]

The Kubota dealer had each different machine roped off from the others. You only had a 15 X 30 area to work. Hard to go full blast in that but I was not trying to go full speed. I only wanted to know how well it handled, hydro wise.

[mowerconsultant]

Crazygator, Jnjnlc,
I know what you are saying about driving, we had very young kids trying to get on the units.
We made sure we were pulling keys on these young guns...lol
But for the most part everyone was safe, we had no accidents at our booth.

Pj

[MOW ED]

Hi Guys sorry I missed all of you at the Crab shack.(that story later)
I saw a 12 or 13 year old going balls out on a sulky up a hill and then the front end did a wheelie. He kicked his feet off the sulky for balance. he then wheeled it 90 and headed back down the hill. I don't remember the booth but I ran the other way - fast.

Had a good time, real hot and I added the word - y'all to my ever growing vocabulary.

[Evan528]

2 days in kentucky and I cant get that dam accent out of my head! Im catching myself talking like a southerner.... i talked to about 100 of them!

[lawnboy]

I'm with you jeff on the least favorites, the ferris and dixie just seemed like cheat equipment compared to hustler, and exmark. I would have to add Great Dane to the list as well as my least favorite. It seemed very unsafe, and hard to control, along with cheaply build. I was impressed with the show over all. The only thing I would of like to of seen was some shirts, and hats for sell by the companies. I would of liked to bring something back for my workers, but there wasn't really anything to buy. It was nice to compare all of the equipment side by side.

[Hoosier Mower]

I would have to agree with Summit on this matter also, even my girlfriend mentioned that the people espically on the Choppers looked like they was oversized kids the way they was almost racing around DC's little track setup. I'd hate to see some of these people mowing yards..lol..if they wanted to ride the toys they should've went next door to Kentucky Kingdom.

[JLC]

Anyone notice that Scag wasn't present (unless I missed them) at the show. Hmm.

[Hoosier Mower]

I think your right, now that you mention it I don't remember seeing Scag. Saw other companies dispalying there stuff on Scags but no actuall Scag booth.

[WILSON BROS.]

Sunday right befor the demo area closed seemed to be the best time outside. We had time to visit with the reps. and demo the equipment without to many people hurrying you along. I did see some idiots on mowers both saturday and sunday. Some very nice stuff and some that makes you wonder how they sell it. I did like the Super Z and inparticular the 432 Grasshopper(something about a liquid cooled engine with more HP than some small cars.). I went a couple of years ago and Scag wasn't there then, something about several companies had differences. I don't know the whole story but Scag and Echo were two of the companies mentioned that year.

[Alanky]

i didnt see a stihl booth there either, or did i just miss them?

[BufalinoLand]

what expo and where is it held. I live in Edinboro, PA.

[1MajorTom]

what expo and where is it held.

The Expo that is being talked about was the one in Louisville, Kentucky. It is over.

Here is a thread which talks about a few upcoming expos though.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=18030