Landscape Business Equipment and Supplies Survey Results

Landscape Business recently conducted reader surveys to determine equipment/supplies purchasing behavior the types of equipment and supplies that are of most interest this year.

But before we dive into the responses, just a quick overview of the survey respondents. The majority of respondents identified as full-service landscape contractors (40%), with other respondents including professional grounds managers (27%), lawn maintenance/lawn care service providers (19%), irrigation contractors (8%), landscape designers/architects (4%) and professional arborists (2%).

More than 80% of respondents hold titles including president, owner, partner, director, general manager, chairman, purchasing agent, superintendent, manager, foreman or supervisor. The remaining respondents consisted of landscape architects, consultants, agronomists, horticulturists, government officials and specialists.

An overwhelming percentage of respondents were over the age of 35, with 42% between the ages of 35 and 54 and 50% over the age of 55.

With those demographics in mind, and without further ado, the survey results are as follows:

What factors influence the brand of equipment purchases? Select all that apply.

• Quality: 73%
• Prior Experience with Brand: 68%
• Serviceability: 64%
• Price: 57%
• Engine Options: 39%
• Warranty: 36%
• Recommendation of Others: 25%

Do you plan to purchase battery-powered equipment in during the next 12 months?

• Yes: 52%
• No: 48%

How many fleet vehicles/trucks are you considering to buy/lease in the next 12 months?

• None: 32%
• 1 to 5: 59%
• 6 to 10: 2%
• 11 to 19: 0%
• 20 or more: 7%

How much do you plan to spend on equipment and supplies during the next year?

• Under $10,000: 20%
• $10,000 – $24,999: 18%
• $25,000 – $49,999: 20%
• $50,000 – $99,999: 11%
• $100,000 – $249,999: 14%
• $250,000 – $500,000: 9%
• More than $500,000: 8%

With which of the following types of jobs/projects will you/your company be involved during the next 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Lawn maintenance: 84%
• Landscape design/build: 66%
• Hardscape installation: 59%
• Irrigation system installation/maintenance: 57%
• Pest/disease management: 55%
• Snow removal/management: 50%
• Landscape lighting installation/maintenance: 45%
• Ponds or water feature installation/maintenance: 43%
• Other: 14% (responses included irrigation and lighting design, seeding, green infrastructure projects, new track construction, and hydroseeding.)

Which of the following turf maintenance equipment/supplies do you plan to purchase in the next 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Gloves: 67%
• Hearing/Eye Protection: 60%
• Clothing/workwear/footwear: 51%
• Blowers: 44%
• String Trimmers: 42%
• Chain Saws: 37%
• Mowers (zero-turn/riding): 35%
• Chainsaw chain, bars, other chainsaw accessories: 35%
• Spray Equipment: 33%
• Spreaders: 30%
• Trailers: 30%
• Mowers (walk-behind): 28%
• Hedge Trimmers: 28%
• Snow Removal Equipment: 28%
• Aerators (turf): 23%
• Mowers (stand-on): 21%
• Battery-Powered Handheld OPE: 21%
• Edgers: 19%
• Battery-Powered Mowers: 16%
• Batteries and Chargers for OPE: 16%
• Dethatchers: 14%
• Tractors: 14%
• Brush Cutters:12%
• UTVs: 12%
• Tractor accessories/implements: 9%
• Battery-Powered Vehicles or Other: 7%
• Chippers/Shredders: 7%
• Mowers (robotic): 7%
• Sweepers: 7%
• Tillers: 7%
• Vacuums (leaf and litter): 7%

Which of the following irrigation system equipment or components do you plan to purchase in the next 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Sprinklers (pop ups): 62%
• Sprinklers (risers): 50%
• Pipes and Fittings: 48%
• Sprinkler Accessories: 45%
• Valves: 43%
• Pumps: 36%
• Backflow Prevention: 36%
• Controllers: 36%
• Drainage Equipment: 31%
• Drip Systems/Components: 31%
• Rain Monitoring Systems/Components: 26%
• Filtration Systems: 21%
• Flow Meters: 19%
• Moisture Sensors: 14%
• Central Control Systems: 10%

Which of the following landscape construction equipment do you plan to purchase in the next 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Skid-steer Loaders: 19%
• Compact Track Loaders: 16%
• Excavators: 14%
• Front-end Loaders: 14%
• Augers: 12%
• Sod Cutters: 11%
• Grading Equipment: 9%
• Trenchers: 9%
• Backhoes: 7%
• Stump Grinders: 7%

Which of the following landscape design supplies or components do you plan to purchase in the next 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Seed: 84%
• Gravel, Rocks and Stone: 70%
• Mulch: 70%
• Plant Stock: 70%
• Hardscape Materials (bricks, pavers, etc.): 57%
• Sod: 52%
• Landscape Lighting: 43%
• Pond/Water Feature Components: 32%
• Outdoor Room Components (outdoor kitchen fixtures, outdoor room electronics, etc.): 18%
• Fire Features: 16%