Equip Expo 2026: A quick look from the show floor
This is a short recap of the equipment and technology showcased at Equip Expo 2026. For the full breakdown, featuring additional product details, interviews and an extensive photo gallery from the show floor, read the December issue of OPE+Landscape, available on Dec. 12, 2026.
By Brian Ethridge
Equip Expo 2026 brought outdoor power equipment dealers and landscape professionals to Louisville, Kentucky, to see the latest developments in mowing, battery-powered equipment, autonomous technology and compact machines.
Across the show floor, manufacturers introduced products designed to help landscape businesses expand their capabilities, manage labor demands and serve a wider range of customers. Here are three trends that stood out.
Autonomous mowing moves forward
Autonomous mowing remained a major focus, with manufacturers showcasing systems for residential properties, commercial landscapes and larger grounds.
Husqvarna introduced its Automower iQ Series, a lineup of four wire-free residential robotic mowers scheduled to launch in spring 2027. The models combine satellite-based positioning with AI-assisted vision technology to help identify and avoid obstacles. The company also highlighted its commercial Automower 560 EPOS, which can maintain up to 1.5 acres in a 24-hour period and handle slopes up to 50%.
Sunseeker showcased its X9 and X9 Plus autonomous mowers for larger properties, while RC Mowers highlighted its RECONX autonomous platform, designed to let one operator manage multiple machines.
For dealers, these developments offer opportunities to evaluate autonomous equipment for customers interested in reducing hands-on mowing time. Installation, service requirements and the economics of adding the technology to a maintenance operation remain important considerations.
Battery platforms expand for commercial users
Battery-powered equipment continued to move into commercial applications, with manufacturers emphasizing not just individual tools but complete systems for powering and managing equipment fleets.
EGO Commercial showcased eight new zero-turn riding mowers across sit-down, stand-on and compact stand-on configurations. The lineup uses removable batteries, allowing landscaping businesses to adjust capacity to their needs and use batteries across compatible equipment.
Stihl, Makita, Milwaukee and other manufacturers also displayed battery-powered tools and equipment, along with charging solutions and products intended to extend battery use across more applications.
For dealers, the expanding lineups create opportunities to help customers compare equipment platforms, charging needs, runtime and the investment required to transition portions of a fleet to battery power.
Compact machines broaden jobsite options
Compact construction equipment and specialized attachments also featured prominently. John Deere, Caterpillar, CASE and Takeuchi showcased machines designed to work in confined spaces, move materials and support landscaping and hardscaping projects.
Ignite Attachments displayed tools including a mini brush cutter and land leveler, while other manufacturers highlighted attachments for grading, vegetation management and cleanup, giving contractors more ways to match equipment to specific jobs.
These products give dealers additional options for customers looking to diversify services or improve productivity on jobs where larger machines may not be practical.
More from Equip Expo in December
These highlights represent only a portion of the equipment and technology on display in Louisville. The December issue of OPE+Landscape, scheduled for release on Dec. 12, 2026, will feature a more extensive Equip Expo breakdown, with additional product details, exclusive interviews and a large collection of photos from the show floor.
Also, be on the lookout for upcoming OPE People podcast episodes featuring many of the guests we connected with at the show.
