Equipment Unveilings Abound at 2019 GIE+Expo in Louisville

Wed October 30, 2019 - Midwest Edition #22
CEG

The annual GIE+Expo Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+Expo) was held Oct. 16 to 18 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Ky. Sponsored by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Inc. (OPEI) and Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) the GIE+EXPO is co-located with Hardscape North America, which is produced by Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and endorsed by the Brick Association and the National Concrete Masonry Association.

Encompassing more than 500,000 sq. ft. of indoor exhibit space along with a 20-acre outdoor equipment display and demonstration area, the trade show featured more than 1,000 exhibits presenting the latest equipment, products and services geared toward the commercial landscaping and maintenance industries.

Tree climbing demonstrations and dealer focused educational workshops were offered throughout the three-day event. While the event included a series of free concerts sponsored by Stihl and featuring such crowd pleasers as Easton Corbin, Cassadee Pope and local Louisville favorites, the Crashers appearing on the Mercedes-Benz Vans Stage, the main stars at the event were the many new products and equipment introduced at the show.

Among the host of introductions, new or upgraded equipment stand-outs included:

Avant introduced the 860i, its largest and most powerful loader to date;
Bobcat chose GIE+Expo to publicly launch its new line of sub-compact and compact tractors which range from 21 to 58 hp and provide a preview of the new Bobcat L28, a small articulated loader coming in early 2020;
Case introduced updates to its Super M 580 and 590 backhoe loaders;
Caterpillar introduced its D3 series compact track and skid steer loaders and 306 mini-excavator;
JCB introduced its 1CXT compact tracked backhoe;
Multi-One introduced upgrades to its 2.3 series mini-loader and the launch of the company's EZ Series electric mini-loaders;
Toro introduced additional models in its 60V Flex-Force lineup, its new TimeCutter zero-turn mowers, new 60-in. TITAN mower and upgrades its new Z Master 2000 series lineup;
ASV showcased two special edition machines: the Green Beast, a green and black version of the RT-120 forestry compact track loader and the Black Widow, a black and red version of the RT-40 among the industry's smallest sit-in compact track loaders; and
New Holland presented enhancements to its E37C compact excavator.

Drawing more than 20,000 professionals from all segments of the outdoor power equipment and lawn and garden industry, the show is the largest of its kind in North America. The next GIE+Expo is scheduled to be held Oct. 21 to 23, 2020. CEG

(L-R): Franklin Equipment’s Nick Chambers, Tom Barnett, Taylor McDonald, Corey Muncy, Tony Repeta, Scott McDonald, Marshall Garcia, Aaron Pennington, Tom Richardson and Jennifer Rindt welcome attendees to try out the company’s line of Wacker Neuson compact track loaders.

Caterpillar’s Greg Worley (L) discusses features of the new 306 mini-excavator with Glen Zumstein of Zumstein Landscaping at the show.

Norman Sharp (L) of local Bandit dealership, Louisville Tractor, joined Bandit’s Bethany Lenahan at the Bandit Equipment display at the show.

Kubota owner, Russell Lyle of Galati Landscaping was impressed with the handling of this Kubota U17 mini-excavator he tried out at the show.

(L-R): Aex / Fecon’s James Loneman spoke with Chris Knight of B&G Brush Control and Jennifer Knight of Rooster Outdoor about the company’s line of land clearing and vegetation control machines.

Avant Tecno USA’s Jani Kakela (L) spoke with Robert Plasky of R&R Landscaping and Groundskeeping about the company’s new 860i, articulated loader.

Case Construction Equipment’s Garrett Campbell (L) reviews features of the CX17C mini-excavator with Morgan Wade of Charles Henrick’s Landscaping.

(L-R): John Deere’s Celeste Swanson and Piotr Lizak greet Christopher Miles and Brad Frasher of Miles Mowing and Lawn Care.

JCB Product Manager, Diego Butzke (L) talks with Richard Thieling of R&B Landscape Contractor about the company’s newly-introduced 1CXT compact tracked backhoe.

Lisa Axberg (L) and Melissa Thornton of Boss Snowplow had a wide range of snow and ice control equipment to present, including this Snowrator, sized for sidewalk maintenance.

Dave Wiley (L) and Norm Klimko of Fisher Engineering were ready to discuss the company’s recently launched 10-ft. 6-in. heavy-duty XV2 v-plow.

Multi-One’s Jahana Utchman spoke with attendees about the company’s upgrade to the company’s 2.3 series mini-loader and the launch of the company’s EZ Series 100 percent electric mini-loaders.

Brandon Mastin (L) and John Beck of Western Products were on hand ready to talk snow and ice control at the show.

Bomag America’s Tom Watson, seen here with a BPR 35 / 60 compactor, spoke with attendees about the company’s light equipment line, which includes tampers for multi-purpose compactors to vibratory rollers.