Lawn mowers - trends and challenges

The customer comes well prepared

The first more or less warm days have passed. And like every year, the phone is ringing off the hook for green professionals. Because everyone wants to get their garden in order right away. This is also the time when private lawnmowers get fresh oil; the blades are sharpened/replaced and the noise of the engines can be heard everywhere. Right? Or are people now looking more quickly at electrically powered and therefore mouse-quiet machines? And should the gardens still look trimmed? Or can it all be a little wilder? And what about products to keep weeds out? And what about the customer himself? Is he still the same customer as before? GreenPro listened to several dealers in the sector, spread over almost all Flemish provinces. And so some trends and challenges quickly emerged...

Automation

An increasingly common term in the industry is automation, and more specifically of lawn mowers. Automation can make the work of green space professionals more efficient and easier. This ranges from robotic mowers, with sensors or GPS technology, to fully self-propelled machines.

Without a doubt, the robotic mower is currently the most popular of the class. Equipped with sensors, these machines navigate independently and mow the lawn without the intervention of a driver. Robotic mowers first broke through in private homes, but are also ideal for maintaining large commercial lawns, such as parks and golf courses. While the grass is cut fully automatically and efficiently, garden contractors have more time to concentrate on other tasks.

Some lawn mowers are equipped with GPS, which allows them to recognize the contours of the lawn and program themselves to mow more efficiently. This not only saves time, but can also help extend the life of the machine by reducing the number of times the lawn is mowed. They also usually drive fully automatically to the charging stations when they are running low, so we can speak of almost 100% automation, or fully self-driving.

Cédric Bouckaert, Van Haute Landbouwmachines (Hamme): "While automation certainly has advantages, it is important to remember that these machines still need to be maintained and checked. They need to be checked regularly for wear and also the blades need to be replaced from time to time. Moreover, programming is not always straightforward and the machines also have to deal with software updates. We only perform the latter when the machines fail. And of course there are certain machines that do this automatically."

Frederic Deloof, Martens Tuinmachines (Zuienkerke): "The switchover to battery-powered machines has clearly accelerated, but it has not yet taken us by surprise. If we look at the orders and questions from customers, we come out about 50/50. By the way, the real professionals switch their lawn mowers last. That makes pretty good sense, too. There are very few professional battery-powered machines that can do what gasoline-powered machines can, both in terms of power and work duration. Small machines are switched over first, such as hedge trimmers, leaf blowers ... There the advantages are many, not least in terms of weight and handling."

Not mowing?

Greening lawns is becoming increasingly popular with both individuals and professionals. Not infrequently in combination with a piece of "edible" garden. One of the main benefits of greening lawns is that they require less frequent mowing, which not only saves time, but is also good for the environment.

Tom Swinnen, Dekens Agri Technics: "Greening of lawns is often done by sowing grass that is more resistant to drought. This makes for a greener lawn that grows less quickly and thus requires less frequent mowing. Adding native herbaceous plants and flowers to the lawn as well promotes the habitat of bees and other pollinators. Thus contributing to biodiversity and the preservation of local flora and fauna. Finally, don't forget the aesthetic nature of greening. A lawn with different colors and textures, such as native herbaceous plants and flowers, can have a unique and beautiful look."

Get rid of pesticides and herbicides

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the agricultural and horticultural sectors to reduce or even avoid pesticides and herbicides altogether. Whether influenced by various legislations or not.  

This stems primarily from concerns about the negative effects of these chemicals on the environment, human and animal health, and the ecosystem as a whole. 

Sustainable agricultural and horticultural practices are also clearly on the rise. Alternative methods, such as integrated pest management and natural weed control, are effective without using harmful chemicals. And thus, not only does soil quality improve, but crop yields are also increased. Reducing pesticides and herbicides thus contributes to a more sustainable future. By using these alternative methods, we can protect our soil and ecosystems and promote a healthier environment for all.

The 'new' customer

Finally, what stands out fiercely is that the uninformed customer no longer exists, if at all. Certainly not among the younger and newer generation in the sector. Before they go to the store or to a dealer, they first look up exactly what their needs and wishes are, not infrequently via - among others - the website of Test Aankoop, for example, or of course videos on YouTube. Here, of course, dealers run the risk of losing sales. Especially with the cheaper machines that brands occasionally offer through the larger chains, such as Hubo, Aveve, Gamma... But these are usually the smaller machines, with little or no service attached. This is not possible, since the labor costs of properly trained and experienced technicians easily exceed the purchase price of such machines.

Frank Decré, Garden Machinery Decré (Leuven): "Nowadays, the customer comes well equipped. As a supplier/dealer, it's best to offer serious added value compared to the Internet and online purchases. Of course, we are thinking of the personal approach and correct information. We can also organize a demo set-up with different machines. This way, the potential customer can get to work himself. We also advise after-sales service. After all, the machine that never has anything wrong with it has yet to be invented. Or we deploy replacement equipment. Every professional can really appreciate that, because that way there is little to no downtime."