Articles by Ben Thorpe

Bobcat Rumored to Enter Compact Articulated Tractor Market

By Ben Thorpe posted on March 2, 2023 | Posted in Manufacturer News

Bobcat may soon have its own compact articulated tractor on the market, according to a social media post from a Canadian Bobcat dealer.

Proven Power Gets Creative to Boost Aftermarket Business

Proven Power General Manager Andy Flint walks through the John Deere dealership’s successes and goals in growing its aftermarket revenue and operations.

By Ben Thorpe posted on February 20, 2023 | Posted in Dealer News, Best Practices

For Andy Flint, his career in the equipment industry is a far cry from his first job: running a country club restaurant at 16.

Small Ag Equipment Dealers Report 1.1% Sales Growth in 4Q22

By Ben Thorpe posted on January 30, 2023 | Posted in Data & Forecasts

According to a recent survey from Stifel, North American small ag dealers reported 5.1% sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2020, having benefited from “stay-at-home demand on the small ag side for nearly a year.”

5 Questions with Third Party Financer TD Bank’s Mike Rittler

TD Bank’s Mike Rittler breaks down the findings on a recent dealer survey the firm conducted at the 2022 Equip Expo.

By Ben Thorpe posted on January 20, 2023 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Data & Forecasts

In this installment of our 5 Questions With… series, we sat down with Mike Rittler, head of Retail Card Services at TD Bank, to learn about what TD Bank does and examine the results of a dealer survey they conducted at the 2022 Equip Expo.

5 Questions with Dealer & YouTuber Chris Huckabone

Ontario-based single-store Kubota Dealer-Principal Chris Huckabone talks about how one conversation with a customer sparked a new, more intimate method of advertising.

By Ben Thorpe posted on January 6, 2023 | Posted in Dealer News

In this installment of our 5 Questions With… series, we sat down with Huckabones Equipment’s Dealer-Principal Chris Huckabone to discuss the company’s growing YouTube channel, Huckabones Equipment.

72% of Dealers Worried About Bans on Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment

By Ben Thorpe posted on December 29, 2022 | Posted in Gas-Powered OPE Regulations, Data & Forecasts, Rural Lifestyle Market

According to a recent poll from Rural Lifestyle Dealer, 71.9% of dealers are concerned to some degree about being impacted by bans on gas-powered lawn equipment over the next 3 years.

5 Questions with Kress’ David Johnson

Positec USA Executive Vice President David Johnson talks about the company’s all-electric Kress brand’s entry into North America.

By Ben Thorpe posted on December 14, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer News

In this installment of our 5 Questions With… series, we sat down with Positec USA Executive Vice President David “DJ” Johnson to discuss the company’s Kress brand of all-electric outdoor power equipment and why it chose Spring 2023 as the time to enter the U.S. market.

Over Half of Dealers Forecast Lost Revenue from Tractor Supply DoorDash Partnership

By Ben Thorpe posted on November 14, 2022 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Dealers in the rural lifestyle market got some interesting news on Oct. 28. Tractor Supply Co. announced a partnership with online food delivery platform DoorDash, which now offers on-demand delivery to consumers from almost 2000 Tractor Supply stores nationwide.

5 Dealer Takeaways From Equip Expo 2022

By Ben Thorpe posted on October 21, 2022 | Posted in Event Coverage

Rural Lifestyle Dealer editors were on the ground at this year's Equip Expo in Louisville, Ky. These are their top takeaways from the show.

Keno Tractors Finds Success Importing, Selling & Servicing Chinese Tractors

By Ben Thorpe posted on June 24, 2022 | Posted in Niche Markets

One of only 2 Jinma dealers in the U.S., CEO and Founder of Keno Tractorss Eric Nystrom sold his first piece of farm equipment, a Jinma tractor he imported and assembled himself, back in 2004.

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RhinoAG Production Tour to Mark 90 years

Lessiter Media editors visited RhinoAG in Gibson City, IL to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production processes and attention to detail that have contributed to their longevity as they celebrate their 90th anniversary in 2024.

Top Directory Listings

Yanmar

Yanmar America is the North American headquarters of Yanmar Holdings. Ranked #1 in Product Quality for five years in a row by the Equipment Dealers Association, Yanmar provides innovative solutions for Rural Lifestyle and Industrial Equipment customers.

Yanmar was the world’s first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine in 1933 and has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and technology ever since. As a manufacturer of diesel engines, compact tractors and utility task vehicles, construction machinery, and industrial equipment, Yanmar's products are sold in over 130 countries.

At Yanmar America, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services, backed by a strong team of professionals who share our dedication to excellence. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in achieving your goals.

Stihl Inc

Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc., produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chainsaws worldwide. STIHL Inc. manufactures over 260 model variations of handheld outdoor power equipment for sale in the U.S. and around the world.