The new look, redesigned Service Dealer magazine is now bi-monthly and includes a host of new and familiar features.
Jan / Feb 2014 issue contains:
2014 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT HERITAGE AWARDS PROFILE OF DAVID WITHERS LIVES REMEMBERED BTME PREVIEW LAMMA PREVIEW DIARY OF A SEASON + 2014 EVENT PLANNER
PROPANE MOWERS 10% market share predicted over coming years
A steady growth in the sales of propane powered mowers is forecast in the US. Jeremy Wishart, senior programs manager for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), has said that propane mowers could eventually account for roughly 10% of the commercial mowers being used in the U.S.
The number of contractors participating in PERC's propane mower incentive programme jumped from 925 to over 1,000 in the final two months of the year. "It (10% market share) sounds like a lofty goal, but we firmly believe it's realistic, given the kind of effort and resources we're putting behind the landscape market," Wishart says. "When you look at both conversions of existing petrol mowers and new propane mower purchases, we're somewhere in the 3-5% range right now. Getting to 10% will probably take another two to four years. We will continue with the product development and market development programs we've already been doing."
Roughly 75% of the PERC-approved incentive applications have been for new propane mowers. The other 25% have been for certified conversions of gas mowers. Wishart expects that ratio to maintain itself.
It's an evolving number, but roughly 16 mower manufacturers now offer propane-powered models. And although zero-turn riders are by far the most popular option, many manufacturers are expanding propane to other types of mowers.
For example, Ventrac's 4500 articulating tractor offers a propane option. "Simply put, we're seeing increased demand from both contractors and manufacturers for propane walk mowers, along with stand-on mowers," Wishart adds. "All of these mowers have engines that are in the same category, so it makes a lot of sense."
John Deere has also announced in the US that it is working with an outside supplier to train and supply Deere dealers with certified propane conversion kits.
Dealers are expected to continue playing a pivotal role in advancing the proliferation of propane-powered mowers in the marketplace said Mr Wishart.
