Rural Lifestyle Dealer RuralLifestyleDealer.com is your source for news, stories and videos for dealers selling to everyone from hobby farmers to estate owners to landscape contractors and municipalities. The rural lifestyle market is evolving fast. We keep you informed! https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/rss/articles Reflections on a Week of Collaboration & Learning in Springfield, Ill. Springfield has its share of attractions to visit, but it wasn’t tourism that attracted so many people to Springfield for the week. Rather, it was to meet with their like-minded peers who share a common goal of seeking a better way for their businesses and industry. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/1-from-the-desk-of-rld/post/12343-reflections-on-a-week-of-collaboration-and-learning-in-springfield-ill http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/1/post/12343 ECHO Introduces the PB-9510 Backpack Blower, Most Powerful in Company History Delivering 56 Newtons of sustained blowing force, 1,200 CFM and 230 MPH air speed, the new blower builds on more than five decades of ECHO innovation. Delivering 56 Newtons of sustained blowing force, 1,200 CFM and 230 MPH air speed, the new blower builds on more than five decades of ECHO innovation. 

]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12341-echo-introduces-the-pb-9510-backpack-blower-most-powerful-in-company-history http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12341 Dealer Business Trends & Outlook Review A presentation from Ben Thorpe, dissecting the findings of the 2024 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends. A presentation from Ben Thorpe, dissecting the findings of the 2024 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends.

]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12291-dealer-business-trends-and-outlook-review http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12291 OPEI Engages on California Equipment Bans The EPA transmitted the agency's Jan. 6, 2025, waiver authorization of California's Small Off-Road Engine amendments, to Congress for review. The EPA transmitted the agency's Jan. 6, 2025, waiver authorization of California's Small Off-Road Engine amendments, to Congress for review.

]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12342-opei-engages-on-california-equipment-bans http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12342 Measuring Inventory Breadth Inventory breadth is a gauge of inventory health and a leading indicator of your Fill Rate. We measure Inventory Breadth before the customer needs the part, we measure Fill Rate after they buy the part. Inventory breadth is a gauge of inventory health and a leading indicator of your Fill Rate. We measure Inventory Breadth before the customer needs the part, we measure Fill Rate after they buy the part. 

]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:56:10 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12290-measuring-inventory-breadth http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12290 Honda Introduces New Amazon Storefront in U.S. for Power Equipment Products The storefront serves as a centralized destination for consumers to learn about Honda offerings, with a curated lineup available. The storefront serves as a centralized destination for consumers to learn about Honda offerings, with a curated lineup available.  

]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:29:13 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12338-honda-introduces-new-amazon-storefront-in-us-for-power-equipment-products http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12338 Finding Your Best Team Members on the Field... and in the Dealership Tim Brannon recalls some stories from his softball playing years, and the impressive players he had on his team — both on the field and in the dealership. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/2-equipment-dealer-tips-tales-takeaways/post/12340-finding-your-best-team-members-on-the-field-and-in-the-dealership http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/2/post/12340 Rural Lifestyle Dealer's Best of the Web: August 11, 2026 This Week's Lineup: What Sound Does a Tractor Make? Bobcat: Watch Me: The Makers of the X Games. The People Behind the Power Meet the Metro East Preschooler Whose Love of Lawn Care Became an Internet Sensation From Dealership Minds Summit to Illinois Sightseeing Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by LS Tractor. This Week's Lineup:

  • What Sound Does a Tractor Make?
  • Bobcat: Watch Me: The Makers of the X Games.
  • The People Behind the Power
  • Meet the Metro East Preschooler Whose Love of Lawn Care Became an Internet Sensation
  • From Dealership Minds Summit to Illinois Sightseeing

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by LS Tractor.

]]> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12337-rural-lifestyle-dealers-best-of-the-web-august-11-2026 http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12337 Rural Lifestyle Equipment Dealer Panel — 2024 Outlook Dealer executives Michael Gillum (Gillum’s Service & Repair, Ashland, Ky.), Doug Vahrenberg (Vahrenberg Implement, Higginsville, Mo.) and Mac Payne (Berry Companies, Little Elm, Texas) have a “state of the industry” discussion for the year ahead. Dealer executives Michael Gillum (Gillum’s Service & Repair, Ashland, Ky.), Doug Vahrenberg (Vahrenberg Implement, Higginsville, Mo.) and Mac Payne (Berry Companies, Little Elm, Texas) have a “state of the industry” discussion for the year ahead.

]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12289-rural-lifestyle-equipment-dealer-panel-2024-outlook http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12289 The Art of Valuing and Selling Your Dealership in Uncertain Times Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12288-the-art-of-valuing-and-selling-your-dealership-in-uncertain-times http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12288 Malvese Equipment’s Two New York Locations Acquired by Dobbs Equity Partners from Al & Otto Cooley Performance Brokerage Services, North America’s highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Malvese Equipment, a heavy construction and agriculture equipment dealership in Hicksville & Riverhead, New York, from Al & Otto Cooley to Dobbs Equity Partners. Performance Brokerage Services, North America’s highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Malvese Equipment, a heavy construction and agriculture equipment dealership in Hicksville & Riverhead, New York, from Al & Otto Cooley to Dobbs Equity Partners.

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12336-malvese-equipments-two-new-york-locations-acquired-by-dobbs-equity-partners-from-al-and-otto-cooley http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12336 The Most Valuable Marketing Asset You Already Own Many organizations underestimate its value because it doesn’t appear on a balance sheet. Many organizations underestimate its value because it doesn’t appear on a balance sheet.

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12335-the-most-valuable-marketing-asset-you-already-own http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12335 Turbocharging Your Personal & Professional Development Learn how to lead a good career, spot high potential talent in your organization, ensure you stay on track, and many other insights to help you and your organization. Learn how to lead a good career, spot high potential talent in your organization, ensure you stay on track, and many other insights to help you and your organization. 

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12287-turbocharging-your-personal-and-professional-development http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12287 Ignite Attachments Expands Support for John Deere Compact Tractors With New Front-End Attachment Solutions Ignite Attachments announced John Deere-compatible buckets and pallet fork frames, giving operators access to value-priced attachments that combine guaranteed fit, transparent pricing and fast, direct-to-you delivery. Ignite Attachments announced John Deere-compatible buckets and pallet fork frames, giving operators access to value-priced attachments that combine guaranteed fit, transparent pricing and fast, direct-to-you delivery.

]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12334-ignite-attachments-expands-support-for-john-deere-compact-tractors-with-new-front-end-attachment-solutions http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12334 Rural Lifestyle Dealer's Best of the Web: August 4, 2026 This Week's Lineup: A Compact Tractor Does Not Have to Mean Small Jobs The Accessories That Actually Made a Difference on My Kubota LX4020 He Had to Get Redemption on the Obstacle Course Hybrid Series: Episode 25 – Demo the Smartec Hybrid at EQUIP Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by LS Tractor. This Week's Lineup:

  • A Compact Tractor Does Not Have to Mean Small Jobs
  • The Accessories That Actually Made a Difference on My Kubota LX4020
  • He Had to Get Redemption on the Obstacle Course
  • Hybrid Series: Episode 25 – Demo the Smartec Hybrid at EQUIP

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by LS Tractor.

]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12331-rural-lifestyle-dealers-best-of-the-web-august-4-2026 http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12331 Top 10 Rural Lifestyle Industry Stories in July 2026 In case you missed them, here are the most popular items on our website from the past month, June 2026. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12333-top-10-rural-lifestyle-industry-stories-in-july-2026 http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12333 Are We on the Edge of a New Wave in Farm Machinery? With the gatherings of the Farm Equipment Dealership Minds Summit and the National Strip-Tillage Conference a few days away, recent conversations caused me to pause and think about another paradigm shift in basic agricultural methodology that we, quite possibly, could be witnessing. With the gatherings of the Farm Equipment Dealership Minds Summit and the National Strip-Tillage Conference a few days away, recent conversations caused me to pause and think about another paradigm shift in basic agricultural methodology that we, quite possibly, could be witnessing.

]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/2-equipment-dealer-tips-tales-takeaways/post/12332-are-we-on-the-edge-of-a-new-wave-in-farm-machinery http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/2/post/12332 California Emission Regulations & Gas Powered Bans To give an update on the current landscape of gas-powered equipment bans in arguably the No. 1 hotspot — California — the Far West Equipment Dealers Assn. discusses Tier 5 engine regulations, off-road engine emission requirements and how it all affects dealers. To give an update on the current landscape of gas-powered equipment bans in arguably the No. 1 hotspot — California — the Far West Equipment Dealers Assn. discusses Tier 5 engine regulations, off-road engine emission requirements and how it all affects dealers.

]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12286-california-emission-regulations-and-gas-powered-bans http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12286 Cashflow Management Taking a page out of the best-selling book, “Profit First” Bob Clements shares how the dealerships he and his team consult with take a different approach by using the “Profit First” formula... Taking a page out of the best-selling book, “Profit First” Bob Clements shares how the dealerships he and his team consult with take a different approach by using the “Profit First” formula...

]]> Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12285-cashflow-management http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12285 Creating Technicians from Scratch with a Career Academy Everyone is looking for more technicians, and that’s nothing new. Almost 85% of dealers in the most recent Farm Equipment Dealer Business Outlook & Trends survey said they want to add technicians in 2023. Everyone is looking for more technicians, and that’s nothing new. Almost 85% of dealers in the most recent Farm Equipment Dealer Business Outlook & Trends survey said they want to add technicians in 2023.

]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12283-creating-technicians-from-scratch-with-a-career-academy http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12283 Vibrant Credit Union Expands Equipment Lending with Manitou Group North America Partnership Vibrant Credit Union has partnered with Manitou Group North America to offer consumer and small business equipment lending options—supporting the Manitou and GEHL brands and continuing to build a portfolio of leading equipment manufacturers across construction and agriculture. Vibrant Credit Union has partnered with Manitou Group North America to offer consumer and small business equipment lending options—supporting the Manitou and GEHL brands and continuing to build a portfolio of leading equipment manufacturers across construction and agriculture.

]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12330-vibrant-credit-union-expands-equipment-lending-with-manitou-group-north-america-partnership http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12330 Discovering America’s Entrepreneurial Spirit in Rural Illinois "I recently took a business trip through Illinois and discovered some things about the ag industry and our nation's history along the way." Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/1-from-the-desk-of-rld/post/12329-discovering-americas-entrepreneurial-spirit-in-rural-illinois http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/1/post/12329 Rural Lifestyle Dealer's Best of the Web: July 28, 2026 This Week's Lineup: The Fastest Machine Isn't Always the Best Behind the Scenes Ep. 1 - Milan 2025 | The Man Behind Fair Competition Efficient Field Preparation Depends on Matching the Tractor With the Correct Implement What the Next Decade of Autonomous Mowing Will Look Like Traveling Tractor Stop #7: Princeton, IL Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by LS Tractor. This Week's Lineup:

  • The Fastest Machine Isn't Always the Best
  • Behind the Scenes Ep. 1 - Milan 2025 | The Man Behind Fair Competition
  • Efficient Field Preparation Depends on Matching the Tractor With the Correct Implement
  • What the Next Decade of Autonomous Mowing Will Look Like 
  • Traveling Tractor Stop #7: Princeton, IL

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by LS Tractor.

]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12328-rural-lifestyle-dealers-best-of-the-web-july-28-2026 http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12328 Dealership YouTube Best Practices Chris Huckabone details how he lets his customers in on the ins and outs of his dealership and what equipment he has to sell. Chris Huckabone details how he lets his customers in on the ins and outs of his dealership and what equipment he has to sell. 

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12284-dealership-youtube-best-practices http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12284 Improving Inventory Accuracy – Physical Inventory vs Cycle Counting During his corporate journey, Dean Devore noticed the lack of OEM focus on the professional development of Parts Employees at their authorized dealers. In 2015, he left corporate America and founded Parts Academy to train and certify Parts Professionals working for equipment dealers. During his corporate journey, Dean Devore noticed the lack of OEM focus on the professional development of Parts Employees at their authorized dealers. In 2015, he left corporate America and founded Parts Academy to train and certify Parts Professionals working for equipment dealers.

]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12282-improving-inventory-accuracy-physical-inventory-vs-cycle-counting http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12282 VitalEdge Technologies Awarded 2026 Stevie Award The company’s submission, “VitalityAI: Purpose-Built Innovation for Agricultural Technology,” was recognized as a Silver Award Winner. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12327-vitaledge-technologies-awarded-2026-stevie-award http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12327 Scag Power Equipment, Octane, and Huntington Bank Team Up to Streamline OPE Purchases Dealers and customers benefit from full-spectrum financial options and advanced digital tools. Dealers and customers benefit from full-spectrum financial options and advanced digital tools. 

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:59:27 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12323-scag-power-equipment-octane-and-huntington-bank-team-up-to-streamline-ope-purchases http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12323 Toro Company announces Edric C. Funk as New CEO The Toro Company’s board of directors elected president and chief operating officer Edric C. Funk to the position of president and chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2026. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12326-toro-company-announces-edric-c-funk-as-new-ceo http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12326 Percy: The Parts Selling Partsoid A 24-7, 52 weeks of the year, no vacation or sick days, robotic parts manager. Doesn't that sound great? Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/2-equipment-dealer-tips-tales-takeaways/post/12324-percy-the-parts-selling-partsoid http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/blogs/2/post/12324 Journey From 1 to 3 Stores What I Learned Jeremy Gantt, president of Louisiana Kubota dealership Bayou Kubota, will walk attendees through his journey from being a single-store dealer in 2019 (then called Ruston Tractor) to now operating 3 stores as Bayou Kubota. Jeremy Gantt, president of Louisiana Kubota dealership Bayou Kubota, will walk attendees through his journey from being a single-store dealer in 2019 (then called Ruston Tractor) to now operating 3 stores as Bayou Kubota.

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12281-journey-from-1-to-3-stores-what-i-learned http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/articles/12281